Warp Prevention?

[mountain eagle]

Tips for warp prevention besides don't get so much heat to it?



So when I welded the 1x1 to the front rail starting at the corner, about half way to the open end it started to pull. Ended up with about a half inch swing. I was able to correct for some of it when attaching the other side to the main support, but were it to be a visible construct I wouldn't be happy with that result.

So, add less heat? Wait longer between welds? How do you address warpage on plate?

[SICFabrications]

clamp, tack, skip around, post heat... dont weld piece after piece in a row, weld one, then move elsewhere on the work and weld there.... all in all, there is no absolute way to get sound welds without drawing the metal. there are tricks to shrink the warpage after welding.... heat a spot with the torch on the side opposite the draw, just enough to start it turning red, then wipe it with a rag soaked in water and watch it draw towards the "hot spot" dont over do this... just a little will go along way

[atcig]

That is just what I was gonna say!

Actually I was going to say clamp and tack.

[Nick]

Mountain,

That looks like an orchestrated piece. Spend some time developing a clamping system (or a jig). Something that will lock down the critical angles without interfering. I'm a huge fan of T-Nut fasteners. You can use them with MDF and just about anything that will accept a threaded input.

A 4x4" block of mdf cut to hold your angles is worth more than its weight in gold if it works.

[rustycase]

I've heard that 'backing bars' of heavy copper stock can be used near the weld placement to absorb heat and prevent warping, yet I've yet to try it myself.
Good luck
rc

[Gadget]

A good idea but have you priced copper lately? Ouch.

[WookieWelding]

you can use aluminum too but that is normally used on sheet metal applications but on your application i would do as sic suggested

[mountain eagle]

A good idea but have you priced copper lately? Ouch.

Pushing $4/lb for bare bright......... hmmm At some point I might get to demo some old CU buss bars out of some gear, that would work for heat absorption....

[mountain eagle]

I welded up a simple frame for a gate yesterday and made a point of doing more tacking and or moving around and it seemed to help. What was most noticeable was my lack of patience........ had to make a very conscious effort to move around.

[arandall]

I welded up a simple frame for a gate yesterday and made a point of doing more tacking and or moving around and it seemed to help. What was most noticeable was my lack of patience........ had to make a very conscious effort to move around.

I have the same problem Mountain Eagel.