Best books?

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Weathervanes and Whirligigs
By Ken Fitzgerald
Clarkston N. Potter,Inc
copyright©1967 Hard cover
LCCCN #67-24605

Another oldie but a goody, If you can find it. It is about metal and wood vanes and mostly wood gigs. Filled with line drawings all grouped together under their headings. As in the contents, If you are looking for inspiration for really retro vanes and gigs (1700's-1800). Then this is for you, Not like the modern books that give only a passing mention to the early stuff.
As most gigs are wooden and simple of movement and design. They are good candidates for conversion into metal art. He also shows and labels the makers cardinal points style, that they used from vane to vane.

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Metalwork for Craftsmen
by:Emil F Kornquist
Copyright©1972 Dover reprint trade paperback
original©1942 as Art Metalwork McGraw Hill
ISBN#0-486-22789-8

All the old farts on this forum, will remember this style of school shop text book. Line drawings in a fine style, processes and tools explained. Then the projects along with the process steps need to complete them. From raising, etching, chasing,repousee,soldering, and shaping and forming of sheet,bar and round stock. Sheet tin,copper,brass steel. What today are the retro stuff that is coming back in style:

* Ash trays
* Candlesticks
* Napkin clips
* Beakers
* Pitchers
* Trays
* Bowls
* Ladles
* Bud and flower holders and vases

The project list goes on for 55 projects. As this was designed for adult education. For people in leisure time hobby type pursuits. Its cover the basics to get started with the easier project and progresses with the skill level acquired.
When it was updated the supplier list was removed (outdated) and the book list also. A number of B&W pictures of the projects were added.
As Mr Kronquist stated in his preface"five hundred work sketches have been used to describe the procedures. The reading matter has been reduced to the minimum and includes only such information as is pertinent to the immediate work at hand."
If you are looking for in depth coverage of subjects, this isn't for you. If you are looking for useful and a retro fun read and simple projects that can be detailed with your style then this is a book for you.
Another at a library near you or possibly on line

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American Antique Weather Vanes
(The complete Illustrated Westrvelt Catalog of 1883)
AB & WT Westervelt
Dover reprint trade paperback
part of the Dover Pictorial Archive series
copyright ©1982
ISBN#0-486-243996-6

What can be said about these books put out by Dover. Being in the signage industry before computers. Some of my early work can still be seen in caves. Copyright free material along with ideas for what people had seen somewhere and wanted. Along with not being an able or fast pencil artist. These books were a great time savers, As was a copy machine, and transparencies along with projectors.
They still have their place for ideas on the look of the old school stuff that is popular today.

Along with the fact that with the Dover series for graphic and craft applications You can use them for up to ten limited editions with out any permissions from Dover.
I will cover some other ones that can be of value for the metal artist.
I couldn't say it better than the back cover blurb.
http://store.doverpublications.com/

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Machinery's Handbook Pocket Companion
Edited and compiled by Richard P Pohanish
Industrial Press small trade paperback
copyright ©2000
ISBN# 0-8311-3089

It has the stuff that comes up from time to time in most type shops dealing with metal and machines. If you have wanted a copy of the Machinery's handbook but have been stopped by the hefty price. Because it would only be be used on occasion. This may be for you.
it covers the areas that comes up more than the other stuff.

* Math tables, formula's
* Threads
* Grinding wheels
* Properties of materials
* Gearing among others

Small enough for the glove box or tool box. It might be one to considerer.

Don't know if your local library has this one, but they will have a edition of the fullsized one
http://www.industrialpress.com/en/default.aspx

[usmcpop]

I found some useful info in "101 Uses for a Dead Cat". In particular, a pencil sharpener that might be adaptable as a Tungsten sharpener, sort of like this.

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Machinist's and Metalworkers pocket reference
by: Ronald Walsh
McGraw-Hill
copyright ©2000
ISBN#0-07-136092-1

A handy glove or tool box field guide for the metal worker. It has 12 chapters and is divided into sub chapters to cover each area.

* Modern metalworking machinery,gages and measuring devices
* U.S. customary and metric (SI) measures and conversions
* Materials physical properties characteristics and uses
* Thread systems
* Fastening devices properties and dimensions
* Machining,machine tools and practices
* Tool steels
* Sheet metal practices
* Heat-treating steels and nonferrous alloys
* Electroplating and other finishes for metals
* Societies,associations institutes and specification authorities
* Safety practices in the metalworking industry


It does pack a lot of information into a small book. But when you need it it is there. From the dictionary of alphabet soup letters and which societies they belong to, to the address, to the list of ANSI standards by category (ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-1983 pipe thread inch). You might see on plans/drawings to the trademarks and who they belong to. B&W pictures,charts,tables and drawings. It is all in here.

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Here are three of Audels pocket manuals. That may be of interest here. Since Some are in the trade of lifting and attaching iron, and most that have a shop. Need a electrical help or clarification now and then.
Audels
Pipefitters and welders pocket manual
by: Charles N. McConnell
ISBN#0-02-034624-7
copyright©1997 small trade paperback
Macmillan Publishing

Audels
Mechanical Trades pocket manual 3rd
by: Carl A.Nelson
ISBN# 0-02-5886650-7
copyright©1986 small trade paperback
Macmillan Publishing

Audels
Electricians Pocket Manual
by:Paul Rosenberg
ISBN# 0-02-036425-3
copyright©1997 small trade paperback
Macmillan Publishing
Cover pics are in the next post

From soup to nuts these cover a generous amount of information in a small package. Lots of drawings, photo's, charts and tables. Not in depth on any one area, but enough to get through most things that come up and stump the experts.
As these are for the working in the trade. But are great for the occasional user.

Here is a site that always has them, and a lot of others.
http://www.mtroubleshooting.com/

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Here is the cover pics for the
Audels
Electricians Pocket Manual
by:Paul Rosenberg
ISBN# 0-02-036425-3
copyright©1997 small trade paperback
Macmillan Publishing

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Pocket Ref
by: Thomas J Glover
Sequoia Publishing small format paperback
copyright©1997 2nd.ed.
ISBN# 1-88507-00-0

Two more reference books that covers so many things that we need to know and can't seem to find fast. This one was the first version put out. Covers various things and item around the shop, and home.

* Air and Gas
* Carpentry and Construction
* Chemistry and Physics
* Constants, Chemical,Physical and Math
* Electrical
* Electronics
* General Information and Science
* Geology
* Glue, solvents and Paint
* Hardware,Math, Money
* Mine, Mill and Aggregate
* Plumbing and Pipe
* Rope,Cable and Chain
* Steel and Metals
* Tools and Water
* Weights and properties of Materials
* Welding
* And other stuff

It its revised every coupe of years. It does have drawings of items.
and it is set up in groupings of the above headers and some I didn't put in. A great general info base for not much money. Harbor Fright sells them. And a lot of places have them in the tool section or at the register as an impulse buy.

Handyman In your Pocket
Industrial maintenance edition
by Richard A Young
Thomas J Glover
Sequoia Publishing small format paperback
ISBN#1-88507-29-9
Copyright© 2001 1st ed

This version is twice as thick and set up and geared to the industrial or commercial side. Every section is expanded in coverage. They have added some and left some out.

* Anchors
* Belts,Pulleys and Gears
* Bolts and Threads
* Drafting Symbols
* Nails Spikes and Staples
* Pipe and fittings
* Pump and Tanks
* Sheet Metal, Plate and Wire
* Along with more


If you ever have wondered why there are so many different plug configurations this has the charts with drawings of them all or most of them that you would likely see.
In the Sheet Metal Plate and Wire section it covers

* Weights of cold rolled sheet steel
* Weights of galvanized sheet steel
* Steel plate sizes
* Standard steel sheet gauges
* Standard wire gauges


Measure for Measure
by Richard A Young
Thomas J Glover
Sequoia Publishing small format paperback
ISBN# 1-889796-00-X
copyright ©1997

This is the desk references for non math people, It covers the SI units, Which is the International system of units. Covers the history, both here and abroad along with the basics. (Metric info)
The rest is close to most every conversion formula out there. Whether its is ancient units of ones from other countries that have their own systems. Or if the guy that brought you the plans for the ramps for his ark did them in cubits. this will show you how to convert them back into something you can use.
It has a section that groups like measures together. It also has one on the Abbreviations used, along with conversion factors. Running close to 900 pages it is still a tool box sized book if need be.
But by now i have given you a tool box full of books with no room for tools

http://www.mtroubleshooting.com/

They are available at a lot of places were tools are sold, or at the above. And as said before I'm only a satisfied customer!

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Plain and Ornamental Forging
by: Ernst Schwarztkopf
Astragal Press
original copyrights ©1916,1930
reprint copyright©2000
ISBN#1-879335-95-6
trade paperback
http://www.astragalpress.com/
Right up front, I am not a smith. I have done a limited amount of smithy type iron work. I found this one when I was looking for a book that covered some of the more decorative work. Referred to as art forgings. After seeing the demo's on the web and some of the tools that are used for it. I will say that most have had there start if not there total origins in this book.
Composed of 12 chapters starting with the properties of iron moving on to the forge, and then to tools. With a brief description and either uses or what section its use is in.
Then come the practice exercises,simple stuff to start, hammer wedges,meat hook, S hook, staples and forging nails.
As the parties knowledge base is built up after the explanations then through the exercises.
Moving on up through welding, forging and forging exercises.
On to the properties of steel, annealing, hardening and tempering. Tool making, Advance forging some power hammer with the steam hammer covered along with the tools for the power hammer.
Finishing up with the art forging exercises, of mostly flowers and leaves including making leaves with angle iron, hammered metal work and a small section on Repousee or embossed work, leaf hammering and the acanthus leaf.
The appendix has a bunch of old timey stuff like drilling a square hole, twisting band iron cold. And some welding tips for some of the new stuff.(at the time 1916/1930)
All in all I have to say that this book is worth twice the price that it cost, 280 some pages, crisp clear line drawings of the items and processes being discussed. This is a winner, it is one of the foundation books of the new blacksmithing. Whether some of the people in the trade will admit it or not.

this is one that turns up at the libraries as a general info book on blacksmithing
It could be here or in one of the other online libraries

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Metal Corrugation Surface Embellishment and Element Formation for the Metalsmith.
by: Patricia McAleer
Out of the Blue Studio; trade paper back
Box 1163
San Clemente Ca 92672
tmcaleerATworldnet.att.net
ISBN#0-9715242-0-3
copyright©2002
A very interesting book on what amounts to surface decoration of the metal and incorporating it into the work you are doing. Covers every aspect form planing the corrugations. To the equipment you need to form them from hand making them with modified needle nose to fancy and not so fancy rolling mills.
How warm or slump glass, and enamel and other can be worked in to the piece.
Along with tools, materials, techniques for various types of corrugations. And there use in form folding, die forming, a short mention of repousee, waxes and casting.
Gallery of artists, projects and a very nice tip section with pictures of the examples along with descriptions called observations.
Terms and tables, resources
On the whole a enlightening book that can be applied to metal work in general. Whether it be jewelry or metal sculpture.

One word it has turned up on the lets gouge the reader lists with an inflated price. You can contact the author, or one of the jewelry suppliers such as
http://www.ottofrei.com/
http://www.contenti.com/
http://metalliferous.com/
Or any of the like suppliers, before getting beat on the price.

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Hydraulic Die Forming for Jewelers & Metalsmiths
by: Susan Kingsley
20-Ton Press trade paper back
copyright©1993 3rd edition
ISBN# 0-9635832-04
20-Ton Press
Box 222492
Carmel California
Even though this book is another of the artist self published, like the last one it is of a higher standard as the pictures are of a better quality. That you can see what is in them. And understand what the author is talking about with the aid of the visuals.

* Equipment
* Non-conforming Dies
* Conforming Dies
* Blanking Dies
* Die Variations and Combinations
* Glossary
* Appendix and Index


At slightly less than 100 pages. It covers the subject matter of art metal die work as no other book does. You can find die work books for industry that gives the info. It explains all the needed info to start with simple dies and move up, along with the background information. She gives tips and tricks, and covers information in the appendix that you might be hard pressed
to find on your own.
She gives enough pictures of examples of her work that you get a good idea of what can be done.
She is the Dean if you will of die forming.It does show building your own press,from parts that can be had with out a full shop. A line of the resources, suppliers and the like finish it out.
This is another one of the books that are hawked as rare and difficult to locate,and can be way over priced. Again contact them at the above address if you can't find it at a jewelery supplier. As it is put out every couple years.
could be at a library near you

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Bent Iron Work
Including Elementary Art Work
by: Paul Hasluck
original copyright ©1903
copyright ©1996 reprint trade paperback
ISBN#1-55918-184-2
http://www.lindsaybks.com/
Another great one that has all the bases covered. Other than modern welding practices. It covers all that a new student would need to know. Filled with almost 270 illustrations on the work being discussed.

* Tools and materials
* Bending and working strip iron
* Simple exercises in bent iron
* And moving on to the list of items in the contents each type having its own chapter or section of a chapter


A nice feature is that the constructions of the scroll work item are lettered like paint by numbers so you can follow and keep track.
If your are one that likes the old style scroll work or period stuff from the big abbeys in England(screens) than this will be worth the money to pick up. It doesn't cost much and it's another that should probably be on your shelf just in case. It has a lot on how they connected them back in the day before cheap and wide spread welding equipment.
From hanging lamps and pot hangers to the ornate mirror and picture frames its here!

Surprise your self, it could be in a library near you
http://worldcat.org/

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I am going to say for most, this book is a don't bother for the reasons I state. These are my opinion on this book. At one time it might have been worth it. now it is a "gotcha" money maker for who ever holds the copyright and is printing it.
Welding Secrets 2nd edition
by: Hal Wilson
copyright 1990
Flyco Machine co.
ISBN#0-9700554-0-4
You can get it here, if you want old school and just to say you have it!

This 60 pager should rightly be called a welding shop tip book, as more than half are dealing with other shop stuff. The other thing this I believe, was originally conceived and done in the 40's 50's or 60's
and reprinted in the 90's.
I know that most work as far as welds go on amusement rides should be done by a cert'ed welder like the flying coaster tracks, and a lot of the other secrets. Should remained for the history books as most of the charts and tables in the appendix are from the Lincoln company.
And shop work and welding have come far from these tips. Welding truck frames,shafts and everything else. Most are only a short paragraph. There are a lot of B&W pictures that also look and give the vintage feel. Like looking thru the family album at the old slightly darkened pictures from time.
Again for somebody right of the street,and having an interest in absorbing a lot of shop info, it may be a good buy. But for an old hand it isn't worth it.

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From Forge & Anvil
Erich Riesel, Hill Country Iron Worker
By Candace Leslie, D. Hopkins-Hughs
Astralgal Press
copyright©1992trade paperback
ISBN#1-87335-91-3
http://www.astragalpress.com/

What can I say about a man's life work, and some of the great items he created in a small section of Texas and beyond. Filled with pictures of his works from the massive ranch gates to intricate chandeliers.
The antler andirons are terrific, the steeple and bell towers at the churches stunning, to the jewelery from brass and copper then plated.
His work spans it all. Not a how to, just the story of somebody that found that his place wasn't on the back of a horse as a cowboy.
he is truly an iron work artist master. And the book is eye candy, and stimulus for the mind.