Welding is one of those skills that can have countless practical applications. That, plus a little bit of do-it-yourself spirit, can lead to all sorts of problem-solving abilities that you can put to use in your own home or shop.
Odds are that if you’re a regular reader of Weld My World, you’re a welder. But in addition to being a welder, are you what your friends might call a “car person”? If so, don’t miss the books we’re featuring today. We’ve compiled a list of books for welders who are interested in applying their welding skills to motor vehicles. No book will teach you how to weld, but it can often serve as a good instruction manual for advancing the skills you already have or for showing you how to take what you know and apply it to a new facet of the craft. Whether you want to restore a classic, fix up a problem sitting in your driveway, or build the hottest set of wheels on the block, these are some books that can get you on your way to learning the same skills that the pros on television use.
Monster Garage: How to Weld Damn Near Anything*
If you’ve ever seen Monster Garage, you’ve probably scratched your head once or twice, wondering how in the world they did one of their welding projects or another. While you won’t get the promised step-by-step instructions that this book claims on its covers to have, there is some great advice on selecting equipment, prepping for projects, and setting up your shop. There’s a big emphasis on high-strength welding projects (airplane fuselages, anyone?), but the tips should make it worth a look. Great for beginning and experienced welders.
Welding for Collision Repair*
Nobody likes paying for auto body repair, especially skilled craftsmen who prefer to do and make things themselves (and that’s you, right?). After reading this book, you may pick up some new skills (or learn to apply skills you currently have) to repair your own vehicles. Topics include restoring a vehicle’s structural integrity and information on working with the special plastics that are used so often these days in vehicle construction. It’s a little pricey, but if it saves you from having to hire a body shop just once, it’ll prove to be worth more than its price tag.
Performance Welding Handbook*
If you’ve got a vehicle that could use a little love, this could be a great resource for you. Written by a NASA welding consultant, this book takes you from equipment selection through welding techniques for various metals, as well as plasma cutting. While it’s a good resource for those with limited welding experience, it’s not the best for beginners who are brand new to the craft. Reviews indicate that it’s particularly great for those wanting to read up on TIG welding.
If any of these books are of interest to you, you may also be interested in Automotive Welding: A Practical Guide.
And don’t forget that BakersGas.com also has a wide selection of high-quality welding books, guides and references. These are published by the manufacturers themselves, so you can have confidence in the quality and accuracy of the content.