Welding galvanized

[woodlandfarms]

So I know hot galvanized fumes are poisonous. how do you weld galvanized steel?

Here is what I have. My neighbor builds large steel buildings, a lot of his work is for industrial / ports locations. Like all large industrial areas, one mans junk is another mans treasure. This place had piles of shorts, under 8 foot from some sort of shelving/ catwalk system. There is tins of expanded steel decks and landings, and a bunch of 4 x 4 square, and some 14 inch c channel. I know, where is this source. Saddly I don't know so I rely on my neighbors generosity. I have 2 projects, one a land plane and one a welding table.

So, can this be done with galvanized and if so, how? Second, can a galvanized welding table work? Will I be battling fumes as I weld normal steel on top of it?

Carl

 

[nybirdman]

If you are going to weld galvanized:do it out-doors and be up wind of it.If inside a very well ventilated area.In my younger days(not knowing any different),I got poisoned by galvanized,not fun.You can also prep the areas by grinding..use the same precautions.

 

[sandman2234]

The landplane can be built using galvanized material, but you should know about the risks of welding galvanized materials (which is why you posted this, right!). I have reasonable luck using 6011 rods and wouldn't hesitate building a landplane from reasonably thick pieces of galvanized metal. The reason for "thick" is to be able to grind down below the zinc layers to get to bare metal to weld to. Since that is hard to tell, your going to end up with some contaminates, which weakens the weld, to the extent depending on the amount of contaminates. 6011 is a lot more forgiving than many of the other rods around weld contaminates.
As far as the welding table, that might be a little more touchy than I would be willing to tackle. Depending on the design and actual use, etc but at least you can use the galvanized material for legs and bracing, anywhere that won't be subjected to continuous heat. You might even build the whole table and add a layer of non-galvanized metal to the surface(top) where heat can reach over 600 degrees in localized areas which could give you problems for the life of the table.
David from jax

 

[flusher]

Galvanize is a thin zinc coating on steel for corrosion protection. Remove that coating with your angle grinder and then weld. No problem with fumes then.

 

[2458n]

No - for the galvanized welding table. I welded alot of roadside guardrail for use in a factory. Man was I stupid /sick. Milk was suppose to help take the sick away. Worked out well for the shop as the county provided the guardrail for free. Milk did not help with the stupid part.

 

[dex3361]

Do not make a welding table top from galvanized. The legs would be OK.
Set up a fan to blow across your welding outside and stay up wind. I used 6010 or 6011 after grinding close to the weld area. Do not breathe the fumes, if you do you will feel like you have the flu. BTDT

 

[woodlandfarms]

So 6011over 7018?

Is there a mask that would help, we have a bunch of high quality paint masks laying around.

Thanks for all the advice so far.

 

[Brushhill dave]

Yes there is, I am just finishing welding 6 galv. Coolers in place and like posted before grind the galv. away from your weld area. There is an organic vapour cartridge available that will fit 3m north and msa 1/2 masks. We stack a p100 on top of the organic filter to help with the dust. It's tough to get the right shield for all of this to fit under but they ate out there. Check your local pawn shops you may be able to find a supplied air helmut that is the best solution. Good luck and stay out of the fumes.

 

[Shield Arc]

Being a marine iron worker the majority of my life, I've welded literally tons of galvanized material. Been sick as a dog at least a dozen times from it. Welding it didn't bother me as much as cutting with O/A! Welding outside with a small fan to blow the smoke away works great.
Coming from a high production way of life, I've found Hobart's Fabshield 21-B self shielded wire works the best I've ever seen. If the millage is really heavy, grind the heavy area off before welding.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

google Jim Paw Paw wilson and welding galvanised and you'll read about how it killed him. I also found a good article started by Wrouton Harv in the tractor by net archives titled important! welding galvanised. What you don't know can kill you.