The Pocket Ref: Everything You'll Ever Need
This little book is just… too packed with pretty much any form of general information that you’d ever need. I mean even the table of contents is just a table of sections, each section has its own giant TOC. So, what exactly is in this thing?
Note: there’s also a similar version that’s less portable, called the desk ref. And it has even more information.
Also, just.. look at this thing, the font size is just minuscule. I zoomed in for the two shots you see, the actual dimensions of this thing are around 6.5" high, 3.75" wide, and 1" thick. It’s, well, meant to fit inside a shirt pocket. If you’re a fan of MythBusters, in one of the behind the scenes episodes (Shop ‘Till You Drop), Adam Savage said he always carries one around and that a number of people have asked him about that “little black book.”
So, what’s in this thing? Well, here’s a full TOC:
- Air and Gasses
- Composition of Air
- Physical Properties of Air
- Densities of Gasses
- Standard Atmosphere Definition
- General Gas Laws & Formulas
- Density of Moist Air
- Elevation vs. Air & Water Properties
- Dry Air Specific Heat & Sound Velocity at 1 Atmosphere for Various Temperatures
- Dry Air Specific Heat at 20°C Constant Temperature and Various Pressures
- Explosive Limits of Gasses and Vapors
- Air Pollution Safe Limits
- Automotive
- Miles per Gallon Fuel Chart
- Vehicle Miles Traveled Chart
- Vehicle Hours to Travel a Distance Chart
- Antifreeze Table
- Spark Plug Torque
- Lead-Acid Battery Specific Gravity/Charge
- Oil Viscosity vs. Temperature
- Auto Headlight Warning
- Automotive Trailer Wiring
- Automotive Electric Wiring
- Load Index vs. Load, P-metric & Euro Tires
- Tire Size vs. Load Rating
- Tire Manufacturer Codes
- Tire Size Coding
- Tire Speed Rating Symbols
- Load Range vs. Ply Rating
- Automotive Formulas
- Automobile Stopping Distances
- Railroad Stopping Distances
- Speed vs. Skid Marks - Dry Conditions
- Speed vs. Skid Marks - Wet Conditions
- Estimated Speed Based on Skid Marks
- Velocity Conversions Miles/Hour-Feet/Sec-Meters/Sec
- Carpentry and Construction
- Softwood Lumber Sizes
- Softwood Lumber Grading
- Hardwood Lumber Size and Grade
- Wood Moisture contents- Plywood & Panel Grading
- Wood Characteristics
- Pressure Treated Lumber
- Insulation Value of Materials
- Maximum Floor Joist Spans
- Douglas Fir - Larch Group
- Hemlock - Fir Group
- Spruce - Fir Group
- Southern Pine Group
- Redwood Group
- Strength of Wood Beams
- Wood Gluing Characteristics
- Concrete
- Mortar
- Hand Signals for Hoist and Crane
- Chemistry and Physics
- Element Tables
- Element Properties
- Periodic Table of the Elements
- pH of Common Acids
- pH of Common Bases
- pH Indicators
- Elementary Particles
- Radioisotope Half Lives
- Uranium-238 Decay Series
- Galvanic Series of Metals in Seawater
- Computers
- Megabytes and Kilobytes
- Notes on ASCII, Alt Codes, and Unicode
- Computer ASCII and Alt Codes
- Constants - Physical, Chemical and Math
- Electrical - Wire, Motors, Frames, Receptacles
- Copper Wire Current Capacity (1 wire)
- Copper Wire Current Capacity (3 wires)
- Standard Lamp & Extension Cord Current Capacities
- Aluminum Wire Amp Capacity (1 wire)
- Aluminum Wire Amp Capacity (3 wires)
- Current Adjustment for more than 3 Wires in a Cable
- Copper Wire Resistance
- Standard Copper Wire Specs
- Wire Classes & Insulation
- Standard Wire Color Codes
- Wire Size vs. Voltage Drop
- NEMA Electric Motor Frames
- NEMA Electric Enclosure Types
- CS Motor Wiring Specs
- Average Electric Motor Specs
- 3 Phase Electric Motor Specs
- HP vs. Torque cs. RPM for Motors
- World Electric and TV
- World Electrical Connectors
- NEMA Electric Connectors
- World Telephone Connectors
- Electronics
- Resistor Color Codes
- Resistor Standard Values (5% Class)
- Telephone Wire Color Codes
- Capacitor Color Codes
- Color Codes for Ceramic Capacitors
- Capacitor Standard Values
- Pilot Lamp Specs
- Fuses - Small Tube Type
- Battery Characteristics
- Batteries- Sizes & Capacities
- RF Coil Winding Data
- Wire Size vs. Number of Turns/Inch
- Decibels vs. Voltage & Power Ratios
- Formulas for Electricity
- Fasteners
- Bolts & Threads
- Steel Bolt & Screw Grades, Types & Classes
- Notes on Clamping Force & Bolt Torque
- Bolt Head Styles Chart
- Clamping Force & Bolt Torque - Carbon Steel Bolts
- Effect of Anti-Seize Compounds, Lubricants, Platings, Coating, Torque Coefficients, and Stress Levels on Torque for Carbon Steel Bolts
- Standard Dry Torque for Coarse-Threaded, Non-Ferrous and Stainless Steel Bolts
- Unified Inch Screw Threads - Standard Screw Thread Series
- Clearance Holes for Bolts & Screws - Inch Series
- Clearance Holes for Bolts & Screws - Metric Series
- Whitworth Bolt Torques
- Nails
- Screws
- Approximate Hole Sizes for Wood Screws
- Sheet Metal Screw Specs
- Drive Styles
- Bolts & Threads
- First Aid
- Priorities
- CPR
- Heimlich Maneuver
- Mouth to Mouth Breathing
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Bleeding
- Bites
- Broken Bones
- Burns
- Choking
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Electric Shock
- Eye Injuries
- Frostbite
- Head and Spine Injuries
- Heat Emergencies
- Heart Attack
- Hypothermia
- Nose Injuries
- Poisoning
- Poison Control Centers
- Puncture Wounds to the Torso
- Seizures
- Shock
- Stroke
- Small Animal Artificial Respiration & CPR
- Blood Type Distribution in the USA
- General Information 1
- Holidays
- Season & Clock Dates
- Signs of the Zodiac
- Flowers for each Month
- Birthstones
- Anniversary Names and Gifts
- Proof Reading Marks
- Plastic Recycling Symbols
- Paper Seizures- English - Greek Alphabet
- Phonetic Alphabet
- International Morse Code - Semaphore Alphabet
- Braille Alphabet
- American Sign Language Alphabet and Numbers
- “Ten” Radio Codes
- Military Rank and Grades
- Chili Pepper Hotness Scale
- Bed Sizes
- Clothing Sizes - USA vs. European
- Consanguinity Table - Related Family Members
- US Postal Postal Abbreviations & Capitals
- Canada and Mexico Postal Abbreviations
- US - State Populations in 2000 & 2009
- US State Information, Flower, Bird, and Admit Date
- Climate Data in U.C. Cities
- Time Zones in the World
- Time Zones: Canada, Alaska & Hawaii
- Time Zones: U.S.A., Mexico & Caribbean
- Geographic Centers of the US and Individual States
- Social Security Numbers by Location
- General Information 2 (Telephone Numbers & Airports)
- North America Telephone Area Codes by Location
- North America Telephone Area Codes by Area Code
- World Wide Area Codes by Location
- World Wide Area Codes by Area Code
- Dialing Instructions for Countries
- Airports in the USA with Elevation, Codes, City Populations, and Airport Name
- Airline Two Letter Codes
- Major World Airports & Elevations
- Lost Credit Card Phone Numbers
- Airline Toll Free Phone Numbers
- Car Rental Toll Free Phone Numbers
- Country Codes - 2 and 3 Letter
- General Science
- Temperature Conversions °F - °C
- Sound Intensities
- Permissible Noise Exposure
- Perception of Changes in Sound
- Body Weight vs. Height - Metropolitan Life Ins.
- Body Mass Index - CDC, Atlanta GA
- Physical Growth % - Boys
- Physical Growth % - Girls
- Life Expectancy Statistics
- Firewood / Fuel Heat Comparisons
- Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum
- Human Body Composition
- Acceleration Due to Gravity
- Sun and Planetary Data
- Torino Asteroid Destruction Scale
- Fuels and Combustion Temperatures
- Flame or Material Color Combustion Temperature
- Animal Names - Group, Make, Female and Baby
- Geology
- Mineral Tables
- Element to Oxide Conversions
- Minerals Sorted by Density
- Minerals Sorted by Hardness
- Distinct Color Minerals
- Metal Content of Minerals
- Gold, Solver & Diamond Classifications
- Mineral Crystal System
- Minor Elements in Sedimentary Rocks
- Minor Elements in Igneous Rocks
- Igneous Rock Classification
- Igneous Rock Classes by Color
- Sedimentary Rock Classes
- Metamorphic Rock Classes
- Geochemical Lower Detection Limits
- Mohs Scale of Hardness
- Particle Size Descriptions
- Richter & Mercalli Earthquake Scales
- Earthquakes - The Largest and Deadliest
- Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI)
- Core Drill Specs
- Geologic Time Scale
- Glue, Solvents, Paints and Finishes
- Glue Types and Applications
- Glue Hints and General Rules
- Paints and Finishes
- Solvents
- The Universal Solvent
- Math
- Natural Trigonometric Functions - Angles In Degrees
- Right Triangle Formulas
- Oblique Triangle Formulas
- Plane Figure Formulas
- Solid Figure Formulas
- Numeric Prefixes
- Roman Numerals
- Squares, Cubes, and Roots of Whole Numbers
- Log, Log e, Circumference, & Circle Area
- Mine, Mill, and Aggregate
- Standard Sieve Sizes
- Mineral Dressing Sizing Scale
- Stockpile Volume and Weight
- Material Dumping Angles
- Rock Bulking Factors
- Length of Conveyor Belt in a Roll
- Conveyor Slope Angle Maximums
- Conveyor Capacities
- Conveyor Horsepower vs. Load
- Jaw Crusher Horsepower vs. Tons/Hour
- Money
- Currency Exchange Rates
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Discount Factors for Net Present Value
- Numbered Days of the Year
- Tip Table
- Pipe and Fittings
- Types of Copper Pipe and Tubing
- Copper Pipe & Tubing Size & Weight
- Types of Plastic Pipe
- Plastic Pipe Size & Weight
- Steel Pipe Formulas
- Steel Pipe Notes
- Steel Pipe Formulas
- Pressure Ratings of Std Schedule 40 Steel Pipe
- Pumps and Tanks
- Commonly Available Pumps & Their Characteristics
- Centrifugal
- Rotary
- Reciprocating
- Special Purpose
- Propane Tank Sizes
- Horizontal Cylinder Fillage
- Commonly Available Pumps & Their Characteristics
- Rope, Cable, Chain and Knots
- Cable Clips For Wire Rope
- Chain, Strength and Weight
- Feet of Wire Rope on a Drum or Reel
- Load Capacity Loss due to Line Angle
- Synthetic & Natural Fiver Rope - Strength and Weight
- Wire Rope - Strength and Weight
- Knots and Bends
- Steel and Metals
- Standard Steel Sheet Gauges
- Standard Wire Gauges
- Weights of Cold Rolled Steel Sheet
- Steel Plate Sizes
- Weights of Galvanized Steel Sheet
- Channel Steel
- Angle Steel
- Tee Steel
- Round Bar Steel
- Square Bar Steel
- Hexagonal Bar Steel
- Octagonal Bar Steel
- Flat Steel
- Square Steel Tubing
- Rectangular Steel Tubing
- Round Steel Tubing
- Wrought Aluminum Tempering
- Density & Melting Points of Metals, Alloys, and Elements
- Hardness Number Conversions
- Thermal Expansion Coefficients
- Volume Thermal Expansion Coefficients
- Surveying and Mapping
- Percent Grade to Degrees
- Stadia Formula
- Stadia Table
- Formulas to Create Stadia Table
- Mapping Scales and Areas
- Apparent Dip Table
- Three Point Problem
- Magnetic Declination Map
- Tools
- Drill Size, American Wire Gauge, & Fractions
- American National Taps and Dies QuickRef
- Metric Taps and Dies QuickRef
- British Taps and Dies
- British Association Standard Thread
- American Standard Taper Pipe Thread
- American Standard Straight Pipe Thread
- Drill and Cutting Lubricants
- Drilling Speed vs. Material
- Fire Extinguishers
- Sandpaper and Abrasives
- Saws
- Power Circular Handsaws
- Saber Saws
- Capacities of Hydraulic Rams in Tons
- Tons of Force Required to Punch Metals
- Air Receiver Capacities
- Air Line Pope Size Recommendations
- Compressed Air Requirements for Common Tools and Equipment
- Air Discharge from Orifices
- Air Hose Friction & Pressure Loss in 50’ Hose
- Air Discharge through 100 Feet of Hose
- Pressure Loss Due to Friction in 100 Feet of Air Hose
- Water
- Boiling Point of Water at Various Altitudes
- Vapor Pressure of Water
- Steam Table
- Water Pollution
- Water Hardness
- Water Discharge through 100 Feet of Hose
- Pressure Loss Due to Friction in 100 Feet of Water Hose
- Theoretical Discharge from Nozzles for Water
- Horizontal Pipe Discharge
- Vertical Pipe Discharge
- Weir Discharge Volumes
- Water Data & Formulas
- Weather and Weather Safety
- Beaufort Wind Strength Scale
- Fujita-Pearson Tornado Intensity Scale
- Hurricane Intensity Scale
- Wind Chill Factors
- Heat - Humidity Factors
- Dew Point Tables
- Ice Thickness Safety
- Cold Water Survival Time
- Weather Map Symbols
- Cloud Types
- Weights and Properties of Materials
- Welding
- Gas Welding Rods
- Welding Gasses
- Hard and Soft Solder Alloys
- Solder Flux
- Tempering Color for Steel
- SMAW Electrode Amperages
- SMAW Electrodes - Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel
- SMAW Electrodes - Low-Alloy Steel Only
- SMAW Electrodes - Stainless Steel
- Electrode Brand Conversion (Steel)
- Welding Symbols
- Conversion Tables
- 14 Year Perpetual Calendar
Holy CRAP.
And it’s also only about $10 on Amazon.
So if you want to have the entire knowledge of the human race a comprehensive guide to almost any common piece of information that you’ll ever need, that’s quite a deal.