What use is a Machinery's Handbook?

I couldn't let this one go by - my 26th edition book is usually my first
reference. However, I had to go back to my 13th edition (1946) to get some
dimensions for a pipe fitting.

This past week: retaining ring & groove dimensions, keyway depth dimension,
dowel pin hole tolerances. That's just this particular week.

WT

 

Don't need any books for that.

Steel = .284lbs per cubic inch
Alum = .098 " "
Cast Iron = .263 " "

 

FYI - The new handbooks come with the option to obtain it on CD.
Makes lookup a hell of a lot easier............

 

I always figure that there will come a day, not too far in the future, where
I won't be able to read a CD any more - just like 8" floppies. However, my
book will still be usable 100 years from now, unless people forget how to
read by then....

WT

 

Looking at the many replies that you've gotten, I've got to say that it
depends on what kind of design work you do. If you don't design machinery,
then maybe it isn't very helpful. Just so you won't feel too lonely, I don't
own a copy. I very rarely need to borrow it from my buddy who does. We do
mostly plastic part design, so I don't need much access to the things that
it focuses on.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

: : > Am I missing something? What do people use it for in DESIGN work?
:
:
: Looking at the many replies that you've gotten, I've got to say that it
: depends on what kind of design work you do. If you don't design machinery,
: then maybe it isn't very helpful. Just so you won't feel too lonely, I don't
: own a copy. I very rarely need to borrow it from my buddy who does. We do
: mostly plastic part design, so I don't need much access to the things that
: it focuses on.
:
But then, Jerry, do you use much from the catalogues either!?! What I don't get
about the whole discussion is putting using catalogues vs using Machinery's HB.
After you get done with all the handy formulas and references, ya still gotta know
'what's out there', what it costs, can you get it, how quickly, etc. I agree with
anybody that says rely on MHB for dimensions before you trust the catalogues. I'm
sure most of them say their dimensions are for reference only, see the
manufacturer for the real deal. But, if in plastics or sheet metal design, I'm
using a lot of PEM inserts or studs or whatever, I'm going to the catalogue. That
seems reasonable. If I need to know the press fit on one, the catalogue isn't
going to give you that. IMO, each has it's place and authority.

David Janes

 

Just curious, what handbook do they use in Asia and Europe?

 

I wonder if it would fit on my Palm Pilot?

 

David and Jerry are both talking sense, I think

Comparing Machinery's Handbook with catalogues is like comparing fish and
chips with icecream. Each is superb within its domain. Comparisons are
doomed, destined to be fatuous.

To me the clue to what "Machinery's Handbook" is about is not buried very
deep: as Jerry points out, it's for people designing machinery.
It's not intended, nor is it particularly useful, for people specifying
pre-designed componentry.

If you have to ask what it's for, you don't need it.

 

MH on CD is a PDF, about as open of a standard as you can find these
days. I probably won't be around in a hundred years and expect I won't
be needing a handbook in 20 or 30 years.