Recommended books for starting model engineering

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Recommended books for starting model engineering

This topic has 8 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 24 February 2025 at 13:04 by noel shelley.

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22 February 2025 at 19:07 #784995
Andrew Schofield
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@andrewschofield
I have been collecting the Workshop Practice Series books to help me with learning about model engineering tools and techniques, what beginners/intermediate books would members recommend when starting out so as to avoid basic construction errors?
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22 February 2025 at 19:23 #785000
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
A lot of it would depend on which branch of modelling you want to follow. Knowing that will bring more targeted replies.
23 February 2025 at 06:02 #785042
Hollowpoint
Participant
@hollowpoint
Obviously not a book, but check out the excellent videos below. The were produced by MIT for their students.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF06SHGgSg4Fk5-yeh8DN3g6ZgaM0tbk7&si=SsxxgmHVNpfo3tqA
23 February 2025 at 13:47 #785161
Andrew Schofield
Participant
@andrewschofield
Thanks, videos are also helpful.

I have not settled on any particular type of model engineering so all suggestions would be useful to get started.

Regards,

Andrew
23 February 2025 at 14:08 #785170
Charles Lamont
Participant
@charleslamont71117
Whatever direction your interest goes, these two:

The Model Engineer’s Workshop Manual, Geo H Thomas

The Model Engineer’s Handbook, ‘Tubal Cain’ (not the one on Youtube)
23 February 2025 at 21:56 #785294
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Have a look at Harold Hall’s website at: http://www.homews.co.uk/

He has published many articles about making models and workshop tools.
24 February 2025 at 07:54 #785323
Chris Crew
Participant
@chriscrew66644
Sparey’s ‘The Amateur’s Lathe’ is worth having but if you have been collecting the Workshop Practice series a lot of the information will be duplicated. I found Cleeve’s ‘Screwcutting in the Lathe’ & Law’s ‘Gears and Gearcutting’ particularly worth having.
24 February 2025 at 11:05 #785355
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
If you haven’t already got them, one or all of these will be useful reading.

Ian Bradley “The Amateur’s Workshop”

Stan Bray “Basic Lathework” WPS 45

Harold Hall “Lathework – A Complete Course” WPS 34

Neil Wyatt has written a book on his experiences with the Sieg SC4 lathe.

Tubal Cain “Model Engineer’s Handbook” is a very useful reference book to have.

You will find a set of Zeus Charts very useful in the workshop.

The G H Thomas books may be more difficult to find, and be more expensive.

Later, you may wish to learn more about Screwcutting or Gears, and there are WPS books on these subjects which you will find useful.

If you have, or are thinking of buying a mini lathe, David Clark and Dave Fenner have written books on the mini lathe.

HTH

Howard
24 February 2025 at 13:04 #785421
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
If you don’t have it the Metalworkers data book is very handy, WPS No 42. As the title states, it’s full of useful information on all forms of metal work. Noel.
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