Tips/Techniques Can I bend a chrome Vanadium wrench without heat?

[slow-poke]

I have a small (12mm) combination wrench that has the typical 5-10 degree angled close end. I'm dedicating this wrench to a permanent specific purpose (Z-Axis lock nut on a lathe).

I need to bend the closed end somewhere closer to zero degrees. I don't have a real torch, just propane.

If I lean into this thing (cold) to bend it straight is it likely to comply and bend or break?

 

[Darren]

It will break, if its a good wrench. Propane heat will probably prevent breaking though. Get it as hot as you can.

 

[Martin w]

Do you have a wood stove? That’ll get it hot enough to bend

 

[mbond]

If the wrench is good metal, it will be _very_ hard to bend and won't move; and then it will snap.

 

[ChazzC]

I bent Cr-V 14mm wrench using a standard Propane torch relatively easily: held the head in a vise, headed the shaft to red heat (dim room helps you see) and bent holding the opposite end with a heavy leather glove. Using the torch allows you to get the bend where you want it; placing the end in a hot wood fire risks bending in the wrong place,

 

[Jswain]

Do you have a Tig welder to heat it up with?

 

[slow-poke]

Thanks everyone.

Heated with propane, used a long pipe, and it bent straight with minimal effort and no drama. Likely not a super quality wrench.

This setup clears the gib adjusting screws that with the help of Murphy would line themselves up perfectly with the factory Allen headed bolt whenever you wanted to lock the Z axis.

Turns out a 1/2" wrench, fits just perfectly snugly on a 13mm bolt head, so the wrench does not flop around. I now have a semi-permanent Z-axis lock that no longer requires reaching for a tool.

 

[mbond]

looks good!