Controlling Warpage when Welding

ChuckE2009 · Dec 20, 2012

Goodmorning everyone!!

Well, I've been pretty busy here lately, I havent gotten to spend as much time out in the shop as I'd like to...

Anyway, over the past couple years I've picked up a few ideas about dealing with welding related warpage here on the internet, from both schools I've attended, and from my own personal, but limited, fabrication experience....

One night, I decided to make a video about the subject, and this is what I put together...

I told myself, "I want to make the video I would have liked to seen when I started building things" and this is what I came up with.

Just wanted to share, hopefully it helps someone out:

Have a nice week, everyone!!

sdkubota · Dec 20, 2012

Great video, great explanations and pointers. I have been welding for 30 years and have learned something today. Thank You.

I have straightened some large trailer "truss" sides I manufactured by using a torch. The sides warped even though there was little welding done on the web connection portion of the truss frame. A little carefull application of heat from the torch and pulled everything back to nearly perfectly straight. I hope you keep up with your videos because you do an excellent job. Your welding instructors should be proud.

k0ua · Dec 20, 2012

Very good, I really enjoyed the video.. Who says a 58 year old guy can't learn something from a 19 year old.? Thanks again, and keep 'em coming:thumbsup:

James K0UA

Shield Arc · Dec 20, 2012

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure!

Shield Arc · Dec 20, 2012

When are you going to do a video on heat shrinking? :cool2:

ChuckE2009 · Dec 21, 2012

sdkubota said:
Great video, great explanations and pointers. I have been welding for 30 years and have learned something today. Thank You.

I have straightened some large trailer "truss" sides I manufactured by using a torch. The sides warped even though there was little welding done on the web connection portion of the truss frame. A little carefull application of heat from the torch and pulled everything back to nearly perfectly straight. I hope you keep up with your videos because you do an excellent job. Your welding instructors should be proud.

I'm here to serve

Thanks man

k0ua said:
Very good, I really enjoyed the video.. Who says a 58 year old guy can't learn something from a 19 year old.? Thanks again, and keep 'em coming:thumbsup:

James K0UA

Haha, glad you liked it

Shield Arc said:
When are you going to do a video on heat shrinking? :cool2:

When I get good at it, lol!! I've read up on it, but I've never really practiced it

Shield Arc · Dec 21, 2012

ChuckE2009 said:
When I get good at it, lol!! I've read up on it, but I've never really practiced it

The best way to learn is to do it with projects. I got stuck building 200 of these one time. Can you believe it was written in the specs to have the legs no more than 1/16-inch out?!

I'm sure you know square tube is very reactive to heat. Every one of these I had to heat shrink back on dimensions.

sdkubota · Dec 21, 2012

ChuckE2009 said:
When I get good at it, lol!! I've read up on it, but I've never really practiced it

Every time you have welded you have praticed but only in the bad kind of way. Take a heavy piece of steel and heat a pie shaped portion red hot and then let it cool...