SteveyB:
Join AWS (American Welding Society) they have a bunch of good literature, and their codes, of course. And, as part of AWS membership there used to be an option to get a free volume of their “Welding Handbook” every year, and these were pretty good general reference books. It took five or six years to get the whole set. Membership also provides reduced prices on their publications. And, I’m sure their web site will have a listing of publications.
Lincoln Electric, the welding equip. supplier also has some very good books, and these are pretty economically priced. Many of the welding materials suppliers are very helpful if you contact them. Of course, you must pay a little attention to what kind of ax they have to grind with their sales pitches.