Heat distortion

[orchardair]

Hi All,
I'd like to start a discussion about heat distortion.

I find that even though I have my structure in a jig (usually just a few blocks on the bench), when I sight down the main tube (let's say the leading edge of an elevator) that the tube is no longer perfectly straight.
At every intersection with another structure member, the tube has a little protrusion, which makes the entire leading edge a little "wavy".

1. What has been your experience?
2. what can I do to mitigate this, if at all?
3. What can I do to fix this? My guess is apply heat, but I am sure there are some tips out there on how to do it.

Thanks.

[jwhanson]

If it's minor just leave it alone. By the time you get the fabric and tapes on it, it probably won't be that visible.
John Hanson

[dougm]

O/A or Tig welding? This is a common part of welding. Do you have the Tony Bingelis books? He's got a section on dealing with this.

[orchardair]

Thanks for the replies,
I use O / A, and I don't have the books anymore.

O/A or Tig welding? This is a common part of welding. Do you have the Tony Bingelis books? He's got a section on dealing with this.