Straightening bend in stainless

[C08]

The end of my bowsprit is a 6mm stainless plate with holes for the forestay clevis pin and side holes for lose stays. There is a bend in one corner and I am wondering how best to straighten it out. Lump hammer or adjustable wrench and a 3 ft pipe and with or without heat. There is a weld only 1.5 inches away and I do not wish to tear the weld.
So which method and with or without heat, if with best how much?







e weld.

 

[earlybird]

To soften 304 or 316 SS requires heating to red. That will probably require a big blowlamp flame or oxy-propane for that thickness of plate. Presumably you will remove the plate from the boat. I'd guess hammering will be needed, alternatively a very strong clamp and lever, 6mm plate will take some force to bend it. Problem with SS is that the initial bend will be work-hardened, so it tends to kink rather than straighten but sufficient local heat will help.

 

[Thistle]

Is straightening necessary or is it just cosmetic? If it's just cosmetic I'd suggest leaving it.

 

[C08]

Success. I used a 14lb sledgehammer, cold metal and 5 very solid thumps. Took out the bend on the corner perfectly and cannot now detect there ever was a bend.

 

[RobBradley]

Brute force wins eventually, or so my other half believes.....

Well done! You showed it who was boss

 

[earlybird]

I don't think I could swing a 14lb. hammer and land it in the same place 5 times in succession.