Advise on large planter boxes

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I need some advice from those more experienced.   I assumed this was a easy project and completely underestimated the work.  I'm trying to build a 10' long x 24" wide x 10" high bottomless planter box using 1/4" x 10" flat plate.  Simple right?I made the mistake of assuming I could simply weld 4 sides of the plate together with angle iron inserts at the corners for added support & to better maintain 90s at the corners.  Problem is the flat plate is not truely flat (somewhat wavy) & the end product was a somewhat twisted rectangle.  So I've got to start-over as it doesn't begin to meet the quality standards.   What are you guys doing when building a large "metal box" like this to keep everything pretty darn square & straight?   The bottomless aspect while using less material makes this project more difficult.  I'd like to leave the top open so only the 1/4" steel plate edge shows when filled with dirt/gravel.  Much like attached pic.      Thanks!
Reply:the less welding you do/the less heat you put into the metal,the less warpage. any reason to weld this continuous? a couple of 1" welds  will do what  is needed..
Reply:In addition to spot welding along the edges you can throughout the box weld struts to keep the distance and squareness together. The strunts could be as simple as 1"sq or angle equal distance in length, [equal to the depth of the box to the wall], welded on the inside every couple of feet or so, the plants won't mind and you will not be able to see them....SteveThank you....Life is tough, tougher when your stupid...2xMiller Matic 252Miller PassportSpoolMate 100Miller Dynasty 200dxThermal Dynamics A80-mounted to PlasmaCamThermal Dynamics 52-PortableMiller Trail Blazer 320
Reply:I agree with not making one long continuous weld bead.  To reiterate, that only causes warpage and your once square project, not becomes oval like! 1" welds evenly spaced apart is best.  You should have a much easier time doing your box this way.  I must ask however, why uses steel for a planter box?  it is going to rust and rust very fast over time.  Also, if it's placed on top of a concrete slab, the rust is going to stain the concrete underneath.  Just something to consider.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Thanks for the advice.  The look of rusted metal planters in landscaping is actually pretty popular.   Agreed on staining on concrete.Well, I was not welding a continuous seam.   I did orginally add "cross-members" to keep the spacing identical the length of the 10 foot planter but the problem was the the ends were curving in parallel.  So I started over today and built an internal frame out of 3/16" x 1-1/2" angle.  I now have an absolutely perfect bottomless box.
Reply:Are you using CorBon steel? That is what most of the rusted steel planters are made from.