Preventing warping when welding.

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I put two pieces of metal together and it's not straight after I'm done because of the warping through the heat of welding. How strong is the "pull" when you're welding? Is it strong enough to pull it out of place AFTER you tack weld your work together? I forgot to clamp the pieces to the table to prevent it from warping one way or the other and now I gotta cut it back into two pieces and try again. Also, a totally irrelevant question. I'm thinking of buying a band saw for cutting small pieces of metal. Is this a good idea? I have 10 gauge sheet metal I want to cut into small square pieces and I figured this would be the easiest and cleanest way to do it. Thinking of buying a small stationary band saw from Sears. Also might get a bench sander.
Reply:It depends on many factors including but not limited to:  base metal properties, joint configuration, # of tack welds, size of tack welds, spacing between tack welds, etc, etc.  Your best bet IMO is proper tack-sequencing on opposing-adjacent sides; different joint configurations "prefer" different tack-sequences on different sides/faces.  Even then, it can still warp.  I'll let the more experienced chime in, but if you want useable advice for your project/work, you're gonna have to shell out a lot of info/measurements to those who are going to be willing to offer advice.  But then again, basic info will also get you into the ball-park.Last edited by Oscar; 03-26-2016 at 11:51 AM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:I don't know of a way to stop warping but there are ways to control it. Your chosen welding sequence is probably the biggest factor in the matter.
Reply:First: Second: SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Depends on what you’re welding. Back stepping your welds and skipping around a lot is a big help. Pre bending the object is another big help. And if it still warps, you can always heat shrink it back in shape.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Tacking properly will help prevent distortion. In other words, if you are tacking a upright tube to a flat plate , you need to square it say front to back and then side to side. As for your band saw, most floor mount or bench models are for wood. Metal cutting band saws run at a slower RPM. Depending on the size of your small pieces maybe a portabnd saw would work and be extremely useful for many projects. If you are using full sheets, a MILWAUKEE metal cutting circular saw would be my choice. Not cheap if you only have a few pieces to cut. If this is a occasional thing, a 4 1/2'' grinder with cutting wheel will work fine and can be used for grinding and sanding to. As for the bench sander there are many to choose from.  What type of projects are you gonna use it on ? A 1'' wide belt is great for art work stuff where a 6'' x 48'' belt would demolish it quick. A 4'' x 36'' might be a basic standard one to get. Some have a disc sander built in that works well too. If you do a search you'll find many options. NOW IF you want to move some serious metal    check this post by '' WORNOUTOLDWELDER ''  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...my-idea-so-farCheck craigs list for a belt bench sander, by me you can usually find a Craftsman or Delta 4''x 36'' with a 6'' disc for $50.00 or less. The made in Taiwan are better then the China ones.
Reply:I use earplugs safety glasses and a 7.25 skillsaw for sheet metaltrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:Originally Posted by PcmakerAlso, a totally irrelevant question. I'm thinking of buying a band saw for cutting small pieces of metal. Is this a good idea? I have 10 gauge sheet metal I want to cut into small square pieces and I figured this would be the easiest and cleanest way to do it. Thinking of buying a small stationary band saw from Sears. Also might get a bench sander.
Reply:Lot of the little cheap harbor freight type saws have a vertical option. Might look for a used one of those."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:As far as your  first  question  goes....http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...efore-Weld-101...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:[QUOTE=zapster;7048091]As far as your  first  question  goes....http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...efore-Weld-101That's a great post ZAP !  Many of us do our fabricating without thinking about it because of the years of experience. I remember one of my first saddle joints as a apprentice . I had it so out of square, the journeyman just shook his head and smiled. He then said I'll show you how to fix a screw up SO you can do the same for another beginner. It was leaning to one side, so instead of cutting it apart he weld the one side and you could see it pull plum. It was a remembering experience.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinFirst: Second: