TIG and galvanized

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I need to build some yard gates and don't have ready access to mild steel tubing except for galvanized conduit.  I probably already know the answer is not only no but h... no...........   Is it possible to clean up the joints to be welded enough to use TIG on them?I am a relatively experienced amateur welder but new to TIG, and know the hazards of welding galvanized with other processes.Steve
Reply:All the same hazards, but all the more need to clean off the galvanized coating. Keep fit up tight. Is that tubing going to be heavy enough for a gate though?City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Clean it up as best as you can. Keep your head out of the fumes. And accept that you're going to have to clean your tungsten alot. I HATE galvanized.
Reply:It seems to me that if you have a CC machine, and need to weld galvanized steel large enough for a gate, you might want to put down the TIG torch, pick up a stinger and burn some 6010 instead.
Reply:Originally Posted by weregeekIt seems to me that if you have a CC machine, and need to weld galvanized steel large enough for a gate, you might want to put down the TIG torch, pick up a stinger and burn some 6010 instead.
Reply:Originally Posted by weregeekIt seems to me that if you have a CC machine, and need to weld galvanized steel large enough for a gate, you might want to put down the TIG torch, pick up a stinger and burn some 6010 instead.
Reply:Hey Amigo, you really didn't mention the parameters for you welding application Im assuming that your welding some thin 063 tubing? I concurr with some of your other post to your question. insead of 6010 try some 7018 3/32 and weld it downhill that way it burns away the galvanize adds the filler material and you'll have no burn thru. if it is thick enough hit it with a sanderpad 36grit lightlyand go to town. if 7018 or 6010 is not your cup of coffee,( coffee boil it till the fork stands on its own. its done) then use some 6022 and keep your hood down Good luck
Reply:have you tried angle and verco decking its cheaper and their galvanized and structuraly stronger
Reply:Hey thanks for all the suggestions, guys.  I was mainly looking at materials that were readily available rather than going to Austin to pick up mild steel tubing.  The gates I need are walk thru gates not pasture or driveway size so it seemed to me that conduit might be the simplest material.  However, I am still mulling...........Steve
Reply:This is going to be interesting to watch.New welder trying to stick weld galvanized conduit.Please post up pictures of your progress.Only thing I can say is, at least he won't have his face as close to the fumes as he would if he tried to tig weld this.Just out of curiousity, what machine are you planning to do this welding with?Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I am not actually a new welder.  I've been stick welding since 1967 - learned in a copper mine putting new beds in 100 ton ore haulers, 3/8" rod on 1" thick plate @400 amps.  I worked as a aircraft depot repair engineer where I specified processes such as electron beam welding, electro-discharge machining, and inertia welding.  I've also built several trailers, two 1200 sq ft steel weld up buildings, and lots of farm equipment.  I have a Lincoln 235 amp AC-DC stick welder, three Lincoln wire welders from 95 amp to 200 amp, a 200 amp square wave TIG welder, and 40 and 50 amp plasma cutters.  I also have a 40" sheet metal brake/slip rollI/shear plus a tubng roller and flat stock roller. I''ve stayed away from galvanized for the obvious reasons but my thoughts were to use the rollers and benders to fabricate a couple of fancy gates - the galvanized electrical conduit is readily available where I live in the boonies in TX and I can handle it with my bending equipment so I was curious is it were possible to use it and also get some corrosion resistance                Steve
Reply:Steve,Then you'd be a lot better off using flux core wire and a wirefeeder than you would be trying to stick weld it.Galvanized conduit would not be my first choice for making a "fancy" gate.  If I'm going to go to the effort to fabricate something nice, I'm going to use the right materials.By the time you stick weld/wire weld it you're going to burn off the protection in the area of the weld anyway.  Of course, a guy with your extensive welding background would realize that anyway.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:RockyD over on Hobart has done quite a bit with Galvyhttp://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...nized%20stuff/Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloDING DING DING!!!!! We have a winner folks!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Grimm1Clean it up as best as you can. Keep your head out of the fumes. And accept that you're going to have to clean your tungsten alot. I HATE galvanized.
Reply:That stuff on Rocky's web page is pretty much what I am talking about.  And yeah, I am aware the zinc gets vaporized off at the weld.  As I said, the thought of doing anything with galvanized never really entered my mind until recently so I thought I'd ask the question and see what came back.  Thanks again, guys.
Reply:the probleem is you cant grind the galv off the inside of the tubing and tigging will bring it through the pipe into the weld..better use 6011..