Good welding book?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
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From: Meriden CT
Good welding book?
I'm looking to find a good book about welding. I want to teach myself and figure best thing to do is read a book first. I have access to both MIG and TIG welders as well as a plasma cutter. Dosnt make sense not to teach myself. Anyone know of any good reading material?
Thanks
Joe
Thanks
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Miller has some nice books on GMAW & GTAW welding, the best books would probably be arc welding instructions for the beginner. There's also stuff like arc welding non ferrous metals (mig & tig) for welding stuff like titanium, aluminium. There are so many books on welding, it's next to impossible to choose. There's books about special welding techniques, welding bead types and so on.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Since you have access to the equipment it seems that you must know someone who knows how to use it? A lesson or 2 from an experienced person can save a lot of reading. I'm planning on learning to do some welding but I'm going to start with an adult ed course.
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Yes, but only practise makes perfect and in a book you can read how to do stuff like weaving, pulling, pushing, walking the cup and then practice it on your own. Just looking at someone doing it teaches you nothing. You have to develop feel for the welding process and also a feel for matching the machine settings to whatever you weld.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
I'm just looking for a basic all around introduction to get started with so I can practice. I have a good idea on how to weld, but I have only used a stick welder a few times.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
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From: San Antonio Texas
i was in barnes and nobles the other day and saw a book (one of many) by Jesse James (yes, the T.V. jesse james, ie. monster garage, etc.) called "How to weld damn near anything". browsed it. it covers Mig, Tig, Plasma, OxyAcetelene, Heli-arc, etc., etc. i'm not a welder so can't comment on quality of instruction (but the pictures were nice!!!!!!!). funny, my dad was a welder but he never would teach me. now, like you i wish i knew how.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by JoeRags
I'm just looking for a basic all around introduction to get started with so I can practice. .
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I did a "Rural Welding Course" when I was 15. It was one night a week for a year. Learnt Arc and Oxy. Back then Migs were new. Been using it ever since. I don't know about coruses in your area but I can highly recommend doing a course. Nothing beats hands on and having an instructor and other classmates to help you learn. I am going to find somewhere to learn MIG/TIG myself.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: NC,USA
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
i found the Navys welding manual published on line and it was extremly comprehensive and long.... all i did was a google search on welding ...
This site has a lot of tech info: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PDFs/
Last edited by ZD75blue; Nov 24, 2004 at 02:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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When I decided to start welding, I enrolled in a night class at the local community college. Got the basics there and after that it's practice practice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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"Welders Handbook", or something like that, from Home Depot. Great info and a great starter. I read the whole thing and it gives background, methods, theory, etc..
Then take a class, or get someone VERY experienced to give you lessons. Book alone is not enough to do a good job.
Gary
Then take a class, or get someone VERY experienced to give you lessons. Book alone is not enough to do a good job.
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I've spent alot of hours helping guys learn how to weld. I met people that can read the books and can only instruct. And talk a good job. My tip to you is 3 things. Practice,practice,practice. Get alot scrap metal and have at it. Remember, arc welding distance to the metal is the size of the rod. If you keep sticking turn up the amp's Mig. welding needle inside cup 1/4 inch from the tip of the cup. Set amp's and play w/the wire speed.You can do Alum with a mig mech. Tig welding. Just like brazing. Alun is A/C only and you must use 100% argon. Steel and S/S use argon mix. So, you have access to the welder mech. So you must have a welder there to look over your shoulder. "Remember the three things" 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Yes, but only practise makes perfect and in a book you can read how to do stuff like weaving, pulling, pushing, walking the cup and then practice it on your own. Just looking at someone doing it teaches you nothing. You have to develop feel for the welding process and also a feel for matching the machine settings to whatever you weld.
