Bending cast aluminium

[David Parfitt]

We have a cast aluminium steering wheel from a c1920 tractor which at some point in its life has become badly distorted, possibly due to the tractor rolling over. Does anyone know how to bend old cast aluminium like this, perhaps using combination of heat/pressure or other method? We have already cracked one of the spokes by applying gentle pressure and are wary of heating too strongly in case it just melts. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. It may be that we end up trying to have a new wheel cast, but the rim is hollow so might be quite involved.

Many thanks

David

[J.B. Castagnos]

Aluminum should be annealed before trying to straighten it. You can gauge the temperature by sooting it with an acetylene torch, no oxygen. Heat until the soot burns off. If it's bent bad you may have to straighten and anneal in several steps.

[David Parfitt]

Many thanks for your help with this, J.B.

Best wishes

David

[Wayne Timms]

Hi David,

Not going against the advice from J.B. Castagnos.

With bending castings, the one thing I think I know is the metal is compressed on one side and slightly stretched on the other side.

The problem is in straightening, you will compress the metal which was slightly stretched but you probably won't stretch all the metal which was compressed. Which will cause tears or cracks.

The only advice I would give you is not to try to bend it when it is hot.

Regards,

Wayne

[David Parfitt]

Thanks for your input Wayne, much appreciated.

Best wishes

David

[Forrest A]

Here:

http://www.key-to-metals.com/Article139.htm

[Craig A]

I'm not a betting man David but if were to make odds on you getting that wheel straightened they would be around Wheel 90/David 10.......