Welding on zinc

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I'm working on some artsy projects which involve hinges from a big box store made of Zinc.  I need to make some short welds on this, and I'm not sure if I'll use tig or mig.  I know it needs to be very well ventilated, but how do I balance that without disrupting the gas flow?Or as a rookie welder should I avoid this altogether?Thanks in advance for the help.Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:Zinc will solder really well.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Grind the zinc off the areas to be welded. If you don't have a stick machine get a respirator.                                            MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Mig of course.Grind the galvanizing off the joints if you don't like to weld hot.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Made of zinc or zinc plated (galvanized)?
Reply:Good advice so far.  I believe they are made of zinc.Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:If they are hinges from a box store, they are zinc-plated steel. Neither MIG nor TIG like zinc very much, you will have better luck with stick (6011 or 6013) or self-shielded flux core wire.Grind as much of the plating off as you can, keep your head out of the fumes, and you'll be OK.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Interesting, I used my flux core welder on the last attempts and it did so much better than my tig efforts.  I figured it was just because I am terrible at tig.  LOLI may try to stick it tomorrow, just to see how it goes.Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:fluxcore wire, a respirator and your good to go. the zinc coating is extremely thin the fluxcore can run hot enough to be it off. hot dip galv is when it get real nasty
Reply:SpEdEarth to Special Ed - if the hinges were made of zinc - one cheek would barely support the other - let alone - when ladened with a load . . .   They are plated steel: and will weld 'most controllably' with TIG - when the zinc 'plating' is removed.- - - - - - - - - -   'I know it needs to be very well ventilated, but how do I balance that without disrupting the gas flow'?This question is an ongoing Opera on the WW - it drones on like a Wagnerian Mezzo Soprano in a Brass Bra.With all 'gas shielded' weld process - the plume is drawn - not blown.  Source capture preserves the gas shield - and removes/controls the fumes. - - - - - - - - - -'Or as a rookie welder should I avoid this altogether'?   Not at all - your tool roster is enough for success - you just need to 'feed your head' with the correct info . . . Opusps - Do some home-work on Zinc Plating . . ..Last edited by OPUS FERRO; 01-28-2016 at 02:34 AM.Reason: plating addendum . . .
Reply:If there not too expensive and you don't care about the finish , try soaking in white vinegar for a day or two and wire wheel them. It depends on how thick the zinc or galvanized finish is .
Reply:Braze them. Not hot enough to burn the zinc (if you do it right).
Reply:Thanks to everyone for their help.  It is really appreciated.  I checked out a couple zinc welding vids and a zinc removal vid.  With that info and the info garnered here I should be good to go.  I am making some bookends using some scrap motorcycle parts and I use the hinges for the actual holders.  They're still prototypes and I'll be cutting my own steel bases as soon as I get something I'm happy with.  Here's a pic.  They're pretty basic compared to the stuff you guys work on but they're intended to be gifts for some of my motorcycling buddies.  Try no to laugh at the welds.  LOLMiller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:That will work no problem. Depending what you have for equipment, I would slot the flat base and drop in the upright and weld on the backside and grind / sand flush. Much cleaner looking. Drill holes to match length and grind out slot or use cutting wheel . Another option is a series of holes on center and plug weld. I love playing with this art stuff.
Reply:Nice idea!Have you thought about just bending a bit of flat mild steel instead of using the hinges?
Reply:I had to weld some galvanized pipe once.  I thought I'd ground the zinc off well enough, but I must've missed some spots.  Got a good case of Metal Fume Fever.  I was out of commission for almost 2 days.  Save yourself the headache (literally), and wear a respirator.
Reply:If it's zinc plated, TIG with silicon bronze. The lower heat requirement will help keep the zinc from burning off. If they're made of zinc you'll need to TIG on AC
Reply:It was zinc plated. It ground off with no issue and I mig welded it. Tapatalk won't upload a pic right now but I will upload an updated pic showing it before paint. I taped off where the chain goes and I just need to figure out how to tack a couple of links so the chain will still be a little loose. I also have to clean the chain better. It's still a little greasy. I don't want it that realistic.Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:Nice! That's a cool look, the chain really sets it off!
Reply:The chain is currently soaking in Dawn liquid to get the last of the grease off it.  It's still greasy and loose on the sprocket.  I'm going for realism.  LOLMiller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:Hey,  great idea! I like the look http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusGrind the zinc off the areas to be welded. If you don't have a stick machine get a respirator.                                            Mike