Welding For Dummies

Introduction 1

Part I: 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 II: 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 III: Discovering Mig Welding 133

Chapter 9: Understanding the ABCs of Mig Welding 135

Chapter 10: Practicing Mig Welding 147

Part IV: Getting Fancy: Plasma Cutting, Oxyfuel Cutting, and Other Processes 157

Chapter 11: Examining Plasma and Oxyfuel Cutting 159

Chapter 12: Ready, Set, Cut! Trying Out Plasma Arc Cutting and Oxyfuel Cutting 173

Chapter 13: Exploring Special Weld Processes 187

Chapter 14: Exploring Pipe Welding 205

Chapter 15: Working with Cast Iron 217

Part V: Putting Welding into Action with Projects and Repairs 229

Chapter 16: Two Welding Projects to Boost Your Welding Shop 231

Chapter 17: Constructing a Campfi re Grill 249

Chapter 18: Fixin’ to Fix Things: Analyzing and Planning 257

Part VI: The Part of Tens 273

Chapter 19: Ten Tools Every Welder Wants 275

Chapter 20: (Not Quite) Ten Advantages of Being a Certified Welder 285

Chapter 21: (Almost) Ten Welding Defects 291

Chapter 22: Ten Signs You’re Welding Correctly 301

Chapter 23: Ten Maintenance Tips for Your Welding Equipment and Shop 307

Glossary 319

Index 343