First grandchild, which book?

To mark this event which has occurred in Vancouver, 6000 miles away from me, I thought I should send a gift of some kind or another.

A 2020 sovereign?

A piece of my late mothers jewelry?

No, a book......nothing seditious like The Famous Five, or disturbing like Noddy and Big Ears, but something more of a practical nature, so it's a toss-up between Rankine on Heat Engines or Ripper on Heat Engines, as I doubt she would be interested in Williams on Boiler House Practice or Lyle on The Efficient Use of Steam, they are both a bit "dry".

Any others spring to mind?

H.

Trustee from the Toolroom by Neville Shute

Congratulations on the new arrival.

Sparey's "The Amateur's Lathe" inevitably turns up as a recommendation on this forum, so I'll get in first.

Pete

Edited By Peter Hall on 18/05/2020 10:05:14

Edited By Peter Hall on 18/05/2020 10:30:12

Why don't you write one yourself?

"The Very Rumbly Caterpillar Tractor" might be a start?

John

"Pirate Pete and His Stinky Feet" is very popular with mine - but they will only settle for it being read with Grandads "Piratey" voice...

Arhhhh Me Maties…

IanT

Edited By IanT on 18/05/2020 10:39:36

How about 'Raising Steam' by Terry Pratchett

Roger

Just finished Trustee from the toolroom.

Quite dated now as regards attitudes to women and minorities, (and rape!) very much of it's time I guess.

For me it fizzled out in the last third. I lost interest after Hirzhorn or whatever his name is came into the story. Did Keith and his 'woollen underwear' get the diamonds from the hull?

G.

If it were me I would send the complete set of Peters Railway, written by Chris Vine, they are excellent value for money and exceptionally well written.

I give the parents £500 to open a childs savings acct. This will be a far more remembered act.

How about:

It's a classic!

Dave

Some of us weirdos actually love maths! What a great name for a writer!

Being sensible - money, as Clive suggests.

Being silly -

You will need Mr Dull's book after the third page. It is also a better read than Neville Shute.

JA

Don’t mess about just send a lathe, that should get them started on the right path.
Otherwise I am with Clive Hartland on this so they can buy their own lathe in a few years!

Edited By V8Eng on 18/05/2020 12:54:44

From first year undergraduate days (T1) - it was boring than and it is boring now it is a free pdf to download!

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 18/05/2020 12:56:40

I would heartily recommend "Car Brakes" published by Crowood Press. In fact I firmly believe everyone should own a copy, even if you don't own a car.

Jon.

I've got a special tiger voice for 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea'.

Or there's 'An Introduction To Mechanics' by A. E. Short. Written in a country that still knew how to build heavy cruisers...

My favourite to read to my kids was hairy maclary, I could do voices for all the characters. The best was Scarface Claw with his Yeewoule.

I think Tubal Cains excellent materials primer, Hardening, Tempering and Heat Treatment, there is no better introduction to metalworking! Or maybe one of the Gruffalo books, my Daughters loved them!

Phil

Edited By Phil Whitley on 18/05/2020 19:36:28

I would also recommend Hairy McLary, there are about 6 stories in the series, my grand-daughters loved them.

It occurs to me that it's actually called "Pirate Pete and his Smelly Feet"

"Big Stinker" is a term (of affection) that my Grandchildren use for me - I can't think why?

And I'm afraid the 'Big Stinker' is missing them too...

IanT