Welding Literature for the Autodidac

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Hello Everyone,Great forum.  I enjoyed alot of the posts and have learned alot so far and I'd like to pose a question myself. I'm in the unique position to be working in management at a welding/boiler company.  I've worked here for many years doing a bit of everything and I do mean everything.  There are days I've gone out to plug tubes, other days I'll be at the Department Of Building filing papers, some days I'll be doing man holes/front wall,  well you get the idea.  I've asked management to allow me work in the shop a bit to become a better welder, as we could always use more welders for the work we have.  They said I can but as far as anyone teaching me anything it would have to be on my own time.  Also, they aren't exactly technically oriented.  Most don't speak english (I'm trialingual)  and I find it difficult to understand exactly what they mean in that language.  Technical jargon is difficult to translate, especially if you have no real basis to understand it from.  I have a real chance here to advance myself and the company.  I'm only 25 and I have alot of experience watching but no practical knowledge.  Are there any books that can help me?  I'd like to read about what type of welding is required for particular steel, current/amps, techniques etc.  I understand I would have to practice a ridiculous amount and I'm prepared to stay late at work to learn it.   I've learned many different subjects by just applying myself in my spare time and I'm sure I can accomplish the same thing with welding.  So sorry for the long winded post and thanks for the help in advance     cheers
Reply:To me it sounds like you need to learn spanish first. Not so much really. But I started by picking up a book called the welding encyclopedia for learning all the different terminoligies and some process as well. Then you need to understand the difference between the steels that are available. That is mostly what welding is about. Those steels have so many different alloys today. From there grab a welder and start welding. The more you weld the more you will learn.
Reply:The "Bible" of welding...Procedure Handbook "Fourteenth Edition" Published by The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding FoundationLincoln Electric has several books available on their site that may interest you.ATA Welding Technology