"Machine Shop Trade Secrets"
by James A. Harvey

Machine Shop Trade Secrets A Guide to Manufacturing Machine Shop Practices By James A. Harvey Pub. ProShopPublishing ISBN 0-9743897-6-5 311 pages softcover 11" x 8-1/2" $39.95

In "Machine Shop Trade Secrets", James Harvey has written an excellent book that fills a void in current metalworking instructional books. Most textbooks are aimed at the beginner in the machining trade and cover basic work practice admirably. What textbooks do not do is sit you down with a veteran of the trade who can fill you in on the tips and tricks that allow working faster, accurately and intelligently. In the past, magazines like "Popular Mechanics" would feature tricks and tips from working machinists, but sadly those days are long gone and there is no source of such tips aimed at current day practice. What amazed me is at how all these tips are not recycled versions of the ones we are all familiar with (as published by Lindsay's books and others) but are new tips, all useful and pertinent to the tools and methods of today.

I have read the book twice already, some of the tips had me thinking, "why didn't I think of that?" and others had me thinking, "I would never have thought of that!". Sharing the book with some machinist friends one evening ended in me pulling the book out of their hands as they digested one useful time saving idea after another. The book is spare on filler and is basically a list, divided up into chapters, of everything that Jim does when working in the shop. He has illustrated the ideas with 230 B&W pictures that plainly show exactly what he is talking about.

The tips on squaring the sides of a block on the mill without the aid of a square, using a dowel pin as a workstop on a CNC mill, dressing the edges of work and resharpening reamers on the surface grinder are alone worth the price of the book. I would buy this book whether I was just starting out in the trade, an experienced hand or just a home shop machinist, there is something in here for everyone to learn.

I have included notes about each chapter below in the table of contents. You can order the book from ProShop Publishing's website. or from Amazon.com

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• CH 1 WORK FAST
  All about maximizing speed (and profits) in doing a job, while not sacrificing accuracy.
  
• CH 2 GET IT RIGHT
  About maintaining accuracy and avoiding making mistakes.
  
• CH 3 DO IT THE EASY WAY
  Tips on how to not break into a sweat on jobs, intelligent fixturing etc.
  
• CH 4 MAKE ‘EM LOOK GOOD
  Making sure the finished product not only is accurate but looks like a well machined part should.
  
• CH 5 HELP FOR NOVICES
  Good advice from an old hand to a new one.
  
• CH 6 MORE SHOP TALK
  Anecdotes about jobs he has done and more great tips.
  
• CH 7 THE CUTTER CAPER
  About making, modifying, choosing and using cutters of all sorts in the shop.
  
• CH 8 THREADS AND THINGS
  Theory, good practice and tips about threads and threading, as well as tips on knurling.
  
• CH 9 HELP FOR ENGINEERS
  I won't be surprised if this chapter becomes a standard for those of use who have been frustrated by unmachinable blueprints as produced by engineers ignorant of what a machine tools can and can't do.
  
• CH 10 ROTARY TABLE MAGIC
  The possibilities and proper use of the rotary table.
  
• CH 11 TAMING WARP
  Keeping your work square even when the material wants to tie itself into knots after machining.
  
• CH 12 BE SQUARE
  How to square up blocks and plates in the mill - worth the price of the book if you ever have had problems doing it.
  
• CH 13 MOLD MAKING TIPS
  Advice for injection moldmaking
  
• CH 14 GET YOUR GRINDER GOIN’
  Use, tips and tricks when using the surface grinder.
  
• CH 15 THE INCREDIBLE CNC
  Tips for programming, fixturing and machining on a CNC mill or lathe
  
• CH 16 SHOP MATH WIZARDRY
  Some fun tips on shop math.
  
• CH 17 ODDS AND ENDS
  Terms, tips, ideas and complaints.
  
• CH 18 TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW
  Some interesting facts.
• Drawings
  He has plans in the back of the book for a cutter extension, adjustable fly cutter, Allen key caddy, squaring gage and vice work stop, all complete and well drawn projects you can make.

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