Tabletop Machining
by Joe Martin

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Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of Tabletop Machining

Book Review: Great color photos, great practical advice, well written
Summary: 5 Stars

The author gives freely of his advice. This is not a specific how to each step of any machining operation, but an overall how to. You get lots of advice. And, the book is stunning in it's photo's.

The author gives you recommendations on which tools and accessories to buy, and which vendors he buys from. An example could be the advice he gives on finishing off your part once it's machined. He advises the use of small polishing stones after the piece has been deburred. You'll see pictures of the stones he uses. "I have found a 1/4" square shape the most useful. The end can be shaped on a bench grinder to get into tight spaces. The stone is dipped into kerosene frequently to keep the surface being cut awash with fluid..." This goes on for about 4 large paragraphs.

Then he tells you about finishing off with sandpapers. "I have gotten excellent results with 320A wet and dry sandpaper glued ot small sticks. I buy these woooden sticks at hobby shops and prefer spruce. I glue the sticks to the paper with instant "super glue" and make up a batch of them at one time..." He goes on for several more paragraphs on sandpapers. They he talks about powdered and liquified abrasive polishes, then tumbled finishes. Well, you get the idea.

The last chapter of the book describes how the author started his business and relays all the important lessons that he learned. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. In fact, you should read what he says about the great value of their internet site.

Again, this book is geared to the smaller scale of desktop machining... not using the big iron. He notes the differences. His comments on CNC, and on craftsmanship, CAD and engineering are also very interesting.

Although all the examples in the book used the company's Sherline lathes, mills and accessories, it was not blatent, nor came across as self-serving.

It's a big format book, paper back, with glossy paper with full color photos on just about every page.

I highly recommend this book. And, my hats off to the author for doing such a remarkable and detailed job.

John Dunbar

Summary of Tabletop Machining

Whether you're a newly graduated engineer or a beginning machinist, this book will help you gather some real, practical knowledge of how machines and machinists actually go about working with metal. This isn't theory, but rather it details "real world" practices and gives a good insight into the challenges faced by machinists. Too often, good craftsmen are stopped from venturing forth because the only information available shows just the technically perfect way to do things rather than the simple, practical methods everyone really uses. For those wishing to design and build their first metal parts, it is a perfect starting point, as it highlights the fun that comes from making small projects of precision and beauty.

How-to & Home Improvements Books

• Subjects > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements