ME reference manual
 

My son is in the first year of college studying mechanical engineering. For Christmas I would like to get him one of those big fat reference ME manuals that have all those formulas, material properties and stuff you can never remember when you need it. So can anybody recommend one. What is the book you always reach for at work.

Re: ME reference manual
 

The Machinery's Handbook is a timeless standard with tons of data. It is most useful in a manufacturing environment but also useful for designers. Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers is another comprehensive reference. I have an older edition and continue to use it at work on a semi-regular basis.

While they may not get much use in the short term (freshman student) I think either (or both) of these books would be a wonderful gift and a useful reference for years.

Re: ME reference manual
 

This book here while not as thorough as the Machinery's Handbook, has something for everyone and I have used it many times in my ME and CAD studies.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...lance&n=283155

Oh, and it won't break the bank @ only ~10 dollars.

Re: ME reference manual
 

The pocket ref was last years stocking stuffer. The Marks standard looks to be thee book. Is it worth the $ ?

Re: ME reference manual
 

I've got two GREAT books that i'm using in college, one is my textbook for this semester, and my other one from last year which was my statics book both these books are filled to the bring with useful knowledge

Re: ME reference manual
 

Nothing substitutes for the Mark's. It is a great refernence book for all things mechanical. It covers a much much wider set of knowledge than the Machinery Handbook, but that is a great one too.

If I had to have just one, I go with Mark's.

Joe J.

Re: ME reference manual
 

One of the reference books I use on a weekly basis is the Roark's Handbook for Stress and Strain calculations.

Roark's Handbook

A bit on the pricey side, but it's a lot cheaper than an FEA package. I use it for those "back of the envelope" calculations that you just can't simplify enough. Civil Engineers probably use it on an hourly basis with all the beam calculations in it.

Happy Hunting!

BEN

Re: ME reference manual
 

While Mark's is also quite pricey, Dr. Joe's endorsement would definitely seal the deal for me ... if I didn't already own a copy ...

I agree that Roark's is another reference that a Mechanical Engineer should have on his(/her) bookshelf, but it is more specific to Stress and Strain analysis/formulas.

Re: ME reference manual
 

As Greg said above, Mechanical Engineering Design by Shigley is a great book.
However it is more of a textbook than a reference manual. (At Clarkson you use it for the Mechanics of Machine Elements course (MME). We refer to it as "the bible".)

If your son is just beginning his education, he will likely pick up a lot of these textbooks, or their counterparts as schooling progresses. So you probably shouldn't buy them for him now.

For reference manuals, you can't beat Mark's, Roark's, and The Machinery's Handbook. (as listed above)


Other gifts for the budding engineer:

Something else you may wish to consider:
Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook
Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements

These two books, and others like them are fun for mechanical designers.
They show all kinds of cool things related to mechanical design.

If you've ever asked: "How do I convert constant rotary motion, into oscilatory linear motion with only mechanical components?" These books have an answer for you.

Another more costly set:
Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers & Inventors (4 book set)
This is a very interesting volume, of some of the same stuff as the above 2 mechanism books. Famously, one of these books is the "trigger" to open the secret passage into Dean Kamen's private quarters at Westwind. (Or at least it was at one point.)


Also consider, any book by Henry Petroski. He has a couple really interesting ones, taking a look at topics such as design, and failure analysis. GREAT stuff.

Yes, I'm a dork.
JV

Re: ME reference manual
 

It is probably a little soon but I find the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam to a great resource. All sorts of little bits you need and can't find anywhere else. It is my constant companion through weeks 2-4 of Build season. Though a couple of the above are going to find their way onto my Christmas Listthis year.

Here's a link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...books&v=glance

Re: ME reference manual
 

This may be useful (it's the cheat sheet for the American FE exam). And another vote for Marks' and Machinery's; both are also available in .pdf format, for around the same price.