Old-Fashioned Toolmaking: The Classic Treatise on Lapping, Threading, Precision Measurements, and General Toolmaking Paperback – May 3, 2016

Good, if a bit dated, info!

I got this for my dad, who sadly died before I could give it to him for Christmas. I know he would’ve loved it.

A good book on how to machine critical dimensions without advanced tooling or measuring devices. The book is a bit dated though. It appears to be written from other trade journals of 90 to 100 years ago. Some of the illustrations show machine shops when they were referred to as belt jungles. I like the book though. It has information in it that other such trade publications don't have, like lapping techniques and using machinist buttons.

I enjoy some of the older methods of having to rely upon yourself to manually figure out how to do layouts, map a project with all dimensions on the rough stock or metal. In short, you have to do the basics yourself

A lot of information in great detail. At first read it can be a little overwhelming, but when you are trying to machine a part, everything you need to know is well explained. Since I bought my lathe and milling machine, I have watched hours of video and learned a great deal about machine work. But having a book with the processes clearly explained makes learning the skills of machining much easier. I'm retired and enjoy repairing and building things in my shop. Mechanical work comes easily for me, but machine work is something I am trying to learn. This book has a lot of the answers I need.

This is great for learning how to get high precision when you don't have a $100,000 CNC machine to do it for you. A little bit of patience and creativity will take you 90% of the way, although it might need an accessory or two to do it. These techniques built the old behemoth battleships and the first nukes, and that is more than good enough for me with my hobby shop.

This is an excellent book. The first print run was in 1915 and if the is what was considered old fashioned then that means this catalogs processes from the latter half of the 19th century. I love this book but it does make me feel that modern society has become really dumb.

Bought the same book twice, wrote to the publisher about it, his response below, 2012 reprint is titled "Traditional Toolmaking", not just the title, but totally different ISBN number with blue cover scheme instead of brown.I also have the same reprinted book titled "Modern Toolmaking Methods", (1987) ISBN 0917914724, this book has clearer pictures.- Thank you for writing. The normal reason to change a title is to make it more appealing to the reader. We are committed to keeping these wonderful older books in print, and this is one way that can help.If this caused any confusion, we can only offer apologies. Happy Holidays to you!