The Ford Barn

Great Lakes Greg · 09-07-2015, 08:06 PM

The rail is straight overall, but has a cosmetic bend on the bottom length, like it had something push up on it. About five inches long and bent up a quarter of an inch. Do I heat it cherry red and pound it back or try it cold?

Pete · 09-07-2015, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Lakes Greg

The rail is straight overall, but has a cosmetic bend on the bottom length, like it had something push up on it. About five inches long and bent up a quarter of an inch. Do I heat it cherry red and pound it back or try it cold?

That should be easy cold with a 24 inch Crescent wrench.

Big hammer · 09-07-2015, 09:12 PM

Don't heat it if straight or it will bow up after cooling!!
X2 what Pete said

Mike V. Florida · 09-07-2015, 11:02 PM

The bending of metal always caused a stretch. To restore to original state the stretch needs to be shrunk.

Cosmetic repair cold and two large crescent wrenches will work. When done you will notice several small waves in the piece. You can leave it or attempt to hammer the waves, shrinking the metal.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-08-2015, 12:13 AM

I would do it like Pete said and I wouldn't think 1/4" over a 5" length would be any problem. If you have a couple steel plates and good American C clamps, you could also try clamping it back straight.
H/F C clamps are only to be used as paper weights.

Great Lakes Greg · 09-08-2015, 05:29 AM

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I hadn't thought of crescent wrenches. Sounds a lot better than whacking it with a hammer.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-08-2015, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Lakes Greg

I hadn't thought of crescent wrenches. Sounds a lot better than whacking it with a hammer.

A small section from the edge of an old wheel & welded in the jaws of a big Crescent Wrench, makes a dandy wheel bead straightener
Bill W.

Patrick L. · 09-08-2015, 05:52 AM

A couple chunks of angle iron and c-clamps should make it look like new.

Bob Bidonde · 09-08-2015, 08:04 AM

If the metal requires shrinking, heat is a must. After working on several frames, I see that they are not made of a high-strength heat treated steel, so heat application should not be a problem that will ruin the temper of the metal.

It is important to understand if the frame needs straightening due to the bend you have, or if the bend is a local effect that did not alter the frame's shape. If the bend is a local effect, heat it and shrink it away by hammering it flat against a dolly.

09-07-2015, 08:06 PM	#1
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Bending frame rail hot or cold? The rail is straight overall, but has a cosmetic bend on the bottom length, like it had something push up on it. About five inches long and bent up a quarter of an inch. Do I heat it cherry red and pound it back or try it cold?

09-07-2015, 09:12 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? Don't heat it if straight or it will bow up after cooling!! X2 what Pete said

09-07-2015, 11:02 PM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? The bending of metal always caused a stretch. To restore to original state the stretch needs to be shrunk. Cosmetic repair cold and two large crescent wrenches will work. When done you will notice several small waves in the piece. You can leave it or attempt to hammer the waves, shrinking the metal. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-08-2015, 12:13 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? I would do it like Pete said and I wouldn't think 1/4" over a 5" length would be any problem. If you have a couple steel plates and good American C clamps, you could also try clamping it back straight. H/F C clamps are only to be used as paper weights.

09-08-2015, 05:29 AM	#6
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I hadn't thought of crescent wrenches. Sounds a lot better than whacking it with a hammer.

09-08-2015, 05:52 AM	#8
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? A couple chunks of angle iron and c-clamps should make it look like new.

09-08-2015, 08:04 AM	#9
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Bending frame rail hot or cold? If the metal requires shrinking, heat is a must. After working on several frames, I see that they are not made of a high-strength heat treated steel, so heat application should not be a problem that will ruin the temper of the metal. It is important to understand if the frame needs straightening due to the bend you have, or if the bend is a local effect that did not alter the frame's shape. If the bend is a local effect, heat it and shrink it away by hammering it flat against a dolly. __________________ Bob Bidonde