Bent bar

[TopJimmy]

I won't go into the details, but the end result is a bent bar and tip. I tried to straighten it in a vice, but I can get it straihgter, but it looks more like a mild S than a straight bar. I am worred that if I run it, it will be hard on chains, and perhaps cause other problems.

For $35.00 I just ordered another bar, but I could keep it for a backup/dirty work if I could get it straight. Any good methods?

Jim

 

[scottr]

Jim , I've C clamped a bent bar to a 4x4 to straighten it . Not long ago someone said that they use their truck to run over their bent bar to straighten . A shop press and blocks might work better . Cut4fun has a S shaped bar in his signature , is yours similar ?

 

[TopJimmy]

No where near that, If you put a straight edge on it, I think that the max variation would be 1/8" It was kind or a sharp bend at the end of the bar, as a matter of fact, it is so close to the end that it only bend one ear and the sprocket nose. I am not sure that the sprocket is salvagable, so I figured instead of investing 12.00 in a sprocket to mount on a bent bar, I would just buy new. I even thought about sending it to someone to straighten (assuming there is such a service) but it would not be worth it. I might try the press, I never thought about trying that, and I just used it last night to bend some 1/2" plate parts for a bumper I am building.

Jim

 

[scottr]

If the sprocket itself is not bent and it spins freely then it might be salvagable . I noticed that when I bent my bar back that it wasn't perfect and there was a slight wear on the chain drive links .