Floor Grate question

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I have this floor grate that i need to cut the pieces straight and square, so i can put a piece of flat bar on there to make it more sturdyProblem is, im not quite sure how i would mark my lines to zipcut each pieceCurrently I have the grate clamped tight to some thick angle iron to make it as square as possibleif i 1) Measured from the "not 100% square edge", along the grate to the Various length edge (we'll say 30") .. on each end of the grate and mark my lines2) clamp a piece of flat bar across the grate .. from line to line along the various length edge...  from line to line (giving me a straight edge along the whole piece as opposed to usign a 2 foot square from one edge then switch to another)3) measure  to see if i got same distance all the way4) use a T-square make my marks downwards on each piece5) cut with zip cut and put on flat barWould this be good way to go about this task? or would anyone possibly know a different way?I hope i clarified it well enough but ask and i will explain more if it's confusing Ty in advance for any help, information and suggestionMuch appreciated
Reply:Doe's this need to be as square as possible? Does the "not 100% square" end already have flat bar welded to it? If so, place a piece of plate on the concrete and try dropping the corner of the "not 100% square" end on the plate to see if you can tweak it back to square.If the flat bar isn't welded to that end yet, then carefully measure from the connecting rod to the ends of the grate bars on each end of that end(the not 100% square one). If they measure equal, then it is tweaked out of square. (If they measure unequal then you'll have to start grinding the ends of the grate bars to get everything square on that end). Go ahead then and  weld the flat bar only to the grate bars on each end and the try my suggestion to tweak it back to square.  If this can be accomplished, then find the shortest grate bar on the side to be cut. Then measure that distance on each side, mark them and then measure the diagonals to check for true square.     Maybe someone wiser here has a simpler way to do this.I don't know how square you need it. Maybe this is hairsplitting.                                     MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:for some reason i cant edit my post ... so instead of making a new post .. i'll re-make my post here-- it dosnt have to be Exactly square, but very close would be nice-----------------------------------------------I have this floor grate that i need to cut the  edge with various lengths straight and square, so i can weld a piece of flat bar on there to make it more sturdy and to retain its shapeProblem is, im not quite sure how i would mark my lines to zipcut each pieceCurrently I have one edge of the grate clamped tight to some thick angle iron to make this edge as square as possible (to bring the warped grate back into shape)if i1) Measured from the Clamped Edge, to the opposite edge and mark my lines2) clamp a piece of flat bar across the grate .. from line to line 3) double check measurements along the line to see if i got same distance all the way along4) use a T-square make my marks downwards on each piece to be cut off5) cut with zip cut and put on flat bar6) weld on the flat bar, and i would imagine (assuming) with the flat bar welded to both edges, the square of the grate should be closely maintained---------------Would this be good way to go about this task? or would anyone possibly know a different way?I hope i clarified it well enough but ask and i will explain more if it's confusingTy in advance for any help, information and suggestionMuch appreciated
Reply:Yeap, that'll work.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Agree w/ Mark. If it doesn't have to be hairsplittin' square that's the way to go.                                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:if it had to be Very squareany suggestions how to do it? just for informational purposesTy in advance
Reply:If it had to be perfectly square, you have to cut off the original flat bar edge, square the center bars using a 3,4,5 method.  Then weld the original flat bar back on - tacks first - then the opposite side bar.  Once tacked, weld opposite sides one at a time to minimize warping.  It's gonna move a little bit, but if you are careful, it shouldn't move very much.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build