Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

I have purchased galvanized angle on several occasions from my local supplier and have been pleased. This time, I picked up some galvanized angle (2.5” X 3/16) and noted torch holes that were popped so that the metal can be lowered into the zinc. As in the past with galvanized angle via this supplier, there were no holes in the metal in any form. To me, there is a difference between torch holes and the accompanying slag that needs to be ground off and thus the zinc loss, than something more like a smooth hole punched in the metal. To clarify, I purchased the metal and had it galvanized via the metal supplier and I did not drop off the metal myself at the galvanizer.

Do you typically see torch holes in new galvanized metal that your purchase new from a supplier?

Dang Michael, that’s sad. Hard to believe they would take the liberty to torch holes for their own purpose. Everything I’ve had galvanized I had already cut to length and drilled so there was plenty of places for the plant to secure to the part. But that is just crazy that they would cut holes on their own.

Are they also tack welded together? Looks like it.

Mark - I was disappointed that they popped holes via the lazy man’s approach (i.e. a torch) as opposed to popping a hole with say a hole punch. There was no discussion about popping a hole or holes at any point. Thus my question to the group IF that is something others see when purchasing 20’ pieces of galvanized angle. My guess is not…as this was the first time I’ve had this happen.

Windy - no, they are not tacked together. Just four separate pieces of 2.5” x 3/16” in the stack.

Thank you

Very disappointing

Welcome to our future!!

Maybe a new guy in the yard and didn't know better. Maybe you need to bring it to their attention.

That's frustrating. I've ordered a lot of galvanized angle of 20' lengths, and all were delivered without any holes. The ends were galvanized, so they weren't cut to length after galvanizing.

Metals2go (Waco) explanation was they switched galvanizers. They once used a galvanizer in the D/FW area and switched to a galvanizer in Waco, which is 2 miles from their location. The supervisor I spoke with at Metals2go said they should drill holes IF any holes are needed. However the popping of holes with a torch is outside of the norms and that the steel supplier supervisor was going to send my photos to the galvanizer.

Based upon everyone who posted a response above, I conclude that using a torch in this scenario is abnormal and also a way to make a customer unhappy due to laziness and/or incompetence.

Wayne - they know now, if they didn’t already know.

Thank you for your replies.