Bend Before Weld 101

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Here are some plates that needed to be welded together without bending the bottom plate "UP"...After grinding off the millscale and putting them where they belong I tacked the 4 corners..Then (look close) I put a piece of 1/16" 70S filler under the halfway point of the top plate then clamped it all down to the table..The print called for 1" of weld with a 1/2" space between them all the way around so I mark out the start and stop points and use tacks for reference..After welding leave it alone to cool off and when you unclamp it the bottom should be straight..One more post.....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:Here are the finish pics..The bottom plate was within .010 after welding so it was well within MY limits on bending...Sure makes everything down the line after much easier to deal with..So if you are having trouble with plate warpage this is just one solution..I get all the fun jobs.....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:Neat trick.... Thank's for showing ZAP !!   one ?? though...Did this only need to flat in one direction??Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Originally Posted by DemonSpeederNeat trick.... Thank's for showing ZAP !!   one ?? though...Did this only need to flat in one direction??
Reply:Great post, thanks a lot.  I'll keep that in mind for future use.
Reply:TaggedGreat tip!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterIf the top plate was in the middle and both sides/ends were the same then just a SMALL PIECE in the middle and clamp on the 4 sides.....zap!
Reply:nice job zap the old preset trick works well Creative metal Creative metal Facebook
Reply:Thanks, but there's a whole lot more to learn in those pictures than just the filler rod trick.  And the picture of the corner with the dime is gorgeous.  Looks like a piece of fine jewelry.Gotta ask since I'm the farthest thing from a fabricator, but what on earth were you building where it calls for 1" tacks spread 1/2" apart to stick to flate plates together?  Just curious.
Reply:Awesome, reading your posts reminds me of when I watch a friend of mine, Craig, weld. No matter how simple the task I always learn something, usually something invaluable. Thanks! This is one I'll not forget, especially the detail about long side warpage vs short.
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJThanks, but there's a whole lot more to learn in those pictures than just the filler rod trick.  And the picture of the corner with the dime is gorgeous.  Looks like a piece of fine jewelry.Gotta ask since I'm the farthest thing from a fabricator, but what on earth were you building where it calls for 1" tacks spread 1/2" apart to stick to flate plates together?  Just curious.
Reply:Glad I never do anything that requires much precision.So Zap, if the bottom plate had been clamped all the way around without that bit of filler to flex it and the piece had been left to cool completely before unclamping, would it have still bent?Yeah, I carry.House keys, wallet, some change, usually a newspaper, maybe a pen.
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonGlad I never do anything that requires much precision.So Zap, if the bottom plate had been clamped all the way around without that bit of filler to flex it and the piece had been left to cool completely before unclamping, would it have still bent?
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterYup.No question about it....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIt is amazing how many people think just clamping material down is a cure all.
Reply:It is amazing how many people think just clamping material down is a cure all.
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonThere are lots of things that people who don't weld for a living don't know. That's why forums like this are useful. And it's great that people like Zap take the time to post what they do and educate people.
Reply:Always enjoy your tips and tricks - Thanks for sharing zap!Hobart Handler 125 #500495Miller Diversion 165 #907005 (tig learning box)
Reply:I just ran into this problem this week. Had to make several tank lids that consisted of 5/8" plate (27 1/2" bolt center) with two 8" 150# weldneck flanges welded to them for instrument radars. The holes were cut in the plate just big enough so the neck could pass all the way through and was supposed to stick out a 1/8th so I fit them up and tacked them on my table but welded them in the positioner. With the thickness of the plate I knew there was gonna be trouble. We use big pieces of channel with pipes welded to the back that we can chuck in the positioner that has slots cut out so you can bolt it down and the flanges sticking out so it would pull down the ends. But after it was said and done it still warped. I'm thinking that I will add two pieces of channel to the opposite sides to bolt down the other direction as well. Here's some pics of what I'm talking about.
Reply:Thanks for the lesson Zap.  Wish I had read it before starting my log splitter project.HF Dual Mig 151 with Bluewelders and Galaxieman's modsHF Digital Plasma TorchHF Blue Flames Hood70's era Craftsman 230 stick welderVictor 100 OA
Reply:At least with pipe, I can toss some heat one side or the other and watch my bubble go to plumb...Ka-Chow!Zap, its your posts that make me genuinelly want to learn TIG, well proper TIG!Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:In my introduction to welding class we talked about warping, but it is great to see posts like this one to "get" it.  Thanks much for the lesson Will
Reply:This is going to come handy for some stuff I need to glue together during the weekend.... Thanks!
Reply:I make a lot of custom steel doors and I used this method on square and rect tube a lot as well. It takes a little more shim to keep it with a 10' piece, but the same process applies. If it still warps I just break out the torch.     I was fortunate, when I opened up my own business I got into things I didn't really understand, but the guy who taught me how to weld was always there to help. I would stop by when I was having problems and he would patiently explain what I needed to know, and often go out into his shop and show me. Pre-stressing and flame straightening were two of those things, and those two things have allowed me to do jobs that others can't, or have done poorly at. It has also gotten me work fixing the work of others. I miss having him around.
Reply:it is!Originally Posted by dbl612it is!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterAll depends on the size of the bottom plate..The longest surface will pull up before the short one does..In this instance I had 8.5" left where the top plate ended so that would pull first..The short side only had 2" on each side so that would not be a problem..If the top plate was in the middle and both sides/ends were the same then just a small piece in the middle and clamp on the 4 sides.....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThat's what it specified on the print and I know how to read a print.Myself?..I would have gone all the way around but I can't make the customer angry.....zap!
Reply:why do you have to get the steal all shiny? or is it better for the appearnnce? welds look like aluminum! pretty cool
Reply:I don't always grind off ALL THE MILLSCALE,but when I do,I make sure you ALL get the freekin pictureNice Post ZapHow do you know the blacksmith's dog? When you hollar at him he makes a bolt for the door!
Reply:Hey zap, that's awesome!  I learned yet another tip here from a professional.  Question: do you ever stick weld stuff or do you primarily tig stuff?  When was the last time you stick welded a project for a customer?  Just curious?Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArc...When was the last time you stick welded...
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArc  When was the last time you stick welded a project for a customer?  Just curious?