75ZT Community

Could anyone give any advice to a complete beginner on welding? Or give any advice to an alternative method.

I want to make some wire shapes/sculptures, mainly out of straight pieces of wire, galvanised probably (can you weld that?) with a few pre-made circles out of the same material. Is it a matter of securing the pieces together and then tacking it together with the welder? Besides the usual safety measures is there anything I need to be aware of? Metals to avoid, or don't weld, easier to weld?

I'm only thinking of welding as I'd like to them powder coated after to finish them.

Many Thanks

I'm no expert. Not even close.
I would have thought that using a galvanised material will result in the galvanising being burnt off during the welding process. As you intend to powder coat the finished article then I would say using a galvanised material would be pointless.. Just an opinion, not from experience.

You may want to read this Link!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

As very amateur welder myself, I would recommend sticking with uncoated mild steel. Other materials, especially when mixed can prove difficult.

Mick wrote:I'm no expert. Not even close.
I would have thought that using a galvanised material will result in the galvanising being burnt off during the welding process. As you intend to powder coat the finished article then I would say using a galvanised material would be pointless.. Just an opinion, not from experience.

Cheers Mick.

Bernard wrote:As very amateur welder myself, I would recommend sticking with uncoated mild steel. Other materials, especially when mixed can prove difficult.

Cheers Bernard, mild steel is easy to get hold of so that's one part of the problem sorted

Copper coated mild steel (CCMS) is weldable. It's whats used in MIG welders and in thicker form for filler in Gas welding.