Where do I go to straighten metal?

grendels_arm said:

I bought an FG rear stand some time ago for the sole purpose that it has a breaker bar. I already own a Pitbull rear stand as well. Anyway one of the metal posts that one of the wheels sits on is bent at an angle a little. Where do you go to get something like this fixed? I assume a welder. How much do they charge for a small job like this. If it's more than $20 not sure it's worth. Do I let my fingers do the walking to local welder?

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you might be able to heat it and bend it yourself, with a propane torch.

Is there a person in your neighborhhood who is known to do metal work that you can ask? What about a friend who may be an auto technician, who can heat it with an acetylene torch or re weld it? Any relatives work in a factory where they can take small projects to fix after hours?

Just a few suggestions.

Dave Harhay

can you post a picture of what you are describing so we can see the degree of bend and whereabouts exactly?

grendels_arm said:

I bought an FG rear stand last year for the sole purpose that it has a breaker bar. I already own a Pitbull rear stand as well. Anyway one of the metal posts that one of the little wheels sits on is bent at an angle a little. Where do you go to get something like this fixed? I assume a welder. How much do they charge for a small job like this. If it's more than $20 not sure it's worth. Do I let my fingers do the walking to local welder?

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Lots of forces you can harness. A simple bottle jack and a large stationary object such as a big SVU, boulder, etc. will work wonders. Try to position under the frame rails, but becareful, lots of "soft" part between the frame. Use blocks of wood to protect parts.

You may want to remove the wheel first so it doesn't get jibbered up.

If you can't bend it with a 3-4k lb vehicle, then try what the others suggest.

As always, you do this at your own risk, be careful, stand clear and go slow. SAFETY FIRST.

Lots of energy released quickly can be life threatening and dangerous.

As an off roader, you have to get creative when doing field repairs. Look around you.

Orange County Choppers. Ask for Mikey.

bluepipes said:

Orange County Choppers. Ask for Mikey.

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That was priceless....
But I don't think he wants it broken off...

You should be able to do it in a bench vise using your body as leverage.
Machine shop or welder will be more than $20 the minute you walk through the door unless you know them or they're one of the few left that would do something small like that just for a thank-you. I've got the tools in my garage but it'll cost more than $20 to get up here.

To give everyone a better idea it's the metal post the wheels mount on a rear stand. Probably 2-3 inches long not even half inch thich. Maybe at a 75 degree angle instead of a 90 like it should be. No problem getting wheel off. I'll take pic.

Maybe I can ask the local gas station to use a propane torch.

Find a piece of pipe that with fit over the piece you are trying to bend back, use it like a cheater bar and bend it into place. Whats the worst that can happen?? Its already broke.. just wear safety glasses, and gloves. Maybe a helmet. You could even put on full leathers. or if you have a flak jacket but I guess for maximum safety you should wear the flak jacket over the leathers..... and Steel toed boots. I think that would cover it



***Kingsnake 1650 is not responsible for any damage to property or bodily injury that comes of using this advise!***

try a large double ended ring spanner, say 24 -25 mm. that should give you enough leverage.

Mal

Don't you have to heat up the metal first?

Can you post a pic of what you are trying to bend?? I am ASSUMING it is some type of small solid bar. You should be able to bend it back into shape cold unless its some type of cast metal.

Sometimes you can "beat it to fit, and paint it to match". BFH (big freakin hammer). Or prybar. Not always necessary to heat it.

Always heating will be easier or better,,, otherwise it's called 'Gentle Persuasion" the size you mentioned will be no issue for you.. If you do want to heat it co to the local harware and buy a Bernzomatic or primus type gas bottle and trigger torch. THat should set you back about 20 bucks, then you've got a great cigar lighter for parties!!

Mal

mals900ss said:

try a large double ended ring spanner, say 24 -25 mm. that should give you enough leverage.

Mal

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Thats a box end wrench in Amerispeak

A box head's wrench?? Will that be a Binford sixty-four hundred ?? UH UH UH..

Mal

mals900ss said:

A box head's wrench?? Will that be a Binford sixty-four hundred ?? UH UH UH..

Mal

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Mal, don't tell me "tool time" has dribbled all the way down to your side of the planet.....

But..."box end" flows off the tongue alot better than..."double ended ring spanner"....

grendels_arm said:

To give everyone a better idea it's the metal post the wheels mount on a rear stand. Probably 2-3 inches long not even half inch thich. Maybe at a 75 degree angle instead of a 90 like it should be. No problem getting wheel off. I'll take pic.

Maybe I can ask the local gas station to use a propane torch.

Click to expand...

Just chuck it up in a vice and beat it with a BFH.