"If you don't want to take a course, you don't have to. The help is right here. The course will go over all kinds of welding. Lecture on Arc, mig, Oxy Acetylene, theory, safety, and after weeks, finally some welding and then sweep the class room before you leave. It's not mandatory for you to take a class."
Windy,
Obviously taking a class is not mandatory. However taking a class has benefits. The main benefit is that you will see correct technique demonstrated. So right off the bat you will know what you're trying to do. I invite anyone who doesn't believe that to try tig welding aluminum or play a musical instrument without any instruction. The instructor will observe your technique and make suggestions.
Welding safety is important and things you would never suspect as being dangerous are. The safety part of a class takes 2 or 3 class sessions only and is well worth it.
The other benefit is being able to try a variety of equipment of varying cost and ability. For example inverter tig machines are claimed to have more capability. They definitely have more dials and they cost more but I find a less costly square wave tig machine easier to use and just as effective in making a "stack of dimes" bead. Others disagree and swear by inverter machines. Trying them will give you your answer.
An old buddy of mine bought a mig welder that is restricted to flux core wire (no shielding gas). He also tried to teach himself to use it. The results were so bad that he got discouraged and quit. If he had gotten a machine set up for shielding gas and gotten a demonstration on how to use it he'd be welding away happily now. I couldn't help him because we live about 450 miles apart now.
