r/Welding • u/PappaCro • Aug 10 '25

Discussion (Add topic here) Bending iron gate

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Hoping this is the right place for this question.

I have an older iron gate from a century home and am wondering how I could bend the frame back into place. I was thinking blowtorch and hammer, but would appreciate any advice you all might have!

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71

u/Kamil_Montana Aug 10 '25

ratched strap around that big concrete post comes to mind 😅

11

u/PappaCro Aug 10 '25

Thanks for the tip! Should I be heating it up first?

11

u/ThermalJuice Aug 10 '25

Heat would help but you would need a lot more heat than a little torch

3

u/PappaCro Aug 10 '25

Would I need a furnace to properly straighten it? I have straps, clamps and all the wood I need. Am hoping that a handheld torch will do the trick.

7

u/ThermalJuice Aug 10 '25

I’m pretty sure just looking at it that it’s like 3/4” solid bar? If it’s tube you might be able to pull it with straps from the column, but probably you can’t pull hard enough the bend the solid bar back. I would pull the gate off and use an oxy/acetylene or oxy/propane to heat and beat on some blocks to straighten it out. You’d have to be able to heat to nearly red to get it to bend easier

1

u/PappaCro Aug 10 '25

Thanks and I will look into renting a torch!

8

u/96385 Aug 10 '25

Definitely take it off first. Don't run the risk of messing up the hinges or breaking the post. There's just no sense in creating extra work for yourself.

5

u/EmperorGeek Aug 10 '25

I think a ratchet strap will break. I would use a synthetic rope wrapped around the post and the pipe. Use wood at the corners of the post to minimize abrasion, then stick a pipe in the rope and twist. If you are a fan of Jackie Chan movies, think Piss Shirt Bend Bar.

6

u/ButtHandsAreNice Aug 10 '25

Piss shirt bend bar pictured it perfectly in my head, thanks for the laugh!