School me on Welding....

Ok, so it is *long* past time that I start learning how to weld.

The shop is all set up with a dedicated 240v outlet and area for a welder and I've got a couple of projects that need welding.

First things first:
What kind of welder do I need? MIG, TIG, ARC, etc.? These are all just acronyms to me.

I don't need to have good looking or even particularly strong welds to start. I'm not planning on fabbing bumpers or roll cages to start. I just need to be able to weld exhaust hangers and make "tractor" implements for the Jeep like drag harrows and scraper blades.

Any thoughts on what I need? Any good books or online resources for learning?

I did MIG and a little TIG welding. This was quite a few years ago now. I wish I had a welder. As for resources, any guys around you that know how to weld well? I'm 100% sure theres people here with loads more welding experience then me but best advice I have is go slow and use practice pieces.


Oh, and don't weld directly across from another person welding, that's how I got set on fire.

MIG.
Hobart or Miller.
140 or 210 (210 is compatible with 230v and 110v).

As far as learning.... you live in Texas! Drive around in the Jeep and your best southern style clothing with Letz in the front seat, stop by a welding shop, and offer the guy $50 to teach you. Go buy a helmet (auto dimming) and a set of gloves from Harbor Freight, and offer him $50. Learn to lay a bead, weld vertically, and fill a hole.

That's basically how I learned. Offered a guy at a local shop in Orlando $50 to teach me, and he did. Best $50 I've ever spent.

The best way to learn is to have someone teach you the basic concepts and then practice the hell out of them. Prep work is absolutely crucial. But I look at it just like I approached learning to drive a standard; my pops explained it to me and let me practice on his car some. I was never really great, but I could at least do it. I got a daily driver that's a standard and forced the issue. Now I'm good. Still not great at welding, but practice is key.

Chances are that you can buy a Hobart welder for less than a Miller.
Not that they are inferior in any way, just that you can buy a Hobart at more places, Tractor supply etc.
I use a Miller xp130 110 volt mig welder it works ok no problems but all smaller welders have their limits.
Buy one with a high rated duty cycle.