Welding Table Help!

[Schmokie]

I have built a welding table but found that my 1/2" 3' x 4' plate is arced. I can pull it down with clamps to straighten it but which way should I pull the arc? Should I place it on the table as an upside down letter "U" or place it on the table like the letter "U"? Any help is appreciated.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

If I had to guess I'd rather lay it down as an "U". That way you can start on one side and work your way to the other. Just keep in mind that as you weld it, it will start to arc in that direction slightly.

 

[AMCguy]

Have you already applied welds to the plate? If not and its used steel, someone else may have. That could be why its distorted. If its still loose, I would place it convex side up and make a series of small welds on the surface. Do this in the area of the most distortion. As the welds cool, they will shrink the surface of the plate and pull it flat. You can then grind or sand the welds flush with the surface.

 

[inlinr6]

My table is 26x80 and I bolted it to my frame with countersunk bolts it had a U and a twist we just clamped and drilled and it came out,not like its a suface plate but close enough for me.I didn't weld mine on so it wouldn't shrink were the welds were.happened to a smaller table I built years ago,even at 3/4" it had waves..

 

[zkling]

If your frame is strong enough to take out the bend in the plate, the way you put it down will dictate the steps in welding it down to reduce stress.

If you put it down on the fram like U, it would be best to weld starting in the center, left to right or right to left. Just not left, right center or right left center.

If you put it down on the frame like ∩ it would be best to weld the center first and then the ends.

 

[Schmokie]

Guys thank you all very much for the help. I am welding it on in 2 days, I have enough flex to get it pretty darn straight with clamps and a piece of square tubing I found. I will post the pics in a few days, the base came out pretty good!

Thank You all again!!

 

[metalmagpie]

Have you tried putting it on the floor hump up and hitting the hump with a BFH?