re: I want to learn to weld..

It's possible to self teach. I learned how to MIG weld and stick weld from a book and YouTube.

By no means am I good enough to be a welder like El Gaucho, but I can do the stuff I need for mumy purposes. Like weld a chain hook onto a FEL, work on my rotary cutter, build little projects, etc. I'd have no problem tackling a smoker if I needed one.

I spent a shite ton of time on a grinder fixing my frick ups, but it was good practice.