Welding galv ??

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My metal merchant sells all sort of steel, but the one that they sell the most is Galvanised (I think, all shiny like), the other steel they sell I think is called 'Blue' steel (a blue/black color that rusts very quickly in the weather)My question is: Is this galv steel meant easier or harder to weld than the blue steel ?I find when I am welding the galv it leaves a sort of yellow residue and a bit of powdery stuff behind, but the weld itself seems ok.When I weld the blue steel, I get none of this, just a nice clean weld.Would I be better of with the blue steel for most of my furniture projects, like coffee tables, wine racks, chairs ETC.... ? or stick with the galv ?
Reply:Galvanized steel is not meant to be easier or harder to weld. It is meant to protect steel from oxidization.It is written that the galvanizing will burn off when welding due to the fact it melts at a lower tempurature than steel.However I have found that if I am mig welding gal. the welds are horrible. When stick welding with say 6010 rods,  the welds are pretty good.When possible I grind off the coating at the joint first. Of course then your welded joint is not galvanized and you have to spray it with cold gal. compound.It is also possible to work in uncoated steel and then get it galvanized.or even powdercoated. If you are making indoor furniture I dont see the need for galvanizing.Also the fumes given off from gal. is toxic.steveBTS Welding
Reply:Originally Posted by steve butera..........Also the fumes given off from gal. is toxic.steve
Reply:Yes, welding Galv. for extended periods of time you should take certain percautionsAmerican by birth Southern by the Grace of God
Reply:Galv. will give you zinc poisoning.  If you're painting it anyway you should go with the mild steel.  It's a whole lot cleaner and paint doesn't stick the the galvanized coating very well.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Thanks, for that. I learn't something today that I didn't know. From now on, unless I have to, I will be using mild steel.
Reply:keep milk on hand it is supposed to help if you get sick. just grind it back far enough you should be ok but you can do a search on galvanize or heavy metal posioning. definately bad stuff if precautions are not taken.Last edited by Hideandseek; 03-20-2009 at 07:51 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hideandseekkeep milk on hand it is supposed to help if you get sick. just grind it back far enough you should be ok but you can do a search on galvanize or heavy metal posioning. definately bad stuff if precautions are not taken.
Reply:http://files.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.PDFEd 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:Welding of steel that is galv'd is very toxic! The best option is to remove it prior to welding. It will come off with a little muratic acid. Broccoli1 give a good link."Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:It is Not ToxicIf you weld on it, it does not automatically give you Metal Fume Fever eitherLast edited by Broccoli1; 03-20-2009 at 05:42 PM.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:Broc,I will agree that you will not automatically get metal fume fever from welding on something that has a galv coating. But do you seriously believe that it is not toxic? If so please explain yourself. Thanks"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:Simply put:Toxic=DeathIt won't kill you- Non ToxicIn the Link I provided it defines MFF as an Acute Allergic condition no where does it state that it is ToxicEd 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:Ya beat me to it.   I have been making biodiesel for years, and it's a no-no to use galvanized fittings in the processor piping.   Black pipe is what is prefered, but hard to get here, so the common way is to use muriatic acid to get rid of the galvanized coating.  I use it at about a 50/50 mix, with water.   Pure and it is much too violent. Originally Posted by qaqcWelding of steel that is galv'd is very toxic! The best option is to remove it prior to welding. It will come off with a little muratic acid. Broccoli1 give a good link.
Reply:Remove the coating if you are going to Mig it- heck you'll see why when ya strike an Arc anyway.Fixin fences- Stick or Fluxcore it- yer outside so you'll be naturally ventilatedMakin Furniture- not unless I wanted a very industrial look to the piecesKeep yer head outta the FumesWear a mask when Grindin'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:The company I work at welds mostly galvanized pipe and tube for playground equiptment. I had a mild case of nausia for a couple of days when I first started but I don't notice it anymore. they have people come in and test the air a couple of times a year, usually during our busy season and in winter when the doors are mostly kept closed. Not sure if the milk remedy actually works, seems like I read that it didn't. Like Broccli's link said, keep your head out of the smoke and fumes, which should be the same for black steel, stainless, aluminum etc,  and be well ventilated. Btw, I've been welding a long time and welding galvanized and making it look good was and still is a whole new game.
Reply:Nice link broccoli1, I was always told that the effects were cumulative (ie, long term), good to know i shouldnt die because ive welded quite a bit of galv.But as a previous poster said a muriatic acid solution will eat the galvinize of the metal in no time, tho it will burn your nose hairs. Other than that i find that 6011 rod will generally weld right thru the galvinize the best.
Reply:Muriatic acid is mo' dagerous than the Galvy FumesEd 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 Broccoli1Muriatic acid is mo' dagerous than the Galvy Fumes
Reply:Originally Posted by cogaxNice link broccoli1, I was always told that the effects were cumulative (ie, long term), good to know i shouldnt die because ive welded quite a bit of galv.
Reply:when you use the acid to remove the galv do you do the inside of the pipe which is coated? if yer seein yellow smoke or white cotton-y   deposits you havent removed enough..
Reply:I assume you're talking to me?   If so, yes, the whole piece is submerged in the acid/water mix and left overnight (in a well ventilated area) until I stop seeing bubbles.   I then rinse the parts off, visually inspect, and put it back in if needed.  Originally Posted by weldbeadwhen you use the acid to remove the galv do you do the inside of the pipe which is coated? if yer seein yellow smoke or white cotton-y   deposits you havent removed enough..
Reply:A more informative link-http://www.sperkoengineering.com/htm...Galvanized.pdfEd 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:Broccoli1,It appears that toxic does not = death. Here is the definition that I came up with.Main Entry: 1tox·ic  Pronunciation: \ˈtäk-sik\ Function: adjective Etymology: Late Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon arrow poison, from neuter of toxikos of a bow, from toxon bow, arrow Date: 1664 1 : containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation    2 : exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis  3 : extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful  — tox·ic·i·ty  \täk-ˈsi-sə-tē\ noun http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxic"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:The 2nd link I posted states that it is Non-ToxicI also said "Simply put.."since the 1. definition mentions death.......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 fridgeBroccoli1,Gotcha, pick the definition you like and ignore the rest?"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:Welding galvinized steel is toxic. TOXIC means sick and eventually could cause your death. Saying welding galvinized metal is NOT toxic is ridiculous.It will make you sick and eventually it could cause your death. You may be 50 years old and die and your friends who did not ingest the fumes will still be living.I know you young guys think 50 is so old you should die anyway but just tell me that when you get 50.Drinking milk IS helpful because it causes the heavy metals to be eliminated from your system,If you are welding galvinized metal use 6011. You won't have to grind and the grinding dust is very harmful in and of itself.When you are using 6011 the proper procedure is to weld forward 1/2 inch then back step 3/8 - repeat. The weld bead would look like fish scales or a row of dimes look.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:So the AWS is wrong I gather.Ok.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:Broccoli1,Of all things to dispute this one is just silly. Below is a list of symptoms for metal fume fever. Being that one of them is shock, I think that this would cover your "It's only toxic if it's deadly" argument. On a side note I found it odd that "no urine output" is also a symptom.SymptomsThe symptoms are nonspecific but are generally flu-like including fever, chills, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pains. A sweet or metallic taste in the mouth which distorts the taste of food and cigarettes is also normally reported along with a dry or irritated throat which may lead to hoarseness. Symptoms may also include a burning sensation in the body, shock, no urine output, collapse, convulsions, shortness of breath, yellow eyes or yellow skin, rash, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea or low blood pressure, which require prompt medical attention [3]. Milder flu-like symptoms will normally disappear within 24 to 48 hours, and someone suffering from metal fume fever will usually feel well enough to return to work the next day, despite the fact that they may still be feeling a little bit under the weather. It often takes 4 days to fully recover."Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:You are correct it is silly.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:I read a safety report last year about a Blacksmith who was heating Galv pipe all day in his forge and according to the report he got metal fume fever and subsequently died. I can't remember more than that but I am asthmatic and welding galv. sets me off on an asthma attack every time so I guess under certain circumstances a really bad asthmatic could have an attack caused by galv. and die. Having said that chocolate gives me an attack, but I still eat chocolate, and cough, eat and cough, eat and cough, I'm a slow learner.
Reply:Here is a link to that story. He had pre-existing conditions so the "metal fume fever" was not the sole cause of death, but it was a major contributing factor.http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/safety3/index.htmToxic vs. non-toxic? Well I am not even going to touch that one as I see it turning south really quick here in this environment. I will just say that it is my suggestion that you protect yourself. Now these next statements obviously do not apply when FFS (fixing farmers sh**) welding, but when doing code work, the coating must be removed from the weld area. Also OSHA requires that ALL coatings be removed 4" in all directions from the weld area.
Reply:is that why farts have lumps in em?
Reply:but when doing code work, the coating must be removed from the weld area. Also OSHA requires that ALL coatings be removed 4" in all directions from the weld area.[/QUOTE]I would like to see this OSHA rule. We do some handrails at work that have 132 welds, all galvanized. Had OSHA come through last year and there was nothing was brought up about the welding process.
Reply:if you are just going to grind it use a wheel designed for non-ferrous material. a standard wheel will build up with the galv. just as if you are grinding alum. with one. ive built handrails and stairs for various industrial types of facilites and it took me a while to figure that out but it makes things a little quicker.
Reply:http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...RDS&p_id=10700This refers to enclosed spaces, not to be confused with confined spaces. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...ARDS&p_id=9853This one addresses enclosed space in section c 2 i believe.
Reply:afab,here is a start for youhttp://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...RDS&p_id=10231Also, OSHA has similar requirements in regard to welding of stainless."Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:additionallyhttp://www.galvanizeit.org/images/up.../T_WHDG_02.pdf"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:Thanks laredo, a lot of our welders try to keep up on this, so I'll pass it on.
Reply:Anytime, glad I could help.