Can You Weld Black Iron Pipe? (Is It Safe?)
With threaded connections and a choice of sizes, it’s easy to create projects from the black pipe and fittings found at home improvement stores or in scrap piles.
But can you weld black iron pipe?
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Here’s Where to Find Scrap Metal for Welding Projects
I’m going to give you some common (and not so common) ideas about where to find scrap metal for welding projects. When going to these places, make sure always to be honest with the owner. Let them know that you’re looking for scrap metal so you can work on your next welding project, (this will get you a lot farther when collecting scrap metal than anything else you can say).
How to Become a Welder: Steps to a Professional Career
When erecting the 5.4-ton Iron pillar of Delhi in India at around 310 A.D., the workers could not know how much influence welding would have on the world today.
Sixteen hundred years later, our progress beyond the ancient forge-welding process is evident. Anywhere you look there are bridges, skyscrapers, airplanes, and even cell phones, all thanks to welding.
As the American Welding Society states: “Welding is the secret ingredient that keeps today’s world together.”
Now, are you thinking: “What exactly does it take to become a welder?”
If so, then you’re in luck. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step everything you need to know about how to become a welder.
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The 7 (Or So) Best Welding Books in My Library
It’s a great time to take up welding. Welding machines are more affordable, safer and easy for beginners to use.
While new welders are easy to use, developing basic skills and knowledge can ensure you’ll enjoy welding. Beginner frustration (lack of success) can end a hobby before the fun begins.
But you can avoid disappointment with your new hobby. Choose and read one of the best welding books in this article to:
- Learn proper welding techniques from how-to-weld books, so you’ll start welding with confidence.
- Broaden your knowledge and skills for advanced projects with more comprehensive welding reference books.
- Get inspiration and support from welding project books to put your new skills to practice while making useful and attractive items.
Jump to:
The Best Welding Books for Beginners
Learn to Weld: Beginning MIG Welding and Metal Fabrication Basics
About the author: Stephen Christena
It’s clear this author has a genuine passion for welding and enjoys sharing his experience.
He describes himself as a “confident handyman and consummate tinkerer.”
The author grew up in a family of DIY’ers and began welding at an early age.
With a 120-volt MIG welder and a grinder, he opened a welding shop over 20 years ago.
His business now specializes in furniture, sculptures and business signage, but still accepts small repair jobs from neighbors.
And beginners can attend MIG welding classes at his Chicago studio. Check out his work here.
Who’s this welding book for?
This book’s title is spot-on, with the keywords being: MIG and basics. It’s ideal for beginners wanting to get started on the right foot with a MIG welder.
More: Why MIG is best for beginners.
No previous shop experience? No problem!
From his teaching experience, the author has learned never to assume anything about his students.
In this book, you’re not expected to know how to lay a grinder on the table safely. Or, that you even know what an angle grinder is.
You’ll also get reminded to step away from a grounded workpiece when trimming an electrode wire. Many books overlook informing beginners of this important caution.
Many DIY’ers prefer this author’s conversational guidance over other textbook-style instruction.
The right welding book by a gifted instructor-author will have you welding in no time. And a good book can help you push through when you hit a wall with a new project.
The book’s style is like listening to a neighbor down the block that really knows his stuff.
As far as MIG welding goes, I’m sure the author has seen it all. But he seems to remember being in your shoes and never talks over your head.
You’ll get the feeling that he wants you to enjoy welding as much as he does.
As one of the best welding books for workshop beginners, it will have you welding quickly—and safely. And, with the included exercises and projects, you’ll do so with a purpose.
What does this book cover?
Again, this book stays true to its title. It sticks with learning to MIG weld and metal fabrication basics, including:
- How welding works, the differences between types of welding, and advantages of MIG welders for hobby and DIY welding
- Electrical, ventilation, and layout considerations for setting up your work area
- Shop and gas storage safety; first aid
- Use of three primary fabrication tools: the welder, angle grinder and chop saw
- Various types of clamps and how to use them
- How to source and prepare metal for welding
- Developing proper welding techniques utilizing vision, stance, hand position, and gun angles to control the weld puddle
- Hands-on exercises to learn basic welding joints
- Learn to fabricate a simple jig for use in the first project lesson
- 3 projects with material lists: get a solid grasp of the fundamentals by making a metal cube; advance your skills with an intermediate-level welding table or a sofa table
Note: This book does not cover aluminum welding or spool gun use.
Complete two of this book’s three projects, and you will have the start of a strong welding foundation. With less frustration and more success, you’ll enjoy your new hobby more.
Welding For Dummies
About the author: Steven Robert Farnsworth
With over 40 years of welding experience, the author is an American Welding Society Certified Welding Educator and Welding Inspector.
While in high school, he took vocational classes to earn a welding diploma.
Then, in the Navy, he worked on submarines as a Hull Maintenance Technician. He also qualified as a high-pressure plate and pipe welder.
As a Community College Welding Instructor, he taught structural, pipe and production welding. Plus MIG and TIG theory and labs.
Who’s this book for?
This welding book is perfect for beginners who have some familiarity with shop tools and safety.
No series is better than the Dummies at explaining a topic using minimal technical jargon. This is a scan-able how-to textbook. You’ll find complete information in easy reading bite-sized pieces.
It’s all good material—as long as you’re not put off by the forced Dummies-style humor. For example, a section titled: “Getting your Welding Setup Tig-ether” <groan>.
What does this welding book cover?
- Overview of how different welding processes work and differ from one another
- Understanding steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Protecting yourself while welding, along with general shop safety
- Welding area location considerations
- Equipping your shop from bare bones to more complete, including some customarily overlooked accessories for your convenience.
- Understanding the different types of arc welders and how to get started welding with practice exercises, including stick welders, TIG and MIG
- About plasma arc cutting and equipment
- Understanding oxyfuel cutting and its tools
- Welding, brazing, and soldering with a gas rig
- How to weld pipes and cast iron
- A chapter dedicated to helping evaluate and plan DIY repairs including crack repairs and hard-facing
PROJECTS:
- Cart to store and quickly move your welding gas cylinders
- 2’x3’ portable (wheeled) welding cart for your shop
- Campfire grill
Farm and Workshop Welding: Everything You Need to Know to Weld, Cut, and Shape Metal
About the author: Andrew Pearce
Growing up in England, the author worked on cars, motorcycles and farm equipment.
After his agriculture studies, he wrote for several farming publications. Later, he became a welding instructor.
Who’s this book for?
Please don’t skip over this welding book because you don’t have a farm!
It’s suitable for complete beginners or for more experienced welders.
You’ll find this detailed handbook useful whether you’re working on your homestead; out of your suburban garage; or yes, even on a farm.
Geared for DIY’ers with at least some shop aptitude. This book digs into hands-on welding to repair or create metal equipment.
You’ll not only learn how to weld but gain a solid understanding of how your welder works.
An example is a section covering the relationship between arc length, voltage, and current. It’s well-written and understandable. The information changed my understanding of what’s going on inside of my welder, and the effect on welds.
What does this welding book cover?
With a direct, easy-to-read style, this welding reference guidebook covers getting started with the conventional processes:
- Stick
- MIG
- TIG
- Gas
- Plasma cutting
They pack the book with helpful illustrations and photos. Including showing the differences between good, and not so good, welds.
Beyond learning to weld, you’ll find this book also contains practical guides for:
- Metal Identification
- Welding Safety
- Workshop Techniques
- Cast Iron Welding
- Pipe Welding
- Hardfacing
- Soldering
- Welding Plastics
- Drill Sharpening
- Taps and Dies
- Basic Blacksmithing
You’ll find helpful advice on how to avoid common mistakes (and fix them, if it’s too late), saving you time and money.
The Best Welding Reference Books
Beyond the information in a learn-to-weld book, you’ll need a more comprehensive welding reference guide. Something on hand to solve your project-specific problems.
Among many benefits, a good welding reference book will help you choose the right filler material or shielding gas. It can show you a unique welding technique. All handy for those projects that fall outside basic textbook examples.
As your world of welding expands, you’ll go to your best welding books often. These valuable resources will help you fill in your knowledge gaps. You’ll have the confidence to build on your welding skills and techniques.
Hobart Pocket Welding Guide
Who is this welding book for?
This small format (4” x 7”) guide is the best welding book for your toolbox or glove box.
It’s a long-time favorite of veteran welders, instructors, students, and hobbyists.
What does this book cover?
A new full-color edition, this welding guide summarizes all welding processes, plus:
- Welding symbols
- Filler metal selection, use, and storage
- New filler metal parameters
- Metal identification and preheating procedures
- Joints and welding positions
- Shielding gas selection
- Weld bead troubleshooting
- Welding definitions
- Equipment troubleshooting guide
- Conversion tables
- And much more…
Save $30 by picking this up at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.
Welding: Principles and Applications – 8th Edition
About the author: Larry Jeffus
A Life Member of the American Welding Society with 40 years as a classroom welding instructor, Professor Jeffus is well-qualified to author this comprehensive welding guide.
With over 55 years of welding experience, starting in high school, the author has accumulated a broad knowledge of welding.
He has welded on boats, tanks, pressure vessels, drilling gear, aircraft, racecars, buildings, and farm equipment.
Who is this welding book for?
If you will buy just one book, this could be the best welding reference book for you.
Hands down, it’s the most useful welding book I own. A full textbook of 1000 pages, it’s a complete welding encyclopedia for me.
When I go to it with a welding problem, I know I’ll find a solution.
This book is definitely more expensive than less-complete learn-to-weld books. But I use the Kindle version which is usually half the cost of the hardcover edition.
Be aware though, that the Kindle edition does not work on ebooks or the Kindle for Windows 8 app. But it works great for me on my tablet, laptop, and even my phone.
Typical of most textbooks, this one lays a lot of groundwork for the beginner before you ever start welding. But if you stay patient with the material, you will know what to do when you finally pick up the torch.
Are you interested in moving beyond hobby welding and into a career? This welding book will prepare you to complete the AWS SENSE Level I and Level II programs, a path to become a professional welder.
You’ll learn something new from this book every time you pick it up.
What does this book cover?
Of course, this welding book covers everything needed to get you started with any welding or cutting process safely. But it will take you so much deeper.
You’ll find varied topics such as shop math, calculating welding job costs, weld testing, and inspection. Even practice lessons to help you weld a specimen for your certification test. Learn about advanced processes like magnetic pulse welding or laser beam heat treating.
I could really fill a lot of space here with what this welding book covers. The table of contents span over 11 pages. Plus 5 more pages just for practice exercises.
Instead, do yourself a favor and go here. Click on the book cover to the left. There you can see the table of contents and selected pages for yourself. This way, you’ll know for sure if this welding book is right for you, or not.
Be sure to check out the excellent color illustrations. This book is full of helpful, high-quality photos. But sometimes a well thought out drawing is the best way to present a technical concept, and they pack this book with them.
Pipe Welding Procedures – 2nd Edition
About the author: Hoobasar Rampaul
- Employed as a pipe welder in the US and Caribbean
- Instructor at Hobart School of Welding Technology
Who is this pipe welding book for?
- Students in trade schools training to be pipe welders.
- Experienced welders in the trade looking to expand their knowledge, skills, and earning potential.
This is a reasonably priced, easy-to-understand textbook with plenty of illustrations and diagrams
If, like me, you learn better when you understand the “why’s” behind a procedure or technique, you’ll appreciate how the author takes time to explain this important information for you.
What does this pipe welding book cover?
- Essentials of Shielded Metal-Arc Welding Technology
- Heat Input and Distribution
- Preparation of the Pipe Joint
- Uphill Welding the Root Bead on Heavy-Wall Pipe (5G Position)
- Welding the Root Bead by the GTAW Process
- The Intermediate and Cover Passes
- Welding Thin-Wall Pipe
- Horizontal Pipe Welding (2G)
- Welding Complicated Pipe Joints
- Introduction to Welding Metallurgy
- Distortion in Pipe Welding
- Pipe Welding Defects
- Fitting-Up Pipe
- Qualification of the Welding Procedure
- General Welding Safety
The Best Welding Project Books
So you’ve learned how to use your new welding gear. Now, it’s time to put your new skills to work and create something.
Welding project books will show you how to make attractive and practical items for home or work. Shop tables, carts, equipment stands, and outdoor furniture are favorite beginner projects.
Would you like to learn to create interesting artwork for your home? Great for gifts or to sell, artistic projects are perfect for beginners. Remember, you need not be an expert welder to be a great artist.
Are you naturally creative? Or, are you like me and don’t have a creative bone in your body? Either way, these books are sure to provide plenty of inspiration. So keep a notebook handy to record your ideas to adapt the projects you’ll see in these books.
You’ll often pick up good welding tips in project books. But don’t rely on this style of a book for learning how to weld, or how to use your equipment.
Ready, Set, Weld!: Beginner-Friendly Projects for the Home & Garden
by Kimberli Matin
A great book to find inspiration for your projects. The conversational tone encourages beginner welders to overcome their doubt and begin enjoying this craft.
The author presents two dozen attractive craft ideas with clear instructions and plenty of photos.
Projects grouped by difficulty include:
- 7 easy projects including garden stakes, wall-mounted coat hooks, and a mirror frame.
- Tables, a wine rack, a privacy screen, and a sconce are a few of the 11 intermediate project ideas.
- A bench and shelves make up 4 of the 6 more advanced projects.
The book covers sourcing both purchased, and scrap metals, for projects.
You’re likely to find several projects ideal for your home, or for gifts sure to be cherished.
Welding Complete: Techniques, Project Plans, and Instructions – 2nd Edition
by Michael A. Reeser
This welding project book starts with an overview of the welding and metal fabrication basics.
It provides a solid refresher course if you have previous welding experience.
Over 30 projects are complete with a tool and material list, instructions, blueprints, and illustrated plans.
The book is full of high-quality color photos.
I noticed right away how well-lit and uncluttered most of the images were, even those with bright arcs, flames, and sparks.
It’s difficult to achieve good photographic results under actual welding conditions, but these are excellent.
Examples of this book’s project plans grouped into three categories:
For your shop – Set up your workshop with items that will last a lifetime.
- Rolling welding curtain
- Portable welding table
- Grinder stand
- Welding cart with cylinder rack
- plus 3 more shop projects
For your home – Create useful and decorative items for your home
- Coffee table base
- Wine rack
- Etagere (a piece of furniture with open shelves for display)
- Room divider
- Nesting tables
- Nightstand
- plus 9 more projects for the home
For your garage and yard
- Trellis
- Patio bench
- Gazebo
- Arch & gate
- Trailer frame
- plus 6 more exterior projects
Horseshoe Crafts: More Than 30 Easy Projects to Weld at Home
by Barbie The Welder
Horseshoes are a perfect medium to explore artistic welding.
Readily available new, or used with a nice patina, horseshoes are simple to weld and durable. You’ll find horseshoes easy to handle and store.
Horseshoes are also versatile for welding projects. If you can imagine something, chances are that you can make it out of horseshoes.
Make engaging welding projects purely for decoration, or that also serve a functional purpose.
I enjoy items where the use of horseshoes is not apparent at first glance.
The creative possibilities are limited only by imagination.
Get creative inspiration from a commissioned metal sculptor. The author transformed on-the-job welding skills into a full-time outlet for her artistic expression.
Barbie The Welder shares her talent and inspiration in this welding project book of 30 easy horseshoe craft ideas you can do at home.
Beautiful photographs with step-by-step instructions take you from welder setup to finishing steps. The beginner-friendly projects include:
- Horseshoe pumpkin
- Wreath with star
- Moosehead coat rack
- Wine and glass rack
- Horseshoe mug rack
- Boot hangers
- Hanging jewelry rack
- Outdoor ornaments
- Plus a special section on creating letters and words using horseshoes
Before you go
I know this list of gems can help anyone become a better welder. But the best welding books can’t help unless you read them. So, go ahead—choose one now!
And please leave a comment if you’ve read one of these books, or if you know of an outstanding welding book that should be on this list.
SaleBestseller No. 1 
Farm and Workshop Welding: Everything You Need to Know to Weld, Cut, and Shape Metal (Fox...
- Fox Chapel Pub Co Inc
- Pearce, Andrew (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
SaleBestseller No. 2 
Welding For Dummies
- Welding for Dummies
- Farnsworth, Steven Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
What Size Welding Gas Cylinder for MIG or TIG? Argon|CO2
If you’re new to MIG or TIG welding, you may have no idea how much welding you’ll do—let alone how much welding gas you’ll go through.
But you’d probably like to have some sense of how long a welding gas bottle will last before deciding what size cylinder to choose.
I’ll show you how much welding time to expect from the most popular cylinder sizes used by hobbyists. Then you can compare physical dimensions so the bottle will fit your vehicle or welding cart.
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What is a Tweco® Style MIG Gun?
How many innovative product designs can you name that have lasted half of a century?
In 1969, Tweco Products, Inc. (formerly Townsend Welding Equipment Company) introduced a new MIG assembly design. Tweco’s invention used a single cable to transfer gas, welding wire, and electrical power to the MIG gun. The MIG gun was also a new lightweight, cool-operating design.
Most MIG guns mounted on today’s modern MIG welders follow the fifty-year-old Tweco design. And, many product descriptions include the phrase “Tweco Style” when referring to MIG torches or consumables. Many buyers are left wondering: What is a Tweco Style MIG gun?
MIG Welding with 100% Argon Shielding Gas
Welders are problem solvers.
We can agree that running out of MIG gas in the middle of a project is a problem.
Since we also tend to experiment, you may have asked yourself if the gas kept on hand for TIG, or MIG welding aluminum could be pressed into service. Would MIG welding with 100% Argon on mild steel let you finish your project without a trip to the local (or not so local) gas supplier?
Or, is it possible to get by with one bottle of 100% Argon welding gas for all your MIG and TIG work?
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What Shade Lens for MIG Welding? The Easy Way to Be Safe
Hands-down, my auto-darkening helmet is my favorite piece of welding safety equipment. I appreciate technology that not only makes a product safer but more comfortable and enjoyable to use.
Adjustable auto-darkening welding helmets protect your eyes from radiation and bright welding arcs with lens coatings and electronic shades from DIN 3 to a super dark DIN 14.
A light shade setting of number 3 or 4 provides enough visibility to position your MIG gun without having to lift your mask, but what shade lens for MIG welding?
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How to Reduce Spatter When MIG Welding: Top 4 Fixes
As a beginner hobbyist welder, I was getting more spatter around my welds than expected—sometimes a lot more!
My grinding skills improved more quickly than my welding skills—so I needed to learn how to reduce spatter when MIG welding.
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How to MIG Weld Aluminum Without a Spool Gun
You’ve heard the horror stories about MIG welding aluminum without a spool gun—but you’re still thinking of giving it a try.
I get it. Spool guns are expensive and have drawbacks.
Sure, aluminum welding is tricky even if you’re using a $250 spool gun. But if you’re up for the challenge—and have a little patience—I’ll show you techniques and tips to use your welder to MIG weld aluminum without a spool gun.
And you’ll see how one of the most popular 120-volt hobby welding machine does on aluminum straight out of the box—without a spool gun.