Welding Galvanized Steel

[Jagmandave]

I know all the usual warnings about this material when stick, Mig, Tig or even brazing with flame.......but how about when spot welding?

I'm wondering if the small concentrated heat spot and short duration is enough to not set off the fumes?

Sure would save a lot of work not having to scrape/sand/polish all that off first.

 

[Gutman]

Just ensure you've got some ventilation, don't have your head in the plume, and send it.


The heat will cause fumes, regardless, the grinding just helps toward a better quality weld.

 

[welder4956]

I know all the usual warnings about this material when stick, Mig, Tig or even brazing with flame.......but how about when spot welding?

I'm wondering if the small concentrated heat spot and short duration is enough to not set off the fumes?

Sure would save a lot of work not having to scrape/sand/polish all that off first.

^What he said. Not sure what you mean by "spot welding". To me it means resistance welding, such as used on OEM body panels, but there are other spot welding methods. If you mean resistance spot welding, the fumes should not be an issue as long as your head is not directly over the weld or air current are not blowing the fumes toward your face while the weld is occurring. The biggest issue will be poor weld fusion or weld porosity due to the coating, so some test pieces would be recommended.

If you are talking about tack welds or plug welds, you should be fine as long as you use a fan to blow the fumes away from you and don't do it in a enclosed space. Also, hot dip galvanizing (e.g. sheetmetal, structural steel or grating) is usually thicker than zinc electroplating (e.g. fasteners). Welding over zinc plating is not as significant safety concern as welding over thicker hot dip coatings. Exposure time to the fumes is also a factor, so 1 or 2 spot welds a day is not as much concern as several hours of welding per day. More info:

https://aws-p-001-delivery.sitecore...blic/content/93c3864f5ac34404be94cdf6086938d5

 

[The Cobbler]

I would say you're at low risk if you have some ventilation .
if you're doing a lot, can you do it outside?

 

[tarmy]

You are the best gauge or your tolerance for risk. You know what the issue is…so YOU, not us, decide risk. Get a big *** fan and lots of ventilation.

I used to get headaches when I welded so I got something that solved that problem.

 

[Jagmandave]

Yeah.....I figured as much too....err on the side of safety. I was talking about a small patch panel, but I think you guys are right. Clean it up and do it right is always the better choice.

 

[kerrynzl]

I know all the usual warnings about this material when stick, Mig, Tig or even brazing with flame.......but how about when spot welding?

I'm wondering if the small concentrated heat spot and short duration is enough to not set off the fumes?

Sure would save a lot of work not having to scrape/sand/polish all that off first.

Don't give a s**t abut zinc oxide fumes [metal fume fever] It won't kill you.

Initially you can get "Flu" like symptoms until you build up a tolerance to it.
Zinc oxide is a compound used to make products like "sun block" which we paint directly on our skin
Zinc oxide is NOT CARCINOGENIC

Attached is the OSHA Zinc Oxide .pdf [there is no known effects to long term exposure]

 

[Spareparts]

when your done drink some milk

 

[Monza Harry]

Well I just had a kidney removed from cancer [like 4 weeks ago] and sm being watched for the unidentified spots on my lungs, probably from playing fast and loose with safety, I am losing my hearing and I wear my hearing protectors lots but not enough appearantly. So take this with this history in mind, DO NOT F♤♡◇AROUND with safety. A home built fresh air source for your welding helmet would likely help or Brazing goggles under a full face respirator if using the resistance/tong type spot-welder would be even better health wise. Harry

 

[danielbuck]

if it's just a hand full of spot welds here and there, I wouldn't be worried especially if you have a fan to move some air around. If you're spot welding for hours... I'd definitely do something more than just a fan.

 

[Jagmandave]

Thanks for all the replies guys.....I'll probably just go ahead and grind it off

 

[rdoty]

Well I just had a kidney removed from cancer [like 4 weeks ago] and sm being watched for the unidentified spots on my lungs, probably from playing fast and loose with safety, I am losing my hearing and I wear my hearing protectors lots but not enough appearantly. So take this with this history in mind, DO NOT F♤♡◇AROUND with safety. A home built fresh air source for your welding helmet would likely help or Brazing goggles under a full face respirator if using the resistance/tong type spot-welder would be even better health wise. Harry

Harry - you have to do a better job of taking care of yourself! We like having you around here!

 

[Monza Harry]

Oh now that's a small club! Sometimes I can't stand myself! LOL! TY @rdoty I do appreciate the sentiment. At 62 and 40+ years in a couple of industries the seeds of damage are set, all I (we) can do now is set up some defenses to slow the invading problems we know about and try to stop/retard any new problems. Harry