Welding Galvanized

[rboyer224]

Hello. I am very new to welding. As a matter of fact, I bought a MM210 and haven't even picked it up yet. I'm wondering if there is any special way to weld galvanized or if it's just like mild steel? I want to build a welding bench and Northern Tool has these legs you can buy for $20. Just add a top (which I have), but the legs are galvanized. Thanks.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...=40263&R=40263

[Mike W]

Grind off the galvanize where you will be welding. You need to avoid breathing the fumes.

Edit to say I might just bolt the top on.

[rboyer224]

Thanks Mike. Do I use the normal steel wire then after grinding off the galvanized? Thanks.

[Roger]

Thanks Mike. Do I use the normal steel wire then after grinding off the galvanized? Thanks.

Yes

Show us a link for the legs.

I would make frame, legs and shelf support using angle iron or square tube.

Search site for welding table will show many examples.

[Sandy]

I would be wary without actually seeing those legs or at least knowing more about them. They say heavy gauge, but that's all relative and doesn't mean much. If they are 18 or 20 gauge, by the time you grind off the teeny but of galvy that's on them there won't be anything left to weld to.

Think about building your own under structure like Roger said. Few bucks more but worth it.

[Sandy]

I just went back and looked at that leg kit. Legs, cross bracing, nuts bolts and all are 15 pounds shipping weight. There's nothing to it. About the same material weight as a metal filing cabinet.

[rboyer224]

It's just two legs though. Do you think they're too light? I do work at a refinery and can get my hands on lots of scrap metal. Thanks.

[rboyer224]

Yes

Show us a link for the legs.

I would make frame, legs and shelf support using angle iron or square tube.

Search site for welding table will show many examples.

Here's the link:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...=40263&R=40263

[Mike W]

I have made a few tables out of 2" angle iron. I make the top frame and weld the legs to it. I set the top plate on and just tack it in place. I like to put wheels on everything, so much easier to move.

[Sandy]

It's just two legs though. Do you think they're too light? I do work at a refinery and can get my hands on lots of scrap metal. Thanks.

Really hard to tell. Just guessing by the weight, lengths involved and the fact they have some x-bracing I'd have to guess that they'll maybe be between 14 and 18 sheet gauge. If your top is pretty light and you're gonna add a ply wood bottom shelf and back they'll probably be okay. Don't know what your uses will be or how rough you are on tables.

Just as an example a similar configuration in 2 inch angle 1/8th thick would be 30 pounds without the little X diagonals. And I'm still gonna guess that you're not going to weld on them with a lot of success if you haven't got your welder out of the box yet.

Put it this way, if you were my neighbor, I'd tell you to put those legs in overhead storage and build yourself a real table. If you already had them or they were a freebie, that's a different story.

There have been some nice welding tables built out of old desks tho, so it's sort of your call.

[49degreesnorth]

There have been some nice welding tables built out of old desks tho, so it's sort of your call.

HEY! I was thinking just the other day how you can get those heavy, old metal desks with all the bearing drawers for like $20. Seems like all you'd need to do is put on some wheels and screw-down feet, pop a top on it and you'd be ready to go.

Do you have some examples of this? I think it's a promising idea.

Chris

[Sandy]

HEY! I was thinking just the other day how you can get those heavy, old metal desks with all the bearing drawers for like $20. Seems like all you'd need to do is put on some wheels and screw-down feet, pop a top on it and you'd be ready to go.

Do you have some examples of this? I think it's a promising idea.

Chris

I'm thinking of those with the solid ends and the so called feet were big oblong mountings with adjustments in them . Big rounded edges. Heavy as the ****ens. Just take the oblong bases off and replace that with a three inch plate strip with pipe or box tubing to raise them up a little for stand up work. About six inches is all they have to be. scrape that top cover off and plate the top. Sorry no pics.

There was a thread here the other day where someone took a older more conventional desk and made a table. Looked pretty good.

They make good reloading tables too.