[Shop-talk] Welding Questions

[Mark Andy]

Howdy,

On Thu, 8 May 2008, Marc wrote:
> My buddy works for an HVAC mechanical contractor, and brought me a nice
> assortment of scrap pieces in various gauges. Only problem is I think
> all that metal is galvanized.
>
> All the info I have read indicates welding on galvanized metal = NOT
> GOOD (metal fume fever).  So, what's the story on this? Or, where can
> you get small pieces (12" x 12") of sheet metal that is suitable to work
> with?

I did the metal fume fever thing once (didn't know it was called that...)

Trust me when I say that you do not want to go through that.

If you end up deciding to use the galvanized stuff, I'd sand/wire brush 
the heck out of it or (better) sand blast it.  Either way, make sure you 
have some ventilation when you weld it, and make sure your head isn't 
directly over where you're welding.

All that said, I think Lowe's & HD carry sheet metal in various guages. 
There's also www.metalexpress.net, and probably a ton of other options.

Mark