Learn to weld.
Weld it right.
A hand-picked directory of the best published welding resources — beginner guides, MIG, TIG and stick technique, hardfacing, codes and symbols, inspection and safety. Curated by SES Field Services.
New to welding? Start here.
Gear up first
Auto-darkening helmet, leather gloves, FR jacket, safety glasses and ventilation — before you strike an arc.
Home-shop safety guide ↗Pick one process
MIG is the fastest to learn on steel. Stick is cheap and works outdoors. TIG is precise but slow to master.
Compare the processes ↗Burn scrap
Run straight beads on clean mild steel until they look the same every time. Then try fillets and butt joints.
Watch: your first beads ↗Learn the language
Read welding symbols and understand what a code like AWS D1.1 asks for. It's how real jobs are specified.
Welding symbol chart ↗Get certified
A certification test proves your skill to employers. Community college and trade programs prepare you for it.
AWS Certified Welder ↗
Starting Out
Buying Your First Welder
What to look for in a first machine: power input, material thickness and which process fits your projects.
millerwelds.com GuideThe Fundamentals of Welding
An overview of the main arc welding processes, the equipment each needs and where each one is used.
millerwelds.com OrganizationAmerican Welding Society (AWS)
The industry's leading organization — codes and standards, certifications, local sections, events and membership.
aws.org CareerCareers in Welding
The American Welding Society's hub for training, scholarships and job listings.
aws.org CareerCareer Paths in Welding
From welder to inspector to engineer — the different roles in the industry and how to get there.
aws.org CertificationAWS Certified Welder Program
The performance-based certification that shows employers you can weld to a given procedure.
aws.org DirectoryAWS Welding School Locator
Find welding programs near you, filtered by credential type and AWS SENSE schools.
schools.aws.org ArticleWelding Terminology
Eastwood's plain-English glossary of the terms you'll hear in manuals, videos and forums.
eastwood.comBudget & Beginner Machines
Harbor Freight — Titanium
Entry-level flux-core, MIG and multiprocess inverter welders aimed at garages, farms and first-time welders.
harborfreight.com BrandHarbor Freight — Vulcan
Harbor Freight's step-up line, including the OmniPro multiprocess welder and engine-driven units.
harborfreight.com VideoTitanium Welders & Accessories Overview
Harbor Freight's own walkthrough of the Titanium lineup and what each machine is built for.
harborfreight.com BrandEastwood Welders
MIG, TIG and multiprocess machines popular with auto restoration and home-shop welders.
eastwood.com ArticleHome Welding Projects Made Easy
Tips from Eastwood's tech library for setting up and tackling your first projects at home.
eastwood.com MachineHobart Handler 140
A long-running favorite 120V MIG / flux-core welder — plugs into household power and welds up to 1/4" steel.
hobartwelders.com BrandYesWelder
Budget multiprocess machines that combine gas MIG, flux-core, lift TIG and stick in one box.
yeswelder.com BrandPrimeWeld
Value-priced MIG, TIG and plasma machines — the TIG225X AC/DC is a common first TIG welder for aluminum.
primeweld.com MachineLincoln Electric Easy MIG 140
A 120V MIG / flux-core welder with simple two-knob controls, built for home shops and farm repairs.
lincolnelectric.com MachineLincoln Electric Power MIG 140 MP
A compact 120V multiprocess machine that handles MIG, flux-core, stick and TIG.
lincolnelectric.com BrandForney Easy Weld
Entry-level 120V flux-core and multiprocess welders from Forney, sold at many farm and hardware stores.
forneyind.com BrandEverlast Multiprocess Welders
Feature-rich MIG/TIG/stick machines like the PowerMTS series, with pulse options on higher models.
everlastgenerators.com
Titanium 125 Review, Setup & Test
A hands-on look at Harbor Freight's entry flux-core welder, from unboxing to first welds.
youtube.comMIG Welding
MIG Tips & Techniques for Beginners
Setup, gun angle, travel speed and the common mistakes new MIG welders make.
millerwelds.com GuideMIG Welding Mild Steel: The Basics
Shielding gas choices, wire selection and joint prep for clean welds on carbon steel.
millerwelds.com GuideSetting the Correct MIG Parameters
How voltage and wire feed speed work together, and how to dial them in by ear and by bead.
millerwelds.comTIG Welding
Guide to TIG Welding Basics
Tungsten, torch angle, filler rod and amperage control — the core skills of TIG.
millerwelds.com GuideGetting Started: MIG vs. TIG
How the two processes differ in equipment, skill and results — and when to choose each.
millerwelds.com GuideTIG Welding Aluminum for Beginners
A step-by-step introduction to AC TIG on aluminum, from cleaning to your first puddle.
millerwelds.comStick Welding
Creating High-Quality Stick Welds
Lincoln Electric's guide to electrode choice, arc length, angle and travel speed.
lincolnelectric.com GuideFive Steps to Better Stick Technique
The CLAMS method: current, length of arc, angle, manipulation and speed.
millerwelds.com Guide8 Questions About Stick Rods, Answered
What the numbers on 6010, 6011, 7018 and other electrodes mean, and when to use each.
millerwelds.com GuideStick Welding for Equipment Repair
Electrodes, machines and technique for repairing heavy equipment in the field.
millerwelds.comHardfacing
Hobart Hardfacing Technical Guide
Wear types, alloy selection, buildup vs. overlay, preheat and procedures — a complete reference.
hobartbrothers.com ArticleHardfacing Tips for Faster Equipment Repairs
Practical advice on choosing products and processes to rebuild worn parts efficiently.
hobartbrothers.com ReferenceLincoln Electric Hardfacing Products
Browse hardfacing electrodes and wires by application — bucket teeth, conveyor screws, rail and more.
lincolnelectric.comAluminum & Stainless
Aluminum Welding Guide
Why aluminum behaves differently from steel, and how to prep, set up and weld it successfully.
millerwelds.com GuideHow to MIG Weld Aluminum
Spool guns, push angle, cleaning and material thickness for MIG on aluminum.
millerwelds.com GuideTIG Welding Guide (incl. Stainless)
Tungsten choices and heat control for stainless steel, which traps heat and warps easily.
millerwelds.comFabrication & Cutting
How to Plasma Cut
Hypertherm's step-by-step intro to hand-held plasma cutting, from setup to a clean edge.
hypertherm.com ArticleHow Does a Plasma Cutter Work?
The science behind the arc: gas, electricity and why plasma cuts any conductive metal.
hypertherm.com Guide8 Plasma Cutting Tips to Improve Results
Ground clamp placement, standoff, drag shields and matching tips to amperage.
millerwelds.com GuidePlasma vs. Oxy-Fuel Cutting
How each cutting method works and which makes sense for your material, thickness and shop.
millerwelds.com GuideAngle Grinder Safety Basics
The fabricator's most-used (and most dangerous) tool — guards, PPE and safe handling.
nortonabrasives.com GuideDo's & Don'ts of Cut-Off Wheels
Wheel inspection, speed ratings, clamping and why you never side-load a cutting wheel.
nortonabrasives.com GuideThe 5 Basic Weld Joints
Butt, tee, corner, lap and edge joints — how to prep and fit up each one.
millerwelds.com GuideControlling Weld Distortion
Why parts pull and warp as they cool, and the sequencing and sizing tricks that keep them straight.
lincolnelectric.com ArticleA Guide to Modular Fixturing
Using a fixture table, stops and clamps to square frames and hold dimensions while welding.
thefabricator.comField & Structural
Fillet & Groove Welds in Structural Steel
The two joint types that make up most structural field work, and how each is made.
millerwelds.com GuidePipe Welding: Avoid 9 Common Issues
Technique fixes for the problems pipe welders run into most often.
millerwelds.com GuideWhat Is Arc Gouging?
How carbon arc gouging removes bad welds and preps joints, with setup and safety tips.
millerwelds.comCodes & Symbols
AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Code: Steel
The standard for welded steel structures: procedure and welder qualification, inspection and acceptance.
aws.org StandardAWS A2.4 — Welding & NDE Symbols
The official standard for the symbols used on drawings to specify welds and inspection.
pubs.aws.org PDFWelding Symbol Chart
A printable one-page chart of weld symbols, dimensions and supplementary marks from Miller.
millerwelds.com RegulationOSHA Welding, Cutting & Brazing Standards
The federal regulations that apply to welding in general industry, construction and maritime.
osha.govInspection & Defects
Porosity in Welds
TWI explains the causes of gas porosity and how to prevent it.
twi-global.com ArticleIncomplete Root Fusion & Penetration
Why roots don't fuse, how to spot it, and the joint and parameter fixes.
twi-global.com ArticleSlag Inclusions
How slag gets trapped between passes and the cleaning and technique habits that stop it.
twi-global.com ArticleWeld Fusion vs. Weld Penetration
Two terms that often get mixed up — what each means and why both matter for strength.
lincolnelectric.com CertificationAWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Requirements and exam details for becoming a certified welding inspector.
aws.orgSafety
OSHA: Welding Hazards & Solutions
Burns, UV exposure, fumes and electrical shock — and the controls that prevent them.
osha.gov GuideMiller Welding Safety Hub
PPE, helmets, heat stress, fume control and oxy-fuel safety in one place.
millerwelds.com PDFWelding Safety & Health Guide
A downloadable safety handbook covering equipment, environment and personal protection.
millerwelds.com GuideWelding Safely in the Home Shop
Setting up a garage for welding: fire prevention, ventilation and the right gear.
millerwelds.comVideo Library
Getting started
MIG
How to MIG Weld — Down and Dirty Tips
Straight-to-the-point MIG advice from Jody Collier.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
Simple MIG Technique — Flat, Horizontal, Vertical & Overhead
One technique applied to T-joints in all four positions.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
MIG Basics with Jody Collier — Part 1: The Very Basics
The first part of a MIG fundamentals series with Jody Collier.
WelderSkills · YouTube
How to MIG Weld for Beginners
A beginner walkthrough of MIG welding basics.
TimWelds · YouTube
MIG Welding Basics for Beginners — Setup, Tips & Techniques
Setting up your welder and the techniques to get good welds early.
Make It Kustom · YouTube
Spool Gun Tips & Arc Shots for MIG Aluminum
Jody Collier on getting good results with a spool gun on aluminum.
WelderSkills · YouTubeTIG
TIG Tips for Beginners and Common Mistakes
The mistakes new TIG welders make most, and how to avoid them.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
TIG Welding Tips and Tricks for the Beginner with Jody Collier
Beginner TIG guidance from Jody Collier.
ManCraftingTM · YouTube
The First Thing to Learn TIG Welding
The fundamental skill to lock in before anything else.
Pacific Arc Tig Welding · YouTube
How to TIG Weld Like a Machine — 5 Pro Tips in 5 Minutes
Quick pro tips for smoother, more consistent TIG beads.
Pacific Arc Tig Welding · YouTube
TIG Welding Basics for Beginners
A step-by-step introduction to TIG welding.
TimWelds · YouTube
7 Tips for TIG Welding Aluminum
Practical tips for one of the trickier metals to TIG weld.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
Aluminum TIG Welding Techniques
Outside corner joint technique on aluminum, built up into a cube project.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
Beginner TIG Welding Advice — Common First Question
6061.com answers the question most new TIG welders ask first.
6061.com · YouTube
TIG Welding Aluminum in Tight Spots — 6 Tips
Torch and filler tricks for welds that are hard to reach.
6061.com · YouTube
How to Make Stainless Weld Art (featuring Dabs Wellington)
Dabs Wellington shows how colorful stainless TIG weld art is made.
Weld.com · YouTubeStick
Stick Welding for Beginners — 6010 & 7018
A T-joint with a 6010 root and hot pass, finished with 7018 fill and cap.
WeldTube · YouTube
6010 Root Pass — Whip and Pause Technique
The classic whip-and-pause root technique on plate and pipe.
WeldTube · YouTube
Stick Welding Techniques — 7018 5/32"
Running larger 7018 rods with good technique.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
3G Weld Test — Vertical 7018 Stick Tips
Tips for passing a vertical 3G plate test with 7018.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
Vertical Stick Welding — ESAB vs. Hobart 7018 Cut & Etch
Two brands of 7018 run uphill, then cut and etched to compare.
Welding Tips and Tricks · YouTube
Master 7018 Vertical Uphill Welding with One Simple Trick
A veteran welder's approach to uphill 7018.
Taylor Welding · YouTubeHardfacing & equipment repair
Introduction to Heavy Equipment Repair with Hardfacing
Why and how worn equipment gets rebuilt with hardfacing.
Weld.com · YouTube
Hard Facing Excavator Bucket Teeth with Stick Welding
Layering stick rods to build up and protect bucket teeth.
Weld.com · YouTube
Hardfacing Welding for Beginners
Adding hardfacing to bucket wear areas to extend the life of cutting edges.
Brandon Lund · YouTubePlasma cutting
Plasma Cutting Tips & Tricks by Miller
A Miller product manager shares plasma cutting tips in the Cotati Speed Shop series.
Miller Welders · YouTube
Hypertherm Powermax Tips and Tricks with Jim Colt
Hypertherm veteran Jim Colt on getting the most from a hand-held plasma cutter.
MaverickCNC · YouTubeInspection
Welding Visual Testing & Visual Inspection
How welds are visually inspected and what inspectors look for.
Material Welding · YouTube
CWI Porosity Basics Every Inspector Should Know
Porosity explained from a Certified Welding Inspector's point of view.
CWI First Try · YouTubeCareers
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