[Sanctifier]

Here's a link that's perfect for newbies who want some tuition in MIG welding but don't have access or time to attend regular vocational classes.

It sounds unbelievable but this Tutorial can show you how to MIG weld in a very short time.

Link--> MIG Welding - The DIY Guide.

Links to Table of Contents: (Each Chapter contains detailed sub-sections.)
How to MIG Weld - Tutorial

MIG Welders and Equipment

Welding other metals

Practical MIG Welding

About this website

In addition, this is a "MUST READ" link to "Welding Galvanized Metal" Safety FAQs.

CAUTION: NEVER weld galvanized steel without adequate protection OR pre-preperation!

Link--> MIG Welding - The DIY Guide... & "Welding Galvanized Metal" Safety FAQs.

Trust me, this one can SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Hope it helps.

[Slomotion34]

Excellent info, thanks for posting!

[Sanctifier]

Thanks... but please read the edited link to "Welding Galvanized Metal" Safety FAQs.

It's VERY important.

[techron]

hey sanctifier, i tought my buddy how to mig weld with a 5 minute lesson, migs are so easy. but he wanted to weld up a custom fence gate out of galvanized pipe. i refused to let him touch my mig until he ground all the galvanizing off around the welds. he said "why?" i said "cause you will kill yourself." he was pissed he had to do do all that grinding but after he went home and got on the puter he called me and said "thanks for saving my life, i guess i'm just a dumb SOB...

[Sanctifier]

Originally Posted by techron

...i tought my buddy how to mig weld with a 5 minute lesson... but he wanted to weld up a custom fence gate out of galvanized pipe. i refused to let him touch my mig until he ground all the galvanizing off around the welds...

Yup, researching info for that post taught me even more important issues.

Even grinding galvanized (or aluminium) material isn't safe! GRINDING produces some METAL FUMES and a lot of METAL DUST too. That's just as bad.

Its a p.i.t.a. and not always practical... but for a "well-planned" project (When?... ) the best way is to REMOVE the galvanized coating in advance, before any metal preperation or welding is done...

Originally Posted by Sanctifier

PATIENCE! There is a "solution" to the problem (pun intended) ...
Link--> Heating Galvanized Metal:

Originally Posted by MP

Heating Galvanized Metal:... 01/14/02.
To be safe soak the part in a muriatic acid solution overnight (to remove the zinc)...
... (Slowly add acid to water... Never add water to acid.
... Use a safety mask and long rubber gloves and mix in a well-ventilated area.)
then rinse with water.
Neutralize the acid with baking soda solution...
then treat it as (~ handle it like) any other part.

Originally Posted by Sanctifier

Buy two 3M Welding Respirators (keep a spare, there's a 'useful' life) and always use it.
Link--> 3M™ Class 95 Particulate Respirators (Store in clean Ziploc bags.)
Remember to ALWAYS weld in a well-ventilated area (maybe with a pedestal fan pointed
at your back, to blow the metal fumes away from your face.)

It looks like EVERYTHING we do in our hobby is a health risk...
grinding... welding... bodywork... painting... sandblasting... you name it!
All this info had another effect... It scared the HELL out of me!
So I tried to cover all the bases by buying an affordable Supply Air Respirator... and FIVE masks...
(for grinding... welding... bodywork... painting... sandblasting... you name it!)...


Auto-darkening Welding Respirator.

Expensive?... YUP! a bit ($385? for a basic ½-mask setup)... Worth it?... DEFINATELY!
Buying dozens of respirators over time is expensive too... and doesn't protect me as well.
My life (and lungs... and eyes... and hearing... and cancer prevention etc.) is worth a hell of a lot more than that to me.

My $0.02¢