First mig welds

[Czerbel]

Hey all I've got done pics of my first welds on galvanized steel and I'm finding its a little more difficult for my welder wen it's galvanized. It's gasless mig welds criticism accepted I'm still working on the stacking

 

[shed or dead]

Hi, don't practice on Galvanised steel, you should only weld Galvanised stuff when it needs to be done, and it firstly involves grinding back the Zinc from around the intended weld area. The fumes given off are nasty stuff - do not breathe them in.

You'll have much better results with some clean mild steel for practise.

Happy welding!

 

[Bede]

As above. If you're learning to weld, forget using galv. Get hold of some bare steel and ensure its clean and grind off themillscale to give you the best chance of penetration.

 

[Ed.]

The same as the first three posters, the zinc will contaminate the arc instantly and it becomes a poisonous white gas when vaporized, people have died from it.

Grind off the area that you want to weld plus a little bit more, also be aware that the grinding discs and also flap discs will load up with the zinc and you will sometime smear the zinc over the ground metal. It has to be clean, after the weld is cold, just coat it with an epoxy based Cold Galv paint. Be also aware that if the material is galvanized both sides (which it usually is) that even when you grind off where you want to weld, the heat affected area (HAZ) will produce the vaporized fumes from the other side.

You should wear an appropriate filtered gas face mask if welding Galv. metal with good ventilation around you.

Cheers

Ed.

 

[coxm]

I never get to work with long galv welds, just little tacks, but iv noticed turning my volts up a few helps the flatness of the weld, as well as geting more droplets to enter the puddle insted of becomeing spatter. Out of position galv welding would seem to be hard enough as it is, try flat and horiz. First. And try to get at least. Some co2 for shileding gas. Great job, and keep welding!