Hi Dennis,
Try reviewing a text book called "Welding" by David Hoffman, Kevin Dahle, and David Fisher.
One of the better ones I have found for straight forward welding education.
It's a Pearson/Prentice Hall publication.

Hello Dennis, I believe that is an age old issue for many welding programs and instructors. We have tried looking at different text books on numerous occasions and haven't been totally satisfied with any of them. There are other options coming "down the pike" so to speak though.

We are finding that some of the publishers are offering book "customization" providing that you have a certain minimum quantity that you are using, there are also options coming up for online book choices that can be had on a "by chapter" basis. That one is possibly going to be out next choice as we have groups of students who are taking welding as a supplement to say a diesel or machine shop program (we don't feel that they should be saddled with a book/workbook combination that is creeping up on the $200 mark).

We also find that some book offerings are very geographically inclined and don't necessarily match what we are dealing with in our specific area. I look forward to the responses that you receive here even if I cannot specifically give you any recommendations personally. Best of luck and regards, Allan

I am currently using "Welding" by Hoffman, Dahle, and Fisher (Pearson).  It is pretty good.  Been using it for 3 or 4 years now.

I also used "Welding Principles and Practices" by Bohnart (McGraw) for many years.

"Welding" is probably a little easier to understand for those with marginal reading skills.  Plus it has a lot more white space around the text which is less tiring on the eyes.  And the pictures are more up to date.

I also like Lincoln's "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding".  Plus it is VERY inexpensive compared to traditional texts. 

Lincoln's "New Lessons in Arc Welding" is an old, inexpensive, very basic standby too.  That was my test book when I was in welding school.  I think it cost 4 bucks at the time.

If your training is process specific, Miller's "TIG Handbook" might be the best stand alone training book ever written on TIG welding, plus it is up to date on the newest power source features like asymmetric wave, adjustable output frequency, and so on.

Miller's "GMAW Handbook" is pretty good too.

A lot depends on the level of training you plan on.  "New Lessons" might be OK for a Diesel guy taking 1 or 2 quarters of welding as a support class.  If you are turning out degreed welders I think either of the first two books I mentioned would be much more appropriate.

I have never used any questions out of any text book as I always thought I could do better.  I generate my own questions based on each reading assignment I issue, and they all require a narrative type answer.  I try to put a strong focus on conceptual understanding for the degree students.

Welding Skills by RT Miller, published by ATP, is a very good book to teach basic welding covering all of the most commonly used processes... I have a second edition copy from 1997 so I'm sure they have updated this book to current information...

This book is divided into six sections: Intro to welding, OAW - Oxy Acetylene welding, SMAW, Gas shielded welding processes, Special welding processes and supplementary welding data... ATP even offers this updated book in electronic format as an Adobe digital book for students that lug around laptops and notebook computers to lighten up their load so to
speak.

Here's the web page for the E- book as well as other recommendations for supplementary education materials:

http://www.atplearning.com/Welding-Skills-ATP-eTextbook-P852.aspx

Here's their Hard cover link for "Welding Skills":

http://www.atplearning.com/Welding-Skills--P842.aspx

Here's the entire collection of welding and metalworking books available by ATP:

http://www.atplearning.com/Welding-and-Metalworking-C30.aspx

Now as far as Lawrence is concerned, I don't think he pays that much attention to educational materials with his new line of work but then again, I may be incorrect in that presumption... I know that he has written a few excellent books I might add in conjunction with Larry Jeffus but other than that, "Only the shadow knows for sure..."
So I will give you links to his books that are written to conform to AWS SENSE EG 2.0 training guidlines... This first of three books  is for entry level welders:

http://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?Ntt=Lawrence+Bower|181410022218396072665981024526486530&N=16&Ntk=APG|P_EPI&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial


Respectfully,
Henry

There are other instructors who are missing in this conversation as well.  Just wondering what some of them are using.

May start sending some PM's myself to see what I can find.

Brent