Welding table build

[Shield Arc]

The theory of heat shrinking is easy, the trick is how much heat to apply. Sometimes you end up chasing your tail when doing it! :laughing:

 

[stuckmotor]

Shield Arc,
Please explain what you're doing and why in the drawings in post 3 and the photos in post 11. I want to make sure I understand.

 

[Shield Arc]

Well some people think it's voodoo,:laughing: but it's really simple! When you heat steel it expands, when it cools it contracts further than it was originally, the water just speeds up the cooling / contracting.

 

[oldhippy]

If your plate was sheared from the steel supplier the application of small amounts of heat will not work. The shearing action sets up stresses along the edges and into the plate making the heating method not work. If it was torched it will work fine. You can even flatten 6" thick pcs. You can cool the heat with water or air. Air is slower but makes less mess.

 

[stuckmotor]

Shield Arc,
Please explain what you're doing and why in the drawings in post 3 and the photos in post 11. I want to make sure I understand.[/QUOT
In post 3, the lines and dots represent places you've applied heat with the torch and when those spots cool, they'll contract more than they've swelled and draw the ends of the steel upward and the places where heat was applied downward, is that correct?

 

[SquirmyPug]

Stuckmotor, yes that's how it works. I have never done that myself, but ShieldArc has posted about it enough I think I could do it Hey SA, how long did it take to learn you could bend steel like that after you invented fire? :laughing: ... Oh wait, forgot no picking on the old guys..

 

[stuckmotor]

The theory of heat shrinking is easy, the trick is how much heat to apply. Sometimes you end up chasing your tail when doing it! :laughing:

In the third photo, that must be a pump type spray bottle in your hand. At first I thought you were applying heat with a plasma cutter and couldn't figure out why you weren't wearing a glove.
The final two photos have me stumped. Is the red arrow pointing at something or showing the direction you are drew the metal? Is the final photo the result of your work?
I ask all these questions because I keep a list of links with pointers on metal working. If the link to this one is labeled with your name, I'll know it's expert information.
Thanks,
Stuck

 

[stuckmotor]

SquirmyPug,
I've drawn a fair amount of metal with heat, the problem is, it wasn't all intentional.

 

[SquirmyPug]

SquirmyPug,
I've drawn a fair amount of metal with heat, the problem is, it wasn't all intentional.

I've done the same, it seems to be easy though, just got to take your time. Usually when I'm using a torch to heat something its to bend it with force, not the heat.

 

[Arc weld]

A type of heat shrinking is used all the time for straightening things like oilfield skids. The skids get bowed from welding the checker plate on. All you have to do is flip the skid upside down and place blocks at the 4 corners. Then you heat across the main I beam cross members (usually about 4) and let it cool. The weight of the skid will let it settle till it's pretty flat. If it needs more you can some weight or a wet rag or water mist to get it to move a little more. I'm real rusty on the subject but I think as long as the steel is under the lower critical temperature, the water won't affect it.

Shield Arc, you should post the pictures of the I beams that were curved with heat in the Procedure Handbook. I'm sure that takes some expertise to do but very impressive they could get them the same.