Craft & Handwork
Welding
An arc melts two pieces of steel into one, and the bead is the whole skill
Most people start on a short course at a makerspace or community college: the gear is too heavy and too expensive to buy before you know you like it. A passable bead comes in the first session; consistency is the hard part, and only an even bead holds without leaking. Helmet, leather gloves and ventilation are mandatory, and arc burns to the eyes do not hurt until hours later.
First stepEnrol in a short welding class at a community college or makerspace, gear up with a helmet and leather gloves, and lay one continuous straight bead.
Barriers
Cost to start
$50–300
Going deep → $2k–10k
Alone or with people
On your own
Effort
You will sweat
Without a teacher?
Needs a teacher
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
A venue
Why people take it up