How did you learn to weld?

Do your self a favor, and enroll in a local night class at a community vocational center, or college.
If you have never welded before they will teach you the right way from the start, so you do not pick up any bad habits.

FYI my parents bought me a set of Harris torches when I was 13 for christmas so I could braze together go carts from old scrap metal.
Still have them and use them today after 31 years and only had to have torch rebuilt once.

After you learn the basics do not buy the crap from china, spend the money for USA made equipment. There is a huge difference on the welding quality.
Years from now you will still be using the USA equipment.