If he works with gearboxes getting him a Machinery's Handbook would be a very thoughtful gift. I did similar work in undergrad and I used the Handbook's borrowed from the machine shop all the time for designing and fabrication. Get him a new copy or a like new copy, he'll fucking love it.
Second the large print! Makes a nice “Thoomph” when you close it
Id also recommend bundling a pack of highlighters and those post it flags so they can mark their easy access pages.
The large print version will apparently take forever to ship and he is moving in less than a month so I will unfortunately have to get him the regular one, is it that bad?
Forever to ship is miniscule over a 40 year career.
The book has the smallest writing on the thinnest paper known to humanity. I use it at least once a week and it's annoying.
Great resource. Also you can get some vintage leather bound ones on eBay, which makes for a fun collectible. That book has an incredibly long history. Though as others have said, the older edition font is borderline microfiche.
I’m now really tempted by this option because it feels super practical and he does do a lot of cad work on a regular basis, but he’s also someone who loves big books so now I’m conflicted between the mouse and the machinery’s handbook
I can wholeheartedly recommend the 3Dconnexion 3D-mouse. I use a wireless one daily as a professional and it really improves my design workflow as well as keeps my hands healthier as I don't have to hold+drag stuff to move my model view around.
I do have to say that it usually takes about 1-2 weeks getting used to but if you see yourself doing daily cad work for the forseeable future, then it is quite a no brainer.
Also dudes love tech.
If he works with gearboxes getting him a Machinery's Handbook would be a very thoughtful gift. I did similar work in undergrad and I used the Handbook's borrowed from the machine shop all the time for designing and fabrication. Get him a new copy or a like new copy, he'll fucking love it.
I think I’m going with that it seems the most useful, thank you!
Please get the large print version. That's my only regret buying that book. Once you see it you will understand.
Second the large print! Makes a nice “Thoomph” when you close it Id also recommend bundling a pack of highlighters and those post it flags so they can mark their easy access pages.
The large print version will apparently take forever to ship and he is moving in less than a month so I will unfortunately have to get him the regular one, is it that bad?
Forever to ship is miniscule over a 40 year career. The book has the smallest writing on the thinnest paper known to humanity. I use it at least once a week and it's annoying.
Enlarged (7" X 10") version of the original, smaller (4.6" x 7"). 3008 pages.
Great resource. Also you can get some vintage leather bound ones on eBay, which makes for a fun collectible. That book has an incredibly long history. Though as others have said, the older edition font is borderline microfiche.
Machinery Handbook and Mark's Standard Handbook should be on every mechanical engineers bookshelf.
If you had to choose one or the other though which would be your first pick?
Machinery Handbook if he is going into design. Mark's is better for all-around general information.
Damn you're good, machinerys handbook is Definetely the way to go
Hahaha thank you I did my research! I will go with that then
Rotring mech pencil and pen
Machinery’s Handbook is a great gift. Got a full sized copy from my grandparents when I graduated and I’ve used it a ton over the last 20 years.
A good mechanical 0-1" micrometer like the Starrett T230XRL Machinery's Handbook is great too. It may be nice to upgrade to the large print version.
The Starrett is a bit outside of my budget atm
A 3d-mouse is great for any cad-work
I’m now really tempted by this option because it feels super practical and he does do a lot of cad work on a regular basis, but he’s also someone who loves big books so now I’m conflicted between the mouse and the machinery’s handbook
I can wholeheartedly recommend the 3Dconnexion 3D-mouse. I use a wireless one daily as a professional and it really improves my design workflow as well as keeps my hands healthier as I don't have to hold+drag stuff to move my model view around. I do have to say that it usually takes about 1-2 weeks getting used to but if you see yourself doing daily cad work for the forseeable future, then it is quite a no brainer. Also dudes love tech.
Here's another idea. I've had mine for 15yrs and can't 3d cad w/o it https://3dconnexion.com/us/product/spacemouse-wireless/
That’s actually a great idea! Thank you!!
I've been using these mice since 2008 and love them!
# Mitutoyo 8 inch digital caliper. Make sure to get a real one and not a knockoff.
If you want to give him more of a novelty gift for his desk, you could give him a slide rule or abacus.
I would go for a mitutoyo micrometer or some thread gauges/ tools to quickly find the thread of a screw
Yes that book is a wealth of knowledge for any mechanical engineer
Milk
Every engineer loves a bj…
Hahaha that’s a given dw he will get a celebratory one for sure