They surprisingly hard to find. I have all of the editions, but I am a third generation user. I found a second edition in an antique bookstore once. Good luck.
Be sure to read the descriptions very carefully and then check the volume you receive against the descriptions. Do not expect to receive what was described because you will not always get what you ordered. Watch out for various printings and editions.
Also check for marks and supplements as well as checking for all pages. The AISC has a list of all the editions and all the printings.
Try your local used book stores. I recently found the 4th and 5th editions at a second hand book store. Both editions great condtion for only $5 each!!!!!!!
Used bookstores are great, because then you can see the quality of the book. I've found the ones near a University to be the best. Never know what else you'll find there, too.
Where do the slightly used spouses go, then? If they are selling the first few editions of the AISC manual they may be a little to old for me, although I’m slightly used too. But, around a Uni, that sounds like about the right age, can you check out the quality of those too... Slta? Come to think of it, the girl watching is the best part of going back to the old Uni these days. I can’t understand what they are teaching any longer.
dhengr, I was out the other night without the kids or husband and got hit on by a boy fresh out of college. It was all I could do to keep from laughing at him. Seriously, I was at least 15 years older than him. But I must admit it made me smile.
I like finding the former owner's PE seal in the books - especially really old books. It's almost like some other engineer is saying that there's good stuff in this book, and I'm done with it, so have at it. I've started sealing all my books, so when my books eventually get sent to the used bookstore, my legacy will live on, too.
I too collect old AISC manuals. I several in my collection. Most of which I have found at old book stores. Everytime I travel to a new city I check out at least 3 bookstores. It's a great way to meet people and learn a little history. My best find in an AISC manual was a note saying "would you like some cheese with that Whine?"
I also collect old engineering manuals in general. I have a complete volume of Electrical Engineering manuals from 1910. And several Bureau of Reclamation Concrete Field Manuals, one from 1940, didn't know they used sandbags to hold forms in place. I also found a photo of a building foundation being poured. The concrete was hauled by two-mules. It made me wonder if they knew about the 90min time limit.
There are days when I wake up feeling like the dumbest man on the planet, then there are days when I confirm it.
![[sad]](/data/assets/smilies/sad.gif "[sad] [sad]")
