OT: I think I got myself sick welding galvanised, calling any real welders.... Options

[Scott S]

Built a muffler last night (really pleased with how it came out and sounds). Woke up with a sore throat. By lunch a had just a touch of the shakes. Called the FLAPS where I bought some of the piping and they guy said it was galvanised. When I bought the stuff, I specifically asked about this, as it was hard to tell if the parts were coated (not the usual sheen). The other guy said he thought they were just aluminized and would be fine to weld. Being a beginner - I believed him.

Any idea how this will last? I spent a continuous 2-3 hours last night breathing this crap. I litterally feel like I have a mild flu.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

[charliew]

Don't play dumb when you do something you're not sure about. You will probably be ok but you better google it. I have welded gal metal but always have ground the galvanizing off to get a cleaner weld and to keep the nozzle from getting all caked up with the gal spatter. I'm sure it will kill you but you might be 100 before it happens. It's nearly impossible to weld with a mig with gas with a fan blowing the gas away, the weld will be porous with the gal contamination and then with the gas shielding gone it will really bubble and spit. The fan sucking might help though.