Best drafting & mechanical drawing books according to redditors
We found 16 Reddit comments discussing the best drafting & mechanical drawing books. We ranked the 11 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 16 Reddit comments discussing the best drafting & mechanical drawing books. We ranked the 11 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
/u/another_user_name posted this list a while back. Actual aerospace textbooks are towards the bottom but you'll need a working knowledge of the prereqs first.
Non-core/Pre-reqs:
Mathematics:
Calculus.
1-4) Calculus, Stewart -- This is a very common book and I felt it was ok, but there's mixed opinions about it. Try to get a cheap, used copy.
1-4) Calculus, A New Horizon, Anton -- This is highly valued by many people, but I haven't read it.
1-4) Essential Calculus With Applications, Silverman -- Dover book.
More discussion in this reddit thread.
Linear Algebra
3) Linear Algebra and Its Applications,Lay -- I had this one in school. I think it was decent.
3) Linear Algebra, Shilov -- Dover book.
Differential Equations
4) An Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations, Coddington -- Dover book, highly reviewed on Amazon.
G) Partial Differential Equations, Evans
G) Partial Differential Equations For Scientists and Engineers, Farlow
More discussion here.
Numerical Analysis
5) Numerical Analysis, Burden and Faires
Chemistry:
Physics:
2-4) Physics, Cutnel -- This was highly recommended, but I've not read it.
Programming:
Introductory Programming
Programming is becoming unavoidable as an engineering skill. I think Python is a strong introductory language that's got a lot of uses in industry.
Core Curriculum:
Introduction:
Aerodynamics:
Thermodynamics, Heat transfer and Propulsion:
Flight Mechanics, Stability and Control
5+) Flight Stability and Automatic Control, Nelson
5+)[Performance, Stability, Dynamics, and Control of Airplanes, Second Edition](http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Stability-Dynamics-Airplanes-Education/dp/1563475839/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315534435&sr=8-1, Pamadi) -- I gather this is better than Nelson
Engineering Mechanics and Structures:
3-4) Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics, Hibbeler
6-8) Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures, Bruhn -- A good reference, never really used it as a text.
G) Introduction to the Mechanics of a Continuous Medium, Malvern
G) Fracture Mechanics, Anderson
G) Mechanics of Composite Materials, Jones
Electrical Engineering
Design and Optimization
Space Systems
Three classes in CATIA and you didn't learn any drafting? Oh, my head... Well, why not take a drafting class now, and learn what drawings are supposed to look like? If you're too busy then go through this text thoroughly: http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Technical-Drawing-Student-Text/dp/0026856603
There are TONS of extremely useful references out there, so many in fact that you will probably end up collecting more and more if you stay in the trade. for a start though, here's the shortlist of what you should probably have on hand:
The Machinists Handbook - A must have, doesn't matter what version they all pretty much have the same info - https://www.amazon.com/Machinerys-Handbook-Toolbox-Erik-Oberg/dp/0831130911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492269975&sr=8-1&keywords=the+machinist+handbook
Technology of Machine Tools - this is the main text that i use in the precision machining technology course that i'm currently taking; it is a hell of a reference - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0073510831/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Blue Print Reading - If you are not well versed in drafting/design, then pick up a copy of this as well as you will find it very useful - https://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-Reading-Machine-Russell-Schultz/dp/0132172208/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0132172208&pd_rd_r=AE88BSK23EA606Z0QTCR&pd_rd_w=CxgNZ&pd_rd_wg=FWPUL&psc=1&refRID=AE88BSK23EA606Z0QTCR
I think the most important skill is teaching them the design process. In our Intro to Engineering class in college we mainly just learned how to accurately describe the problem, present solutions to the problem, and select the best solution to that problem.
Our professor wrote this book, which is a good introduction to the methodology.
Wouldn’t hurt, looks like fun.
I would inquire about actually taking the AWS D 1.1 tests. Employers would really like you to have that Cert. and DONT let it expire! That’s just another foot in the door during the application process.
Blueprint Reading
Check to see if your local trade school or community college has a drawings class. I just took a 6 week one. It was a beast of a class with a massive homework load.
Want to self-learn, see if you library has any good old drafting books.
For something more modern you can look for a used copy of this.
I do not recommend self-learning with this book unless you want to learn how to find errors that will drive you crazy.
1, 4 & 5: This book was a huge help to me when it came to understanding the various 'steampunkish' ways the engineers of the industrial revolution designed their machines. I think a lot of them are beautiful in their simplicity.
https://www.amazon.com/507-Mechanical-Movements-Henry-Brown/dp/1614275181
2 & 3: I would research the way which clocks slowly release their stored energy. A 'cocking' mechanism which spins only one direction would be called a pawl and ratchet wheel. An assembly which prevents something from spinning too fast is called a speed governor. Instead of using springs to store the energy, you could consider lifting a hammer, and once it is lifted to the correct height release it to strike the bell.
507 Mechanical Movements was the original (I think) from 1868. It's a fun book to flip through, especially since it's so cheap. There's a great website that has it all for free, plus well done animations for many of them.
There's also 1800 Mechanical Movements from 1899.
Krulikowski has some good guide books on this standard that are a written a little more practically than the standard itself. A local GD&T class would be useful if RPI doesn't require you to complete one.
The classic textbook for engineering drawing is Thomas French. My dad gave me that book when I went to college.
I have a book called "a freehand approach to technical drawing" that sounds like exactly what you are for. It's basically how to sketch mechanical drawings, prototype prints, etc without using drafting tools.
https://www.amazon.com/Freehand-Approach-Technical-Drawing-Colletti/dp/0133305481
The Bosch Automotive Handbook
Read it. Learn it. Love it. If you're as technical as you say you are, it'll be way better than most how-it-works website that people will point you to.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1133605788/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467922355&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=blueprint+reading+for+welders&dpPl=1&dpID=51wioD3lZkL&ref=plSrch
This is a similar book I bought while in school. Should have practice prints and practice tests in it.
Tooling University offers decent programs through SME. I had to do them for my Apprenticeship.
Not quite sure on individual pricing because my subscription was through the company, but it’s worth looking into.
Also had to work through this book, which was an excellent resource for self teaching:
https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Blueprint-Reading-Sketching-Thomas/dp/1435483782
https://www.amazon.com/Engineering-Design-Project-Based-Introduction-Clive/dp/1118324587/