I agree on many points, Mark. I much prefer hard copies. However, I wanted generic information covering a range of products, so I have a better idea of what the parts are called and what they do in “proper” terminology.
I have about a dozen official manuals printed, but what about when I am unable to determine the make/model of the mortise assembly? I think of it like taking classes at a collage or university. You take the general education requirements before you start with the advanced material. If you understand the basics, you can frequently figure out the rest.
Figuring things out for myself has rarely been an issue for me. But it is nice to get an overview. I have seen a couple unlabeled mortise assemblies with mismatched parts, and the assembly was not functioning properly. If I understand how, for example, the rocker levers work when they have specific shapes, then I can figure out what is missing, worn or damaged much more easily.
Also, books like these may give hard to find information on rare and/or obsolete assemblies, which is sort of my thing.
Trying to slowly accumulate more info on specific Mortise assemblies, and hoping that I may in time be able to recognize manufacturers and/or models that are not labeled (or painted over) based on seeing the parts inside.
I appreciate all the input all of you have offered. Sometimes info is given that answers questions I didn’t even know enough to ask.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
