Pat,

It sounds like you have a plan with some help to learn to weld. Your biggest concern will be practice and more practice.

You might also consider the video, that was mentioned earlier, from http://technicalvideorental.com/rental_27.html I had a chance to watch "Oxy-Acetylene Welding ..with Steve Bleile" at MetalMeet several months ago. It is geared towards someone that is just learning how to weld, but it was good.

I've also heard good things about technicalvideorental.com. If you haven't heard of them, you should check out their website.