Welding for dummies

[Semtex]

I have just recieved a gift voucher for a well known high street bookstore and was contemplating (being a bit of a newb to welding) to use my voucher to purchase this book.

Has anyone used/bought/seen this book?
Is it any good for a newb (dummy) like me?
Or would it just be a waste of money (voucher)

I'm going to college in september and would like to get a head start on the theorys of all types of welding as well as a bit of practice of arc (and possibly mig if I can get one for the right price......................as cheap as posible)

 

[FranV8]

The welding for dummies book doesn't get the most positive, albeit single review.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/cr/0470455969/ref=aw_d_crstars_books?qid=1307647655&sr=8-1

Try looking through the tutorials on here and also www.millerwelds.com has some excellent, and free, resources.

 

[pedrobedro]

I wouldn't spend money on something that insults me in the title on principle.

 

[Chickenjohn]

Welding is one of those skills that really can't be learned by reading a book!

If you're into restoring cars then the Martin Thaddeus book is well worth a read though! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/560475.How_to_Restore_Classic_Car_Bodywork

 

[FranV8]

Maybe not learned, but certainly supported.

I built my abilities up from the old Haynes Bodywork Repair manual and messing about (that was pre-interweb days really).

Nowadays, it's great to have all the supporting videos off the internet, this forum, one or two books, and some scrap and a set to play about with! Additionally asking the on site welders for feedback - they're normally very happy to first laugh at your attempt and then very quickly be very helpful with pointers etc.

 

[shenion]

I'd look at get a good reference book.

I picked up "Metals and How To Weld Them". Lots of theory and practice on metallurgy, processes and testing.

A "dummies" book would be too basic and after you have read it, become useless. Find something that you would want to keep.

 

[Semtex]

Right then, an alternative option has come to light. What are your thoughts on the Haynes welding manual.
I know the Haynes range from their car manuals and they are well respected.

http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/...10001&storeId=10001&productId=24315&langId=-1
or
http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/...10001&storeId=10001&productId=14725&langId=-1

Also which of the 2 would you think would be the better one to get, I'm leaning more to the first one.

Just to confirm, I've already got a place at college in September to do automotive bodywork so I will be learning theory and practical.
I'm just after getting a head start before then (and its only cos I got this voucher)

 

[Jammy James]

I've already got a place at college in September to do automotive bodywork so I will be learning theory and practical.
I'm just after getting a head start before then (and its only cos I got this voucher)

What college are you going to? as im also going to college in september

 

[Semtex]

Cornwall college in Camborne.

You can't miss me I'll be the old git (mature student)

 

[Jammy James]

Im going to cornwall college St Austell doing a national diploma in mechanical engineering for two years

 

[FranV8]

On the subject of books, the Haynes books are one and the same, and.both get poor reviews on Amazon. I guess if you're totally new to the concept of welding one might be worth it, but there are far better books for less money.

A good place to get the low down on books is to find the title on Amazon first and see if there are any reviews.

 

[the snooper]

dony know about the title welding for dummies, ive seen a few dummies welding

 

[Semtex]

On the subject of books, the Haynes books are one and the same, and.both get poor reviews on Amazon. I guess if you're totally new to the concept of welding one might be worth it, but there are far better books for less money.

A good place to get the low down on books is to find the title on Amazon first and see if there are any reviews.

Well this one seems to have a few good reviews
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Weld-Techniques-Beginners-Motorbooks/dp/076033174X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c

Comments people

 

[PhillipM]

dony know about the title welding for dummies, ive seen a few dummies welding

Those reflections off the inner filters are really distracting sometimes aren't they?

 

[Dogbreath23]

a book called "Welding soldering and brazing" by Derek Pritchard. exellent tutorial and he's a nice chap as well!

 

[Drains]

This one's good.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-W...r_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308665120&sr=1-14

this one deals more with fabrication, but also good
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Welding-Fab...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308665227&sr=1-1

and this is the more useful half of the The Bible (it is, it really is) - find it secondhand on ebay. It's deep though.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Pra...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308665354&sr=1-1

Don'r bother with the Haynes or the Dummies ones. Rubbish.

BUT

Your best bet, for free, is to have a good delve around here - fantastic, absolutely brilliant site.
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/

And this is useful too
http://www.weldingwarehouse.com/us/en/education/esab-university.cfm

 

[Lewis Medlock]

and this is the more useful half of the The Bible (it is, it really is) - find it secondhand on ebay. It's deep though.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Pra...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308665354&sr=1-1

I'll second the recommendation for A C Davies, I've found it invaluable on my courses and I'm always dipping into it.

You want volume 2, tenth edition (latest one).

Jim

 

[Semtex]

Is it essential for the tenth edition or would the 9th edition be ok. There's only 3 on ebay, 1 lists 9th edition the other 2 don't

 

[hotrodder]

9th edition was first published in 1989, 10th edition in '93. My copy's ancient so can't comment further other than to third the recommendation. Lots of dirt cheap copies here... http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?kn=a.c.+davies+science+and+practice+of+welding&sts=t&x=0&y=0

More fabrication than welding but Metal fabricators handbook by Ron Fournier is another good cheap one. A chapter on welding (not a patch on the free info from this sites tutorials and the Miller resource pages), rest of the book is devoted to metal shaping tools and techniques with chapters on hammerforming, restoration, sheet metal interiors, exhaust/header fabrication, rollcages and tankwork.

For a bible on sheetmetal work check out A Dickerson The Geometry of sheetmetal work. Not metal shaping but explains how to develop pretty much anything that can be devolped (think square to rounds etc). Not a light read though and about £40 new