Safe way to straighten handle?

[Christopher M Songer]

This is from a Mitchell 300. Function is great but the handle is bent. It does not hit the rotor but still not happy. I could look for a replacement but would like to fix it first. I broke a handle on a freebie I was working on and do not want the same results. Any suggestions appreciated.

[pjstevko]

Try contacting Fred Oakes for a replacement handle. He has thousands of parts...

https://alantani.com/index.php?action=profile;u=12406

[Midway Tommy]

First, remove the knob. If you have a vice sandwich it between two blocks of 3/4" oak or other hardwood like maple, etc., in the vice and tighten the vice slowly. That will take most of the bend out. To get it perfectly straight, after you've removed most of the arc, lay it on one of the blocks, and with the other block on top, tap it fairly aggressively with a hammer. Do a little, check it, do a little more, etc. until you get it straight. The wood blocks will protect the threads and the finish. It will be as strong as original when completed. Don't put it in a vice and try to bend it! That seldom has a happy ending. Once you get it straight and put back together you'll probably want to peen the threaded end a little so the tightening knob won't come off easily and get lost. 

[Rancanfish]

Attaboy Tommy.  I love anyone that is willing to go for it. Makes sense to me. I was going to say the same thing.

I don't have your knowledge, but my old man taught me to either fix it or break it trying, lol.

[Christopher M Songer]

Thanks guys, I will try the blocks of wood in a vice.

[PacRat]

Let me add this to the great advice Tommy gave. Sometimes after straightening in the vice the axis of the handle/knob and main shaft are not quite parallel. You'll feel this when you crank it. What I have done is to clamp one end in the vise with the wood blocks and carefully twist using an adjustable wrench on the other end. These handle shafts have some memory and will spring back so do a little at a time until it's just right.
Good luck...let us know how it turns out.
-Mike

[Donnyboat]

Go for it, if you brake it, Fred would have 50 thousand million of them, good luck cheers Don.

[Christopher M Songer]

Used the wood blocks in a vice and got most of it straight. A small hammer and a few gentle taps and I think I have it. Just a few degrees off perfectly straight. Happy camper. Thanks for the good advise! I just did not want to abuse Fred's kindness for a another handle. lol