Machine Shop Practice: A Manual for Apprentices and Journeyman Machinists, and for Use in Trade, Industrial and Technical Schools (Classic Reprint)

How to master vise work and essential hand tools for machining

This practical guide introduces beginners to vise work, chisels, and the habits of careful, thoughtful practice in the shop. It explains how a good chisel angle and steady holding improve cutting quality and durability, and it emphasizes the why behind each step as much as the how. The book covers chisels and related forms, including the flat chisel made from octagonal tool steel and shaped to make handling easier on level surfaces. It explains the edge and facet geometry, including how a 70-degree overall edge angle, with about 35 degrees of edge bevel for guiding the cut, supports efficient and safe work. The discussion also covers why a wood chisel uses a different approach and how to adapt technique for metal. You’ll find guidance on shaping and grinding, choosing the right forms, and using the facet as a guide to steady cutting. The material also introduces the cape chisel and other common forms, along with notes on hammers, the vise, and general chipping practice. The goal is to help the apprentice build thinking-through-work habits that lead to reliable progress and skill development. What you’ll experience:

• Foundational techniques for chipping and tool control in metalworking
• Guidance on proper edge angles, facet use, and holding positions
• Descriptions of common chisel forms and their best applications
• Connections between tool shape, cutting efficiency, and work quality

Ideal for beginners and students in shop classes, this edition stays focused on practical, repeatable methods that align with real-world shop conditions. It’s a solid start for anyone aiming to become a skilled apprentice or journeyman machinist.