Standard Handbook of Fastening and Joining

Rating:
Summary: Standard Handbook of Fastening and Joining
Review: This is a very ambitious undertaking and, understandably, the Third Edition is a hefty volume. Despite its size, it simply cannot and does not cover the entire diverse realm of fastening and joining. Nevertheless, the subjects selected for coverage are concisely illustrated with dimensions and tabular data and relevant standards are cited. This is a very useful handbook. I am pleased to have it on my shelf. There are some shortcomings.

Most puzzling about this work is the criterion for inclusion or exclusion. Significant fastener categories of keen interest to a broad base of industry are missing, such as bearing mounting hardware, shaft collars, tapered adaptor bushings, pneumatic quick-action couplings, etc. On the other hand, other categories included, such as log (home) connections, can only appeal to a vary narrow specialized industrial base. Also, why is welding, a subject treated thoroughly in other dedicated works, allotted so much precious space here?

If this handbook is truly intended to cover "all" fastening and joining systems, then far more space is required (probably multiple volumes). Otherwise, a more rational selection process needs to be implemented.

I suggest prospective purchasers examine the table of contents, if not the full text, before buying, to be sure their areas of interest are adequately covered.