Making a strong seam in galvanized sheet?

Naio wrote:
I think I'll go with BYU's professional method upthread.

:)

Mex, that sounds scary! But I have a morbid desire to know more details...


I wasn't planning to paint the galvanized. How long would u expect it to last if I don't?

Oh, gosh, I didn't think of this: It's for food plants. Is the metal safe?

My giant carbon solder gun...

Around 1,100 watts. Touch tip of rod against lug. Arc not desirable. I use a big transformer controlled with a 120vac industrial foot switch. Part is held in a vise. Whole bench is other polarity. Heats 4/0 lugs WAY faster than a Turner torch in full song.

Without a doubt IMHO that is by far the strongest and most secure way to do it. Hot galvanizing leaves a rough surface. If your sheet metal galvanizing is smooth as a baby's patoosh, it has been electro-galvanized. In that case if buried, I would apply two coats of Rust-O-Leum RED primer then a finish coat of whatever color you choose.

Rust-O-Leum RED makes a joke out of other metal primers as far as adhesion and durability. if you want this thing to last until 2109 AD coat the Rust-O-Leum with black pickup bed coating available at Wal-Mart.

I think I'll go with BYU's professional method upthread.

MrWizard wrote:
the carbon rod, is for creating the arc aka electric torch
But it adds No filler material like a regular welding rod

Harbor freight sells clamp on spot welders pretty cheap
Used for home body work

But I think I would stick with drilling holes
A 3/16 hole and some number 10 machine screws aka bolts will be strong enough

yeh.. small screws or perhaps soft solder the thing..?

the carbon rod, is for creating the arc aka electric torch
But it adds No filler material like a regular welding rod

Harbor freight sells clamp on spot welders pretty cheap
Used for home body work

But I think I would stick with drilling holes
A 3/16 hole and some number 10 machine screws aka bolts will be strong enough

Mex: I solder my battery cables with a propane camp stove. Maybe I should move to mexico and learn to weld. What is the carbon rod for?

Mexican spot welding:

12 volt battery.

8 gauge jumper cables

1/4" carbon rod (not the easiest thing to find)

Dark glasses

Also works great for soldering battery cables

I do sheet metal fabrication, and spot weld a lot of it.

Dusty