How can I straighten this?

[ray66v]

Put a nut on the end of the threads, and clamp a pair of Vice-grips on it.

Heat the bent part with a real torch, and it will straighten like butter.

Don't you have a auto repair shop, or something near by, that has an acetylene torch? It will take about 10 seconds.

Most places do things like this for "goodwill". We used to, all the time.

Slip the guy a $5 bill when he is done, or offer to bring doughnuts in the AM.

 

[dragoneggs]

Take the wheel off. Cut broken stem off and or drill it out. Weld on new threaded stem using all thread or fully threaded bolt.

This IS a welding subforum. Mark. . Good luck.

Terry

Thanks Terry... yeah I did buy the all thread to do just that but thought I might try to bend it back first. Oh and I deserved that!

 

[Shield Arc]

Just my 2 cents.
I've had limited success by threading a nut on then clamp the nut in a vise and tap the bearing cap with a hammer. Or while the nut is still in the vise use a small crowbar in the gap between the wheel and bearing and pry it back

Sometimes it will straighten back up others it will break right off. If it straightens I can use it, if not go buy another.

Take the wheel off. Cut broken stem off and or drill it out. Weld on new threaded stem using all thread or fully threaded bolt.

This IS a welding subforum. Mark. . Good luck.

Terry

Both are great ideas! :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

Take the caster wheel off then put the bolt back in. Slip a piece if tube in there between the caster body and bolt then use a piece of pipe over the bolt to pry it straight

Well I fixed it! I really didn't want to weld it because I wanted the stud and nut to seat against the insert in the bottom of the leg. A fillet weld would mean I wouldn't be able to fully seat the threaded stud down to the nut. Thank you aarolar... I did as you said, took the wheel off and used a long piece of pipe for leverage against the body and the bolt and screwed a coupler on the stud as far as it would thread and then screwed some all thread on to the coupler to give me leverage on that end. Put the coupler in the vise and presto... bent it with my bare hands and no heat! Roller table fixed and back in operation! Repair cost zero :cool2:

By the way I found the caster on line and it was running about $23... ouch.

 

[aarolar]

No problem glad I could help.

 

[skyhook]

Have someone heat the stud while you add "several" nuts to it, when the stud is full of nuts, slowly straighten it.