[modas]

How's that for a name for a rock band??

Anywho, I'm building a door cradle to assist me when I take the doors off my '64 Impala. I'm building it out of 1x1x.125 square tube. The dimensions of it are 14 x 21.

After I got done welding it up, it was nice and square, but it twisted across the diagonals, (i.e it rocks, one corner being higher than the other when layed flat), maybe 1/4" - 3/8".

When I welded it, I spotted both sides, then added a leg, spotted that both sides, then added the top piece and spotted both sides. I used welding magnets to keep it square, but didn't clamp the steel to the table.

Was not clamping the steel the cause of the twist?

Thanks!

[MARTINSR]

It certainly could have helped, but that isn't the only reason it happen. If you weld allowing each weld to cool and don't weld each joint all at once, you can get away without clamping something tight.

This is one of the great misconceptions in rod building. I have heard it far too many times "you have to have a jig to make a frame".

Bull, the only thing a jig helps with is making many of the same frame. THAT is why your Roy Brizios, Boyd Codintons, California Roadsters and most every other big name rod shop have a jig. I have made perfectly straight frames from scratch laying on the floor. All it takes is patience and a measuring tape.

Brian

[shoddy_f-body]

You can buy one of these for $80.