Welding Basics

In the past 10-15 years, the major welding machine manufacturers have developed small, efficient welders for home shop use. Many of these even draw from a standard 120v outlet. For the price of a low to mid-range table saw, a home welder can buy a good quality MIG welding machine. According to welding service stores, up to one third of their customers are home hobbyists. This book is aimed at the beginning to intermediate level home welder-anyone who wishes to use welding to repair or create objects around the home. An overview of welding basics, materials, metal forming, and safety will be followed by step-by-step how-to projects with full color photos. Featured projects include simple shop furniture, baker's shelf, arbor, garden gate, and garden bench.

A trip to any yard and garden center will show the current popularity of metal trellises, archways, furniture, and decorative art. Many of these pieces are prohibitively expensive, yet most are fabricated using the most basic of welding and metal forming techniques and inexpensive materials. Junior colleges, community education programs, and local art councils regularly offer welding courses for the home hobbyist or artist. Until now, no book has covered welding basics and provided detailed how-to projects with easy-to-follow photographs and steps.

Karen Ruth, an accomplished hobby welder, is the author of Welding Basics.