❯❯ You’ve done a fair amount of one type of welding but want to expand your skill set so you can weld with a variety of different processes and techniques.
❯❯ You understand a few basic tools (such as hammers and screwdrivers) and what they do.
❯❯ You know how important taking necessary safety precautions is to keep yourself (and others) out of harm’s way.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is divided into six parts. Each part offers something different, but all of them are geared toward helping you figure out welding processes and put them to good use. Here’s a quick look at what you can find in each part.
This part provides the kind of welding information that crosses all types of welding. If you’re really just starting out in welding, this part is a good first stop for you because it gives you the lowdown on metals (especially the ones that are commonly used in welding), the tools and equipment you use for welding, and the kind of environment you need in order to weld successfully. It also includes the chapter that’s without a doubt the most important one in the book. That’s Chapter 3, and it’s all about welding safety.
Part 2 focuses on stick welding (the most commonly used welding process) and tig welding (also a great, useful technique). You can read all about the advantages and disadvantages of both stick and tig and understand how they work and what makes them unique. I explain the different equipment you need if you want to get into stick or tig welding, and I also give you plenty of information on how you can try out the techniques.
Mig welding is a fast, efficient welding process, and it’s great for new welders because it’s relatively easy to pick up and get started with. I devote Part 3 to the basics of understanding and executing mig welding.
Arc welding isn’t the only way you can weld – welding includes lots of other processes, such as soldering, brazing, and gas welding, that are all useful in their own distinct ways. I cover those processes in Part 4.
I also cover a few cutting processes in this part, because cutting is an important task in any welding shop, and you’ll probably need to do some (or a lot) of it if you stick with welding for any extended period of time.
This part is probably the most fun because it gives you a chance to try out your welding skills and build some great, useful items. The chapters contain a welding project or two that are designed with the beginning welder in mind. You can read about how to build a portable welding table, a torch cart, a campfire grill, and more! This part also includes a chapter that helps you to figure out whether fixing something or buying (or building) it new makes more sense.
If you’ve read a For Dummies book before, you already know all about this part. The Part of Tens is always a favorite; it features lists full of useful information in an extremely easy-to-read format. You can read about the advantages to becoming a certified welder, the tools that every welder wants, and more. There’s also a glossary to help you with basic welding terminology.
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout the book, you’ll occasionally notice little pictures in the margins. These icons help flag specific information I want to highlight; check out the following list for details on what those icons indicate.
Where to Go from Here
I know what you’re thinking: With all of this terrific, useful welding information, where do I begin?
I certainly don’t want to tell you what aspect of welding you should want to read about first – that’s for you to decide – but I do make one request. If you’re new to welding, or if you aren’t completely familiar with the practices of welding safety, please go directly to Chapter 3 and read up on it. You really do need to know how to keep yourself safe as you start or continue your welding experience, and Chapter 3 goes a long way toward keeping you out of harm’s way.
After you’re done reading Chapter 3, please feel free to jump around in the book however you see fit. There’s a whole world of welding out there, and Welding For Dummies is a great way for you to start exploring it.
Understanding Welding Basics
IN THIS PART …
Get familiar with metals – specifically, those you’re likely to work with as a beginning welder.
Find out how to set up your welding shop (which may be trickier than you think).
Learn about important safety precautions you must take before trying any sort of welding operation.
Diving Into the World of Welding
IN THIS CHAPTER
❯❯ Discovering the main uses for welding
❯❯ Examining common welding metals
❯❯ Paying special attention to welding safety
❯❯ Taking a look at welding methods
❯❯ Thinking about what’s in store for welding in the future
Ever since our early ancestors starting making ornaments out of gold thousands of years ago, metal has played an important role in the lives of all people. Just take a second to look around and think about all the various kinds of metal that are nearby. Dozens (if not hundreds) of metal items are probably all around you, and the items that aren’t made out of metal were likely manufactured by using metal equipment.
By and large, metal is tough stuff. (That’s one of the reasons why it’s so useful, of course.) Throughout history, humans have needed to come up with more and better ways to defy the strength of metals, bending, cutting, and joining it so they can take advantage of its many useful properties. One of the biggest and most important advancements on that front has been the advent and development of welding. Welding allows humans to connect pieces of