Is it possible to TIG weld Galvanized steel tubing?

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Anyone have any experience in TIG welding Galvanized steel? Can you simply weld as if welding regular steel or do you need to gring away the zinc coating?Thanks,
Reply:If you don't grind it off it will spit and pop.  This projects little bits of molten metal out.  You'll be grinding your tungsten a lot.  You'll probably also ruin that nice gas lens.  The welds may be porous.  It's been said a thousand times, and yet still requires saying.  Get a proper respirator! Supplied air is even better.Galvanized and welding generally don't go well together.  It can be welded, but it's a pain.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:I'll second Andy, especially on the respirator! And not just any filter!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:As a hobby stick welder who's been there...grind all the zinc away from the weld area. This is easier than friggin around with the fumes and daggy welds if you leave the zinc in place. Zinc is an enemy to welding.Last edited by AyAy; 04-29-2010 at 04:41 AM.Orion pulse-arc welderStick an O/A too
Reply:There is no way you can get a decent bead strength or visual wise tig welding gal all thought you can easily with stick get a decent bead but if its a structual member you will have to grind it off and with mig unless its like vert down on thin sheet same thing applies with tig clean clean cleanCigweld Transmig 265seBoc 140amp StickBoss 200amp AC/DC TIGLincoln Electric Invertec V260-S
Reply:Stick or fluxcore without grinding the galvi off, yes.  Tig or gas mig without grinding, forget it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:One basic welding truth= All processes, all materials----The cleaner the better----if you are going to join two pcs of the same type material, whatever, however, they need to be as clean as you can get them....Anything less is just a contaminant.........
Reply:Just to re-emphasize- DON'T DON'T DON'T breath the fumes that come off galvanized metal.  Grind off all the zinc and if it were me, I'd STILL use a respirator.  You can get very very sick- There are stories of deaths and lifelong debilitating illnesses from breathing this crap.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.