Joey,
The best way to learn welding, in my opinion, is to get as much Scrap as you can and take to it, with a Stick (Electric Arc) welder.
Stick welding is the simplest form of welding, and you will learn heaps out of correct current and arc length.
Using Rutile rods with ordinary Mild Steel, of sizes between 1/16" and 1/4" plate, you soon learn just how things "fit together".
I would not start welding with a MIG welder!.
I am a certified (ticketed) Welder here in New Zealand and having sat exams in all welding positions, those of which I will explain below, I would like to think that anyone that I advised, would try to get somewhere near it!.
I was an Industrial Weldor, before I joined the NZ Fire Service.
But, here it is:
- Butt Weld- Do one weld with 2 pieces of 1/4" Mild Steel, butted up together.
- Fillet Weld- A weld on a piece of 1/4" plate at a degree of 45 to the Horizontal plane.
- T-Weld-Do a weld on both sides of a T joint and give that joint strength to a 40 MPa force.
- Vertical Up-Hand- Weld a Cylindrical ducting of 2metre (6ft) diameter, while the tube is rotating and give good penetration to the joint.
- Vertical Down-Hand- Weld 2 pieces of 1" thick steel, from top to bottom, this is a timed test.
- Horizontal Up-Hand- Do a weld of 6ft with 1/4" plate, with good penetration in 2 minutes.
I hold NZS 4711 here, I am a Structural Welder.
I've used all types of welders, Stick,Oxy/Acetylene, MIG, TIG also a CNC welding Plant.