To be successful in any profession you need to stay on top of all the changes, advancements and trends in your field of expertise. To remain current and effective in your industry you must always be learning, striving to grow and adding to your knowledge base. This holds true for CEO’s, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and even welders.
Staying on Top of Your Profession
One of the best ways to sustain your pursuit of new and cutting-edge welding knowledge is reading up on the important books and trade journals relevant to the welding trade. Any successful welder should have their own well-rounded welding reference library.
Expanding Your Knowledge Base
Another important reason you need to maintain a well-rounded reference library, a reason that applies to all of the professions outlined at the beginning of this post, is to address special or unique jobs or projects which require specific knowledge, beyond the realm of your current expertise.
Building Your Reference Library
Toward the end result of developing your own well-rounded welding reference library, the following list outlines the top 5 welding reference books you should have in your own personal library:
- Welding Complete: Technique, Projects Plans & Instructions by Editors of CPi
Compiled with input from multiple authors, in addition to offering outstanding general welding knowledge, it also incorporates literally tons of fun, challenging, and practical welding projects ideas.
- Welding: Principles and Applications (7th Edition) by Larry Jeffus
Heralded as the ultimate welding reference book (as evidenced by the fact that it’s been updated and reissued seven times), this is an absolute must for welders of all skill levels and disciples.
- Audel Welding Pocket Reference by James E. Brumbaugh and Rex Miller
Think of all those times you’ve been in the field or on a remote job site and you needed a little insight into a particular welding project you were unfamiliar with. Wouldn’t it be great if you had some kind of quick reference guide? Well the Audel Welding Pocket Reference covers all of your in the field reference needs. An excellent quick reference guide for welders of all levels, just slip this little gem into your tool box, and wherever are, you’ll never be without the guidance you need again.
- Welding Essentials by William L. Galvery Jr. and Frank B. Marlow
Written in an easy to grasp style and packed with helpful illustrations, this informative text makes an excellent companion for everyone from beginning to more advanced welders. With basic introductory material on general welding theories and basic welding processes, to more advanced metallurgy and electrical concepts, this board based reference book also includes details on welding inspections and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications.
- Printreading for Welders by Thomas E. Proctor and Jonathan F. Gosse
If you want to become a “professional welder,” or advance your home project welding skills, you’re eventually going to have to learn you’re way around the welding schematics that illustrate many construction, manufacturing, and fabrication welding projects, commonly known as welding prints. Print reading for Welders offers a comprehensive overview of all the how, what, and why you need to know in order to read and understand welding prints, including understanding American Welding Society (AWS) welding symbols. Overall, an excellent reference book for any welder seeking to expand their print reading knowledge base.
