I loaned my 1963 172 Maintenance manual out to a friend. His AP “ lost “ it. He’s willing to pay for the replacement… but after months of looking, we can’t find one. I’ve given up on eBay. I always look there and Craigslist. Yeah I can go online… but it’s nice to have the paper manual. Does anybody know where to start to find one? I’m still irritated that I helped a guy and this happened.
Yes I would be very irritated about someone losing your tool. How do you loose something like that? It sounds like someone borrowed it from him and now it is lost.
How does that old snap on saying go? Something's about please don't ask to borrow my tools?
When I was very young I worked for a guy who was a scale mechanic, we worked on all kinds of commercial mechanical scales and then electronic load cell scales.
He did all his own work on his work trucks with the help of factory service manuals. We did trans overhauls, carburetor and even engine overhauls. I learned to read and understand service manuals and if you could do that you could fix most anything.
I took that knowledge to my next job which was maintaining a small fleet of cars and trucks. I explained up front before I took the job that I needed a factory service manual for each vehicle I worked on. So with every new car or truck they bought they made sure to included a service manual. No not owners manual like so many salesman thought we meant. Some trucks came with several manuals, electric, chassis and engine separate manuals, at considable cost. Now 30 years later I have 4-4 drawer filing cabinets filled up with old antique service manuals for mostly trucks we don't own anymore. I also have a stack of old ones for my past personal vehicles.
When I bought my plane I made sure I got the service manual for it that the previous owner had. He balked and I insisted that it came with the deal.
It is my most important tool I have for my plane. It sits at the ready in a convenient place right under a coffee table I use to spread books and instructions out on. I would not lend it out just like I don't lend out my tools after loosing some until took to hart what my snap on tool box sticker says. Please don't ask to borrow my tools. 40 year old pages, I treat them with respect.
I wore the covers off of these manuals.
Good luck, I hope you can find a original some place.