Any word yet?

[Todd Bradshaw]

You might consider putting it out in PDF form where you could send buyers the download information. I wrote a sailing book a while back which was published hard-cover, but I also have a PDF copy on my computer. The book has 265 pages and hundreds of full color illustrations, but the entire thing in PDF format is only about 28 megabytes, so it could be sent pretty easily and quickly. Image quality in PDF form is super clean and zoom-able if needed.

The world needs more high quality and interesting construction manuals, even those for uncommon subjects. There is also a certain enjoyment in knowing that after you are gone and after all the products you built over the years have lived their useful lives and gone away, the book can still exist as instruction and inspiration for an entirely new audience.

[Stoff]

Steve,

I am one of those who should be very interested in getting your book in digital format. In fact sometimes I prefer to get my non-fiction/technical type books in that format. That way I can print them out in letter format, frequently they are published in some size smaller than 8.5x11, by doing this i can have the book in a somewhat large typeface and I can bind them in such a way that they lie flat on the table or my lap. It also means that I do not have to worry about them getting damaged/ruined by some accidental spill. At that point all I have to do is print replacement pages or even the whole book if need be.

Thanks,
Stoff

[Ninehostages]

A "Thou" is an awfully tight tolerance for a rig like that. Same set-up, different day and it will change by that much or a bit more.

-Then again, you're not making gas turbine parts with it (one hopes).

You are correct sir. I know the limitations of this machine. It does what I need for the job, in the space I have available, within my budget. And while I am able to do work to .001, (good teachers) this job does not require anywhere close to that amount of accuracy.

I am working with standard 1018 cold rolled steel and 6061 aluminum. All I need is to be able to turn within .010" to fit standard ABAC 5 roller bearings and I use the DRO only to save the math time when milling to the center of .75" round stock.
All the other tolerances are set by the properties of the Red Oak I am using.

But it is nice to know that I can achieve and hold a .001" taper over 12" if I wanted to.

I had to teach myself MIG and powdercoating. Luckily I was able to find a really nice second hand 220VAC welder and accessories for $50.00 and a 30" wall oven for $45.00 and wire it into a corner of my small basement shop.

Honestly, the only reason I chose to do my own work, was it is fun to be able to put your name on something without out-sourcing the work. "I made this" still has meaning to me.

The Engineers creed states -
"If you can't make something that will do what it was designed to do, and can't make it beautiful at the same time, then why bother."

(sorry - I hit edit instead of reply by mistake)

[Ninehostages]

You are correct sir. I know the limitations of this machine. It does what I need for the job, in the space I have available, within my budget. And while I am able to do work to .001, (good teachers) this job does not require anywhere close to that amount of accuracy.

I am working with standard 1018 cold rolled steel and 6061 aluminum. All I need is to be able to turn within .010" to fit standard ABAC 5 roller bearings and I use the DRO only to save the math time when milling to the center of .75" round stock.
All the other tolerances are set by the properties of the Red Oak I am using.

But it is nice to know that I can achieve and hold a .001" taper over 12" if I wanted to.

I had to teach myself MIG and powdercoating. Luckily I was able to find a really nice second hand 220VAC welder and accessories for $50.00 and a 30" wall oven for $45.00 and wire it into a corner of my small basement shop.

Honestly, the only reason I chose to do my own work, was it is fun to be able to put your name on something without out-sourcing the work. "I made this" still has meaning to me.

The Engineers creed states -
"If you can't make something that will do what it was designed to do, and can't make it beautiful at the same time, then why bother."

(sorry - I hit edit instead of reply by mistake)

I will never stop working materials with my hands for as long as I draw breath, too.
I earned a very big part of my income designing extrusion profiles (mostly run in 6063). I'm retired now but dozens of my shapes are still being pushed, some of those shapes are unchanged for almost 30 years, so I guess that I got them right. I've walked through public buildings with my kids pointing to this and that and telling them "I designed that!" .. eyes roll ..."okay Dad"

p.s. Most extrusions are run to within 3 thou unless it is VERY special.

p.p.s. My welding is pathetic. I can still hear a Navy PO calling it "gorilla snot" a half century ago and it never got much better.

[bodhran4me]

I was wondering about the book just this weekend. I think it would be a shame if it never got to see light of day.

I would also gladly purchase a digital format. Maybe taking pre-orders would help grease the wheels a bit? I would be up for that also if it were the case.

[jhockin]

Steve, I totally “get” how retirement can be enjoyable, however, I do think that you might be underestimating how many people are likely to want a copy of your book ( add my name to the list). I also agree that digital format ( such as on a flash drive/ thumb drive) would likely be the easiest format, both for you, and most customers. Don’t give up on the idea just yet.

[newbiepiper55]

I'm 66 and have still yet to retire (with three sons still at home). So "good on 'ya, matey!"

I too would like to encourage you to release your book in .PDF format. In fact, if you do, can you please put me on your list as a potential customer? I'd even be willing to mail you an empty thumb drive to copy it to, if you wish it.

All the best with your wood crafting biz. Cheers, Alan

Steve, I totally “get” how retirement can be enjoyable, however, I do think that you might be underestimating how many people are likely to want a copy of your book ( add my name to the list). I also agree that digital format ( such as on a flash drive/ thumb drive) would likely be the easiest format, both for you, and most customers. Don’t give up on the idea just yet.

[MichiganKyle]

I'd rather be able to buy a printed copy, but a PDF would also work.

There are places around that will do small runs of books. Heck, even my local bookstore has a machine to do it, and I think their minimum is somewhere around a quantity of 1. Prints, binds, and trims, and they sell copies of locally-written books at the front of the store. It's really a pretty neat operation and they keep the machine proudly on display in the store.

Or you could print them at something like FedEx Office where they'll spiral bind. I've had that done before, and it's not terribly expensive.

Going to print doesn't have to be a huge obstacle anymore.

[Paco500]

Steve-

I feel absolutely robbed that I got back into kilts so soon after you have decided to retire. I would dearly love to have one of your kilts- the thought and innovation you have shown is remarkable.

I know I would pay over the odds for that knowledge not to be lost. Even in unfinished form.

Perhaps the group of us so interested could even fund the help of an editor if you don’t have the time to work on it yourself- that is assuming an outside editor would actually be useful.

Please consider it.

-M

[bodhran4me]

Steve-

I feel absolutely robbed that I got back into kilts so soon after you have decided to retire. I would dearly love to have one of your kilts- the thought and innovation you have shown is remarkable.

I know I would pay over the odds for that knowledge not to be lost. Even in unfinished form.

Perhaps the group of us so interested could even fund the help of an editor if you don’t have the time to work on it yourself- that is assuming an outside editor would actually be useful.

Please consider it.

-M

Paco, just had to say when I saw your avatar thumbnail I thought " My what a large sporran...." Needs must get my eyes checked!