Can anyone recommend a good "how to weld" book for a complete beginner, preferably one that is available used on Amazon? I am looking at a wire welder if that makes a difference.
Can anyone recommend a good "how to weld" book for a complete beginner, preferably one that is available used on Amazon? I am looking at a wire welder if that makes a difference.
I have this book but you can find alot of info on the web by just using "MIG welding" as your search. On line videos, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Welders-Handbook-Complete-Oxyacetylene-Welding/dp/1557882649/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1337304002&sr=8-13
Great suggestion I got when looking for books on turbocharging, request all the ones that sound good from your local library, buy the book that you want to keep in the shop forever.
Libraries can get some pretty obscure stuff through inter-library loan, and it's free, which is very GRM!
Honestly the booklet that came with my hobart welder some 15 years ago is my go to book. Have several big text books from the late 1800 to 1970's but the booklet has it all.
The Miller website has everything you need.
I have a book: "Performance Welding" which is a good basic work, if a bit dated. If you have tanks and a torch (which everyone should) teach yourself to gas weld steel - learning TIG will go faster, though you'll still stick the electrode to the work with maddening regularity...
Dunno if it's as good as the others but: http://www.volkspage.net/technik/manuaisecatalogos/01/WeldingManual.pdf (Haynes Manual, you can find them used all day long)
What none of the books is going to help with is sheet-metal welding.
Your best bet from where I stand is to go to Youtube and keep dgging.
Pete
NOHOME wrote: What none of the books is going to help with is sheet-metal welding. Your best bet from where I stand is to go to Youtube and keep dgging. Pete
Buy a good new or used mig welder. +1 Youtube, Google and Miller will have good how to info for about anything you want to tackle. Spend time in shop w/ scrap metal making cold welds, burning through and warping metal till you get it... and you will get it w/ time
Experience is the best teacher.
Actually, if you can count to two, it only takes about 20 minutes to learn how to MIG weld sheet metal.
I've taught about a dozen people including my wife, daughter and an 8 year old next door.
My advice though is to buy a Lincoln or Miller MIG with the Gas bottle.
Look up sheet metal fabrication shops in your local phone book and call around. Ask if they have any sheet scrap you can practice on. I found a place by me that sells it for what the scrap yard pays, which is next to nothing. They save all different gauges in poster board sizes sheets for people like us.
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