Need to MIG weld galv... Help?

[DageonYar]

I need to MIG weld some galv steel nuts to some mild steel (to be used as levelers on table legs), and I'm all paranoid from reading all the horror stories about welding galv. How should I do this while keeping safe?

[MoonRise]

Do a 'Clinton'.

No, no, not -that- Clinton with the intern under/on the desk and the cigar.

The Clinton move of "Do Not Inhale".

More seriously, there are two aspects involved here. One is the effect of the zinc on the weld and the other is the effect of the zinc on you.

For the first aspect (zinc in the weld), you can use a process that 'tolerates' crud better. Those processes usually involved flux, so SMAW or FCAW usually can tolerate crud better than say GMAW or GTAW (which really doesn't tolerate much crud at all!). Or you can remove the small amount of zinc coating via mechanical or chemical means. A quick hit with a grinder or abrasive of some sort usually very quickly removes the thin zinc coating. Or a dunk in some strong acid like muriatic (aka 'pool') acid.

WARNING : Strong acids and their fumes can be dangerous and damaging to personnel and equipment !! Safety first!

For the aspect of the zinc and you, that is where the Clinton maneuver (no, not -that- one with the cigar, I already told you about that! ) of Do-Not-Inhale comes into play.

But you really shouldn't be inhaling welding fumes to begin with. Small draft or a fume extractor set-up is usually plenty and keep your head out of the welding fumes.

That, and you can also wear an air filter. Not a 'dust' mask, but a "real" air filter. I think 3M has some filters rated for metal fumes/particles.

If this is for a business, PPE or fume control is almost always a requirement. For 'personal' use, PPE and/or fume control and being careful is also a GoodThing.

[DesertRider33]

Take the project outdoors. Wear a respirator mask (3M makes one that most welding shops sell for not much money and uses pink filters). Stay on the up-wind side of the weld and keep your head out of the smoke. You will be fine.

[DageonYar]

Wow, great tips, thank you!! <goes rooting around for a cigar>.. no, wait, that's not right... I'll switch over my setup to FCAW and roll the project outside. Would a mask like this one http://www.princessauto.com/safety/b...r?keyword=mask work for this purpose?

[bert the welder]

It's getting the right filters that is crucial. ( and a good fitting mask!!!). I haven't got mine on hand, but go to your LWS or safety supply house and they will know which filters are correct. Or, go to 3M's website and they will list them there. North is also a good company. I prefer what is called a "welders backpack". It's a mask with tubes coming out of the mask. The tubes go over your shoulders and down your back. The filters are at the ends of the tubes. Keeps the filters out of the fume cloud and they get less dirty and last longer.

[bert the welder]

scroll down for the back pack

http://www.westernsafety.com/north20...hres09pg5.html

[turk]

good advice

[DSW]

The other option would be to get non galvy nuts. While they are not available at home stores, with a bit of searching they are easy to locate. Fastenal, Graingers, MSC and other specialty suppliers carry them. Often the nuts used to hold down parts for mills and so on are non galvy, so look and see if you've got a machine tool supplier in your area as an option. Another option is Stainless. These can be found in many box stores in various sizes.

[old mate]

put your nuts in a vise and grind the galv off them, every second flat, and weld the three shiny flats,to minimise shrinkage, run a tap through them when they have cooled down and put some anti-sieze goo in them before you screw the threads in.

[bert the welder]

Originally Posted by old mate

put your nuts in a vise and grind......

...careful now.......

[76GMC1500]

Just do it, everything will be fine. If it's not fine, so what, you burned up a $.10 nut.

[DageonYar]

Originally Posted by old mate

put your nuts in a vise and grind...

Originally Posted by bert the welder

...careful now.......

LMAO... well... There's some advice I didn't see coming lol

[Jack Olsen]

Get the 3m masks -- they're $15 and they'll fit under your welding helmet. Get the welding fume specific filters. They're also cheap and they last a long time.

Wear them whenever you weld and the air circulation isn't great.

[Sandy]

Of course I'll get branded as being unsafe here but if you're buying your so-called galvanized nuts and bolts from the "zinc coated" section at the typical hardware store there's not enough zinc on a box of a hundred nuts to make the mouse in the corner sick if he inhaled every puff of smoke off the entire box. Those are plated and they measure that in the 10/thousanths of an inch. Like about .0005 or less. They've got that coating down to a science. If they could accurately get less on there they would.

The term galvanized gets used for anything they've waved the word zinc over anymore.

[TEK]

I agree with Sandy...You could weld 500 of them galvy nuts on and it wont hurt you one bit...

Hold your breath for a second, weld,turn your head away from the smoke, breathe, repeat...so simple even a weldor can do it...

When you weld galvy plated objects, you can tell the difference in the color of the smoke...it is a more blueish color and has white tendrils of coalesced smoke in it....dont breathe that

[bert the welder]

Originally Posted by TEK

When you weld galvy plated objects, you can tell the difference in the color of the smoke...it is a more blueish color and has white tendrils of coalesced smoke in it....dont breathe that

Funny, that's what you get when you weld on the nuts from the "Zinc Coated" section at H.D.
Hmmmm......
Just sayin'

[millrat]

Just because the respirator is on your face - doesn't mean it "fits". Clean shaven and check it for leaks!

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by millrat

Just because the respirator is on your face - doesn't mean it "fits". Clean shaven and check it for leaks!

My respirator and my girl have something in common....... Wow, this thread went into the gutter!!

I agree with the above sentiments, there is not much to sweat with a zinc nut. Just lightly grind, and go for it, or just burn right through it. For HD galv, grind it off, and go to town.

[Tony Mo]

put your nuts in a vise and grind

Isn't this what you would call a HILLARY Clinton?