Stainless steel handrail warping

[FLM]

I am going to be fabricating a interior stainless steel hand rail. It will likey have a round 1 1/2" D. 1/8" wall hand rail, with round 1" D. 1/8" wall pickets apx 4-5" on center spacing. This rail will be on a stair case, so the pickets will be coped to rail on about 32 degrees. GTAW is the process. My concern is that the top rail is going to have waves in it from all the welding of pickets. My Question, is there any tricks to prevent the top rail from warping. How to keep the top rail totally staight. The longest rail stetch is apx 10'- 12' long. I was thinking fusing without filler might help. If you have any tricks or tips that can help keep my rail staight and prevent warping. I would greatly appreciate any helpful insight.

[Roger]

Easy sure way to have no warping is do not weld it. Drill holes and insert pickets.

[donald branscom]

Easy sure way to have no warping is do not weld it. Drill holes and insert pickets.

That is what I would do. You have to know when to not weld.

[bvweld]

Originally Posted by bvweld
Just FYI, I saw your post from some time ago,but might help some others. This will help your distortion issue along with controlling your heat and moving around. Check this link:

http://www.stagesmith.com/gallery/sh...amp/index.html
Done a few rails some in stainless.Pictures are self explanatory, you will get the idea

[514ironwork]

the clamp is a good idea, another tips wich is also good for any type of pickets on any type of railing is weld 1 and pass 1 between each one, if the railing is really long like 8, 9, 10 stairs and more you can pass 2 pickets at the time, you do the bottom and the top the same way, i know its look longer but the job i better!

for the big clamp i prefer to use it on central tube of railling and stuff like that!

[josephaddison17]

I think that steel is very important and useful metal.You can use clamp and three holding angle which is very useful for your stainless steel hand rail.I think u must have used welding of pickets. You must remember that heat is keeping minimum around the rail.

[jessica1122]

Instate stainless steel on your railing and you will have the best cable railing for your deck or balcony.