Warped Stainless

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I welded this a while ago, it warped more than I expected so I tried to straighten it.   The grates would fall right out.  I bent the bar the other way, cut slots in the 1x1x1/8 angle and welded them back.  It only made it worse.  Finally I ground the weld off and put on a new piece of angle.  We Pre bent it then I welded it from the center out.  Last edited by David R; 12-21-2011 at 06:30 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:The weld close up  Arcmaster 185 on 97 amps   3/32 electrode no filler.  I tried #8 gas lens and plain #12.  Plain had better coverage by the color.  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I love tig welding stainless but its such a PITA. I dont think that could have been avoided with a continuous weld on a small profile - Maybe a smaller series of beads spread out with cool down times inbetween (?)
Reply:This is one place where pulsing is extremely beneficial, autogeneous edge/outside corner welds with a fraction of the heat input and faster travel speeds.  Something like that I would start off at 180A 3.5-4PPS 30-35%Peak 15-20%Background, use the pedal to find the right balance.Also, you could of probably heat straightened that piece pretty well.  Just get about 1/4" glowing  down the length of the angle on the inside edge.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I left out the most important picture.   This is how I pre stressed the parts.  I guessed at how much by how much it warped before.  The two spacers on the outside are 1/8" the center one is 1/4"The outside angle is 2 x 2 x 1/4".   The angle on the grill is 1x1 x 1/8 stainless.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.