Model Engineering: A Foundation Course

I decided I needed an up to date book on metal shop techniques and tools to supplement all the old books and Lindsey reprints that I have, and this looked like it should fit the bill. Now that I have it in hand, I am glad that I bought it. It's been a few years since I took some evening adult shop classes or even used my own lathe, and this book looks like it is what I need to answer questions that might come up about which tool to use for certain operations when building a model steam engine. The book is written for the hobbyist who is building models rather than for the professional who needs to make a living in his machine shop, and it looks like it is what I need to read through and keep around as a reference to help me set up different machine operations

For a broad view of the field, this is quite well done. Some introductions (such as the Moltrecht book) seem too shallow to me; this one does not. It gives plenty of down-to-earth advice.If you want to see how things were done 100 years ago, try the Greenly Model Engineering book. For a more tools-to-make-tools approach with a dose of philosophy-of-craftsmanship, try George H Thomas.

Very informative

Good book for someone starting out in model engineering -- building models of things like steam engines, locomotives, and other small things in metal. Covers basic outfitting of the shop, basic handling of tools and basic lathe operation. Best of the model engineering books I've seen so far.

New to Model Engineering after a forty year lapse in practical mechanics, this book got me right back into it and now sits in my workshop as a constant companion, refresher and reference manual.

Useful for a newbie

Even though my interest is not in making model steam engines or similar projects I wanted a book that would teach me the basics of everything from metal working to machining and I found it.Ignore the 2 star rating which states "Only worth the money if you have no knowledge of the subject", maybe this reviewer didn't read the title of the book which is "A Foundation Course". If you are already an engineer with many years of experience then probably this isn't the book for you, but for a complete novice or like me a beginner with some background knowledge already, this book is invaluable. Having only read the first few chapters I had already learned enough to make buying it worth my while and I'm sure I will learn a lot more as I progress through it.I have on a number of occasions bought a book which states it is a beginners course or some such similar statement only to find that it assumes you already have a fair amount of knowledge, probably because when you have become an expert on a subject you tend to forget what beginners don't know. Peter Wright has not done this. It is indeed a complete foundation course and he assumes nothing in terms of prior knowledge. His writing style is clear and engaging, and he turns what could be a very dry subject into an easy read, and more importantly he doesn't just talk about the what and the how, but also the why, and to me understanding why you do something is just as essential as knowing how to do it.You would spend a lot of money getting together enough books to give you the knowledge that is provided here. Does it teach you everything about everything? No. But then it is just one book and not a set of encyclopedias. What it does do is give you a solid basic knowledge which means that when you pick up a more advanced book on any of the subjects you will be able to understand it.If I ever lost my collection of books, this would be the first one I would buy again.

Absolutely love this book, and as others say it is a foundation in the basic use of the tools and techniques used in any engineering hobby rather than just model engineering, so if,like me,you have some experience of metal working and lathe/milling work and you're looking for a book to help you with the basics of putting together an actual steam engine/model of something specific its not going to be the book you want.if you have bought/are thinking of buying your first lathe/workshop tools and have no idea where to start with them,then you will not find a better book,as others say it does do exactly what it says on the tin! A comprehensive introduction to using the tools and techniques used in model engineering,however having said I am very experienced with metal working I still cant put the book down and skip the bits i already know,love it utterly brilliant no nonsense book! Buy it now and you wont regret it!Dan leic uk.

Being very new to model engineering, particularly to the use of an engineering lathe, I browsed the library's offerings and discovered this volume. A fortnights loan was not enough to take in, and understand all the information. Eventually I located a used copy which is being put to very good use.The information is related to what the title says 'This is a Foundation Course' for model engineers, but would be appropriate for many other skills and trades of an engineering background. Every aspect of engineering is covered in an understandable style of writing and layout. The tile, 'A Foundation Course' suggests that there will be subsequent volumes dealing with a higher level of instruction and improved expertise.It is obvious that as there has been no follow up volume, the comprehensive coverage of the subject is sufficient for both amateur an professional engineer.

The book is full of information for a beginner. The author used a few technical words that I was not familiar with, but on the whole the book is easy to follow. The pictures were on the whole poor quality ,due to being to to dark to see details. The pictures appear to be photocopies. I have learnt quite a bit from this book even though I have some basic experience of engineering.

I am very pleased with the quality of information in this book. I took the decision to change my career to engineering and this book is part of that decision. I enjoy the technical details and the techniques discussed to work in various materials such as metals, wood, plastic. I am eager to learn anything that can help me be a better maker. If you're on the fence about buying this book, but you are fascinated by machining and engineering in the home shop and want to learn more, this is the book for you!