Metalworking: Doing It Better (Volume 1)

Great read, great resource for those people who are getting into metalworking and want to know some better ways to do this stuff.

I am currently reading this book. When I am finished with the first pass I will update this review. The book has information I want for my hobby, metalworking. The author is active in sharing his knowledge on YouTube, I like his approach, sense of humor, and respect for his trade. It is well reflected in what I have read so far. He discusses among other things the need to pass along what has been given to you, albeit more freely than it was given. Working in metal; designing, machining, and fabricating, is fascinating, and rewarding, well at least to me, to my wife not so much. The forth chapter on shop organization has made it well worth the price. This book is out in my shop right next to Machinery's Handbook. If metalworking is your trade or your hobby I will already endorse this as a good read and source of good ideas. (still reading) 2/27/2014 Here is the update: After finishing reading this book I would give it 6 stars if I could. I enjoyed reading it, the illustrations are clear and meaningful and the advice is practical. Buy Metalworking Doing it Better!, buy the Machinery's Handbook used, anything greater than the 19th edition (30th is the current).

“Doing it Better” a good book, but not what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be full of unique ways to set up parts in the mill, fixtures jigs etc, but it's more about life in a machine shop, told with just enough humor to keep it light. It does have a lot of useful information, but much of it philosophical and anecdotal. It would excel for a younger person, just starting out, but I'm retired, and probably Mr. Lipton's contemporary, so have experienced much of what he writes about. That's actually quite entertaining. I read in a review before I purchased this book, that it contained most of what was in “Sink or Swim”. I can't speak of what is new, but can tell you it stands on it's own just fine. If you're a younger person entering the skilled trades, or considering the possibility, this will provide excellent guidance on the culture, good tips on how to learn from experience and your co-workers and avoid common “newbie” pitfalls. It emphasizes the way you approach metalworkings challenges, work with others and generally get along in a world that values the old ways as much as the modern approach. There are plenty of real world examples on solving problems, and doing so while getting along with your coworkers. If you are looking for information on how to tell a worn machine from one worth buying, or how to set up a face mill for cast iron, you'll be disappointed with “Doing it Better”, but if you want to understand and appreciate the subtleties of working in one of the few true arts remaining in this world before it is lost completely, this book will give you something you can keep. It's an excellent “bedside reader”. Although that description has already been used, it's exactly where my copy resides. Thanks Tom, nice work!

This review is based on the Kindle version. Overall I found this to be a good book about metal working. The author has tips and food for thought on so many odds and ends that a second or third reading will be needed to catch them all. It is easy reading and I read the whole thing in just a few sittings. To me that is an indication of a good book, was it interesting and fun to read. I was a little disappointed there was not more insightful stuff about manual milling but there are other books on that subject. One of the little side bar stories in the book talked about remaining current with the times so we do not disappear like the ice cutters back in the day. I told my kids that one, it is just a good general life lesson and is one of the many gold nuggets of learning in the book. As a minor annoyance perhaps just with the Kindle version though is the book has a lot of great photos to illustrate the talking points, but the text and photos were almost always on opposite pages.

Good reference and knowledge in one place!

This book is simply amazing, not only does it cover almost all aspects of metalworking, it will also help you keep your job, and your fingers and toes. A real life saver while not being in any way a safety handbook...actually there is a sub section on how lawyers have ruined what used to be a very rapid paced trade filled with innovation now stifled with their litany of red tape. It is a short section and far from the centerpiece of the book, but it is actually funny. I truly enjoyed every aspect of the book and learned a heck of allot, I would recommend this to anyone from the novice to the hardened professional and everyone in between. Even if you know every trick in this book(and I'd call BS on anyone who says they did), you will get a real kick out of Mr. Lipton's humorous approach and classic anecdotes. 5 Stars, and by far the best non-fiction I've read in over 25 years...if not longer, that is just about how far back I can remember, LOL!

In this second book of Tom Liptons are a more relaxed approachs to metal working. It's a must buy and great bed time reader. I really liked the simple aporoach he uses to solve both simple and complex issues. Tom also has his own You Tube channel OXYOOLS so you can clearly see that he is not obe if those whom write a book never to be seen on a high pedestal but very down to earth and easy to understand. He explains everything in a uniqueness that I really enjoy and would like other technical authors to do the same, as it keeps you interested in reading and wanting more. Other boojs get soo boaring you pick out what you think you either like or need and put it up to never read it completely through. This book is one that you will re read to glean additional information from each time.

This is an updated and rearranged version of Sink or Swim. I got a copy of Sink or Swim to compare, and you will do just fine with this one. It has a bit less content, but it is mostly in the "setting up shop" section, which does not bother me at all. Lipton covers all sorts of metalworking topics; I learned quite a bit. It's real easy to pick up the book and flip to any page to extend you knowledge. He also has a YouTube channel with lots of useful info; search for OxTool to find those. I will be buying 2 more copies of this book as gifts.

Last 7 pages of the book came sliced. It was a shock the moment I took the book out of the package and saw it.

Worth the money with helpful advice throughout. Nicely set out with clear photographs and diagrams.

If you’re interested in this book, you probably know that Tom Lipton has written another book, titled Metalworking: Sink or Swim, etc. Well, this is exactly the same book. The only difference I could find between the two is Appendix A, where the author explains how to machine a cube on the mill. And that’s about it. While the author claims that he sees the „new“ book as aimed towards small scale DIY operations, I couldn’t find any features to support this claim, except for the title change. While the book itself contains valuable information, it is kinda disappointing when you buy both books and find out that essentially you have just two copies of the same book. So if you have none of Tom Lipton’s books, buy this one, you will certainly find some useful info in it. But if you have either one of them, don’t bother to buy the other.

A great book for those of us that want to learn from more than our own experience.

I have been fabricating as a hobby for over 50 years. This book verified pretty much everything I learned the hard way and taught me a lot of new useful information. The book is easy to read and entertaining. I highly recommend this book for anyone fabricating at any stage of their development.