I'll be welding 5' pipe extensions onto 2" galvanized schedule 40 pipe. I'm a bit concerned about metal fume fever. I'll be welding outside and plan to have a helper with a box fan blowing fumes away. Do you think that will be sufficient? I have 32 joints to weld. I have a 3m full face respirator but it doesn't fit well under my hood. I have another respirator that needs new filters and it looks to have an attachment for a flip down shield but I don't have one. That doesn't fit as well either. Is it worth spending money to set that up, or should I be fine with the fan and holding my breath? I'm flap disk sanding all the seams to remove as much as possible from the outside of the pipe, but the inside can't be removed. I'm using the $90hf mig with my Miller 180 as a backup. I tested one and beat the hell out of it with a sledge and it holds just fine. Thoughts?
Tips on welding galvanized pipe
- Thread starter jgorm
- Start date
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
I've read some guys having very bad reactions just welding ONCE on galv...
Ask yourself is it worth trying to save a few bucks vs having to go to the emergency room or worse?
Ask yourself is it worth trying to save a few bucks vs having to go to the emergency room or worse?
lakeroadster
Well-known member
That's a considerable amount of welding.... either wear a respirator with appropriate filters... or don't weld it.
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Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
It can't hurt to have both a fan and proper respirator, the more protection the better. Also drink lots of milk, the calcium helps remove zinc build-up in your body.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
If you decide to go with just the fan try to have it blow from the side and not your back. When the wind is to your back the air swirls around your body and pulls the fumes up. Also, don't bother drinking milk unless you like it. Won't help with the fever.
How bad can it be?
Really what is the worst that can happen.
I am sure you find a bunch that will agree it is no big deal.
Plus here at the GJ we horde tools and avoid doing the job right if we can save money.....
Screw safety it is just over rated
Really what is the worst that can happen.
I am sure you find a bunch that will agree it is no big deal.
Plus here at the GJ we horde tools and avoid doing the job right if we can save money.....
Screw safety it is just over rated
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Sure it can. Use a die grinder and a small flap disc or rotary file. And wear a respirator when doing so.
If the OP is using Mig, with a shielding gas, a fan isn't an option.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
IMO although the symptoms can ****, the dust of grinding may well be more harmful that the smoke from the welding. I went outside to weld up some galv 12" I beam for my overhead crane, and the only problem I had was I lit my clothing on fire.
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shedfullatools
Well-known member
I always just grind it back a bit, I've had the fever pretty bad a couple times and mild a couple others. It is just like a bad flu and doesn't usually last more than a couple days. When its bad its bad though and I try to avoid it now, I usually put a fan behind me with the door open and save all the welding for the end of the day or right before a break. Then clear out when I'm done, go drink a glass or two of milk and let the fumes clear out. Symptoms for me were usually a pounding headache extremely stiff muscles and not being able to think clearly as well as messed up sinuses and once feeling pretty sick to the stomach but not actually getting sick. I've done quite a bit lately being more careful and haven't gotten sick since the last time.
A friend polished his intake runners by threading a piece of emery cloth through a slotted shaft that he spun with his drill. I bet that would work perfectly here. Cheap, easy, and fast.
I assumed he was not, since the fan was his idea.
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ScottsGT
Well-known member
We use to have a hard time in the body shop welding when we had fans blowing to keep us cooled off a little in 104 degree heat.
Grind off as much as you can and get a respirator.
Grind off as much as you can and get a respirator.
Used to take hog equipment to a electroplate operation and they had a welding line for the equipment they were making. The welders would start drinking milk before welding then have a carton handy for a slug every so often. Plant supplied the milk.
Hot dip plating is much heavier than electroplate so more exposure but milk is the antidote.
Worst galvanized I ever did some welding on was large diameter pipe used on a poop pumper in a pure bred hog operation. Zinc fumes and cooking pig **** plus the fresh stuff. I made the mistake of leaving my helmet there over a weekend. Threw it out after the job was done.
Personally I would be drinking milk and have a fume mask on if I had to do the job. Those days of having to do the job for me are long gone so I'd be passing on it.
Hot dip plating is much heavier than electroplate so more exposure but milk is the antidote.
Worst galvanized I ever did some welding on was large diameter pipe used on a poop pumper in a pure bred hog operation. Zinc fumes and cooking pig **** plus the fresh stuff. I made the mistake of leaving my helmet there over a weekend. Threw it out after the job was done.
Personally I would be drinking milk and have a fume mask on if I had to do the job. Those days of having to do the job for me are long gone so I'd be passing on it.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
If you are welding on pipe , the smoke is trapped inside. If using solid wire, aim the fans out a door or window. Partially blowing your shield isn't a big deal on nasty galvanized steel.
3rdgendslmech
Well-known member
Use a respiratory filter mask, and what I prefer to use other than a fan is a shop vac to pull the fumes away from you.
apollo11
Banned
Is this welding going to be done indoors?
If so, the more ventilation the better.
I've used a box fan where I've been welding and another pedestal fan blowing out the door
Never had an issue.
If so, the more ventilation the better.
I've used a box fan where I've been welding and another pedestal fan blowing out the door
Never had an issue.
'galv flu' or metal fume fever
Do not wear a simple mouth cover you need a good, well fitting half face mask with good quality filters.
Do not wear a simple mouth cover you need a good, well fitting half face mask with good quality filters.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Use a flap disc and grind away as much as the galvanized plating as possible. I'd say probably within an inch or so of the joint should be okay. The heat from welding is going to destroy the plating anyways, so you might as well get rid of it before hand. It will also greatly improve the welding quality/performance.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
X2. Metal Fume Fever is not to be toyed with.
Here's some relatively inexpensive filters (probably under $8.00) that are rated for the job:
Manufacturer......................................Product Description
3M (800-328-1667)...........................9920 Half-Mask, Disposable
3M..................................................9925 Half-Mask, Disposable
3M..................................................9970 Half-Mask, Disposable
Moldex............................................3400 Half-Mask, Disposable
Tommy
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sierradmax
Well-known member
drink milk before, during, and after. It coats the stomach to prevent galvanized poisoning.
Angelfire
Well-known member
Good reason to add to your tool collection!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAFD826/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Cheers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAFD826/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Cheers
Fixed
Well-known member
That is absolutely, categorically incorrect. Myth that milk does anything to prevent fume poisoning:
http://www.unityoccupationalhealth.com/blogs/10
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