Find a build that fits your experience and shop. Each plan lists cut lists, material gauges, joinery tips, and the safety checks to run before you strike an arc.
Start where your current technique matches the work. Each tier builds on the joints and habits of the one before.
Beginner
Tacking and fire pits
Practice clean tacks and simple fillet welds on fire pits, plant stands, and small shop brackets. Builds focus on fit-up and consistent bead placement.
Intermediate
Shop furniture
Build welding carts, tool racks, and workbench frames. Plans cover square-and-true assembly, distortion control, and sturdier joint layouts.
Advanced
Multi-joint fabrication
Tackle precision tables and multi-axis frames that combine several joint types. Expect tighter tolerances, staged assembly, and detailed heat management.
The anatomy of a guide
Practical instructions, step by step
01
Material prep
Confirm material gauges, cut to the cut list, and clean mill scale and coatings from every joint edge before fit-up.
02
Fit-up and clamping
Position parts with square and clamps, then tack in the sequence the plan specifies to hold alignment as heat builds.
03
Heat management
Follow the recommended travel and interpass guidance, and let assemblies cool between passes to limit warping.
04
Cleanup and checks
Remove slag, inspect welds, and verify the assembly is square before finishing or moving the piece to its final location.
Before you strike an arc
Wear your protective gear, ventilate the space, and clear flammables from the area before every session. No project is worth skipping these checks.— Weld and Build Guide safety standard