Straightening a Shaft!??

[11echo]

I have just picked up a small knee mill and am now in the process of rebuilding it. One problem I've now run across is the one of the threaded table shafts is bent. It's a semi long shaft (30"), threaded and has a number of different diameters on it. The end portion where the hand crank is, is 1/2" in diameter x 7" long, unthreaded and this is the area where it’s bent. Does anybody have or know any "trick" ways to straighten a shaft of this diameter? THX! ...Mark

[HWooldridge]

Hydraulic press and two V-blocks.

[aametalmaster]

If you don't have a press use a lead hammer and 2 wood blocks to support the shaft. It prob won't take much hammering then sight down it to see if its straight or you can roll it and see if it wobbles...Bob

[John N]

2 'v' blocks on the table of the mill, and a clamp (in one of the 't' slots) to push down in the center of the bend. clamp it a bit past straight and it should come back straight.

(machine heal thyself)

Ive straightened shafts a couple on inch dia using 1 clamp with a single piece of 20mm screwed rod (or 3/4 " allthread to you yanks

[IronPuppet]

I just straightened the axle of my snow blower. Heated it red hot in the forge and tapped it lightly on the anvil with my big hammer. Worked fine. Axle is 3/4" drill rod.

IP