Basic stuff. Sloppy, but strong. I have no idea where to start, or even the basics. I do know that I can't stop staring at the arc. It's just beautiful.

Can anyone recommend any books, equiptment, that sorta thing?

Perhaps try your community college, they should have stuff like that.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Good man, I should'a learned that years ago at a community college -- they have classes here in Oakland. Don't delay.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I took an evening class on welding at the local vocational/technical high school. It was great. I still can't weld worth a darn, but I got the basics.

Get a oxy-acetylene setup. That is even more fun to stare at than an arc welder.

Horses for courses.
Oxy-acetylene is quite versatile but difficult on sheet metal or on thick stuff.
Mig is good on sheet metal and up to maybe 1/4" but the welds aren't deep on heavy stuff.
Tig is good on tube and sheet metal but requires great skill.
Arc is good on 1/8" and above and makes a nice deep weld.

Most pro welders have all of the above and use them regularly to stay good. They can make it look easy. I have a 240v mig and a torch for heat and can stick things together, but it's not art. In most cases you are way further ahead to have a pro weld for you.

Jorg

Go to a book store and buy a book on welding, basic not advanced.

Also go here, they have some online instructional courses

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/

MIG or Oxy is always the debate. I learned on a MIG. bought the Weldpak-100 from Lincoln-Electric and started to practice. I also have a basic welding book. The video provided with the welder was all I needed to learn how to watch the puddle and weld. It does take practice but for a 65 Mustang and a steel fence. I'm fine. Aircraft TIG aluminum welding - Nope. But for the things around the house, I'm fine.

Also consider the community college. I just have not had time to that route, but would like to do it

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I hope you're kidding about that "staring at the arc" bit. Real quick way to damage your eyesight, and without eyesight, you're not gonna be a very good welder.

Unless you're certain that you're going to benefit from the investment, then taking adult industrial arts courses makes more sense than buying hardware and ruining perfectly good steel. Once you get the basics, particularly the safety and proper technique, and feel that you're ready to buy a rig and protective gear, then go for it.