This could be interesting ...

[Phil Pascoe]

It's just popped up - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008241783/ref=pe_4649451_911221571_em_1p_7_lm

 

[loftyhermes]

A very good book, I really enjoyed reading it.

 

[worn thumbs]

I second that opinion.Really interesting and i was staggered to learn of a literally astronomical distance measured to within the thickness of a human hair.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I hadn't seen it before, I've just ordered it. Strangely, I've another of his marked for when it come out in paperback -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knowing-Wh.../ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

 

[treeturner123]

Thanks for this, ordered!!

Might give it to my SiL who's a material scientist!

 

[J-G]

It's just popped up - Amazon.co.uk

It may well be worth a read but I'm offended by that image of a thread!!

Using an image of a real thread would be so much easier and better overall. No screw/bolt has ever been made commercially with a sharp V and the run-out at the top could not come to a flat stop

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The book might explain why they're not really like that.

 

[TRITON]

And in the future too.

 

[brocher]

I hadn't seen it before, I've just ordered it. Strangely, I've another of his marked for when it come out in papaerback -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knowing-Wh.../ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Yes very interesting. I just looked up my local Waterstones and I can get it for 12.99. I would much rather support them than greedy Amazon!

 

[Richard_C]

Not sure Waterstones are.much better, owned by US Hedge. Fund with various Bermuda and Cayman holding companies. See if there is a local independent bookseller you can support. At least you can browse the books in Waterstones so I guess it's one step up on Amazon.

 

[Fergie 307]

Joseph Whitworth The Worlds Best Mechanician is well worth reading. A pioneering engineer in so many ways.

 

[J-G]

The book might explain why they're not really like that.

Very doubtful

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It wasn't meant seriously.

 

[Titan_uk]

stuff matters by prof. Mark Miodownik is another good 'un

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Thanks - I just picked that one up for £2.94.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

"Exactly" is an excellent and entertaining read, well worth anyone's getting hold of.

His trip to Seiko is interesting, and I must admit I found it funny when he said the Seiko people laughed at him when he suggested they swap his Rolex for a Grand Seiko.

Next on the list - Why We Get The Wrong Politicians by Isobel Hardman, then on to Stuff Matters. Hitch 22 is worth reading for Christopher Hitchens fans.

 

[Spectric]

Might look at this for a read but you cannot have precision without metrology, the art of measurement otherwise what is precision !

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A hair's breath in many billions of miles good enough for you?

It starts with 1/10", then on til it gets to 000000000000000000000000000000000001.

 

[John Brown]

"Exactly" is an excellent and entertaining read, well worth anyone's getting hold of.

His trip to Seiko is interesting, and I must admit I found it funny when he said the Seiko people laughed at him when he suggested they swap his Rolex for a Grand Seiko.

Next on the list - Why We Get The Wrong Politicians by Isobel Hardman, then on to Stuff Matters. Hitch 22 is worth reading for Christopher Hitchens fans.

+1 to Hitch 22.

 

[Spectric]

A hair's breath in many billions of miles good enough for you?

Sorry no, does that sort of hair breath or is it a hare ? Then is a hairs breath an SI unit, as you know any measurement will have a tolerance, a certainty and repeatability but then you could do a comparative measurement to assertain precision without actual values, here a bubble level can say this is as level as this.
I think Metrology is a fascinating subject, the subject of accuracy often comes up on these forums but how many know that the old method of defining the Kilogram has changed from a standard defining artifact made from Platinum like this which is just a means of comparison to now actual measurement using physical quantities and the Kibble balance. There was a good Tv program about these recent changes which is worth watching.