Controling warping, distortion on SS and TI plate

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Hey guys!I have seen some fancy artwork guys are doing using SS plate and TI to create wonderful designs. It seems they can keep the plate flat even after welding which is pretty surprising to me. I am looking for some tips and open discussion about controling warp and distortion on flat plate. If anyone can share some tips, tricks and expereince would be greatly appreciated. My expereince is limited with sheet metal
Reply:Using mig will help keep the heat input to a minimum.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:it depends on what you are doing. can you be a little more descriptive as to what you are doing? clamping to a backer helps ( really like using copper with stainless or titanium), but distortion on really thin flat sheet  welds (lap or butt) is inevitable. invest in a good 1" rawhide hammer and an anvil.'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:To be more specific, its all TIG work. Done on sheet, around 1/8 or less, usually less. Basically using it as a canvas and welding on imagery. By playing with the gas coverage you can get nice colors and different effects.  Based on what advice your giving maybe clamping to a sized sheet of copper, and then clamp to a solid steel peice and massage with a hammer affterward is a good idea
Reply:Originally Posted by klueHey guys!I have seen some fancy artwork guys are doing using SS plate and TI to create wonderful designs. It seems they can keep the plate flat even after welding which is pretty surprising to me. I am looking for some tips and open discussion about controling warp and distortion on flat plate. If anyone can share some tips, tricks and expereince would be greatly appreciated. My expereince is limited with sheet metal
Reply:In a normal application for stainless, use a backer and move faster when welding. I do this with 16ga stainless all the time. But, I'm not concerned about coloring. So.... if you want the colors by means of heating to different temps while controlling distortion I might reccomend a large backer of say aluminum plate and clamp it like crazy. Do not un clamp until it's cool. If you still have warped metal, and you will, then you learn the art of hammering it flat Sent from my SGH-T999L using Tapatalk
Reply:I did this on some 1/16" 304 with a chunk of aluminum behind it. It stayed pretty flat, but I wasn't really trying to keep it too flat. Skipping around probably would have helped. Case of the Mondays by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrI made some of these for Christmas gifts last year. I cut them out and made them into ornaments. These were pretty small and came out pretty flat. Merry Christmas by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrMerry Christmas by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrHo ho ho by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on FlickrLast edited by zank; 06-14-2014 at 01:29 PM.
Reply:those are pretty cool. I am not very artistic, wish I could envision these and apply it to work.get yourself one of these Attached Images'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Zank thats pretty much exactly what I am trying to do. So the general concenus is bracking plate, or pre bending before welding sounds like some good tricks for me to try. Thanks guys Wht kind of hammer is that? I have a few plastic ones
Reply:Originally Posted by klueZank thats pretty much exactly what I am trying to do. So the general concenus is bracking plate, or pre bending before welding sounds like some good tricks for me to try. Thanks guys Wht kind of hammer is that? I have a few plastic ones