Barry
Zinc gas toxin is deadly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Pronto not over the long term - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> like dead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> No welder would do what you are doing. Use stainless steel or at a minimum take it out someplace and take a torch to it to remove the zinc, but in general - BAD IDEA to have zinc and flame together.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.