Newbie question with pictures 🤠

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I’m a novice welder and can make small metal things stick together. I don’t have access to 220v nor do I have shop space. Currently I’m developing a property for a shop and home. Looking at driveway/property gates I decided to have a gate frame welded and finish the pickets myself, it’s a start, it’s fun and it’s learning. Bottom rail is 2x2x1/4”, hinge side is the same. The rest is 2x2x3/16”. New metal from PMI in Texas. The secretary’s husband at church is a retired pipeline welder so I ask him to weld the frame. I don’t want to cause problems so I’m limited in complaining. Lesson learned. What happened?  The frame appears square, corner to corner. The top rail is bowed in approx 1/2”, haven’t checked the intermediate rail. Should I cut it apart and find a reputable shop to reweld?  Try and bend the top pieces straight, is that possible?

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Reply:Run a string across the 3 rails and see what the difference is.  If, IF you want to get creative you can use heat (o/a torch) and water to pull the bow out.  There are videos to show how to do it.  They don't appear to be way out, just enough to be annoying.  Either way you will have to start with a straight edge for measurement.
Reply:So I can learn/understand, what caused the bow?  Any ideas. Thanks for you help.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Motoscro

So I can learn/understand, what caused the bow?  Any ideas. Thanks for you help.
Reply:He might have clamped the 2 rails together trying to pull it into square.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 120www.10FtDrillBit.comwww.MyWelds.com - pictures of my work
Reply:Scissors jack between the 2 might be enough to bring it back... heat the one that isn't moving enough, but keep it under tension until it's cooled...The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I do all my welding outside and 240 volts is in all states.But I would guess you have 120 volt welder. This is first problem a 120 volt welder will weld cold over 14 gauge about 1/16" . You using 3/16" an d 1/4" it takes more power to do job. For shop a good shade tree 🎄 is nice in the summer.  It does take that many tools for job.1) 240 volt welder2) sawzall 3) hand gander. Good luckDave

Originally Posted by Motoscro

I’m a novice welder and can make small metal things stick together. I don’t have access to 220v nor do I have shop space. Currently I’m developing a property for a shop and home. Looking at driveway/property gates I decided to have a gate frame welded and finish the pickets myself, it’s a start, it’s fun and it’s learning. Bottom rail is 2x2x1/4”, hinge side is the same. The rest is 2x2x3/16”. New metal from PMI in Texas. The secretary’s husband at church is a retired pipeline welder so I ask him to weld the frame. I don’t want to cause problems so I’m limited in complaining. Lesson learned. What happened?  The frame appears square, corner to corner. The top rail is bowed in approx 1/2”, haven’t checked the intermediate rail. Should I cut it apart and find a reputable shop to reweld?  Try and bend the top pieces straight, is that possible?
Reply:

Originally Posted by whtbaron

Scissors jack between the 2 might be enough to bring it back... heat the one that isn't moving enough, but keep it under tension until it's cooled...
Reply:I think you are right, cut it apart and start over, it’s not worth fighting for a couple hundred dollars. Thanks

Originally Posted by wb4rt

I think the problem is the corners are not square, probably due to heat moving them, so the guy clamped and pulled to get it square. If so, the welds are under tension. Heating might work, I have never tried that but if the steel is already fighting itself I’m not sure how much it will move. I would have to cut it apart and start over, replacing the bent pieces. Pipeline welding is not frame welding. Big frames magnify small errors. Mangling steel usually produces poor results.
Reply:Thanks for everyone’s input, I’m not going to fight this, I want it done correctly. 🤠
Reply:BTW, 1/4” is overkill for a gate. How wide is it? Most gates are 11 and 14 gauge. If properly engineered it should not take that heavy unless it is very wide. Looks to be only 6-8’ in picture. Moving and installing will take equipment plus the hinges and posts will have to be greatly beefed up. Just my opinion, worth every cent you pay.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 120www.10FtDrillBit.comwww.MyWelds.com - pictures of my work
Reply:2 cuts.  Straighten it out.  Tack it back together.As others have said, Seems a clamp was used in the middle of the 2 rails, as the other rail is slightly bowed also, but that one could be straightened without cutting.I wouldn't get too anal about it.  Gates will lose their shape anyway due to damage from weather or abuse, or accidents.Century buzzbox that I learned on 40+ years ago (was Dad's)Crappy Century 110volt mig 70 amp pigeon pooper.Lincoln Idealarc TIG-300