Zinc will not remain a vapor in the atmosphere. Zinc vaporizes at 1600* F which occurs as soon as I pull the trigger. When vaporized Zinc comes in contact with oxygen it turns into Zinc Oxide which is a fine white powder. The fine white powder is present on the perimeter of all my welds. Been welding galvanized tubing for 2 decades.
One thing you can do also is either dip the part or paint the seam with muratic acid. The acid literally eats the zinc coating off. But after you do this you need to rinse it off, weld it and then paint it. It will turn grey and you will know that's the base metal but if you don't do anything else to it, it will rust immediately. So you definitely need to paint it right after. Also don't breathe the cloud that the acid creates.
Thanks Bro. I've been welding for over 17 years, on the ship yards, Fab Shops, Mig, Stick flux core etc.., Just can't remember all the parameters for every process. To brush up before a Weld test, I 'll definitely tune in. You got a new subscriber here! Thanks again Bro, keep it going.
I welded galv pipe, or was in close proximity to welding almost daily for maybe 5 years just fine until one day I got so sick I almost called 911. 15 years later, I’ve had it maybe a dozen more times like that. My sensitivity to it has become increasingly noticeable. Can weld raw steel all day no problem. But have to limit myself to 2hr sessions or it’ll kick in. Not sure what it’s all about, I just know it’s a real thing. Now I always weld with shop doors open, and am way better at holding my breath. The milk thing doesn’t seem to have an effect.
If you have to tack a few inches of galv. sheet the fumes aren't likely to cause much annoyance, but you wouldn't catch me doing any serious repair on galvanized steel parts without either having it cleaned off from both sides of the joint or a half-mask respirator to keep the junk out of my lungs. I did fairly-regular repairs on galvanized traffic lighting, hot-dipped galv on metal ranging from 11-ga up through half-inch plus, and there's a noticeable difference on how you feel the day after if you don't wear your ppe.
Yes you’re correct with the zinc being massively beneficial for your health, in normal doses.. the zinc oxide fumes produced are far beyond the normal doses. Doesn’t mean welding galvanized materials is something someone should avoid, but it’s still heavy metal fumes and while you’re not likely to drop dead from moderate inhalation you’ll definitely get a little poisoning from it. It was my first time welding galvanized yesterday and under ventilation I didn’t notice anything besides splatter, but I’m ASSUMING to get metal inhalation sickness the welding area conditions probably have to be absolute shite. I can’t imagine being in a constant cloud of that white smoke, ugh. The potato thing is for your eyes should you get flash burn, didn’t believe it until I left a really reflective sheet of metal beneath my stick that was reflected up under my helmet. I know you’re trolling with the potatoes under the feet thing, but I can’t help being a smartass sometimes. Good video regardless
One should always wear a good welding respirator with 3m filters preferred when welding, grinding or cutting other than when your only making small tacks!
Don’t know if this is a dumb question or not but would wearing a respirator eliminate all chances of breathing in the fumes? Asking from a young non welder interested in welding
not all zinc is created equal. zinc in the diet is typically bound to proteins aka chelated. zinc fumes from welding are likely in the zinc oxide form, which I suspect is much less useful to the human body.
What temperature and wire feed do you suggest to start out,because I have a big job tomorrow, I know I have to keep my my heat low on big miller but what about wire speed
I once welded 18 gauge galvanized sheet metal to mild steel using chicago eléctric 90amps flux core welders just fine, no undercut nor blow thru wire speed 3 and máx voltage
@@davecozzi9721 really? I mean I don’t blame you. I’ve been in a welding shop the past year and a half. Never have they provided respirators, just N95s. And I’ve even had to paint on zinc galvanized spray on welds afterwards that is as worse as breathing during the welding. No respirator. No decent circulation either. Pretty much just don’t breath whenever spraying that shit on. My first two days in the shop I went home and felt like death, but the N95s helped after that.
Im just starting out in the welding field been working a production mig welding some of our stuff is galvanized and since its production mig we dont ever clean it and so far from the few weeks ive been welding it ive noticed it mostly gets pinholes whenever you go downhill vertical (im still a beginner so sometimes the angle i use to go down is somtimes off) but in flat if your steady and consistent it'll be fine
Crank your gas up just a fuzz and if your parts are laser cut even a small burr/laser slag can cause porosity. 30 seconds of prep can save 30 minutes of chasing porosity!
You bet, any mig welding machine will do everyone has their favorite brand. Wire ER70S6, I prefer .035 but my Esab is set up for .030. Usually start out at 170 Ws 17V.
@@coconutcowboy5976 ok i did a weld test yesterday and passed the cold rolled steel but then they hit me with 14g galvanized flat and downhill and i havent done galvanized since 04 and just couldn't get the machine set right, i had it set good on a couple test pieces but started the test with the steel so I turned it up and forgot my numbers for the galvanized lol
My favorite was a guy who was about to make a rack to lay meat on for his grill from galvanized material untill I asked if he was throwing a party to poison his guests? He was under the impression that it would burn away. I replied "Well then I guess your steaks will have an interesting spicy taste to them". Stupid can't be bought only born.
We humans take Zinc pills but NOT Zinc oxide pills..From most all authoritative sources on this subject, Zinc oxide smoke should be avoided when welding. Otherwise in my view, your video is very informative!
I get sick welding galvanized gates and panels, all the time. It’s like smoking a zinc joint. Imagine smoking a potato 🤣. Potato’s are healthy and all but no good for your lungs lol.
Dude lack of knowledge. Electroplating verses hot dip. Dual shield has enough flux to almost bring the electroplating of zinc which could be measured in the thousands to the surface especially on vertical and overhead, on flat, it tends to collect and contaminate filler metal but acceptable. Hot dip, way different.. Different compounds. It not harmless . there was a time when it first started taking over painted structure steel that grinding hot dip was mandatory For your health and for a certified weld. But this took longer then the weld itself. This took time but it was the norm for Quite some time. But that is all forgotten, no tags no literature on the steel, only on and with the eletrode, stick or wire that is purshased,, MSDA. Smoke follows the shield, it physics.. Take the time and grind, grind particles shouldn't be inhaled either, but much safer for you twenty years down the road...
Dude, run on sentence! Thanks for the info 👍 measured in microns. Grind it don't eat it zinc is zinc. Should always know what your sparking on. Vas is das!
We weld galvanized steel every day non prepped. It's an art to get good welds. We do waterproof welds on it too.
18 2 roughly and it all about distance and speed
i weld galvinized sheet everyday aswell and it is an art to make a good weld
@iamthefatcanadian I'm glad it's not just me then, got my first job welding galv and thought I was doing it wrong, turns out it's just a b*tch
Thank you sooo much for that info.
I'm 56 and I've never heard anyone say that it won't hurt you..😇🖒
Zinc will not remain a vapor in the atmosphere.
Zinc vaporizes at 1600* F which occurs as soon as I pull the trigger. When vaporized Zinc comes in contact with oxygen it turns into Zinc Oxide which is a fine white powder. The fine white powder is present on the perimeter of all my welds. Been welding galvanized tubing for 2 decades.
started welding at 12 and never new about the evil's of galvanized until I was like 20 so I think it helped me like a suplement.
Damn right!!!
Holly fuck at 12 ur lucky!!!
One thing you can do also is either dip the part or paint the seam with muratic acid. The acid literally eats the zinc coating off. But after you do this you need to rinse it off, weld it and then paint it. It will turn grey and you will know that's the base metal but if you don't do anything else to it, it will rust immediately. So you definitely need to paint it right after. Also don't breathe the cloud that the acid creates.
Thanks Bro. I've been welding for over 17 years, on the ship yards, Fab Shops, Mig, Stick flux core etc.., Just can't remember all the parameters for every process. To brush up before a Weld test, I 'll definitely tune in. You got a new subscriber here! Thanks again Bro, keep it going.
I welded galv pipe, or was in close proximity to welding almost daily for maybe 5 years just fine until one day I got so sick I almost called 911. 15 years later, I’ve had it maybe a dozen more times like that. My sensitivity to it has become increasingly noticeable. Can weld raw steel all day no problem. But have to limit myself to 2hr sessions or it’ll kick in. Not sure what it’s all about, I just know it’s a real thing. Now I always weld with shop doors open, and am way better at holding my breath. The milk thing doesn’t seem to have an effect.
If you have to tack a few inches of galv. sheet the fumes aren't likely to cause much annoyance, but you wouldn't catch me doing any serious repair on galvanized steel parts without either having it cleaned off from both sides of the joint or a half-mask respirator to keep the junk out of my lungs.
I did fairly-regular repairs on galvanized traffic lighting, hot-dipped galv on metal ranging from 11-ga up through half-inch plus, and there's a noticeable difference on how you feel the day after if you don't wear your ppe.
Yes you’re correct with the zinc being massively beneficial for your health, in normal doses.. the zinc oxide fumes produced are far beyond the normal doses.
Doesn’t mean welding galvanized materials is something someone should avoid, but it’s still heavy metal fumes and while you’re not likely to drop dead from moderate inhalation you’ll definitely get a little poisoning from it. It was my first time welding galvanized yesterday and under ventilation I didn’t notice anything besides splatter, but I’m ASSUMING to get metal inhalation sickness the welding area conditions probably have to be absolute shite. I can’t imagine being in a constant cloud of that white smoke, ugh.
The potato thing is for your eyes should you get flash burn, didn’t believe it until I left a really reflective sheet of metal beneath my stick that was reflected up under my helmet. I know you’re trolling with the potatoes under the feet thing, but I can’t help being a smartass sometimes.
Good video regardless
Zinc supplement goes in the stomach. Zinc burnt/oxidized enters the lungs. Big difference.
eating something and smoking it are two different things one goes in the lungs and one in the stomach you would not smoke that potato wouldya...
Exactly. Lead is perfectly fine for you, lead oxide on the other hand
I had zinc poisoning once, was laid out for a week with a bad cough, migraine etc
One should always wear a good welding respirator with 3m filters preferred when welding, grinding or cutting other than when your only making small tacks!
Getting hard to find respirators and filters these days....
@@coconutcowboy5976 lol! True along with TP! Alternatively maybe have a fan blowing near the welding hood to help keep fumes at bay! 🤔
@@outdoorzone Smog hogs are great but pricey, fan under the welding table helps. Have 6 welders they all use the fans instead of the smog hogs?!?!?
@@coconutcowboy5976 I’ll have check that out! Thx
Easily found online.
If I spend time can I wire brush the sheet and get a decent outcome
Don’t know if this is a dumb question or not but would wearing a respirator eliminate all chances of breathing in the fumes? Asking from a young non welder interested in welding
An N95 properly fit will keep your lungs clean.
Coconut Cowboy Thank you very much man I appreciate it
That green thing at 1:23 looks to me like it's been anodized, not galvanized or any kind of zinc coating.
How or can you weld galvanize plate on body of car???
not all zinc is created equal. zinc in the diet is typically bound to proteins aka chelated. zinc fumes from welding are likely in the zinc oxide form, which I suspect is much less useful to the human body.
What about a flux cored non gas mig wire fed weld. Or a stick weld. Can you recommend a preferred rod. Thank you.
I was running gasless flux, can't remove the cup on the tweco 180 without the contact tip falling off.
You telling me I haven't been galvanized poisoned? Hilarious
What temperature and wire feed do you suggest to start out,because I have a big job tomorrow, I know I have to keep my my heat low on big miller but what about wire speed
What the thickness of the material? Find some scrap and use that to set your machine. 14 gauge start about 170 wf and 17 v go from there.
can you weld with 30 gauge sheet mettle
20 gauge is the thinnest I have ever mig welded. 30 gauge would need TIG.
What heat are you working at? I’m taking a weld test for 18 ga galvanized in 2g,3g, and 4g and have no sheet metal experience and need this job
18 ga! Wow that's not fun, start 170, 18 and adjust from there. It will probably be on the hot side.
It welds smoother if you put potatoes on your feet
Better if you cut em into cubes and put the cubes between your toes. Trust me it works.
I read the galvnized material work better with flux core wire than solid wire, is that true???
I have no clue, never tried it.
Guess we'll have to give it a shot!
No. I am currently welding with dual shield flux core and it sucks ass
Timothy Johnson I’m doing fine with flux core. With flux core you should try switching polarity
Dc - flux core works.. ish
I once welded 18 gauge galvanized sheet metal to mild steel using chicago eléctric 90amps flux core welders just fine, no undercut nor blow thru wire speed 3 and máx voltage
in the mining industry in the processing plants zinc is treated with respect, zinc pills are zinc chellate not straight zinc metal
2:18 it might not be a carcinogen but it’ll still fuck with your lungs and how you’re breathing. Wear a N95 and you’ll be fine.
I wont weld galvanized without a respirator.
@@davecozzi9721 really? I mean I don’t blame you. I’ve been in a welding shop the past year and a half. Never have they provided respirators, just N95s. And I’ve even had to paint on zinc galvanized spray on welds afterwards that is as worse as breathing during the welding. No respirator. No decent circulation either. Pretty much just don’t breath whenever spraying that shit on. My first two days in the shop I went home and felt like death, but the N95s helped after that.
Am looking how to stick weld galv square tubes, but came to the wrong place.
Im just starting out in the welding field been working a production mig welding some of our stuff is galvanized and since its production mig we dont ever clean it and so far from the few weeks ive been welding it ive noticed it mostly gets pinholes whenever you go downhill vertical (im still a beginner so sometimes the angle i use to go down is somtimes off) but in flat if your steady and consistent it'll be fine
Crank your gas up just a fuzz and if your parts are laser cut even a small burr/laser slag can cause porosity. 30 seconds of prep can save 30 minutes of chasing porosity!
Any of y'all ever welded hot dipped fencing that had been powder coated?
No and it doesn't sound fun. Welded some uni-strut that was painted. Will never forget that.
What rod and what amps
Rod welding is da best
Can you tell a little about the machine to use and speed & wire size a type.
You bet, any mig welding machine will do everyone has their favorite brand. Wire ER70S6, I prefer .035 but my Esab is set up for .030. Usually start out at 170 Ws 17V.
What did you have your welder set at for Voltage and Wire speed
Usually around 170/17 to 180/18 is a good start for 14 gauge.
@@coconutcowboy5976 ok i did a weld test yesterday and passed the cold rolled steel but then they hit me with 14g galvanized flat and downhill and i havent done galvanized since 04 and just couldn't get the machine set right, i had it set good on a couple test pieces but started the test with the steel so I turned it up and forgot my numbers for the galvanized lol
What voltage and wire speed do you guys weld 14 gauge g pipe (mig by the way)
Start at 170/17 and adjust from there.
Nice info
'You kiddin me?
My favorite was a guy who was about to make a rack to lay meat on for his grill from galvanized material untill I asked if he was throwing a party to poison his guests? He was under the impression that it would burn away. I replied "Well then I guess your steaks will have an interesting spicy taste to them". Stupid can't be bought only born.
😂 I’m stealing that one!
The white stuff is Zinc oxide. It is not poisonous or cancerogen. Almost all white paints are made using Zinc oxide as pigments
Hurts when it floats in your eye.
Titanium Dioxide actually. And it's radioactive. Zinc Oxide is used as a primer.
We humans take Zinc pills but NOT Zinc oxide pills..From most all authoritative sources on this subject, Zinc oxide smoke should be avoided when welding. Otherwise in my view, your video is very informative!
I get sick welding galvanized gates and panels, all the time. It’s like smoking a zinc joint. Imagine smoking a potato 🤣. Potato’s are healthy and all but no good for your lungs lol.
Can you use your chipping hammer to hammer chips out of your potato?
Just put on a good respirator and go to town. No big deal.
Yup. Some people just absolutely refuse to wear one.
Metal fume fever is absolutely real. Inhaling that smoke wrecks me.
Thats a bummer, or maybe its a good thing! 👍 keep ya off the nasty stuff!
This is all I weld on rn, nasty shit
Mostly it will cause lung problems
Yacker.
Dude lack of knowledge. Electroplating verses hot dip. Dual shield has enough flux to almost bring the electroplating of zinc which could be measured in the thousands to the surface especially on vertical and overhead, on flat, it tends to collect and contaminate filler metal but acceptable. Hot dip, way different.. Different compounds. It not harmless . there was a time when it first started taking over painted structure steel that grinding hot dip was mandatory For your health and for a certified weld. But this took longer then the weld itself. This took time but it was the norm for Quite some time. But that is all forgotten, no tags no literature on the steel, only on and with the eletrode, stick or wire that is purshased,, MSDA. Smoke follows the shield, it physics.. Take the time and grind, grind particles shouldn't be inhaled either, but much safer for you twenty years down the road...
Dude, run on sentence! Thanks for the info 👍 measured in microns. Grind it don't eat it zinc is zinc. Should always know what your sparking on. Vas is das!
Boring chat chat
You feel better now you got that off your chest?
@@jessejames7596 He had a boring reply.
Maybe you should go watch my little ponys or something, bet that would be about your speed.