We like Richard Finch's "real world" approach as he offers practical instruction, not just on the techniques, but on the pros and cons of the equipment and supplies that a novice welder will need to purchase. This book is both easy to understand, quite thorough, and reasonably priced.

Topics discussed:

• Selecting the right equipment
• TIG, MIG, and Oxyaceylene processes
• Welding steel, stainless steel, magnesium, and titanium
• Plasma cutting, jigging, and fitting.

From the author's introduction: "This book will not explain stick welding or any of the welding processes that are usually associated with bridge building, sky scrapers, or trailer fabrication. That kind of welding has its place in the world, and we surely depend on welders who assemble those things for us. Instead, I wrote Performance Welding because existing books on welding could be confusing if you are primarily interested in building and repairing aircraft Indy type race cars and other high tech application. This book, through generous full color and highly detailed photographs, concentrates on explaining how to correctly weld light weight materials in high technology structures."