OP
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
To close the loop. First I checked the 2x2 beam for straightness. One side was 3/32 bowed. I tacked the five brackets to the high side, and that straightened the bow. Then I clamped the beam to a 4x4x3/16 tube, with a piece of 1/8 strap under the bracket to be welded. Welded the middle one first, checked for straight, it was perfect. Did the other brackets the same way. Ended up with no discernible warp at all. I decided to leave off the gussets, would be overkill for strength and just put a lot of unnecessary heat into the beam. Again many thanks for much needed advice.
