Warp factor 2---NOT Star Trek!!!!!

big tee · Jul 23, 2016

I have been working on the 21 ft. table off and on. I built myself a cheap jig out of plywood and 2 x 4's. I tacked them together in the jig and took them out and clamped them to too different things to keep them from warping. You would think I was making rocking chairs instead of picnic table frames. So I straightened the in my homemade press. When I went to the next step and welded the top on I tried something different- I clamped a 5/8ths washer between the part being welded and the stiffener---WORKED!!! Kind of like those big cement I-beams you see going down the road--pre-stressed. I am not used to welding all this new steel. Usually I have to grind of the rust or old paint before I can weld on it. New steel is getting very EXSPENSIVE. My Wife's brother runs a welding/repair shop 15 mi from me so I get my steel from him. 48 ft. of 2x2 1/8 wall square tubing cost me $206. I don't know if he is treating me good, or getting even for sleeping with his sister!!!

Steve@Advance · Jul 23, 2016

That's good problem solving!

Thanks for the tip!

JD Seller · Jul 23, 2016

Big Tee: Your project is interesting. I think these table legs/supports will be much stronger than the Chinese ones you bought. As for the trouble you have ran into keeping the welded final product straight. This is always a major problem with welded assemblies. The lighter the steel the more they seem to warp.

I made a 24 foot steel roll back bed years ago. Just channel iron rails with tubing cross members. All of the welding on the top of the rails made them warp six inches over the 24 foot. I had one large teeter toddler. LOL I finally flipped it upside down and ran a bead of weld the entire length of the bottom of the rail. That contracted the bottom of the rails so they were then flat.

So your stressing the parts before is one way to compensate for contraction of the weld after cooling. You can also do it with additional welds.

Patsdeere · Jul 24, 2016

I was just checking what I paid at work and you got it for way under what I pay for it. What funny is 1.5 x 1/8 sq tubing is 20%+ cheaper per pound then the 2 in stuff. Doesn't make sense, but I guess people want it and will pay for it.

jon f mn · Jul 24, 2016

That type of structure is especially prone to that type of warping. You handled it about as good as possible.

Warp factor 2---NOT Star Trek!!!!!

big tee

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Steve@Advance

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JD Seller

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Patsdeere

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jon f mn

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