AISC Manual of Steel Construction - 2nd Edition - 1934 2

[Strengi]

I've been searching endlessly for this book, as its the only one I need to complete my collection. I've tried all sorts of web companies, but to no avail. What's odd is that, although it took some searching, the first edition wasn't nearly as difficult to find. Does anyone know if the Second Edition of the Manual, published circa 1934, is the same as the one that was published by Bethleham Steel in 1934? If that's the case, my long search is over. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Strengi - I'll have to talk from memory, my Bethlehem books are in storage right now, but I believe the the 1934 Bethlehem catalog uses the AISC information almost word-for-word and diagram-for-diagram.

Check out Ebay, various edition of the AISC manual sell there on a regular basis. On Monday (December 11) a 2nd Edition sold for $356.01 (plus shipping).

I'll offer a tip on how to find them easily on Ebay:
Forget about looking thru the various categories of books, AISC manuals are listed all over the place - many of the sellers really don't know what they are. Instead do an Ebay search on "AISC" - that will quickly take you to all of the listing (the sellers usually do list "AISC" in the titles).

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[whyun]

Quite an accomplishment there, Strengi. Good luck in finding the second edition. One thing to remember, though, is that the joy is in the QUEST to complete any collection. Once you've acquired the final piece, the game is over.

 

[JAE]

whyun - I must say, I took great joy in my quest to find the perfect wife. Once found, my collection, so to speak, was complete (and perfect). But after completing the quest, I am fortunate to say that the joy continued....now about my quest to eat the perfect steak....

 

[chichuck]

JAE,

I trust you did not find her on ebay??



chichuck

 

[DaveVikingPE]

The chase is always better than the catch...

As a general comment, the 1963 (I think that's the yesr; it's got a brown cover) AISC code is pretty much necessary as a companion to Teng's Foundation Design and Blodgett's Design of Weldments/Design of Welded Structures books. I would like it if AISC published their historical documents like the Steel Joist Institute does for historic steel joists.

 

[Strengi]

Thank you all for your input - you've been very helpful.

Over the past two years, I've tried several keywords using advanced searches on EBay, Abebooks, Amazon/Borders, Altilis (pardon spelling), and even several other Mom and Pop book stores, but didn't have any luck. I even contacted AISC directly, and they didn't have it! A rare book, indeed, especially if it's going for over $300! Too rich for my blood, which is why the Bethlehem Manual of Steel Construction going for $30 seems appealing!

 

[swearingen]

The second edition, first printing of the AISC manual is the Holy Grail of any AISC manual collection. I started collecting the manuals before the Ebay price explosion (sometime in 2000) and got one of them for $50 and another for $25. I bought yet another for $200. I'm back down to one, though. There were only 4 printings of the 2nd edition and they are all rare. I guess it is because engineers weren't building that much during and after the stock market crash of 1929. I believe the four printings ranged from 1930 to 1934. The reason the 1st editions are cheaper is because there were 10 large printings from 1927 (I think) through 1929 (the first spec actually came out in 1923, but a full manual wasn't printed until 1927).

I've got a first printing of each manual, but a buddy of mine is going much further. He's shooting for a definitive set: every printing of every manual. Considering that I believe there are 10 1st's, 4 2nd's, 4 3rd's, 10 4th's, 30 5th's, and I forget how many of the rest, he's got a huge collection. He's actually now working his way through the 5th's on up - he's got all of the early ones.

The 1934 Bethlehem manual is definitely NOT the same as the AISC manual. It's actually interesting to compare them.

 

[Lutfi]

SRE,

My wife has been instrumental in finding most of my AISC manuals and old books at garage sales. She knows what I can and cannot use and she gets them for great bargains.

She got me Seely's for only $0.25!! The steel manuals were less than $5.0 each.



Regards,
Lutfi

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I'll defer to swearingen on the comparison between the 2nd Edition and the 1934 Bethlehem Catalog.

AISC Design Guide 15 has a listing of all printings of the Manual (1927 to 1995). I have put the content of this listing on my website (3 pages, 18 KB, .pdf), here is a direct link

http://www.slideruleera.net/History-AISC-Manual.pdf

Lutfi - I'll have to keep that source in mind the next time we see yard sale sign.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[archeng59]

I found a 3rd edition (1939) at an antique store. paid less than $5 for it. I always check book selections at antique stores while my wife is looking china and other stuff. I've found several good, old engineering books of various topics. I check ebay and alibris often, too.

 

[whyun]

Star for SlideruleEra. I had the AISC design guides for years but didn't get to use *most* of them.