Good book for beginning machist?

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Just bought an older metal lathe made for Sears by Atlas. I had an Atlas drill press that I let go in a moment of stupidity, but I remember they built good tools for the home machinist. So, what is a no nonsense resource for machining and tooling? TIA.Oh, and if you have an extra book or two you want to sell for reasonable money, contact me thru my profile. Thanks again.
Reply:The "machinists handbook" comes to mind..mine must have 3" of dust on it...best thing to do is to just do it...heck when i started machining i thought a micrometer was a "high performance "c" clamp"  ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:That's funny. I've got a couple that should probably be used as c-clamps, he heh.
Reply:Good thread! I'd be interested to know what are some good books on general metalworking. I've been picking up stuff here and there while taking welding classes, but get the feeling that I still have a whole lot to learn about virtually everything. I'm interested more in practical stuff (e.g. what do I need to know to build a piece of furniture or how to build a trailer that'll haul a 500lb motorcycle) than dry technical stuff with lots of formulas and tables... I don't have any formal education in metal work, so even basic stuff (e.g. how to cope joints in square tubing, how to design welds) is useful to me. Any thoughts?
Reply:sstorkel, I'm a carpenter by trade and their are many, many good books on joinery and construction of cabinets, furnature, etc. Just browse your local Barnes and Noble or other favorite bookstore. If you see some good titles and leafing thru gives you a good insight as to the worth of the book, Amazon will have several that you can buy used.Stay away from the homeowner DIY stuff like the Reader's Digest series. While they're not all bad, it's too basic. If you've already bought tools, you're a notch above RD.I didn't think of that approach to my lathe, but I might head down there myself later on tonight.
Reply:Originally Posted by zekesstorkel, I'm a carpenter by trade and their are many, many good books on joinery and construction of cabinets, furnature, etc. Just browse your local Barnes and Noble or other favorite bookstore. If you see some good titles and leafing thru gives you a good insight as to the worth of the book, Amazon will have several that you can buy used.
Reply:First, get "How to Run a Lathe" published by the South Bend lathe company.Lost of em used at both Amazon and ABEbooks.com for under 10 bucks.http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...959037?ie=UTF8Then, a great overall textbook that covers all kinds of machine tools is "Machine Tool Practices" by Kibbe.This is more money, but it is worth it. It is the standard textbook for tech school machinist classes, and it covers everything, from using a micrometer to setting up a milling machine.http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...e=UTF8&s=booksI always check used bookstores for old machining books- I have tons of em, often bought for just a few bucks. But these two will answer just about any question you would have.The Machinery Handbook is a good book- but it doesnt tell you how to do anything- what it tells you is what size to make things, how big threads are, how big a motor to use, what size pulley fits, and so on- its more like a reference book for all things mechanical.
Reply:Machine Shop Practice Vol. I will cover everything you need for a lathe including measurement, setup, and single point cutting tools.  Vol, II will cover everything else if you ever get a mill.  These can be had new for about $20 a piece.  They are older books so there isn't much on cnc.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:www.technicalvideorental.com
Reply:The Home Shop Machinist magazine always has ads for LOTS of books & videos.
Reply:Originally Posted by RiesThe Machinery Handbook is a good book- but it doesnt tell you how to do anything- what it tells you is what size to make things, how big threads are, how big a motor to use, what size pulley fits, and so on- its more like a reference book for all things mechanical.
Reply:Here's a link for The Machinery Repairman Book from the Navy. It is a good book filled with lots of usefull information on setting up different machines. The book is in PDF format.http://www.metalwebnews.org/ftp/machinery-repairman.pdfI use it all the time as a reference. A friend gave me a copy and it has ben a great source for me. Hope you can use it.Tony"Wherever you go....there you are"
Reply:Wow!  What a great bunch of recommendations.  Most of my collection is mentioned by previous posters.As stated, used book stores are your greatest resource.  Wherever I travel I stop in at the local independent used book stores and search the technical section.  (INDEPENDENT used book stores need our support to stay in business, just like local welding supply stores.  I urge you to shop them before going to Amazon or Barnes and Noble, who don't need us and, generally, don't stock these types of books.)  One interesting aspect of the home machining hobby is how few machining books get into the used market.  Perhaps it is because home machinists just can't let go of stuff, but I suspect it means we are really a small minority of home shop users.  For every book on machining, there are scores of books on woodworking and, fortunately, a few books on welding.Sears used to sell a very practical handbook on lathe operation, probably taken from the South Bend book.  I'm sure it is long out of print (like most of the books mentioned in this thread).I found an interesting small book, "Lathe Accessories, How To Make and Use Them," by Edgar T. Westbury, ISBN 0-85344-100-6, Argus Books, Ltd. (UK).  Very practical info and ideas for the amateur.Audel's book series, including such titles as, "Machinist's Library," (several volumes) is fairly basic and useful for a beginner."Turning Technology," by Stephen F. Krar and J. William Oswald, ISBN 0-442-24244-1, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1971, is a 288-page VERY practical book exclusively on lathe operations written in a trade school text style."Metalworking in the Home Shop," by E.F. Lindsley, ISBN 0-442-25984-0, has a lot of very interesting info for the home machinist and has a 40 page chapter on lathe operation that is very practical.I strongly second the suggestion that you suscribe to, "The Home Shop Machinist," www.homeshopmachinist.net, 800-447-7367.Enjoy your lathe.  I've had a lot of fun and practical use out of mine since buying a 9" Logan from my retiring neighbor 55 years ago (and accumulating two more larger lathes since then).awright