welding seams

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if you are welding a 3 foot seam, after you tack it, do you start from one end and work to the other end? Or is it different for each type of weld you are doing.? thanks.
Reply:At the very least you would tack at one foot intervals then backstep.  You  start at the one foot tack and run back to the beginning, then you start at the two foot tack and run to the one foot tack.  This is the least you would do to limit buckling and distortion.  Other measures could be taken accoridng to the thckness of material and type of weld.
Reply:It does depend, although with something that long, I will use multiple tacks.  If you put a fair amount of heat into the piece, you may very well stress that end tack to the point where it breaks on you, and throw the piece out of alignment.
Reply:on thin material, would you use more tacs, and/or try to clamp it down until it cools? thanks.
Reply:Originally Posted by caosesvidaon thin material, would you use more tacs, and/or try to clamp it down until it cools? thanks.
Reply:How much do people use preheating, I see where that would be a good idea, because the weld would start quicker, this is tig I am doing. Is there guidelines about how much you heat the material up? I would guess not too hot or you would warp it also. thanks again for the hope.
Reply:Well there are a lot of variables to consider.  What kind of material?  How thick is it? what kind of joint will it be.  Before anyone can give you a good answer narrow your parameters a bit and give us the details on what you are doing.  then we might can shed some light on which way to go.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:1/8 " stainless, I am working on a tank out of a dishwasher, and where I cut it out, I want to add a 3" wide piece on top to even out the are I cut and strengthen the sides a bit. it is about 26" long by 15" wide.