The Amateur's Lathe

This is a really good introduction to using a lathe, even though over 60 years old. The author has a way with words that has just been lost by modern " to the point" books. the text reads like a pleasent conversation in the pub with an expert rether than a dry text book. Everything is covered, and as long as you allow for the age of the text it is a smashing read. Advice on everything, even how to handle the wife if you want to set up a machine shop in the house !! A MUST have for all "lathe virgins" !

A great book.

Initially the item took very long to deliver, but this wasn't the fault of the seller but the postal service. When it did finally arrive the book is as expected and gives an amateur vital and useful information on using a personal lathe.

first of dont be put off by this being an old book (first published 1948) it really is good and full of useful information. it helps with deciding the best lathes to buy by listing features that are desirable. it even has plans for some useful tools that can be mad and used in the lathe (plans are a little small but still readable). all in all a great read that has a little humour in it so stops it being to dry. highly reccomended

OK, this is probably THE book on the subject - it's a bit old school but the author clearly loved his subject and speaks with an eye to quality but recognises that most amateur's work to a budget. Very practical - very down to earth, still relevant despite the passage of time since it was written. Highly recommended.

I bought this book because there were good reviews that it was a good book for a beginner. I would say for me it was a waste of money. Ive used lathes in the past in basic operations (cutting, tapping etc), and have used milling machines and CNC. I'm not a mechanical engineer though I am a professional engineer in another field. I found this book was rather like an old metal work teacher I had at school. If you asked him a question he would answer quickly without all the details with a tone that clearly implied I should know it anyway. Taking for example the section on tools, a quick run through of the tool types and a discussion on sharpening. But the diagrams were just side on profiles with lots of talk about cutting angles, I need at least a 3d profile so I can see the shape of the cutting edge and its relationship to the tool. The drills chapter is another case, there is a long description of how important grinding drill bit "back off" is...but no diagram to show what this actually is. Google didnt help me (and if I wanted to google everything I would not have bought a book). The only backoff I know of is when you drill a little then back off (and program a CNC machine to peck). This is something to do with grinding angles? So I would say that this may be a great book for someone with the background knowledge...but without a full understanding of the terms involved perhaps I am missing this. I'm giving it a 3 because I expect perhaps its of great use to some...but for me I would not use this as a step by step guide or reference book for the beginner.

Was exactly what I expected knowing when it was originally published (1948). All in all a good read with some useful information. Would be a good book for a beginner with little knowledge of the subject. If you have an engineering background, its just a nice nostalgic read

Good book

I purchased my copy 20 years ago when I got into machining as a hobby. It is a very useful text when you know zero about running a lathe. I have since bought three more copies and given them to friends that got into machining as well.

The original printing of this book dates back 65 years, therefore it looks somehow antiquated. Nevertheless it gives a good overview of how to use a lathe for all kinds of projects wihout spending too much money.

On le trouve en ligne au format pdf. Il y a peu d'information que l'on ne trouve pas sur le net gratuitement.

VERY DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO RUN AND USE LATHES FOR THE BEGINNER

I am new to machining and buy a lot of reference books. This one is well written and should help me learn to use a metal lathe. I watch a lot of you tube videos and read everything I can find. I am finding machinist work to be much more technical than woodworking and need all the help I can find.