Learn how to machine metal

[2cool2hear]

I want to improve my machining skills. There are so many things I want to build and repair. Does anyone know of any good book?

I'm in basic machining class (not CNC) and the book they use for class is unreadable. The teacher doesn't even use it.
Precision Machining Technology by Peter J. Hoffman, Eric S. Hopewill, and Brian Janes

If you have better suggestions, feel free to share. I'm curious to see what other options are out there that I haven't thought of yet.

Many thanks

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Not a book but look up mrpete222 on youtube. I believe he is a retired shop teacher. MIT also has a good set of videos on machining.

 

[rockwithjason]

amazon has a wealth of books on the subject. read the reviews of the books that interest you. a second on mrpete222

 

[RogueFab]

How to run a lathe by south bend. I dont have a recommendation for milling yet.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I'm just a hobby machinist so I can't reccomend a book.
+1 on How to run a lathe by southend, you can download an old copy for free.

Mrpete222 taught a highschool shop class for 35 years. He has a bunch of instructional videos on youtube.

Other useful youtube channels are:
Oxtoolco
abom79
Kieth Rutger
Keith Fenner
James Kilroy
Double boost
That lazy machinist (retired machining teacher that must of done tool and die making because he covers a lot on metrology and techniques)

The tool and die guy. tool and die maker, his youtube videos are a tease to get you to buy his course, but they look good to me.

I'm also on the hobby machinist forum that gives a lot of useful information for all levels of machinists.

One of the complaints I'm seeing on the machinists forums is that most of the machinists classes today get through theory, then dive right into CNC since those are the skills required to get a job. That is great if you are looking to get a career in machining, but if you are a hobbiest and just want to learn to run a lathe or a mill, I understand that formal traing is getting harder to find.

Chris

 

[Falcon67]

Several places you can go

Tubalcain on YouTube has bunches of videos, as do others
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBC69869E8CB708F2

Search for "us army machinist course" - lathe operations and milling machine operations. Out there somewhere as free PDFs.

Two good sites:
http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/

 

[A_Pmech]

Moltrecht's two-volume set is an excellent book on manual machining. It covers all the chip-making machines, plus grinding, setup, geometry, and metrology.

 

[larry_g]

Moltrecht's two-volume set is an excellent book on manual machining. It covers all the chip-making machines, plus grinding, setup, geometry, and metrology.

X2 but be aware that there are a few different versions of the book out there and you may want to confirm that the version you get applies to era you want to work in. This applies to most machining books.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[PugetDude]

Free Advice from a stranger on the internet:

Buy a copy of Machinery's Handbook first.
Don't rent it, don't borrow it, don't just read it online.
Buy your own hard copy, learn to use it. it contains a wealth of mechanical knowledge you'll use it the rest of your life.

Pay attention in Geometry and Trigonometry classes.

Then look for process-specific you-tube videos and texts on machining.

Practice is the best teacher...

Good Luck!

 

[HubbaBubba]

People tell me there is only one "good book" hahahaha

 

[larry_g]

People tell me there is only one "good book" hahahaha

They lied....

lg
no neat sig line

 

[RogueFab]

Free Advice from a stranger on the internet:

Buy a copy of Machinery's Handbook first.
Don't rent it, don't borrow it, don't just read it online.
Buy your own hard copy, learn to use it. it contains a wealth of mechanical knowledge you'll use it the rest of your life.

Good Luck!

YES!!!!!!

I forgot that one. And I agree, don't get a PDF. Get a real copy.

 

[gte718p]

YES!!!!!!

I forgot that one. And I agree, don't get a PDF. Get a real copy.

Yes, an older version will do if you don't want to drop a couple hundred on the latest and greatest. Two versions old can be found for $15-$20 bucks. Basic machining hasn't changed much in 100 years. The older versions might not be up to date on laser welding and the latest in cnc code, but are still extremely valuable. My copy is 15 years old and I still break it out every time I start doing design work.

 

[600SL]

Several places you can go

Tubalcain on YouTube has bunches of videos, as do others
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBC69869E8CB708F2

Search for "us army machinist course" - lathe operations and milling machine operations. Out there somewhere as free PDFs.

Two good sites:
http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/

Plus 1 on Tubalcain

 

[Lassen Forge]

Current copy of Machinery's Handbook - toolbox size (I like this better than the big one, still has all the juicy info) for all of $95 plus tax. They also have a calculator deal; not sure if it's worth it, unless your math is rusty or you broke your slide rule, tho...

http://new.industrialpress.com/machinery-s-handbook.html

 

[Falcon67]

X4 or so on the Machinery Handbook. Search eBay, mine was about 3 editions old and was only $50 in like new condition. Plop that sucker on the desk and people think you know something!