Clamping lesson...

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Welding 6" width 1/4" mild plate and it warped upward from the table when I welded across (perp.) twice. I was amazed it becomes molten enough to distort that heavy dimension, and really made a 'smile' underneath the member there although it is insignificant to the project at hand, it could be monstrously critical on another - damn.It just kills me that I could have simply avoided that had I followed rules I already know - to clamp the work down.(this photo can't show the skew in the bottom plate from this angle, I may have to widen the space between the vertical plates since that is where it slips onto a joist beam in my shop and then hangs a air hose reel from the 4 pre-drilled hols at the closest end. The hope at this point is that I can slip/fit it and it will retain itself while I drill the through-beam screw holes.On another note, anyone ever heard of or built a weld table top to accept the standard t-slot clamps? I use a cast iron webbed tablle saw top to weld on right now and I don't find the open gaps in the surface to be a problem.A few months ago I would have made this bracket out of wood or fine stone, much like the Romans would have - thank you welding god. Attached ImagesMillermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:Originally Posted by LiquidFireOn another note, anyone ever heard of or built a weld table top to accept the standard t-slot clamps? I use a cast iron webbed tablle saw top to weld on right now and I don't find the open gaps in the surface to be a problem..
Reply:It probably would have warped even if you'd clamped it.  Next time you might try stitch welding to control the accumulated heat.
Reply:I designed this table/toolbox to use the T-slot clamps but not the T-nuts themselves.  I just drilled and tapped the holes 1/2"-13 so I can use the threaded rods, step clamps and bars...everything but the nuts.  Works great.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=51861Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:That was a good idea, assuming they can 'drain' and don't trap shavings. Looks very flexible.I was thinking about turning channel stock on its side, back to back I could get a t-slot about every 4-5" with 3" channel - might be a little too involved but I am investigating it.Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:That would have warped even if you clamped it down flat. To get it to turn out flat you'd have to clamp it down with an arch like a scared cat.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:How then can the warpage best be controlled?I assumed there was a moment that it was liquid and could have been abated.It must be relieving strain in the surface if it would warp anyway, then?Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™Miller Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIGEvery air tool made...if it can be driven by air, I want it.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neon Sign Fabricatorwww.casinoneon.com
Reply:Metal shrinks plan for it.
Reply:Sometimes you can work the warpage out by applying a lot of heat to the opposite side and cooling it.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by LiquidFireHow then can the warpage best be controlled?I assumed there was a moment that it was liquid and could have been abated.It must be relieving strain in the surface if it would warp anyway, then?
Reply:Originally Posted by boatbodIt probably would have warped even if you'd clamped it.  Next time you might try stitch welding to control the accumulated heat.