Fabrication question

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So I got contracted to fabricate some supports for a safe room and it's 3x3 square tubing with sheet metal on both ends for the pads 3" hangover and I'm going to MIG it, I'm still waiting on the gauge of sheet metal but anyway I was thinking about the best way to go about keeping the metal tubing from distortion, the lengths have to be spot on. Any ideas related to fabricating these or controlling distortion?
Reply:Originally Posted by adajroshoSo I got contracted to fabricate some supports for a safe room and it's 3x3 square tubing with sheet metal on both ends for the pads 3" hangover and I'm going to MIG it, I'm still waiting on the gauge of sheet metal but anyway I was thinking about the best way to go about keeping the metal tubing from distortion, the lengths have to be spot on. Any ideas related to fabricating these or controlling distortion?
Reply:Or clamp and bolt everything down while welding.
Reply:There is NO way to prevent distortion.  It's a pipe dream if anyone tells you soIf the specs are truly as rigid as you say, then buy a rosebud and heat shrink it back to the tolerances required.  And you should count on this when pricing the thing.Weld on the diagonals, then straighten...........no other way."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:You can REDUCE distortion to some extent, but you can't eliminate it"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammYou can REDUCE distortion to some extent, but you can't eliminate it
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcCorrect, but I must add that one can counter the effects of some distortion before one even lights up.  You can use distortion to one's advantage, IF.... One knows ahead of time how a piece may distort (ie direction of the distortion etc...)
Reply:In response to that remark, I just learned that at Lincoln tech  last Friday haha, apparently school is NOT for fools. But anyway, I finished the supports which came out great and I got more work thru my performance so it's all good.