Economy Zoomies

[soltz]

For those looking for an inexpensive way to build zoomies here's something to think about.
1. 1.60 galvinized fence post, 3 each
2. 1 1/2" 90 degree conduit, galvinized, 4 each
3. Old flange from any header for your engine
Totlal cost around $50
Thick wall tubing and strong
If you don't like looking at the welds you could wrap them?

So, what you think?

 

[jammersspeed]

looks good! fills up that space nice!!!

 

[Bonehead]

Just a quick side note: Welding on galvanized material puts off a poisonous gas that will make you sick or kill you. You can get by, if you weld in a very well ventilated area, and avoid the fumes. If you get sick, use milk to make you feel better. I know of some welders who have gotten so sick from it that they can't even get close to it now without getting sick to their stomachs. Be careful out there.

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

look really good

 

[rainman]

Yep had some as described on my truck for a while!!!
Thinking of building another pair for it, getting tired of the fenderwell type thats on it now!!

BTW, one thing else to note, there are different guages of post, some thicker than others!!

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Just a quick side note: Welding on galvanized materia puts of a poisonous gas that will make you sick or kill you. You can get by, if you weld in a very well ventilated area, and avoid the fumes. If you get sick, use milk to make you feel better. I know of some welders who have gotten so sick from it that they can't even get close to it now without getting sick to their stomachs. Be careful out there.

Thanks for bringing this up Bonehead.

Zinc fumes are very poisonous to breathe, and steel tubing isn't expensive. Come on guys - Leave the fence posts & conduit at Home Depot and buy yourself some proper materials. Your health isn't worth saving a couple bucks. The end results will be nicer looking as well.

 

[anvil]

I knew a guy named Paw Paw a few years ago after heating up some galve he got the flu and die less then a week later! Worse yet is cadium the gold color on a lot of brackets and bolts DO NOT HEAT it builds up tell it kills you

 

[soltz]

thanks guys

gosh i guess i'm lucky to lived for 6 1/2 decads without killing myself, but thanks for caring.

 

[donsrods]

I would worry even about the galvanized tubing being heated by the exhaust. You could make yourself sick just by driving your car around.

I just heated something a week or so ago with a torch and didn't realize it was galvanized. The fumes were horrible and I stopped that real fast once I realized it.

Galvanizing is nothing to mess around with.


Don

 

[rainman]

The dying thing about galv. is urban legend!! It will cause flu like symptoms!!
I did a lot of research on this recently because I'm putting new floors in my 40
and had access to a lot of 16 guage galv. I suppose it could cause death if
you persisted for a long time, but mostly it makes you sick, and achy!!

As stated above milk relieves some of the symptoms, and it is a very good idea to use a resperator, and weld with good ventalation!! Don, I don't recall seeing anything dangerous about using it as exhaust being a problem, but it seems like that could be!! I would doubt it though because I thing it has to get to around 1600 degrees to put off the fumes!!

All you have to do is research this on the computer and you will see there are lots of varying opinions on it, so don't torch me too bad!!! These ops. I'm giving aren't necessarily mine, just facts I got from the computer!!

Anyway when I used it it was on a open car and my headers were wrapped, so I have ZERO concern about it!! Just thought you all might like a little unbiased info on the subject!!

One other thing, I have had galv. sickness, it's NOOO FUN!!

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Ok regardless of the lethality aspect the fact is it WILL make you sick, and it gets worse after repeated exposure. Which brings the question - WHY do it at all??? Why on earth would you be making floorpans or exhaust or anything out of galvanized metal? I know lots of things regarding what we do in this hobby aren't the safest in the world, but why would you intentionally harm yourself when it can be so easily avoided? It's not like a piece of steel costs a million dollars. I'm all for doing things low-buck when possible, but if you can't afford some regular old mild steel sheetmetal or tubing then you probably shouldn't be building a hot rod.

 

[anvil]

a note in a blacksmithing web site and link
Paw-Paw 1940 - 2005 Well folks. This is a hell of a way to do a demo. I did something stupid that I knew better than to do, thinking I was tougher than a little smoke. Well, I miscalculated and now I am dead.

My friends will have to finish this for me. . .

Sheri, I love you. Please forgive me.
http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor.php?lesson=safety3/demo

this is NO JOKE and NO URBAN story now have fun and stay safe

 

[Sam_Fear]

gosh i guess i'm lucky to lived for 6 1/2 decads without killing myself, but thanks for caring.

You know what you're doing, but the kid that just bought a Harbor Freight welder probably doesn't have a clue.

Cool zoomies anyway!


Since I've grown older I avoid inhaling chemicals, I just drink them now.

 

[rainman]

I don't always do the smartest things while working, but if you
have the option, why take a chance??

 

[rainman]

a note in a blacksmithing web site and link
Paw-Paw 1940 - 2005 Well folks. This is a hell of a way to do a demo. I did something stupid that I knew better than to do, thinking I was tougher than a little smoke. Well, I miscalculated and now I am dead.

My friends will have to finish this for me. . .

Sheri, I love you. Please forgive me.
http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor.php?lesson=safety3/demo

this is NO JOKE and NO URBAN story now have fun and stay safe

Sad story Anvil thanks for sharing!! Seems to be an extreme case,
however if anything can be done in a safer manner, I'm all for it!!

 

[Bonehead]

This is a pretty cool site. You guys are alright.

 

[earthman]

While we are on this subject there was some info about welding something that had been cleaned with brake cleaner. Don't remember where i read it but the physical effects that were described, if you didn't inhale enough to just kill you outright, have made me very careful.

 

[Bonehead]

The Brake Cleaner, welding thread is here:

http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10173&highlight=brake+cleaner

 

[cantwell.colton]

bad stuff --- we use a lot of galv. grating on our overhead walkways -- i always make sure to put two of the shop fans full blast right behind me lol -- ive never gotten sick from it - but i do know its possible so i avoid the fumes as much as possible...

 

[donsrods]

Yeah, my Son is a fanatic about clean metal when welding so he not only grinds it shiny but he used to use brake cleaner to degrease it. He started feeling bad after a while and then found out the fumes from welding it attacks your nervous system and does all kinds of bad stuff. He didn't feel great for a long time even after he stopped doing that.

Don