horse Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 My neighbor and I are building a pig cookerfrom a propane tank. When we cut the door the lid sprung and we are struggling to get it back in place. Anyone have any ideas about how to shape it to match the profile? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 A cuple of ratchet style chain binders, a cuple pieces of angle iron and good bed of coals. Use the angle to spread the load and the binders to pull the curve back into your door. Then place it binders up on a good bed of coals and let the heat realive the stress in the steel. Heat is your friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 Thanks Charles. I do have access to a rose bud oxy acetylene you think I can spread the heat well enough with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 That might do it. Main thing is to chain it and be able to compress it. The heat relieves stress and makes it easier to move. Probably wouldn't have sprung on you if you heated it before/ during cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 When I built mine, the door on that unsprung itself a little. I simply attached the hinges and latch and it has enough spring in it to put that little bit of tension on the latch to hold it firmly shut and no annoying rattling. If it's not a lot out of original you may not want or need to reform it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 It is too bad for a latch to bring it in. I have some tension on it with the ratchet. Going to heat it and hope for the best. Thanks guys. Going to be a great cooker when we finish it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 Just tried a weed burner. Hoping it will be my friend. Trying not to build a fire if I don't have to. Waiting for the door to cool before I take the binder off. I am assuming no quench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Nope no quench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 If that does not do it you can try shrinking it. Heat a strip side to side from the inside red hot, then apply a wet rag to the inside of the door and watch it pull in. I have straightened out 1/4" thick stainless plate this way. For this you may have to do a strip in a few locations to keep it even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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