Weldwise
Welding Made Simple
Welding tips for beginners, hobbyists, and hands-on builders.
Skip the noise. Learn smarter. Weld with confidence.
Built by a fellow hobby welder to make learning easier for the rest of us.
Weldwise: A Quick Intro
You’re not trying to become a pro welder overnight, you just want to get started without sorting through 200 tabs. Weldwise is for:
Hobbyists setting up in a garage or shop
DIYers curious about learning to weld
Beginners who want straight answers, not rabbit holes
We’re not a course, not a YouTube clone, and not a gear brand. We’re here to help you start smart — with just enough guidance to build skill and confidence.
No overwhelm. No hype. Just useful starting points.
Learning Tracks
A focused path for beginners and builders.
Each track links to top guides and videos, with short Weldwise summaries, so you know what’s worth your time.
Track 1: Start Here
Track 2: First Welds
Track 3: First Projects
Track 4: Next Steps
Track 1 - Start Here
A simple guide to choosing your gear, staying safe, and understanding the basics before you ever strike an arc.
1. Choosing the Right Welder
Summary: Start with the right process. For most beginners, that’s MIG or Stick. This video helps you decide based on budget, workspace, and what you want to weld.MIG vs Stick Welding for Beginners (YouTube)Why we like it: Super clear pros and cons. Real-world use cases.
2. Essential Safety Gear
Summary: Welding without safety gear is asking for trouble. Start with affordable protection for your eyes, lungs, and skin.Welding Safety Basics (Article)Best Budget Welding Helmets (YouTube)Why we like it: Beginner-friendly. Covers what to buy, and what to avoid.
3. Basic Welding Terminology
Summary: What’s a puddle? What’s a bead? This glossary clears up common terms you’ll hear, and it shows how they actually apply.Welding Terms Glossary (tws.edu)Welding Terms You Should Know (Blog)Why we like it: Straightforward and no fluff. Easy to reference.
4. What to Practice First
Summary: Before building anything, you’ll want to lay practice beads on scrap. This video shows how to prep metal, set up your machine, and get clean practice runs.How to Set Up and Run a Bead (YouTube)Why we like it: Visual learners will love this. Clear and approachable.
Bonus Tip
Even if you haven’t struck an arc yet, it’s okay.
Start where you are. Even 20 minutes of practice goes a long way.
Track 2 - First Welds
A focused guide for when you're ready to strike your first arc and lay your first real beads. These are the small wins that build skill fast.
1. Striking Your First Arc
Summary: The first time you light up the welder is intimidating, and that’s okay. This video shows you exactly what to expect with your first arc, and how to avoid rookie mistakes.Striking an Arc for the First Time (YouTube)
Video 1: stick
Video 2: stick and migWhy we like it: Real beginner pacing, clear arc technique, and safety reminders.
2. Laying a Straight Bead
Summary: Once you’ve got an arc, it’s time to lay a clean bead. Focus on hand positioning, travel speed, and keeping the puddle in control.How to Lay a MIG Bead (YouTube)Why we like it: Slow, steady walk-through of beginner MIG technique. Includes angles and tips for bead consistency.
3. Practice Routine: Weld, Check, Repeat
Summary: The real secret to welding? Repetition and feedback. This quick article outlines a simple practice routine you can follow each time you weld — so you build muscle memory and get better fast.Welding Practice Routine: PDF guide | YouTube videoWhy we like it: Gives structure to your sessions so you're not just guessing.
4. Checking and Improving Your Welds
Summary: How do you know if your weld is decent? Learn the visible signs of a good (or bad) weld, and how to troubleshoot common issues like undercut or lack of fusion.Weld Quality: What to Look For
YouTube video | Blog postWhy we like it: Visual examples of good vs bad welds, plus beginner-friendly fixes.
Bonus Tip
Don't aim for perfect... aim for repeatable.
10 ugly, consistent beads teach more than 1 perfect fluke.
Track 3 - First Projects
A few small, useful, and confidence-building projects to get your welder dirty and your creativity going.
1. Welding Joints 101
Summary: Before you start building, learn the basic joints that make up most beginner projects. This guide shows how they look, how to set them up, and what to practice.Common Welding Joints Explained (YouTube)Why we like it: Simple overview with real examples and positioning tips.
2. Easy Project: Fire Pit or Welding Table Corner
Summary: Build something real with your new skills — like a basic fire pit ring, a tool holder, or a welded table corner frame. These starter projects use straight cuts and simple joints, but still feel legit.DIY Fire Pit Build (YouTube)Mini Welding Table with Clamp Rack (Blog)Why we like it: You see real function come from basic materials. Feels like a win.
3. Tacking, Squaring, and Assembly
Summary: Learn how to tack things square before final welds. This step is key to getting clean builds that don’t warp or wobble.How to Tack and Square a Frame (YouTube)Why we like it: Covers clamping, tack placement, and checking squareness in a real build.
4. Metal Cutting for Beginners
Summary: You’ll need to cut metal eventually — safely and accurately. This video covers cutting with an angle grinder, plus tips for cleanup and safety.How to Cut Steel with a Grinder (YouTube)Why we like it: Focused on beginner-level cuts, not plasma or advanced tools.
Bonus Tip
Your first project might not win awards, but if it holds together, you just built something out of steel.
That’s a win.
Track 4 - Next Steps
A smart path forward once you've got some welds under your belt, whether you're staying a hobbyist or leveling up.
1. Common Beginner Mistakes (And Fixes)
Summary: Blow-throughs? Cold welds? Gaps that won’t fill? Everyone hits these bumps. This guide breaks down common issues and how to troubleshoot them.Welding Mistakes & Fixes (YouTube)Why we like it: Friendly tone, real solutions, solid camera angles on mistakes.
2. What to Learn Next (Based on Your Style)
Summary: Welding isn’t one-size-fits-all — especially for hobbyists. After you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to explore what you actually want to build. That could mean:- Fixing things around the house
- Creating metal art
- Building tools or racks
- Restoring vehicles or trailersThis brief article touches on a few directions, but the real goal is to help you think about what excites you most (and then start there).4 Hobby Welding Ideas to ExploreWhy we like it: It’s not a deep guide, but it’s a nudge in the right direction — helping you choose what to weld, not just how.
3. Setting Up a Simple Home Welding Station
Summary: You don’t need a fancy shop, just a safe, functional corner. This guide helps you set up a basic welding space, from ventilation to grounding and layout.Articles: Welding From Home | Set-Up a Welding StationWhy we like it: Realistic, low-budget, and safe. Includes tips for garage or outdoor setups.
4. Recommended Next Tools
Summary: You’ve got the basics, now what’s worth adding next? This list shows next-tier gear that actually helps: think grinder discs, magnets, better clamps, and metal brushes.Top Tools for Beginner Welders (YouTube)Why we like it: Avoids hype, keeps it realistic and affordable.
Bonus Tip
No one welds “perfect”, they just weld more often.
You’re already ahead if you’ve struck an arc and built anything.
Starter Gear Guide
A simple list of tools that help you weld smarter and stay safe.
You don’t need a full shop to get started, just the right essentials.Here are the beginner-friendly tools we recommend most, with quick tips on what to look for (and what to skip).
Suggested Starter Gear Items
Auto-Darkening Helmet
Why it matters: Protects your eyes and speeds up your learning. Go for adjustable shade and sensitivity.Videos: Budget Welding Helmets | Is Cheaper Better?Article: Basic Welding Gear Explained
Welding Gloves
Why it matters: Protects hands from spatter and heat. Look for flexibility + heat resistance.Basic Welding Gear Explained (including essentials like gloves)
Jacket or Welding Sleeves
Why it matters: Prevents burns and UV exposure. Cotton or leather sleeves work great for light projects.
Clamps (at least 2)
Why it matters: Holds pieces steady and square while tacking. A must-have for clean welds.Videos:
Must-Have Clamps for Beginners
Clamps for Fixture Tables
Welder's Angle Clamps
Angle Grinder
Why it matters: For prepping, cleaning, cutting. Don’t weld without one.Angle Grinders 101 (video)
Welding Magnets (optional bonus)
Why it matters: Super handy for holding steel at 90° or 45° angles.Magnets for Welding (quick intro video)
Bonus Tip
You don’t need everything at once.
Start with the gear that protects — then add what helps you weld better.
Weekend Projects
Welding is more fun when you make something useful.These beginner builds are small enough for a weekend, but practical enough to keep using (or gift to someone else).
Steel Fire Pit (freestanding)
Summary: One of the most popular first builds: a simple square or circular fire pit using steel plate and square tube or angle iron. No fancy cuts needed.
View Project Build
Welding Table Corner Frame
Summary: Build a small section or corner frame of a welding table using square tubing or angle iron. Practice tacking square and adding fillet welds.
View Project Build
Tool and PPE Holder Rack
Summary: Create a basic tool holder using a small frame and magnets or hooks. Great for organizing gloves, jackets, grinders, wire brushes, or clamps.
View Project Builds
Welding PPE Storage Rack (YouTube)Grinder Tool Storage Rack Project (YouTube)
Stay in the Loop
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No noise. Just good sparks.
More Sparks
Extra guides and helpful tools — added as we go.
What to Weld Next: Finding Your Hobby Welding Style
You’ve learned to lay a bead, maybe even built your first weekend project. So… what now?Welding as a hobby doesn’t have to follow a strict path. It’s more about what excites you than what machine you use. Here are a few great directions to explore:
Home repair – Fix gates, tools, brackets, and more around your property.
Shop upgrades – Build your own welding table, racks, or storage tools.
Metal art – Create signs, sculptures, and decor from scrap or clean cuts.
Trailer and off-road builds – Reinforce frames or add accessories.
Furniture & fabrication – Try stools, small tables, or garden structures.
The best path is the one you’ll enjoy sticking with — and the one that makes you want to strike another arc.
⚡ More guides like this coming soon to our new resource hub.
About Weldwise
Weldwise is a beginner-first welding resource built by a hobbyist — not a brand, not a course, and not a wiki.
Just real tips, clean welds, and a clear place to start."I built Weldwise because I wanted a simpler way to learn — something that cuts through the clutter and actually helps you get started with confidence."
– Jake
Handcrafted for beginners — with clarity, not clutter.
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