Angle Iron

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Hey Guys,This is probably a stupid noob question, but here goes...I am working on my 2nd welding project. First time using angle iron. I bought 10' of 2x2 1/8" thick. I cut some 4" pieces off the stick to make some brackets. I noticed when i was going to weld them, that the angle is not 90 degrees. Its off by a lot (like 1/8" over 2"), so once welded, either my brackets wont stick straight out or im going to have to fill quite a big gap and it will look like crap.I was under the impression that angle iron would be 90 degrees, or at least reasonably close to it. ie, 1 or 2 degrees off maybe. This normal?
Reply:No not usually. Most times if I get angle iron it's pretty close to 90 deg on the outside. Thin angle can get bent if they crank down the chains on the load however. That or they are buying 2nds that are rejects from the mill.My guess not seeing the sticks, would be that they simply got bent. 1/8" doesn't take much to bend..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Where are you putting these brackets?  Are the wrapping around an outside corner?  Angle iron is usually pretty close to spot on 90 deg, but the inside corner is not, it is rounded.  If you are working with 1/8" stock, you should just be able to put it in a vice and squeeze the 4" pieces until you are getting about a 90 deg angle, maybe heat the backbone, so it bends more there.Check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz...bZg8AYNXGqBjZQ"Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms." - Aristotle
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWMy guess not seeing the sticks, would be that they simply got bent. 1/8" doesn't take much to bend.
Reply:That could very well do it if you cranked it down and had it in the vise like this "^"..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Where did you buy the angle? I've noticed some of the Box stores are carrying 2 types, regular structural and break-formed sheet steel angle. The break-formed stuff could be off do to production QA, just my opinion on that
Reply:Took a look at the other end of the stick and its bent too..infact the entire stick is also bowed when you sight down the end like a junk 2x4 at home depot. Never thought i need to sight down the ends like i do when i buy wood. Lesson learned.Its from a steel supplier. Bought stuff from them in the past and always been happy but this is first time buying angle. Its not stamped.
Reply:Like I mentioned before, steel is heavy. They don't tie it on the truck with twine. Instead they use chains and binders and often crank the crap out of it so it doesn't move. The supplier usually is less concerned if the F up a few pieces, rather than loose a load on the road.Take a look some time at the plywood or 2xs on the top and bottom of a hack of lumber. You'll see the steel bands are crushed into the material because they crank them down so tight. very expensive plywood and lumber they usually take some care and add dunnage  to the top and bottom to protect the material, but that still doesn't always work.Unfortunately you need to be picky when selecting materials. I simply won't buy 2x's from a home center. the stuff they stock is just garbage. I'll spend more to shop at a place that stocks top quality lumer so I don't have to look at every piece. That said, I still look at most of the pieces just to make sure I don't get the odd "bad" one in the batch, and if it's for critical work, I'll go over each piece individually and pick out those I know will work for me. Same applies to steel. I've turned down pieces that were mashed up or bent, if the guy just grabbed the 1st piece off the rack.The good news is 1/8" isn't all that bad to straighten in small pieces for brackets. A vise, a pipe wrench or even a hammer will get you closer than you are now, even if it isn't 100% perfect. Some heat and a nice square edge like an anvil or heavy steel block, and you can get this really close.Last edited by DSW; 12-31-2012 at 10:34 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Pictures would help, especially if you have a square to show the gap.Maybe you can heat shrink it? Do you have a OA torch? If the angle bracket is too wide (greater than 90) heat the inside corner to dull red (1200 degrees) and when it cools it will suck in. If it's too narrow heat the out side corner and when it shrinks it will open wider. Keep the torch moving in small circles along the length and heat evenly. Best done in dim light.If it's beyond shrinking then heat it and tweak it true with a big hammer. 1/8th inch angle is likely thin enough that you could put the part in the vise and adjust it with a hammer and/or adjustable wrench. Lacking a torch you might be able to do it cold.