What your favorite Welding How to Book?

[stevenf]

I had a thread going on a Lincoln AC/DC welder that I found on clearance at Home Depot its a K-1297 / 225-125 unit. I bought the machine this morning and now I'd like to find the best, most informative book that money can buy to help me learn how to weld. I'd also love any info on the best all around rod for welding 1/4" to 1/2" metal on things like farm implements and the tractor. I'd also like to enroll in a welding class but I figure it'd be best to have some clue before I enroll so I don't feel like the village idiot in the class.
Steve

 

[HomeBrew2]

Here's a free online tutorial to get you started.

E6011 rod for AC, E6010 for DC (I think) (also don't know which polarity for 6010).

Best would be to have someone show you to get started.

 

[stevenf]

Thanks Homebrew2, That is a great tutorial I've spent an hour just glancing at it, I believe I'll go print it out and study it hard, nice to own a print shop where this is a simple and quick job.
Steve

 

[flusher]

I had a thread going on a Lincoln AC/DC welder that I found on clearance at Home Depot its a K-1297 / 225-125 unit. I bought the machine this morning and now I'd like to find the best, most informative book that money can buy to help me learn how to weld. I'd also love any info on the best all around rod for welding 1/4" to 1/2" metal on things like farm implements and the tractor. I'd also like to enroll in a welding class but I figure it'd be best to have some clue before I enroll so I don't feel like the village idiot in the class.
Steve

Go to the Wall Mountain website and buy their CDs "Arc Welding I" and "Arc Welding II" Cost about $50.

http://www.weldingvideos.com/

You'll learn more faster with these goodies than reading a book on welding.

 

[Defective]

ESAB University: Basics of Arc Welding

http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/AWTC/Lesson1_2.htm

 

[PBinWA]

Go to the Wall Mountain website and buy their CDs "Arc Welding I" and "Arc Welding II" Cost about $50.

http://www.weldingvideos.com/

You'll learn more faster with these goodies than reading a book on welding.

I'll second this recommendation. You can also rent them from:

http://www.technicalvideorental.com

 

[automech]

As far as books go, I like "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding", (the weldor's bible) by the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation. I also frequent the Hobartwelders website. The Miller website and Lincoln websites are also informative.

 

[dirtrod]

All the “normal” books teach you how to produce a proper weld but few I have purchased or looked at cover welding as we see it as back yard or farm welders.
A friend introduced me to a book that is the best thing I ever seem for us fix-it guys. I had been welding for over thirty years when I read this book and I still refer to it often when I am doing unique repairs or stating a new project with some strange requirements. It covers how to use your welder to remove stubborn bearing races, rebuilding worn out shafts and tons of other useful info. Plus all of the standard “How to Weld” stuff.
A great book!
Welding Secrets by Hal Wilson
Published by Flyco Machine Company
3712 Ringgold Road #155
Chattanooga TN. 37412-1638

 

[patrick_g]

I second the Big Lincoln "BIBLE" which covers the history of welding and many applications. I also like a welding class text (paperback) I bought but is put away and I don't recall the name.

I learned from the books and reading and experimenting but it is NOT the easiest way. I'd be cautious about trying to become an instant expert to avoid starting a class at the bottom as you might just be learning bad habits that will interfere with learning it right from the instructor.

The CDs sound like a real good deal as seeing it happen is way better than just reading about it. If it is a while before the class, you might do the CDs first and not pick up any bad habits.

Not all good tradesmen are good instructors but you might find one with whom you could trade services and get some professional tutoring in trade for you doing something for him. If I was just starting out trying to learn to weld, I'd be offering to be a helper for free in trade for some lessons. I have a similar scheme forming up with a guy who is running cattle with me on my place. He is a welder by profession and I am a near total failure with a cutting torch. I will get some lessons from him in trade for some dimensional lumber from logs I cut. I am so bad with an OA torch that I bought a plasma cutter, an expensive proposition to make up for lack of skill with an OA torch.

patrick_g

 

[R W]

Books published by Lincoln would be my favourite,but the book
"Welding Secrets" mentioned in a previous reply sounds interesting.
The PROCEDURE HANDBOOK
Of Arc Welding.
Is a great book but is not really a beginners book.

R W