warpage on 3/8 SS

[Clavacle]

I weld these SS cam brakes at my work every few weeks and they always seem to warp, it doesn't affect the way the brakes work but I would like to weld them and have them stay true. The plate is 3/8 308 SS and the pipe is 4" sch 40 TIG(whoops I mean GTAW, just joking) welded all the way around. I usually weld a 1 1/2 fillet on one side then a 1 1/2 lap on the other side, then let it cool down and continue. The pipe is 5 1/2" long but by the time they are finished the gap between the ends of the plates is 5 1/8". I've tried putting a 5 1/2" piece of metal between the ends and welding it but when it's finished and cooled I have to smash it out from between the plates and it's still warped. Any help is appreciated.

[aametalmaster]

Thats the bad thing about stainless you spend more time straightening it than welding it. I used to weld pump covers from 1/2" thick SS plate and they bent like banannas. But half of being a welder is knowing how to make your parts look good after welding...Bob

[Clavacle]

here's some pics of the brakes, sorry for the quality.

[FM117]

2 suggestions...
Clamp the flat section down hard with something behind it
to bend it a little against the way it's warping.
Mig it instead of tig if you can, the mig is a lot faster
and you will put less TOTAL heat into the assm that way.
I usually have much better luck with respect to warpage
running a mig" hot and fast" vs. poking along with the tig.
Dave P.

[fabricator]

if possible try what fm117 is saying.two other options (but they are after its been welded)is applying heat on the opposite side to pull it back out.the other is using a small hydraulic jack to straighten.