Welding without distortion

[Freds]

When I made SS counters I would run a 1/2" weld in one direction, then skip ahead 1/2" and weld back into the first weld. It sounds like your tac and back. You can't entirely get rid of warpage, but you can reduce it.

Another thing to keep in mind is metal will contract more than it expanded. When you're welding framework don't dilly-dally around. Once everything is tacked, get all your welding done so things will "pull" against each other as they are cooling and kind of equal each other out... that or use nuts & bolts /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Highbeam]

"Another good technique is to hurry and flip your work and weld the other side before it cools."

I thought it was just me, I do that too. Even a healthy tack will cause the distortion so hurry up and even the tacks out.

 

[tswirka]

I do alot of welding at work on pressure pipe, i work in a refinery. If i have to weld on square tubing or shaped steel one of the best things to keep from warping is a heavy welding table and jig clamps. jig clamps i use are c-clamps cut in half. weld the half clamp to the table and tighten everything down , use lower that usual heat and stitch weld alot. let everything cool while clamped down. there are alot of tricks with backing bars and gussets, you just have to see what works for you. or weld it then WHOOP IT straight.
Todd