Machinery's Handbook: Toolbox

I'm a 25yr Chem E - not a Mech E. - and I'm working as a reliability engineer these days. That means I'm in/out of lots of different disciplines so I don't have much of a comfort zone these days. We all accumulate loads of books opened once and don't use again in our career. This book is actually one I've used a couple times now since I got it and will use in the future. In fact, I ordered a second one for my daughter (a 2nd year Mech E. down in Houston working for an oil company). And yes, I bought the book for myself - I didn't make the company buy it b/c I want to keep it - those of you in the field understand that means it's not insincere. Also - get the large print if you do buy it - doesn't matter your age, it's just easier to read. I got exposed to the book when I had to make a choice on alternate material for bolts in our machine shop - the machinist had a copy (several additions older) he used to pull up yield strengths for the metal we had vs the metal used in the bolting that had broken - so we could replace with something similar in thermal growth and yield strength. That data was in there on addition 27 (his copy), and still there in this 32nd addition (my copy). Later, I used it to lookup interference fits after a younger engineer told me about a bad bearing fit on a shaft causing failures. We all use the 0.001 to 0.002" per inch of diameter - but the fit definition is in the book (along with sliding fits - something I've not used before). It's an encyclopedia so you won't use all of it - but the parts that you need are definitely in there. I'd recommend the index tabs - but don't make my mistake and install them all. Install the one's you need - cause there are a lot of tabs in this 3000 page book and I don't need a tab for real numbers or algebra. Definitely would recommend as a working book at your desk.

This is the newest edition as of April 2024. This book is "Universally considered the principal reference for the manufacturing and mechanical industries" as the back of the book cover says. You will not find a more complete guide for all of your machinery needs anywhere. There are many books that are great resources, but The Machinery's Handbook is where the buck stops. If you are a machinist, engineer, designer, drafter, metalworker, toolmaker, educator, student, or home hobbyist, then you are money ahead to get this book! The price of this book, when I purchased it, was less than the 31st edition. Great deal for the wealth of information contained within.

This has been THE go-to piece of literature for years now and it only gets better with every edition. There is so much useful information packed in here that it will take years to understand it all. I know long-time machinists that still open their 20 year old copies and read before doing a job.

The bible for machinists - or Mechanical Engineers. Out of all the books I have, this one gets used 9 times out of 10 over all others. Perfect gift for a new ME grad - which was what this purchase was for (my copy is 30 years old and still relevant).

I got this book for a steal. $100 when this version had just came out. I was skeptical that it was the large print version especially for that price. I absolutely love this large print version (which is what I wanted). For those of you that do not know, there is NO difference in content or anything between the toolbox version vs the large print version. The pages are exactly the same and everything (the toolbox version is literately just a smaller scaled version/book size.) I am a Mechanical Design Engineer and I have compared and verified this by looking at various older versions other colleagues have of the Machinery's Handbook (large and small). I wanted a large print version for easier reading and referencing. I have an office that I work/design from and have all kinds of engineering books. Why wouldn't I want the larger print book if I am going to use it a lot and space isn't a problem in my office? Any real Mechanical Design Engineer has and uses the Machinery's Handbook. Once you start using it and reading it, you'll start seeing its value especially when it comes to quick answers, formulas, equations, etc. about anything and everything related to math and physics for mechanical engineers. Do not feel you need to get the latest version of this book and if you can find 1 or 2 older editions way cheaper, go for it. I wasn't looking for this 32th (latest) edition because I thought it was going to be super expensive (and it was). I just happen to luck out that this seller was selling this one used (and it barely was) and at this price. I have older PDF versions of the Machinery's Handbook as well (28th, 29th editions) and almost nothing really changes between the versions as long as the version you get isn't 3-4 editions older than the newest one released. Half the time, they're just releasing a new version to generate revenue and they'll move one chapter from the beginning of the book, in an older edition, towards the middle or end of it. Things like that, and they'll call it the newest version to get us to buy them. Again, for office people, the large print version is excellent.

very nice

Much better it was spiral bound.

Spend the money, get this book

Came well packaged and exactly as it was described. Don’t ask me whether what was in it was correct or not as it was a gift and I don’t hold a degree in machining. Giftee was happy though and they are geekalicious so I guess it does what it says?

Bought as a gift recipient delighted with it.

Very happy with the book but the print is quite small and can be hard to read. Otherwise very happy with the book, lots of great information.

An iconic book for those interested in machining and engineering. The engineer/machinists bible.

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