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Old 08-16-2009, 07:57 PM
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Default Galvanized metal?

Hi All,
I'm wondering if anyone uses galvanized sheet metal to do repairs like patch pieces or for shaping parts. I live in Hawaii and its very hard to get cold rold sheets here. I'm a sheet metal worker by trade and the only cold rold sheet we stock is 16 Ga. I have access to all different ga. sheets but they are all galvanized (26 to 10Ga. even ga. numbers only). Also if anyone is using it what is the best way to remove the galvanize from the area where you are going to weld, or do you, I've been just grinding it off with angle grinder and 3" sanding discs. Any and all thoughts on the subject are greatly appreciated.

Thanks Wade
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Old 08-16-2009, 09:09 PM
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Wade, welding galvanized is very, very bad. VERY! I learned the hard way and it took a week to get over it. Others haven't been as lucky. I'd strongly advise against it.

There are ways to clean it off but I don't know what they are. I'm sure others will chime in shortly.
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Old 08-16-2009, 09:25 PM
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What Kerry said is correct. Galvanized metal and welding don't go together. If you have to us galvanized sheet you have to get all of the costing off both sides in the area that you are going to weld. If you use a grinder you will do two things, remove most of the galvanizing and smear a lot of it around. I have seen people try to grind the coating off but it doesn't all come off. When they weld it there is still a white or yellow smoke and residue left.

When I have used galvanized sheet, which is not very often, I will grind and then scrape the area that has to be welded. Most of the time it is plug welds only. The last time I used galvanized was on a floor on an IH Scout II.

If you do get exposed to the smoke from welding galvanized metal drink milk and lots of it. This is what I was told by a welding instructor many years ago.
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Old 08-16-2009, 11:16 PM
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I read somewhere that vinegar removes the galvi coating? Not sure if it works, but that's what I read.

Welding galvanized, as said, is really bad. It's not a lot of fun either.

Tim D.
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Old 08-17-2009, 01:17 AM
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Thanks Guys,
Thanks for the warnings, I am aware of the dangers of welding galvanize and always take all necessary precautions, its my job and have to do it almost daily, fabricating duct work. I was hoping that I could use the galvanized sheets as an alternative since its readily avalible to me. If theres anyone who has used it with success would like to hear about it.

Thanks again, Wade
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Old 01-20-2010, 10:04 PM
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file:///C:/Users/Richard/Desktop/WeldingGalvanized.pdf according to my information welding galvanized metal is not unsafe.....the worst case scenario is you get flu like symptoms which eventually go away....other metals are very dangerous with out the use of respirators, the symptoms ,asthma, cancer, Parkinson's disease , and death, do not go away.....I just googled it, welding galvanized metal, and read the OSHA guidelines....I'm welding galvanized metal to my '49 ford Tudor floor and I want to be healthy enough to drive it.......

Last edited by 2345.coupe; 01-20-2010 at 10:07 PM.
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Old 01-20-2010, 10:59 PM
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2345.coupe guess I missed your introduction. We like to know who is posting.
Your link doesn't work that you posted. Guess if you want to weld galvanized metal that is your decision. If does have some negative effects and if you are going to weld it the coating should be removed in the area of the weld on both sides of the sheet.
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Old 01-21-2010, 01:40 AM
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2345.coupe is right. the horrible feeling you get from welding galvanized steel is not deadly. If you have ever done it you may have noticed a white fuzzy residue coming off of the metal. That residue is zinc oxide. Inhaling that is what makes you feel like death (but only "like" death). It is the exact same stuff that is used to make sun block. It is non toxic but will make you feel sick. I think that you might have the same symptoms if you drank a bottle of sun block or tried to smoke it or something that i am sure some teenager out there somewhere has tried.

For me i don't like feeling that way so I try to avoid welding galvanized steel as much as possible. There have been some moments where I have had to while doing projects/favors for friends. I definitely would not suggest it.
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Old 01-21-2010, 07:34 AM
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having trouble getting the link transposed to this post.....I just researched it on the net,found out what OSHA said about welding metals,bought some 3M respirators that filter out welding gases and nuisances gases all because of fear.....you guys scared me. I've been welding galvanized metal off and on for years......and so far, I haven't gotten sick and don't want too. I'm not in a confined space and weld for a few minutes and then get some fresh air. I always wear safety equipment and I sure don't want to get sick or die because of ignorance....... fear is a great motivator, so thanks for the motavation......try the link now

Last edited by 2345.coupe; 01-21-2010 at 07:38 AM. Reason: link might work now
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Old 01-21-2010, 11:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2345.coupe View Post
........you guys scared me. I've been welding galvanized metal off and on for years......and so far, I haven't gotten sick and don't want too. ...
Sorry we scared you. I don't recall anyone saying that Galv welding would kill you. And some folks are more sensitive to it than others. I had a dose some years back and while it didn't kill me, I felt like I wanted to die for a while there.

That said, I weld galv bolts from time to time. Usually hold my breath and walk away.

I would not use galvanized metal for patch panels but that's a choice I make because I don't want to deal with the possible consequences. Obviously it will work.
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