Need help!

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First time user of the forum!!  And as typical..need help.Welded up a thick 1" plate to a schedule 80 6" pipe using TIG -3 passes to complete the weld, preheated the plate to about 250 degrees F, nice 45's and when cooled it cupped towards the pipe!!  Still have to weld on some gussets.This is a pole mount for solar panel array.Suggestions for straightening the plate?MarcAirco/Miller 350 Syncrowave, circa 1977"Beast"
Reply:try heat diamonds
Reply:It will do that every time, also with 7018. If you use 6010 it would not do that. If there is room on the bottom of the plate to weld an "X" that would keep the warpage to a minimum.
Reply:Try heating the plate from the backside; as it cools, it will pull the material back toward the newly added heat.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:1-Why TIG this assembly?       MIG or stick can have less total heat input = less distortion2-Next time, add the corner gussets FIRST--to help stiffen the base plate against the pipe butt joint.      A corner cutout in the gusset corners will still allow full circumferential welding, but it the gussetconnects are fully welded, that does the same job.      Aligning the corner gussets to intersect the (diagonal) corners of the base plate, rather thanthe center sides, stiffens the base plate.3-Base plates for columns will warp-some even with gussets....that's another reason 'why'provision is made by the thoughtful to use leveling nuts on the embed studs under the base plate. This takes more prior planning, but makes alignment, etc.--easy compared to shimming, etc.Last edited by dave powelson; 01-06-2010 at 03:07 AM.Reason: additionsBlackbird