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Metalworking: Doing It Better

by
Tom Lipton (Author)
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Tom Lipton (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 55 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0831134761
ISBN-10: 0831134763
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Frequently Bought Together

  • Metalworking: Doing It Better
  • +
  • Metalworking Sink or Swim: Tips and Tricks for Machinists, Welders and Fabricators
  • +
  • Machine Shop Trade Secrets
Total price: $132.76
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 220 pages
  • Publisher: Industrial Press, Inc. (October 18, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0831134763
  • ISBN-13: 978-0831134761
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars99% Same Material as Sink or Swim
By Graham Gott on February 28, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Really there are two ways to review this book. If you don't already have "Metalworking: Sink or Swim" it's really a five star book. I bought "Sink or Swim" several years ago and have constantly referred back to it. It's the only book I own that has so much solid information about machining, welding, and sheet metal work all in one volume. I also subscribe to Tom's YouTube channel, and there is a bunch of great information over there. I was hoping this would be another volume of new information.

The bad news is that 99% of the information contained in "Doing it Better" is exactly the same as what was in "Sink or Swim". The introduction is a little different, but you have to look pretty close to spot differences between the two. "Doing it Better" even has the same life preserver graphic on all the pages that was in "Sink or Swim."

So, if you don't have either of Tom's books, I would encourage the purchase of one or the other. Getting both is really not necessary.
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5.0 out of 5 starsRead and learn lots of good stuff for metalworking.
By Pepper Montauban on December 7, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
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).
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1.0 out of 5 starsDeceptive title
By Yuriy on February 11, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This a verbatim reprint of "Metalworking Sink or Swim". There is a bit of different in the intorduction where the author waxes poetic how he wanted to write a book for hobbyists. Apparently that dream didn't come through, because this book is 99% identical to the first one. I wouldn't even call it "Second Edition".
This is a shame, though, because the book is actually pretty good.
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4.0 out of 5 starssame as before
By Joe on January 28, 2014
Format: Paperback
This book is nearly identical to Metalwork Sink or Swim. If you have one or the other I wouldn't buy the other, but it is a good book. I thought I was buying something new not just a new cover.
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1.0 out of 5 starsSame book as before. Industrial Press just wants to take your money twice.
By Amazon Customer on December 6, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The content of this book is very good and I know because I purchased Metalworking Sink or Swim. This is the same book with a new shinny cover. I fault the publisher for pulling essentially a bait and switch. If you do not have the other book this is a good buy, but Industrial Press wants you to buy two books that are the same.
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5.0 out of 5 starsDo not buy this book...
By JW on March 20, 2014
Format: Paperback
If you already have sink or swim, as many others have stated. If you have not purchased either, get this one. I too am disappointed that is is a reprint not new content. I do think it is nearly a second edition as I feel it is layed out better. The figures referenced and the text line up better than in sink or swim. I bought this one first and found sink or swim to be more disjointed. This version does not have some of the anecdotes from sink or swim and the "setting up your shop" chapter is tailored a bit more towards the hobbiest. If you are interested in metalworking buy one or the other.
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1.0 out of 5 starsDeja Vu
By David Bassett on December 16, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I liked Tom Lipton's previous book: Sink or Swim, so I guess I also like this book. However, I can't give it a high rating because I already bought it once and getting virtually the same material when buying this book doesn't work for me. If you are considering this book, please know there is barely enough new material to honestly call it "Sink or Swim, 2nd Edition". The title & description certainly don't give the correct impression of what you will receive. Most of the material is copied and at best slightly reworked. If you have neither, buy this one instead of Sink or Swim. If you have Sink or Swim, save some money and give this one a pass.
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1.0 out of 5 starsSave your money
By Rollin Knapp on January 26, 2014
Format: Paperback
"Metalworking, Doing it Better' is a waste of money. It is exactly the same book that Tom Lipton wrote in 2009 and sold under the title "Metalworking, Sink or Swim" Compare the table of contents of each - same format, same material, same words, just the page numbers are different because the "NEW BOOK" has bigger pictures (but exactly the same pictures). How Tom can in all honestly offer a new book presenting the old material in a new cover with a new title is beyond me. I wasted my money buying his new book. I recommend that you do not waste your money on this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starslot of great info.

Enjoyable read, lot of great info.

Published 2 months ago by Joe Drouin
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book.

Published 2 months ago by Anthony Angel
5.0 out of 5 starsHooray for Tom Lipton

Well written by a very well informed author. Great tips and tricks interspersed with anecdotal stories of how he came to know his trade. Read more

Published 2 months ago by paul wood
5.0 out of 5 starsYou know how to do it, now do it better.

Not a beginner's book, but well done. To be clear, I am no master at metal work, but from my perspective as a general shop teacher, this book contains tips, tricks, and pointers... Read more

Published 3 months ago by Christopher T. Dahle
4.0 out of 5 starsWell liked gift.

I purchased this as a gift for my husband, who recently took up welding. He liked it, so it must be good.

Published 3 months ago by Z
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

This book contains a lot of good tips but a few miss the mark.

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsI think this is almost perfect for someone that has little to NO...

I think this is almost perfect for someone that has little to NO shop/garage experience. For me I wish it were a little more advance but very easy to read great pictures and great... Read more

Published 6 months ago by 2LateIWon
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat.book, practical and useful tips for the small shop

Well written, lots of useful information

Published 6 months ago by Dean D. Schober
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

thanks

Published 7 months ago by James H. Cowart
4.0 out of 5 starsHow to survive life in a Machine Shop (and have fun while doing it)

“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... Read more

Published 8 months ago by Scott594

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