Technical Books

Is there any technical info available that's in print form that is available online, or is most of it copy written?

I'm always wondering about the "correct" method or material when I'm cobbling something together. I don't have any formal education in engineering or physics, so I always just "wing it" the best that I can with the info, ideas, and materials that I have on hand, or know where to get. I feel like a lot of the projects I see online is of guys like me that are "winging it", which is great..., but I'd really like to understand the proper way to design things too. Just because a tool or machine "works" doesn't mean that it couldn't work better or be safer with just a "little bit more" knowledge.

There is a lot of technology and materials that I don't know about, don't understand, or don't know where to obtain. Some of it is new technology, but a lot of it is old technology that has become obsolete. Lindsay Publications used to sell a lot of old & reprinted books & manuals. Are there any sources like that which are available as free or paid e-books?

This site is great for photos and videos, but most of what I have found is DIY designed, and I'd like to get more of an educated overview about the technical aspects of things. It would be great if we had a "library" here, of basic materials, techniques, components and how to choose the specs for our projects. (Things like, types of motors, bearings, gears, pulleys, fasteners, etc.) Old tech school text books would be great.

Does info like this available somewhere here, or elsewhere on line?

Hey Glenn,

Great question!!

The FAA publishes a wide range of advisory circulars (ACs) on a vast number of topics. One that I found to be of immense use during the construction of my first airplane project was AC 43.13 (Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices - Aircraft Inspection and Repair) and I think there's a great deal of information in there that would be of use and/or interest to you and, most likely, others hereabouts.

It's available online here: AC 43.13

Hope that's of some assistance…

Ken

Is it possible to get old ASTM standards for free?

Hi GlennR, the Internet Archive has a lot of books that are not under copyright anymore. Don't know if you've tried that resource. http://www.archive.org

There's also Google Books for public domain books. If you're a member of your public library you may have electronic access to many libraries around the world.

I'll second http://www.archive.org, they are an amazing resource. Check out "machinery" (old, but excellent reading).

Good info from online material Associations, like;
British Stainless Steel Association (stainless steel)
Copper.org: Copper Development Association - Information on copper and its alloys.
etc.

Manufacturers products...
Deep groove ball bearings, ICOS oil sealed bearing units

Specialist tooling companies like;
Cibo | cibo
Sjöbergs, Stockaryd, Sweden | Original Sjöbergs Workbenchench, woodwork, textile, workshop, handicraft, Stockarydsbänken

Forums, like this one...

I'd still recommend a small personal library of printed books too (handy to refer to in the workshop), in the UK the "workshop practice series" are very good and reasonably priced (...ebay). Must be some equivalent in the States...

A copy of "Mechanical engineers pocket book" by Roger Timings & "Zeus Precision Data Charts and Reference Tables for Drawing Office, Toolroom & Workshop" are both a must.

Great links, knoba! Thanks!