Library shelving composition?

[secretsmoker]

Bored at work, dreaming up plans for a welding trolley as I picked up a fresh bottle of argolite earlier on for bank holiday fun.

Basically I managed to acquired a good quantity of shelving oddments that were being thrown out of a library a while back. I was hoping to just chop and reassemble.

One potential snag though was that I think I remember somebody on here mentioning that this type of painted shelving could be composed of all sorts of random ingredients.

My main question therefore is- magnet stick mean weldy weldy?

Might just give it a try and see what happens but just thought i'd flag it up here in case I am wasting gas and time! I only have normal migwire at home but I am guessing there is perhaps different stuff I could be using on weird and wonderful alloy?

 

[octo0072000]

if a magnet will stick try it clean the paint off
if it looks like it's galvanised you need to clean that off as well galv flu it not nice bit about it

OVERVIEW
Metal Fume Fever is the name for an illness
that is caused primarily by exposure to zinc
oxide fume (ZnO) in the workplace. The main
cause of this exposure is usually breathing
the fumes from welding, cutting, or brazing
on galvanized metal. Metal Fume Fever is an
acute allergic condition experienced by
many welders during their occupational
lifetimes. Studies indicate that the most
common cause of metal fume fever is
overexposure to zinc fumes from welding,
burning, or brazing galvanized steel. Since
galvanized steel is more and more common
in industry, the chances of welders having to
work on it are occurring more frequently all
the time. Other elements, such as copper
and magnesium, may cause similar effects.
EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE
Zinc oxide fumes cause a flu–like illness
called Metal Fume Fever. Symptoms of
Metal Fume Fever include headache, fever,
chills, muscle aches, thirst, nausea, vomiting,
chest soreness, fatigue, gastrointestinal
pain, weakness, and tiredness. The symptoms
usually start several hours after
exposure; the attack may last 6 to 24 hours.
Complete recovery generally occurs without
intervention within 24 to 48 hours. Metal
Fume Fever is more likely to occur after a
period away from the job (after weekends or
vacations). High levels of exposure may
cause a metallic or sweet taste in the mouth,
dry and irritated throat, thirst, and coughing
at the time of the exposure. Several hours
after exposure, a low–grade fever (seldom
higher than 102
F or 39
C). Then comes
sweating and chills before temperature
returns to normal in 1 to 4 hours. If you
encounter these symptoms, contact a
physician and have a medical examination /
evaluation. There is no information in the
literature regarding the effects of long–term
exposure to zinc oxide fumes.

 

[secretsmoker]

Tip of the hat to you sir, thanks for the precautions. I will try to stay safe, welding trolley is not much use if i'm layed up!

No idea yet whether it's galv or what, but i'm in no rush. Usually when I rush bad things start to happen.