[TheForge] Warped!

[John Husvar]

On Friday, February 18, 2005, at 08:12 AM, Fiorini & Skiles wrote:

> When creating a rectangular frame from strap steel, is there any way to
> prevent warping?  Is there any magic way to fix it, other than beating 
> the
> heck out of it?

What works for me is: mitered corners, clamp the living "H" out of it 
to a flat welding table, (or reasonable facsimile thereof) tack the 
inner and outer corner points and let cool to help hold square, weld in 
short stitches, let cool thoroughly before unclamping to turn, reclamp, 
and repeat process on the other side.

Lots of fiddling around, but should help keep the thing flat.

Few things about welding:

1) You can never have or use too many clamps unless you can't get the 
torch, gun or stick between them to weld. :)

2) Welding in short stitches is best for flat stock.

3) Let things cool off before unclamping anything.

4) See 1) :)

Once it's warped, you can try heating and beating the high spots, but 
you're as likely to make it worse as better. :(

Sometimes, you can support the ends/corners, and clamp or weight the 
warped sides to try to straighten things.

Ask on newsgroup sci.engr.joining.welding as well. The folks there are 
far more expert than I'm ever likely to be.

HTH
Johan