Flattening curved steel question.

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Did a repair job yesterday for a farmer who wanted a new lining put in a manure spreader.  The sides of the spreader have rusted through and one side had a newer piece of steel already put in some time ago.  He had a piece of 12 ga. rolled steel about 12'x22" he wanted me to use. The problem was the steel was curved into a complete circle which had to be flattened out on the side of the spreader, then the top 4" flared out to match the original side.  I got it done but not without some difficulty.My question is, how would you guys have positioned the steel against the wall of the spreader - curved towards the side or curved away from the side?  I positioned it with the curve away from the side, started at one end and worked towards the other. I drilled holes and plug welded to hold it in place as I went.  Once I got near the end, I had to start using a hydraulic jack to push it into place. After I had it all attached, I cut slots every couple of inches along the line where I needed to flare the top out then hammered the top into place and stitch welded the edges and sealed up the slots.  I just got to wondering if it would have been any easier if I had positioned the steel with the curve toward side instead or if it makes any difference?  Just in case I run into this again.GraysOrnamentalIron.com
Reply:I would (and have) just gotten a new piece of steel.  Most of the time new steel is cheaper than the labor involved to use old stuff.  I fight farmers on this issue all the time.  New stuff is much nicer to work with.  Which makes things go even faster.  Which saves them money.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmI would (and have) just gotten a new piece of steel.  Most of the time new steel is cheaper than the labor involved to use old stuff.  I fight farmers on this issue all the time.  New stuff is much nicer to work with.  Which makes things go even faster.  Which saves them money.
Reply:Farmers and their scrap piles drive me nuts.  I know a few that will call with a repair and tell me they have everything needed just weld it together.  Some times that is good and bad.  Some want a patch up job to get by until it rains or patch up because they are going to trade off the said equipment.  Some patch jobs become permanent.  Then there are those that say make it right, that’s why I call you.  I am lucky because most take my advice and only one complains about cost.Using worn out auger flighting to repair really worn out auger flighting is the worst.Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:I’ve heard of people being cheap before, but that about takes the cake. You can do it with heat, it will never look like new steel, but some heat, and a spray bottle of water will make it easier on you. With 12-GA I’d use a 0 or 00 cutting tip on the torch. A tractor torch, or at least a straight edge really helps. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Exactly.  And you're talking about less than one 4' x 8' sheet's worth.  Get it already sheared and broke to proper dimensions (top flange included).  To answer your question, in that situation I usually start with the pieces oriented like this:  l (
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI’ve heard of people being cheap before, but that about takes the cake. You can do it with heat, it will never look like new steel, but some heat, and a spray bottle of water will make it easier on you. With 12-GA I’d use a 0 or 00 cutting tip on the torch. A tractor torch, or at least a straight edge really helps.
Reply:I would have told him that it needed to be unrolled. May take a few days, and big money. Or break down for a new piece.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Could the farmer have used a loader bucket to flatten it some?   I use that technique to put bends and curves in sheets (poor man's brake???), although have been surprised by how much force is required.Century buzzbox that I learned on 40+ years ago (was Dad's)Crappy Century 110volt mig 70 amp pigeon pooper.Lincoln Idealarc TIG-300
Reply:Originally Posted by DanD78  Some patch jobs become permanent.  Dan D.
Reply:Originally Posted by AlabassI have played with using heat to manipulate material on a couple of occasions with success. I may have not made myself clear on my description, the steel was rolled like a roll of tape, not curved like your drawing.
Reply:Originally Posted by bentThere are few things on a farm that are more permanent than a temporary repair.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThen I think you're crazy
Reply:Originally Posted by bentThere are few things on a farm that are more permanent than a temporary repair.
Reply:Originally Posted by AlabassThe repair will get them a few more years of use out of it, but at some point it will completely disintegrate into a pile of rusty dust.
Reply:A small "Horse Farm" spreader on Auction that is actually Vintage equipment is at LEAST a $1000! A new one for their 4 wheeler to pull is $1200 at Tractor Supply. I fix the neighbors vintage worn past its prime spreader all the time. It needs a FULL Frame Up overhaul but it will never happen! A well used 6 row three point hitch Bean Planter went over $1500 at a recent Auction.WHY?One guy wanted it for planting beans, the other guy wanted it to cut into 3 smaller planters for Deer Hunters to use on their food plots. He says with a single beam like this had, he cuts it into 3 pieces, then adds the 3 point lift brackets and sells them for $600 a piece!Price used Tractors and you'll see real quick why Farmers are always broke!
Reply:No disrespect meant to farmers, in fact I grew up on a farm. Just trying to describe the problem I was faced with, the solution I came up with, and wanting to see if there was a better way I could have gone about it."Don't complain about a farmer with your mouth full."   is a saying I heard many times.GraysOrnamentalIron.com