Welding For Dummies

Every critical welding technique and process distilled into a one-stop, accessible resource

Safe and effective welding might seem like a pipe dream if you’re just getting started. But with a little help from Welding For Dummies you’ll be a “golden arm” in no time. This guide will give you techniques you need to get a handle on material evaluation, clean-up, and every step in between.

You’ll find practical advice on every popular kind of welding, including stick, tig, mig, fluxcore, and even oxyfuel cutting. You’ll also get tips on the ideal welding techniques to choose for specific projects. The book shows you how to:

• Find the required training for welding certifications
• Use brand-new welding technologies, including laser techniques
• Practice critical welding techniques you can use in your own hobby shop while staying safe

Whether you’re looking for some help to further your do-it-yourself projects at home or you’re just getting started with a traditional welding educational program and you need a useful supplementary resource, Welding For Dummies is an irreplaceable reference that helps make a challenging trade accessible to everyone.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Understanding Welding Basics 7

Chapter 1: Diving Into the World of Welding 9

Chapter 2: Considering Commonly Welded Metals 19

Chapter 3: Setting Your Sights on Welding Safety 33

Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Welding Shop 53

Part 2: Welding on a Budget: Stick and Tig Welding 71

Chapter 5: Getting on the Stick: Understanding Stick Welding 73

Chapter 6: Getting to Work with Stick Welding 85

Chapter 7: To Tig or Not To Tig: Understanding Tig Welding 105

Chapter 8: Trying Out Tig Welding 119

Part 3: Discovering Mig Welding 133

Chapter 9: Understanding the ABCs of Mig Welding 135

Chapter 10: Practicing Mig Welding 149

Part 4: Getting Fancy: Plasma Cutting, Oxyfuel Cutting, and Other Processes 161

Chapter 11: Examining Plasma and Oxyfuel Cutting 163

Chapter 12: Ready, Set, Cut! Trying Out Plasma Arc Cutting and Oxyfuel Cutting 177

Chapter 13: Exploring Special Weld Processes 189

Chapter 14: Exploring Pipe Welding 207

Chapter 15: Working with Cast Iron 219

Part 5: Putting Welding into Action with Projects and Repairs 231

Chapter 16: Two Welding Projects to Boost Your Welding Shop 233

Chapter 17: Constructing a Campfire Grill 251

Chapter 18: Fixin’ to Fix Things: Analyzing and Planning 261

Part 6: The Part of Tens 275

Chapter 19: Ten Tools Every Welder Wants 277

Chapter 20: (Not Quite) Ten Advantages of Being a Certified Welder 287

Chapter 21: (Almost) Ten Welding Defects 293

Chapter 22: Ten Signs You’re Welding Correctly 303

Chapter 23: Ten Maintenance Tips for Your Welding Equipment and Shop 309

Glossary 321

Index 341

Steven Robert Farnsworth is a certified welding inspector and instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching all methods of welding. He previously served as a welder in the United States Navy.

Because welding isn’t just a pipe dream!

Welding is a challenging, rewarding, and lucrative hobby—and a ton of fun to boot. In Welding For Dummies, you’ll learn the basics of this not-as-hard-as-it-looks craft, from choosing the right metal all the way to understanding common welding techniques. Create your own DIY projects from scratch or make fixes and repairs without spending money on expensive repair people. This one-stop guide is all you need to get your new welding hobby (or career) off the ground!

Inside…

• Choose the right metal
• Use the best technique
• Prepare your shop
• Keep safe and prevent injury
• Get great project ideas
• Repair and fix equipment
• Build new projects from scratch
• Apply gorgeous finishes