How do I make sure large, heavy pieces of metal are straight & level while welding?

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I have gotten pretty innovative with magnets to make sure fairly light weight angle iron table legs or support bars are straight and level but how do the pro's make sure that medium to heavy weight metal is kept straight and true (level) while it is being welded?I really appreciate any advice or help anyone can lend, I am pretty new to welding but I absolutely LOVE it.  I swear I feel like a kid on Christmas Morning every time I start a new welding project!Again, thanks in advance,Bob
Reply:but how do the pro's make sure that medium to heavy weight metal is kept straight and true (level) while it is being welded?
Reply:Braces, heat....... jigs, clamps.... post heating....whatever it takes...... you'd be amazed at what a torch can bring back... no not heating it up a wacking it back but just stress relief..._________________Chris
Reply:Robert, these arent real big but they show the technique that the other guys mentioned. I tacked everything square and true and then tacked the braces in. I did all the welding and grinding and when everything was cooled off, busted the braces off. It didnt even twitch. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by lorenzoBraces, heat....... jigs, clamps.... post heating....whatever it takes...... you'd be amazed at what a torch can bring back... no not heating it up a wacking it back but just stress relief...
Reply:Sometimes, no matter how well a weldment is clamped and tacked, it will move or warp.  Sometimes you can use a large press to get it back, other times, I have been highly successful with a torch and a bunch of wet rags.
Reply:Tek,I really appreciate the photos, they explained exactly what I have been wanting to know.  Again, Thanks!Bob
Reply:Dear Wedrwomn,Can you explain what the wet rags do?
Reply:Wet rags applied judiciously to heated steel will contract it. You can take all sorts of tweaks and bends out of things with this method. (Or put them in!) There are some really talented craftsmen out there who make a living straightening things. Mostly large or long things that would be impractical to remove or replace.  Google "flame straightening" for some examples.
Reply:For things that are real awkward, don't be afraid to weld clamps and guides on ahead of time to help you. A few alignment tabs and grasshoppers make life a LOT easier. (grasshopper is an L-shape welded standing of the face of one part overhanging the other so a wedge can be used for holding and alignment) For lining sheets, old C clamps cut off to bridge parts work well, as do the bolt down vise grip style at the bottom of http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplCt...CtlgPgNbr=2441
Reply:If you ever need to weld stuff at 86deg instead of 90deg I can recommend the Horrible Fright supposedly 90deg clamps...
Reply:Originally Posted by ZRx61If you ever need to weld stuff at 86deg instead of 90deg I can recommend the Horrible Fright supposedly 90deg clamps...
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert Mhow do the pro's make sure that medium to heavy weight metal is kept straight and true (level) while it is being welded?Bob
Reply:Compressed air will work better than a wet rag.
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert MTek,I really appreciate the photos, they explained exactly what I have been wanting to know.  Again, Thanks!Bob
Reply:Also skip welding helps to aleviate to much heat buildup which  causes warping,also weld from the center out not from one side to the other cause you'll have a nice banana!