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Preface
As an instructor for 15 years, a tool and die maker for 14, and a student for over 35, I have
been relying on the priceless knowledge captured within the pages of Machinery’s Handbook for
a long time. What I like most about the Handbook is its complete attention to every detail; it truly
is a one-stop-shop for everything related to the processes and procedures related to manufacturing.
But this strength can also be its greatest weakness. As an apprentice, I can remember searching
through the pages of the “Bible” as it was known in the shop, for the correct drill to use for tapping
a hole. I was overwhelmed with enough information to actually produce a drill. I am confident that,
as an individual concerned specifically with machining processes and procedures, I am not alone
in my occasional challenges in navigating Machinery’s Handbook. It is for this reason that I have
created Machinery’s Handbook Made Easy.
I want to emphasize that this is not a book for dummies. In fact, this companion to
Machinery’s Handbook is intended for intelligent, highly skilled professionals, or professionals in
training, who recognize that the real genius in their work is in the details. Furthermore, they have
an appreciation for the role that best practices and procedures play in their pursuit of excellence.
However, the aim of this book is quite simple: to make your life easier.
Whether you are a high school student enrolled in technical courses, a college or technical
school student studying machine tool operation or machine tool theory, a mechanical engineer,
or a professional working in a machine shop, I am confident that this book will save you time,
money, and an occasional headache. The contents are organized in an intuitive, easy-to-follow
manner that is consistent with the existing layout of Machinery’s Handbook. In fact, I envision
Machinery’s Handbook Made Easy being open right alongside your Handbook at all times as a
guide to maximum efficiency.
I don’t believe in testing math skills that could be accomplished with a simple calculator
or quizzing you on unnecessary vocabulary that could be looked up in the Handbook at any time.
Instead, I am confident that you will find the Apply It feature at the end of each section to be a
challenging test of your ability to apply what you have just learned to the real world. Recognizing
another strength of Machinery’s Handbook, I have carefully selected a set of Shop Recommended
diagrams that apply to the given unit and could otherwise be easily overlooked due to the sheer
volume of important content.
If you have ever puzzled over Machinery’s Handbook, as I have, as a treasure chest of wis-
dom without a key, then I present you with the key in the form of this book. What you decide to
do with it is up to you, but I for one have very high expectations.
Edward Janecek
