Machinery Handbook (AKA Bible)

[tombell572]

I use the 14th edition from 1953 that I bought used in the 1970's. I also have its rival, the American Machinist's Handbook, 8th Edition from 1945. The latter is by Colvin and Stanley who published a number of excellent machinists' reference manuals.

All of my machines are manual so there is no ned to update to that new-fangled digital and CNC stuff.

Tom B.

 

[chris_1001]

I have the 25th edition. I have not picked it up in years. Most info is on line and I'm a mechanical engineer.

I use Solidworks (all day) so most of my drill/tap info is a click away. But back in the day I used it all the time.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

I have the large version of the 26th edition at work and the normal 25th edition that I got in trade school at home. We had a portion of our machine shop theory class dedicated to how to find things in that book.

Another handy book I got in trade school that is much faster to find basic information in is the machinists ready reference.

 

[crewchief888]

17th edition here. Bought it new when I started my machinist apprenticeship in 1964. I still use it and would not be without it.

i was curious....

mines the 20th edition, bought new in '76 when i started my apprenticeship.


damn i feel old today...

 

[davethorik]

I have the 22nd edition that I got with a Kennedy box. Definitely handy on occasion.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Very few need the latest & greatest, so if you find even a very old version, it's still full of amazingly useful information. I think the one in my machinist chest is 19th edition...never once found it wanting. OUTSTANDING book IMO.

 

[mowkep]

I have an old hard bound edition and the smaller one. I'm curious now so I'll check the editon tomorrow. I started machining in 1988 and that's when my dad gave me it.

 

[Cruzan80]

Wondering what the first edition that started to reference metric was? Thinking it would be handy to have both, but don't need most of the CNC stuff.

 

[jeepboy4life]

I have the 28th edition, sits on my desk and use it atleast twice a week

 

[bradleykd]

Hmm, I've never looked at one of these. I use the Millwrights and Mechanics Guide at work a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764541714/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How does the Machinery Handbook compare to this guide, for those who have used both?

 

[Stuey]

My 27th edition Toolbox Edition was too small, so I bought a 30th addition "Large Print" copy. I use both, but the Large Print sees more use.

People complain about the quality of the paper of these newer editions, but how much thicker and heavier do they want the book to be?

 

[Nelson58]

I was told, but am not sure it is correct, that if you have older, manual machines, you want/need the older versions that cover that type of equipment. So I bought an older, used edition for myself.

 

[mowkep]

So I have "Machine shop work" printed in 1948 and "machinists ready reference" 7th edition printed in 1989

 

[lakeroadster]

Twenty-First Edition, Third Printing, 1980

The only book that I actually used at everyplace I ever worked since 1980.

 

[MShaw]

"i was curious....

mines the 20th edition, bought new in '76 when i started my apprenticeship.


damn i feel old today.."

Imagine how old I feel with my 17th edidion

 

[SteveW1000]

I've the 5th and 21st both bought at flea markets. Similar one from this side of the pond is Kempe's Engineers Handbook, I've the 85th edition from 1980. Easier to use as it's in two volumes in a slip case total page count is about the same.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I've had the 23rd Edition, since the early 1990s, during my industrial maintenance career. Also, 15 years ago, I bought a 21st Edition at a yard sale for 1$.

But 6 months ago, I was allowed first pick at a widow's yard sale. She told me that her late husband was a machinist, and hoped that there would be interest in his tools. My heart stopped! Long story short, I bought all of his tools, sold what I didn't need and kept the rest. I was really happy to discover the 23rd Edition Guide with his tools, to go with my original handbook.

 

[iajonesy]

Anyone who's ever done any machine work has probably used one edition or another of this great reference book. I still have mine and it's over 40 years old and in perfect condition and still relevant today.

Mike

 

[ttpete]

In 2014, they reprinted the first edition in commemoration of the book's 100th anniversary. It was printed and bound same as the original. I bought a copy and it came in a nice box.

 

[cheechi]

Thanks Bill.

My 20th edition I bought used for $2 was stolen many years ago.