Rating: 
Summary: Great book for a beginner
Review: I am interested in making metal furniture as a hobby but I never have welded before. I purchased "Modern Welding" which I found confusing and probably more suited as a text book in a trade school. "Welder's Handbook" was perfect for me - Peter Finch did a great job in discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each type of welding process. I now know exactly what type of equipment I need to purchase.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST for Newcomers and "Oldtimers"
Review: I found WELDER'S to be interesting, informative and, (maybe just as important,) readable. The author covers all the essentials and does it in a manner that keeps you interested. Safety is of prime importance and this is emphasized throughout the book. I received my copy two weeks ago and have been through it twice, it will become a regular reference for my use. Mr. Finch repeatedly mentions the importance of mastering Gas Welding, or at least becoming comfortable with gas welding, before going on to other types welding. This is important and can not be stressed too much. With gas welding he points out, heat, heat, heat and control of heat is all important. Another important factor for any weldor, as pointed out throughout the book is Practice. You can not go wrong with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Passable overall, but in need of an editor
Review: I purchased this book as a complete novice who knows nothing at all about welding. I was taking a welding class in a few months, and wanted to get some background on the terms and techniques. I would recommend it, but not with great enthusiasm.After reading it, I am not sure who the target audience is. The author goes over some extremely basic techniques, but often uses expressions or references that he has not defined (such as what is meant by a "bead", or what "MIG" stands for.) The order of the book seems quite random, with advanced topics never before mentioned tossed in along side basic introductory information. Overall, it is lacking in examples. For instance, he would talk at length about poor welds, but then would only show pictures of good ones. This lack of coherency was very annoying to me at first, but by the time I finished the book, I found that it included most of the information I needed. I guess the author knows more about welding than organizing and editing.
Rating:
Summary: Passable overall, but in need of an editor
Review: I purchased this book as a complete novice who knows nothing at all about welding. I was taking a welding class in a few months, and wanted to get some background on the terms and techniques. I would recommend it, but not with great enthusiasm. After reading it, I am not sure who the target audience is. The author goes over some extremely basic techniques, but often uses expressions or references that he has not defined (such as what is meant by a "bead", or what "MIG" stands for.) The order of the book seems quite random, with advanced topics never before mentioned tossed in along side basic introductory information. Overall, it is lacking in examples. For instance, he would talk at length about poor welds, but then would only show pictures of good ones. This lack of coherency was very annoying to me at first, but by the time I finished the book, I found that it included most of the information I needed. I guess the author knows more about welding than organizing and editing.
Rating: 
Summary: Great overview for new students
Review: I read this book, bought myself a MIG welding rig along with CO2 and Argon cylinders, and then started taking a welding class at a local technical college, where I'm getting some hands-on time with gas, stick, mig, and tig. I like this book a lot. Some reviewers have complained about how the author has included too much personal stuff about projects he's worked on, his cars, his airplanes, etc. I find it very interesting and informative though, to learn about the things that he's like done like welding up an engine mount to adapt a buick V6 engine to an experimental category airplane, or about how he was in charge of designing and welding the launch pad evacuation system for the space shuttle. Other reviewers have complained about his repeated explanations of "if you're left handed, do this. If you're right handed, do it this way." I find it useful since I'm left handed, and also because there are differences in your direction of travel based on your handedness and the process (gas, stick, etc). He leaves no ambiguities in this area which is good. I have a few comments at my early stage in welding however: 1) The author is a bit biased in favor of oxy-acetylene welding, saying that if he had a choice of only one type of welding rig that he could have, he would choose oxy-acetylene. That may be true for a pro, but as a non-pro, I personally am a bit leery about storing, transporting, and using cylinders of highly compressed, explosive gases. The general consensus from other sources is that MIG is the best and most popular process for a beginner or hobbiest to start out with. Gas shielding is optional, and dealing with CO2 and Argon doesn't give me nearly the worries that oxygen and acetylene would. 2) His comments about auto-darkening welding helmets are a bit out of date with the latest technology. For example, he says that during the brief instant between when you strike an arc and when the lens goes dark, that your eyes are vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, and that the delay is noticeable. That may have been true in 1997 or may be true for cheap helmets today, but the top-of-the-line speedglas 9000x helmet, which I've got, goes dark in .0001 seconds, and has full UV and IR filtering even in 'clear' mode. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion. I've spent all day striking arcs with it and had no problem. Also you're less likely to accidentally flash yourself if you don't have to constantly flip your helmet up and down. 3) Some of the plans have a few errors, incomplete instructions, and bill of materials. One example of an error is in the welding table project, where he calls for a 3/4" plate steel, and then in the instructions call for 3/8". My instructor says 3/4" is major overkill, and that 3/8" or even 1/4" would be sufficient for constructing a welding table. 4) He covers all the processes, but is not completely thorough on each one. Vertical lap welds with gas are not mentioned, for example. Overall this is a geat book. But if you're going to do anything even moderately serious, like say a boat trailer, then I'd say that this book is a supplement but not a replacement for classroom and practical instruction.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very complete or accurate
Review: I returned this book because it had a number of faults.
It was in general lacking in real detail compared to other references as published by the welding machine companies like Lincoln and Miller. It has a lot of mis-information, incomplete information and half truths.
It has plans for some pretty poorly engineered trailers and other devices. After seeing his diary of a project toward the end of the book as a filler I realized that this was the same Finch who wrote the old Corvair book in the 70's and also had a project diary in the end as a filler. If this guy really insists he is a certified and or nuclear welding inspector I'd challenge that.
Rating:
Summary: A pretty good primer
Review: I've read some other books by Richard Finch and some have been better than others. This is one of his best works. The book is short and an easy read. Each type of welding or cutting has a short, concise chapter. I emphasize short and concise, the book doesn't bog down with theory.. It's simply a How To without hurting yourself kind of book. For a first glimpse into welding, it's an excellent choice.
Rating:
Summary: Welder's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Mig, Tig, Arc & Oxyac
Review: If you've never welded anything and want to know how to get started, you can't go wrong with this book. It is loaded with practical information for the beginner! Well illustrated and indexed - EZ to read!
Rating:
Summary: Too little info, too many mistakes
Review: Instead of being a useful reference, this book ends up being a sugarcoated overview of the trade, with little really practical information. If you were completely unfamiliar with welding, it would probably give you an idea of the various processes and theories involved, except that it is riddled with inaccuracies and incorrect information. I was very disconcerted as I started reading it and came across one questionable statement after another. For those of us who are seeking tips for improving our welding skills, it's almost completely useless. The book misses the mark on several counts - for example, the last chapter, "Welding Certification and Training." The lead sentence in the chapter says "The reason for including this chapter in the Welder's Handbook is to give you a taste of what high quality welding should look like." Yet the chapter goes on to picture a welding truck, a red iron erection project, and a few line diagrams. There is nothing whatsoever to give you any idea of what high quality welding looks like. I was amused by the projects section too - after the author spent the entire book touting his credentials as an aircraft certified weldor (sic), the welding table project described how he had to take the materials to a commercial welding shop to have them pre-cut to length for him. ??? My 25-year-old college lab manuals from my metal fabrication engineering courses continue to be a better reference than this book. I'd hoped for some insight into the latest technology, such as inverter machines, but the author sweeps such topics away saying they are too complex to cover. Pretty covers with glossy photos from Lincoln Welding - but that's about it. Pass this one by.
Rating:
Summary: Good coverage of welding, but I have some concerns.
Review: Overall, the book was very informative and comprehensive on melting points and welding methods. I *do* have a problem with 2 points in the book. On page 65,the author mentions squirting WD-40 into the relief hole in a welded tube before riveting or WELDING it shut. WD-40 is a flammable liquid on it's own, in the presence of pure oxygen, it would burn violently. On the next page, the author shows a torch hanger to hang the torch "so you won't have to shut it off and relight each time you stop to adjust or setup your weld." While this may seem like a time saver, is it really worth it when your life could be ended should that torch fall out of the hanger and land on your hoses? With the exception of these two concerns, the book was well written and informative to the new welder.
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