I've been thinking about getting a set of these books, but wanted to get a better idea about them, since information about their actual content is pretty skimpy on the web. For those that have a set, what can you tell me that makes me want to run out right now and get them?
I live with the four-volume set within reach of my bedstand.
I've never built one single mechanism from any of them. On the other hand, I've had many puzzles to solve with machine design for which they contained the secrets to the solution.
These books are chock-full of OLD, purely mechanical, sometimes simple-sometimes complex ideas and sub-machines. Virtually any motion translation is described there.
I wouldn't be without them. I've had my set for twelve years, and they're as interesting as when new every time I open them.
(there is a small but recognizable redundancy among the four, but not enough to harm their value)
I have the set. Best to get to a free library and actually browse the books yourself. I found the designs interesting, but for the most part, too difficult to fabricate in a home shop environment. But that just might be my limitation (:
Not knowing what you're looking for it's hard to make a recommendation, so the suggestion to look at the books in a library is a good one.
Most of the ideas in the book are examples of actual machines and often quite complex. It can be difficult to glean an idea from the material without spending a lot of time reading the quite detailed descriptions. The four volumes were published over a period of years, so while each book is divided into subjects, there's no overall organization - there may be a section in volume 1 that's very similar to one in volume 4.
A couple other books with similar coverage, but different approaches:
"Pictorial Handbook of Mechanical Devices" - Grafstein "Mechanisms, Linkages and Mechanical Controls" - Chironis "The Engineer's Sketchbook" - Barber "507 Mechanical Movements" - Lindsay reprint "Fine Mechanisms and Precision Instruments" - Trylinski
All except the last, which is a translation of a Polish text, are easily available either new or used.
I don't have those. But here's what I suggest: get them from the library and read them to see if they have sufficient ongoing interest for you to plunk down serious coin to buy them!
If your local library doesn't have them, it's time to learn about interlibrary loans!
Nothing would make me "run out" to get a set, and certainly not right now. If someone were to give me another set, I would quickly "re-gift" them for sure, although I'll keep the set I've got for now (Hmmm....wonder where the heck they are anyway??) Too much BS for me. B-O-R-R-R-R-R-R-I-N-G. Now, guys like David MacMillan would love them, but the stuff is much too esoteric for any home shop use, and very little on "Oh Yeah!! That's a good idea!!" stuff.
Now, some more MH's make me drool. I've got LOTS of room for more of them! One within arms reach at all times is a good idea.
| | I don't have those. But here's what I suggest: get them from the library and | read them to see if they have sufficient ongoing interest for you to plunk down | serious coin to buy them! | | If your local library doesn't have them, it's time to learn about interlibrary | loans! | | GWE
The set and none of the books mentioned by Ned are in my local public library nor any branch. Seeing that I live near Seattle, there are few "hard" texts of value there, and this just further cements that notion. Dangnabit! I'll go see what the county library has.
| | I don't have those. But here's what I suggest: get them from the library and | read them to see if they have sufficient ongoing interest for you to plunk down | serious coin to buy them! | | If your local library doesn't have them, it's time to learn about interlibrary | loans! | | GWE
The set and none of the books mentioned by Ned are in my local public library nor any branch. Seeing that I live near Seattle, there are few "hard" texts of value there, and this just further cements that notion. Dangnabit! I'll go see what the county library has.
| | I don't have those. But here's what I suggest: get them from the library and | read them to see if they have sufficient ongoing interest for you to plunk down | serious coin to buy them! | | If your local library doesn't have them, it's time to learn about interlibrary | loans! | | GWE
The set and none of the books mentioned by Ned are in my local public library nor any branch. Seeing that I live near Seattle, there are few "hard" texts of value there, and this just further cements that notion. Dangnabit! I'll go see what the county library has.
I have this set of books... It is interesting... but it is from a different age. Seems like a lot of what is covered is mechanical motions in a printing press or conveyor line... Seems like these days much of what was once done mechanicaly is prabably done electicaly. I keep them on the bed stand and find them quite condusive (sp) to a good nights sleep. zzzz mike
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