Squaring Your Work

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Using a square to rough in the square is fine,  next step is to use the tape measure to measure the diagonals.  Ultimately you'll find that the "square" setup you did with the square just ain' t squareNow that you're disgusted because the diagonals are off by almost 1/2", it's time to get out the come along, or porta power.  Both handy things to rack something into square.If all sides of your box/square/whatever are equal length, and you know you made your measurements right, marked the steel right, and tacked everything in place in the proper spot.  Time to do a little smoogie on itOnce ya got it square, tack a piece of drop on a diagonal in one corner, or across the entire structure, to hold it square while you do the finish welding.  It  won't prevent distortion, but at least you've made it square from the get go.  The rest is a matter of sequencing welds.A note on come alongs.  Sometimes your between "notches".  Use a wire or something to restrain the handle where you want it at the halfway point.This is mostly for the guys that aren't familiar with the procedure. Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:By sequencing your welds, you mean welding the short welds first, then the longer welds?Or are you starting at the bottom of this structure & moving up?MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Good to see U posting here-again--Sam!Amen to figuring out what-all diagonal measurements one needs to take. If the diagonals don't match up.......they're telling U something is off. Squares, T-Squares and pulling lots of diagonals is all part of the exercise.        Hot rolled steel shapes---are never dead true, they all have some bow, bend, twist, camber, etc.---so the intrepid fabricator takes that into account as well. IOW--it helps to look at the stock pieces with straight edge, etc.--prior to fitup to understand what kind of problems the pieces themselves, may present you.              At the end of the fitup, it's basically balancing off square vs. diagonal vs. width/length,with the deciding factor--being:      'What measurements does the finished part need to be functional?And the above question, should be answered prior to cutting or fitup--(actually should be determined at quote/design). Doing this makes all the difference in making parts that are satisfactory to the end user---not the fabricatoror maybe his desire for perfection. That doesn't happen in hot rolled steel. Close-sure,perfect--NEVER!Blackbird
Reply:I believe he's talking about welding on the side that will make the part draw in your favor before welding the other side.  Or welding where the parts will draw equally and stay in square......it's kinda hard to explain.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:I believe he meant to weld it in those spots in a sequence that will keep it square, sort of like torquing the bolts on a head to the block of an engine in a sequence that won't cause it to warp!Last edited by Ken Dennis; 04-22-2009 at 11:39 AM.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Samm,  I hadn't seen you posting much lately,  figured you found you a love interest...Or something better to do.Come-a-longs are one of the best farm tools ever invented, next to a hammer and a Hi-lift jack.   Have you ever found a way to make those cheap safety catches actually work for more than a time or two?Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:haha yeah in my work bay i keep a few things handy, a come-a-longabout 4 or 5 turn buckles2 sash clampsand sometimes a porta-power
Reply:All I keep in my work area is busted knuckles.  I hate carrying them inside, it leaves a trail of that red stuff all over the tile.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I use pipe clamps.  We have some that are over 8 feet long down to 12 inch.
Reply:Is that rack for chunks o' steel? City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Good tips on squaring things up, Sam.  Thanks.