Welding table build

[CDN Farm Boy]

Before I heated that wedge like you have marked out. I would first try heating the toe of the angle. If that won't pull it back enough heat the wedge, or a circle where you have the wedge marked out.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I'm guessing heating the full length will create a more even pull than the wedge which is obviously concentrated?

How do I tell how much to heat it?

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

My wife got me this book for Christmas so I had a look to see if it said anything.



It has 10 pages on flame straightening and a bunch of purdy pictures but I got more out of SA's 4 lines and 3 quick sketches.

I did go back out and have another look at it though. There are 2 distinct spots where it is bent. In this pic, you can see the 2 lines with the zero beside them, those are the apex of the bend. Still straight between the 2 marks. On the left side, it's 1/4" out at the end and on the right, it's 1/8". Surprised me, I figured its would have been more consistent, with similar amount of distortion at each tine



Since I've discovered it's 2 specific bends, should I still try heating the toe or should I use the V right at these spots?

 

[farmer2009]

My grandfather gave me a book a few months ago. Here is a picture of the cover. Haven't used it but it might help.

 

[Shield Arc]

How much heat to apply is the trick to flame straightening! The theory of where to place the heat is the easy part, how much heat is the hard part!

Look at heating just the toe of the angle as a gradual correction. Look at heating the wedge as a hefty correction. Most likely you won't see the heating of the toe after it cools. The wedge will produce a small kink, that will be visible. At first try heating the toe of the angle right where you can see the bend, use a straight edge to find the bends, If heating the toe doesn't work, then heat a wedge.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Thanks for your thoughts SA. I always appreciate you input.

Hopefully picking up new tanks today and will give this a try this afternoon or tomorrow morning

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Got tanks for my torches today and gave it a whirl. Started heating the toe as suggested and quickly got fed up with it and heated the first wedge. Hit it with some water to speed the cooling process and by the time it was cool enough to touch with bare hand, I still didn't see much movement. Ugh.

Round 2... Got out a 6' piece of 5" channel to use as a strongback with a couple clamps. Heated at the next 2 marks, clamped on the strongback heated some more then drew the clamps in as far as I could. Something still didn't seem right and there was still some gap. Measured for square from top corner to front tip and was out an inch. Yikes. Dug out two 2" ratchet straps. As there hadn't been much cooling yet, I reheated again and also heated the lower angle iron. Cranked on the ratchet straps till they were fiddle tight which drew it 1/8 past square. With the extra force of the straps and clamps, as it cooled on its own, the last 1/8" gap closed up. Fingers crossed that tomorrow when I undo the clamps and straps, it's close enough.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

 

[Big Barn]

Looks good. Maybe (if you need to) shim up the centre a bit, reclamp and reheat. As to your earlier question regarding how much is too much heat, I was going to reply if it bends back TOO far you've used too much heat but figured you probably weren't in a position to appreciate my humor (or lack of) Terry

Edit:just noticed you DID bend it past square.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Looks good. Maybe (if you need to) shim up the centre a bit, reclamp and reheat. As to your earlier question regarding how much is too much heat, I was going to reply if it bends back TOO far you've used too much heat but figured you probably weren't in a position to appreciate my humor (or lack of) Terry

Edit:just noticed you DID bend it past square.

Oh yes, I'd appreciate the humor lol. No problem on that. Its kinda like giving directions and saying "its the last road before you get to xxxx". How do you know its the last one unless you've driven by? Or the farm I worked summers on in highschool.... Backing self-unloading wagons into the shed for winter storage, I stopped the tractor and got off cause I couldn't see my guide anymore (full-time farm hand). Told him I needed guidance as to how close I was and to stay where I could see him. His response was he'd let me know when I'd hit something.... Like I wouldn't have already felt it. Dumb a**

When I pulled it with the straps, I went the 1/8 past figuring there'd be a bit of spring back. If when I unclamp tomorrow, I find I still want more correction, do I heat the same spots over again (assuming I'm still trying to work the same spot) or do I go just beside ?

 

[Big Barn]

Oh yes, I'd appreciate the humor lol. No problem on that. Its kinda like giving directions and saying "its the last road before you get to xxxx". How do you know its the last one unless you've driven by? Or the farm I worked summers on in highschool.... Backing self-unloading wagons into the shed for winter storage, I stopped the tractor and got off cause I couldn't see my guide anymore (full-time farm hand). Told him I needed guidance as to how close I was and to stay where I could see him. His response was he'd let me know when I'd hit something.... Like I wouldn't have already felt it. Dumb a** When I pulled it with the straps, I went the 1/8 past figuring there'd be a bit of spring back. If when I unclamp tomorrow, I find I still want more correction, do I heat the same spots over again (assuming I'm still trying to work the same spot) or do I go just beside ?

I would try warming up the same spots only over a slightly larger area.
If that doesn't work you should have done it the other way.

Terry