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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ welding galvanized metal

Posted by: type11969 Mar 14 2005, 09:48 AM

I have some square pieces of sheet metal that I bought at a FLAPS, they seem to be galvanized (shiny and don't rust). I've formed one into an angle and was going to weld it into my long for some rust repairs, but I believe I've read that welding galvanized steel isn't good. Couldn't find anything with the search feature though. Anyway, does anyone have any information about welding galvanized? Is it not as strong as un-galvanized? The non-rusting nature of the stuff certainly seems to be a big benefit.

I've practiced welded with the stuff and I've made some strong (but ugly) welds.

-Chris

Posted by: McMark Mar 14 2005, 09:55 AM

Galvanized welds like crap. You can get it in there and make it work. But it welds like crap.

Watch out for the fumes too. They're bad fur ya'.

Posted by: spunone Mar 14 2005, 09:58 AM

Sand off area of Galv before welding since the gas is poisonous I think its a phosgene gas not good

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Mar 14 2005, 09:58 AM

Like Mark said, you DO NOT want to breath those fumes.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 14 2005, 10:29 AM

grind it all of and weld away... hold your breath

Posted by: type11969 Mar 14 2005, 10:45 AM

Hmmm, looks like I might have poisoned myself yesterday, great. I think I will bag using this galvanzied stuff and hack up the shitty 914 hood that I have for replacement metal.

Thanks for the help.

-Chris

Posted by: Travis Neff Mar 14 2005, 10:59 AM

I used galvanized wire on my chicken coupe project. I will agree with others, stay away from welding it. The fumes are very toxic and you will feel sick for a couple days afterwards. If you must use it, use serious ventilation - like a fan even if you are doing it outside.

It does suck welding it, as soon as the arc hits the zinc or whatever coating it is, it vaporizes (the metal) very quickly. The only advice that I can say is to start your arc on the old metal and slowly work your way to the galvanized piece, the heat will slowly burn off the part and at that point you can get a decent weld. Or grind the crap out of both sides of that panel to remove the galvanizing along your weld path.