Metals and How to Weld Them is, as its name suggests, an introduction to the basics of metals and welding. It’s written by a practicing welder with the intent of providing a better understanding of metals and their properties.
This is especially true with regards to welding. The original edition of the book was first published in 1954. It has since then been considered a reference bible for welders.
We’ll be reviewing the latest edition of the book, which is available in hardcover, paperback, digital and audio form. Don’t expect to be an expert at the end of this book. The focus is on getting you started, not turning you into a master. Still, this book is designed for expert welders and novices alike.
Is the book worth it? Read on through our review to find out.
Who Are T.B. Jefferson and Gorham Woods?
The authors of the book, T.B. Jefferson and Gorham Woods were prolific writers, but they were also industry leaders.
The former was a well-known consultant in the field of materials science, and the latter was the founder of the well-known Woods Metal Welding Company. Gorham Woods has had a long and rich career as an expert in the field of metalworking.
What Is the Book About?
Metals and How to Weld Them covers the basics of metals and welding. This book is designed to give an overview of the most common types of metals and their properties. The book does this by listing and discussing each metal on a single page.
In addition, it uses photographs to help explain what the item is made of. The book covers the basics of soldering and furnace work. The most notable part of this section is lead-free welding.
The book has a section covering its pros and cons and also explains the job a welder would need to do if the product contained lead.
Key Takeaways From The Book
The purpose of the “Metals and How to Weld Them” is to introduce readers to the basics of different metals and the processes used to weld them. The book starts by defining the different types of metals and how they are made.
It then moves on to how to recognize different types of metals through visual inspection, and how to tell the difference between them.
Forging a new path in the world of welding books, Metals and How to Weld Them is a new text that eschews the traditional arc of an instructional text.
Instead, it focuses on key takeaways that allow the user to begin practicing welding immediately.
For example, the book introduces the key concepts of weld types (gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, and other related processes).
The writing is handled without bogging the reader down in details that are irrelevant to the novice. The book also covers the key factors that affect the quality of a weld (including joint design, current, voltage, and filler material.,
It provides a brief overview of the key safety precautions that are necessary to ensure that the welder is not hurt by the tools and materials of the trade.
What We Think of the Book
For a book that’s been around since 1954, it still provides a revelation to how welding works with different metals. We especially like how the different metals described in the book are sectioned separately from one another.
This makes quick referencing a breeze if you need to locate something. The authors did a fantastic job of explaining to the reader how to go about getting a particular job accomplished.
Is the book for everyone? Yes and no. It can get a bit technical for some and put them off. For novices, it is suggested to read some, leave the book alone and come back. The info will sink in much better that way. The book was created to help those learn about metals and how welding affects their properties.
Conclusion
We really hope you enjoyed our book review: Metals and How to Weld Them. If you are an existing welder or, preferably, aspire to become one, you’ll find this book to be very helpful.
We find the book to be a must-have. There’s a huge amount of information, both in terms of the different types of metals and how to work with them.
If you are not an expert, there are some things that will remain constant in metalworking:
- The greatest challenge we face is creating a structure that is both strong and safe.
- There will always be something that we can do to make our metalworker look better.
- We’ll be able to adapt our way to more things.
Whether Master Welder or novice, we can always learn new things. Metals and How to Weld Them is highly recommended to help you on your wedding journey.