First time welding sheet metal..

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Ever since I did the v8 swap in my extended cab s10, I used a one piece drive shaft, and it has been hitting the bottom of the cab, so last night I ran across the old piece of roof that I saved when they put the sunroof in, so I decided to use that for a new transmission/driveshaft hump. First crappy job done 2 years ago before I got a welder, just notched it where I thought it was hitting, and had screwed some pieces of sheet metal down to cover the holes:After about 3 minutes with the trusty ol dewalt jigsaw, you can see where it was rubbing:Finished welding, I didn't worry about grinding any of the welds down since you won't see it from the carpet, but I did put a coat of primer on so it wouldn't rust.All in all, I think it turned out ok, had to play with the welder settings alot, and getting the gun angle right.
Reply:Did you feel funny after all that? I'm gonna guess it was galvanized, man that **** will kill you!Nice job though, I'm all about using what I have on hand.(Home)Miller Maxstar 152 (sold)MM211/spool gunLincoln AC 225C(Work)Dynasty 350Powcon 300STLincoln SP-175TWeldlodgic AWS150sWeldlodgic AWS300Custom Resistance seam weldersCambridge Vacuum EB weldersI smell something burning.
Reply:I didn't know they galvanized car sheet metal, I used my grinder and took all the paint and primer off down to the bare metal, it didn't look any different than any other sheet metal I've been around.
Reply:Originally Posted by atariDid you feel funny after all that? I'm gonna guess it was galvanized, man that **** will kill you!Nice job though, I'm all about using what I have on hand.
Reply:Originally Posted by spitek60Curious, as a newb on the site, and new to welding, what's the primary hazard in welding galvanized? (Inhalation would be the method, but what exactly would I be breathing in that is the hazard?)
Reply:Originally Posted by EndofabGalvanize is the term for the method of applying zinc to carbon steel, it has become known as galvanize but is not limited to. So for instance most standard nuts and bolts are zinc plated, same stuff same hazard. Zinc is a heavy metal and burns at a lower temp than steel or brass melts at so it turns into a vapor and attacks your central nervous system. The symptoms are flu like but if you know you have welded something that has had zinc content and feel flu like symptoms go see a doctor. As mentioned before it is deadly and never recommended to weld galv. This is also known as metal fume fever. I personally use muriatic acid to burn galv off small parts before welding.
Reply:I just read about the metal fume fever, it doesn't sound very fun, I feel fine, but now I know in the future to be more careful on what I weld on. But like I said, I did grind down to bare metal, so hopefully I got the galvanization off too.
Reply:Ok, well, I'm an idiot. I thought I read " roofing material" I was riding in the car and I obviously can't read. At least someone learned something from my mistake.(Home)Miller Maxstar 152 (sold)MM211/spool gunLincoln AC 225C(Work)Dynasty 350Powcon 300STLincoln SP-175TWeldlodgic AWS150sWeldlodgic AWS300Custom Resistance seam weldersCambridge Vacuum EB weldersI smell something burning.
Reply:Well technically it is roof material, truck roof, not house roof. LOL.Last edited by jsinar; 07-14-2013 at 09:07 PM.
Reply:Absolutely.  Thanks. LOL