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How can I straighten this bend out?

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kn6

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi..

New here, found this place while looking through Google trying to find out how to fix a small bend in my new skid plate.

Basically, it got damaged during shipping and I have absolutely zero clue about how to fix it as I don't know anything about this type of stuff. Is this something I can fix myself or should I go to like a metal shop(what would that even be called?)

I didn't want to start hitting it with a hammer as I don't know if that will weaken the weld(again I don't know anything about this type of stuff.) However it is a skid plate so should be able to withstand some pretty powerful forces.


Anyways, thanks for help in advance!
KN
 

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#5 ·
Remove the bolt, put it on a flat solid surface(preferably steel) and give it a few good whacks with a 2-3# hammer. You sure it's not supposed to have that bend in it? You might want to look where it is going to be mounted to make sure before you try straightening it, otherwise you may be back asking how to put the bend back in it.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Bistineau said:
Remove the bolt, put it on a flat solid surface(preferably steel) and give it a few good whacks with a 2-3# hammer. You sure it's not supposed to have that bend in it? You might want to look where it is going to be mounted to make sure before you try straightening it, otherwise you may be back asking how to put the bend back in it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I contacted the company who made it to make sure the bend wasn't supposed to be there. I think the UPS guy dropped it or something, it's heavy as hell.

I got a small sheet of thick steel, will use that and a hammer and see how it turns out.


Funny thing was I was thinking about learning welding, was looking at buying a Lincoln Electric K1297 AC/DC 225/125 Arc Welder to play around with. Wasn't sure if I'd end up killing myself or not though. Going to browse around and see what I can learn.

Thanks all.

KN
 
#9 · (Edited)
kn6 said:
Funny thing was I was thinking about learning welding, was looking at buying a Lincoln Electric K1297 AC/DC 225/125 Arc Welder to play around with. Wasn't sure if I'd end up killing myself or not though. Going to browse around and see what I can learn.

Thanks all.

KN
Click to expand...
Go ahead and invest in the welder and learn how to do it correctly. You will get lots of help here from forum members in the process. If you are gong to need more parts like you have shown, then you will be able to save a lot of money making them yourself. However, be warned you will spend WAYYYYY more than you save in getting the welding equipment and the accessories that go along with it. It can be a slippery slope once you get your feet wet and catch the welding bug. You will find there are tools you never knew about that you suddenly have a use for to make project building easier/better. So go ahead and dive in head first down that slope, like so many of us before you have done.:cool2:
That piece you have was MIG welded, but it can also be done with stick and TIG.;) It looks like you have already selected a decent machine to start with, unlike some newbies who want to go cheap with a Harbor Fright(or other cheap welder) welder to save money while they decide if they want to get deeper into welding and end up frustrated with the whole idea because the machine is faulty and they don't have the experience with welding to realize it and think it is them that is doing something wrong. So avoid this by investing in quality welding equipment to eliminate that as a reason for trouble learning to weld.;)
You have joined this forum now, so go ahead and look around, read and ask questions. Just be sure to check in regularly when you ask a question, because around here you can start getting answers within minutes of posting at times. There have been some new members that made a post, asking about something, and did not check back for 4-5 days and by then had 20+ responses, with some thinking they are some sort of troll that's messing with us.:angry:

Be sure to add your location to your profile so we will know where your coming from. There may be some members in your area who are willing to show you how to weld and help you get started right. Can't hurt, and may be very beneficial to you.
 
#13 ·
shortfuse said:
Heat the bend area to red hot with a torch and slowly bend it back in shape. Hammering might not be the best approach considering the weld.
Click to expand...
This is a newbie who has no welding equipment at the time, so I doubt the torch is an option at this point. Besides if the weld can't take a little hammer action, how is it supposed to do it's job as part of a skid plate on a vehicle? If it breaks from a little bit of hammering then it is unsuitable as a skid plate part.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I dunno, definitive looking die mark there Bro. I would still fit it up and double check before heating/bending. Depending on the size of the manufacturer, the customer rep might not know squat. Small outfits seem to be more personable/knowledgeable, but not always the case..

If in fact you fit it up and find that it does need to be flattened, see if you can find somebody with an extremely large cresent wrench / pipe wrench / or find something that can act as a large cantilever. Secure one side, while you slowly pull it flat a little at a time till it's flat. If all goes to hell, call the manuf back and tell em you need a new plate.

-Niche
 
#15 ·
Best way to straighten that is from the bottom. Put the pipe section down on something solid and strong like an anvil, bumper or large rock. and strike it with a heavy hammer or smaller rock. If it doesn't move use a heavier and bigger hammer. Just make sure to remove the bolt first. Most likely will need an extra set of hands to hold it in place very awkward shape to hold and strike at same time. Good luck
 
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#16 ·
If you had someone with a suitable set up, you could heat the bend on the back/bottom across the bend, then let it cool. The heat will draw it back down when applied to the right side. If it were me I woulda smacked it with a hammer. That or put the bent part in a vise (a good one) and used ths tube its welded onto to pull it back up as much as possible. If thats even an option.
 
#17 ·
Wow! Seems like an easy fix to me if it was in fact bent. It does look like it has a distinct bend mark from a brake so maybe there's nothing wrong with it? Heating mild steel to bend it doesn't affect the strength. A lot of straightening is even done by spot quenching heated area's. CEP could give lessons on straightening but for this particular part I don't think any heat is needed. Take the bolt out and use it to bolt (or clamp with a good strong clamp) the piece onto something solid like the ball mount on a trailer hitch and then just use the pipe as it's own leverage to straighten it cold, like was mentioned above.
 
#18 ·
kn6

If you walked in my door - I would accept shipping
damage as the cause.

Although your photo is off axis - the upper/right 'kink'
is perpendicular to the tube - and the lower/left 'bend'
is obviously diagonal [misaligned] and not a production
feature.

Because you are not equipped - go to the most reputable
'Job Shop' [not manufacturing] in your area.

Ask: that they construct a fixture while cold - heat with a
'Big-Azz' welding tip [top & bottom] - then clamp to flat.

Tell them you don't want a hammer used for the draw,
and that you expect to pay their shop rate - T & M.

Your metal: is production welded A36/A500 and doesn't
present any lingering temper problems when heated.


Opus
 
#19 ·
Hammer it straight or use a big crescent wrench. If heat is needed and you don't have a torch a throwaway MAP gas plumbers torch would heat that hot enough to bend back with a crescent wrench. Looks to be only 1/8" thick material.
 
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