Think of welding as metal glue; lots of interesting possibilities appear when you can stick pieces of metal together in a trustworthy manner. Welding isn’t all that difficult, either. Best bet is an evening welding class at your local high school. Next best, or as a brushup, is this book. It’s just the basics—all you need for most work. The examples are mostly automotive, but the principles hold true whether you’re repairing a farm tractor, welding up a driveway gate, or fixing the kids’ swing set. Don’t forget that you’ll need to practice a bit; books aren’t everything.