Welding is an incredibly popular job role and pastime in the US, with an estimated 404,800 welders currently working stateside.
According to figures published in 2015, the welder job market is expected to grow by an estimated 5.6% between 2016 and 2026, with this indicative of steady and consistent growth over an extended period of time.
If you’re interested in becoming a welder, you may want to read up on some of the best instructive books for beginners. Fortunately, our friends at Soldamatic have compiled a list of their most recommended books, so here’s a peak at some of the most rewarding.
List of Best Welding Books for Beginners
| Name | Image | Author | Rating | Price |
| 1. Weld Like Pro |  | Gerald Uttrachi | 4.5/5 | Check Price |
| 2. How to Weld |  | Todd Bridigum | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| 3. Farm & Workshop Welding |  | Andrew Pearce | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| 4. Learn To Weld |  | Stephen Christena | 4.6/5 | Check Price |
| 5. Welding for Dummies |  | Robert Farnsworth | 4.6/5 | Check Price |
Best Welding Books: Review
#1. Weld Like a Pro (By Gerald Uttrachi)
- Pages: 144
- Published Date: June 1, 2015
- Rating: 4.5/5
Welding is an art and skill that’s essential for a range of crucial applications, from automotive fabrication and repair to vehicle upgrades.
However, this is also a potentially important skill for several household projects and industries, and this book aims to impart the most basic welding techniques when working with cast iron and steel.
Interestingly, this book is a revised version of a previous offering titled ‘Advanced Automotive Welding’, with author Jerry Uttrachi (the past president of the American Welding Society) an expert in working with certain materials.
Make no mistake; this 2015 book is ideal if you work regularly with steel and cast iron and want to develop or improve your skills.
#2. How to Weld (by Todd Bridigum)
- Pages: 208
- Published Date: August 25, 2008
- Rating: 4.7/5
The ideal book for any DIY enthusiast, this true beginners’ publication equips you with the basic welding skills that can really improve your arsenal of skills.
Make no mistake; ‘How to Weld’ is the perfect introduction for newbies, while it can also serve a solid refresher for veterans who want to brush up on their fundamental skills.
Despite being written for beginners, How to Weld is a genuinely comprehensive book, and one that has been penned by AWS-certified welding instructor Todd Bridigum. There’s no doubt that the pages benefit from Bridigum’s vast experience, and his innate ability to describe the process and unique art of fusing metals seamlessly.
This book is also a bestselling installment in the Motorbooks Workshop series, while it also benefits from a detailed focus on specific tools and a range of materials with which you can weld.
Also Read:
- Top 10 Best Welding Helmets
- Top 5 Best Welding Jacket for Welders
- Top 5 Best Welding Gloves for Welders
#3. Farm and Workshop Welding (By Andrew Pearce)
- Pages: 160
- Published Date: 1 September, 2012
- Rating: 4.7/5
Next up is a book by Andrew Pearce, based on a selection of articles featured in the popular ‘Farmer’s Weekly’ magazine that have been collated by author Andrew Pearce.
Currently being completely revised for a second edition, Farm and Workshop welding is straight-to-the-point and comprehensive in equal measure, as it delves into various types of welding and provides a detailed guide for all beginners.
It’s also a resource for experienced welders, while the use of well-taken photographs makes it easier to understand certain ideas and concepts.
The book also explores the pitfalls associated with specific welding projects, with Pearce relying on his own experience and expertise.
#4. Learn to Weld: Beginning MIG Welding and Metal Fabrication Basics (by Stephen Christena)
- Pages: 176
- Published Date: 10 October, 2014
- Rating: 4.6/5
This book by Stephen Christena focuses on the delivery of actionable, step-by-step instructions associated with welding, so that students can learn their craft gradually but effectively over time.
More specifically, this book has instructions on Master MIG (Metal Insert Gas) welding, along with metal fabrication techniques that are commonly used to create, repair and replicate projects in your home studio.
Once again, there’s a strong emphasis here on utilising the right safety gear and procedures, while the book also publishes metalworking photographs and tutorials to help teach more complex and detailed techniques.
#5. Welding for Dummies (by Robert Farnsworth)
- Pages: 384
- Published Date: 4 October, 2010
- Rating: 4.6/5
As the name suggests, Welding for Dummies is a friendly and tongue-in-cheek book that’s tailor-made for beginners and those who are new to the world of welding.
One of the most detailed beginner’s books on the market, it provides everything from practical guides on how to evaluate welding materials to step-by-step instructions on how to weld safely, effectively and with an optimal finish in mind.
It also explains the various types of welding in detail, including stick, TIG, MIG, and even fluxcore welding, some of which don’t get much coverage in other books.
The book also advises the best technique to use for specific projects, which is very important for novice welders.
The Last Word
So there you have it; our top welding books for beginners and a brief insight into why they’re so popular.
Each of these books are suited for beginners, although you can tailor your choice depending on your preferred applications and the materials that you intend to work with.
We’d definitely recommend that you do some reading before beginning to weld, if only to understand the basics and ensure that you work in a safe and efficient manner.
