Combines bent flex header auger

[jbirnsch]

You have to use a torch to expand the metal on the kinked side. My uncle straightened out our auger that had a wobble to it on our CII. After he was done it ws like new. Jason

 

[R_O_M]

The trick as jbirnsch suggests is to use a gas torch. Starting at the highest point of the bend, progressively heat a band each side of the high start point extending for about a third of the way around the tube on each side of the start point; ie the total length of the heated band will extend about two thirds around the tube. The entire band should be heated to a dull red heat and frequent back heating will be required to maintain this dull red heat around the entire band until the heated band has been extended to the required third of the circumference of the tube each side of the high starting point. Allow to cool slowly and without water and etc as application of water can crystallize the metal and the tube will possibly fail through the heated band. Reheating the same band does not work and will also ,lead to crystallization of the metal. In bad bends a number of heated bands side by side with an inch or so separation of unheated metal may be necessary to get the tube straight again. If the bend is very small, the heated band may only need to be extended a few inches each side of the bend high point. The heated bead will probably leave a raised bead area around the tube but that is of no consequence when you have a straight tube again compared to the cost of a replacement. The theory behind this is that metal expands as it heats. When dull red the metal will flow and the heated and expanded metal band thickens. When it cools the metal does not return to it's original thickness but remains thicker in the heated band area and so consequently pulls the previously heated part of the tube together thus removing the bend. In thick walled tubes or structural steel beams that have bent from uneven welding on one side due to exactly the same heating metal expanding _ shrinking process, a narrow V shaped heated area each side of the highest part or parts of the bend will do the same job or alternatively a number of side by side beads from an electric arc welder will do the same job. The welder is often easier but looks pretty messy and non professional. Sometimes it will be best if the tube _ beam is restrained to prevent it from developing an even bigger bend when the heat is applied on the high point _ side. Restraining like this can sometimes lead to less heating or a less number of beads or smaller area needing to be heated. On the large header auger tube just heating the bead with the high point of the bend at the top allows the weight of the tube to assist in the straightening process.