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I agree with all said. I highly recommend taking a class at a Jr. College/Community College. A book is a good reference, but you get much more with a live instructor/friend. It isn't possible to stick/arc weld thin sheet metal and have a good result. The main problem is the heat; it will warp the metal a lot. If it's a non-exterior body part, like something on a pan, or another inconspicuous area, you may be able to use an arc welder. If you're welding regular plate or tubing that is 1/8" thick or larger, stick/arc works pretty well. Best on 1/4" or larger, depending on the welder. Jake's comments should be noted and are possibly repeated in my post. One of the trickiest aspects when learning arc welding is getting the initial arc. When the rod sticks, you are touching the metal too long. You need to strike the metal (yep, like a match) and pull it off slightly. There is a small distance from the metal to the tip of the rod. Roughly 1/16" - 1/8". This allows the current to "arc" to the piece that is being welded. If your welder is set too high for the thickness of metal, you will blow through. If it's set too low, you won't get a good weld. No penetration. After time and practice you will learn to listen for a good buzz. I think that this is something that you can't learn from a book. Most of them that I've read don't tell you about listening when welding. Also, make sure you pull the stick away from you (left to right, typically if you are right handed), if you're welding horizontal. If welding vertically, pull down. The stick should be at about a 45 degree angle to the surface, typically. The motion to follow is sometimes "C" shaped or in circles. After the weld is done, it should look like dimes stacked and offset (if toppled over). Look at "professional" arc welds or in a book. You'll see. I think when you first start out you will tend to move too fast. The hardest part is to relax, look at the weld and see what it is starting to look like. When you build up the first "C" shape, move and start building the second "C", and so on. A Mig is *much* more versatile. Plus, you can use gas to produce a cleaner weld. And it won't warp thin metal as bad as an arc welder. After you've tried gas or arc welding, Mig welding is a piece of cake. Point, click, move. It's that easy. You may want to purchase a separate Mig welder to for applications that an arc simply won't do. After you do, I doubt you'll never use the arc welder again. Good luck! Welding is a great skill to have. I'd recommend this book, as reference: Haynes Welding Manual ISBN: 1563921103 -Phillip -- Phillip "I weld all of my wardrobe" Bradfield 1969 Variant - Savanna beige, No engine, Chopped 3.5 in. 1968 Variant - Granada red, No engine, with 67 euro fenders 1963 1500 - Ruby red, 1600 with dual Solex carburetors 19?? Sandrail - Primer, 1835 with dual 40 Dellortos ------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe? mailto:type3-request@vwtype3.org, Subject: unsubscribe