It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:52 am




Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
 Any tips on straightening steel plate 
Author Message
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:18 pm
Posts: 4310
Post Any tips on straightening steel plate
Need some ideas on how to straighten some plate.

I'm building a big smoker using 30" pipe 3/8" wall 4' long. I had a buddy of water jet out some 1/4" plate for the end caps. Welded the endcaps to the pipe, skipping around so it doesn't warp. Well, it did. I didn't notice it until I cut out the door with the plasma cutter. When the top is closed, the sides line up damn near perfect, but there concave.

20190608_204055.jpg
20190609_104537.jpg

I though of taking some 1/4" angle and using it as a strong back to straighten back out. It could double as part of the ends for the cooking grate support. tack one side, then pull the angle to the plate and c clamp. I've flexed it out with a bottle jack and it will flex back out, just springs back in place.

I have heard of metal distortion fixing, but don't have any torch or rosebud. Someone mentioned weld some 2" beads on the inside, let get cold to touch, repeat process until the metal shrinks enough, thus straightening it out. Never done this, so have no idea. I have my counter balance on and I will trim out the door with flat bar to make it waterproof, but don't want to half ass it, I want to fix it right.

You guys have any ideas?


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:41 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm
Posts: 1872
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
Muffler shops have those pipe machines that crimp and straighten pipe. Might be able to go that route if you know someone who has a shop


Mon Jul 01, 2019 11:54 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:18 pm
Posts: 4310
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:07 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:54 pm
Posts: 8133
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
I think your on the right track. Will be easy to square up the bottom with grate racks but not sure about the lid since you can't bridge the gap. Get heavy enough angle and it'll straighten it out like you have drawn.

_________________
Before the internet, the majority of the village idiots stayed in their villages.


Mon Jul 01, 2019 2:01 pm
Profile
MMT Pro Member

Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2019 7:58 am
Posts: 51
Post Any tips on straightening steel plate
Doing that method with the C clamp sounds ok but in my opinion you’d be better off to position a piece of angle on either side, use a bottle jack to push in the center until the angle lays flush and weld in place. Seems like the C clamp might risk distorting something somewhere else


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Mon Jul 01, 2019 3:38 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:19 pm
Posts: 1103
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
Here is some good information on how to straighten steel. There are some good videos to watch that may help you. I know you said you didn't have a torch but maybe you can borrow one or the videos may give you an idea about where to weld.


Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:30 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm
Posts: 1872
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
Unless you find a shop that makes tips for diesel trucks :lol:


Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:02 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:18 pm
Posts: 4310
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate


Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:19 am
Profile
MMT Pro Member

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 8:41 am
Posts: 100
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
go buy you a torch, man. You sound just like me...you know theres an easier way, youve spent time researching the easier way, but at the end of the day you wont do the easier way and when you do, kick yourself in the butt for not doing it sooner. LOL. Cant tell you how many times ive been through this...just to finally end up doing it the easy/right way.

Just my opinion but a torch is a must for a shop like yours. I think its money well spent, and you will definitely get some more use out of it in the future.


Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:45 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:07 pm
Posts: 4820
Location: West Monroe, LA
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
Or, use the bottle jack, wedge some drill stem or something to hold it out when you remove the jack, then get a good hot fire going in there to destress the warp. Its bound to work.

Or not.

Or you could just buy a torch lol

#CFFITR
#GhostBoat
#Whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor


Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:15 am
Profile
MMT Elite Member

Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:54 pm
Posts: 8133
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate
It's fucked, you gotta start all over.

_________________
Before the internet, the majority of the village idiots stayed in their villages.


Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:30 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:18 pm
Posts: 4310
Post Re: Any tips on straightening steel plate


Tue Jul 02, 2019 11:02 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 12 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Majestic-12 [Bot] and 218 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to: