Robert Pearce Starts to restore

[Phil Waterman]

Originally posted by hrpearce
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Dont have a press so a bonfire and 10 lb. hammer will have to do.

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I’ve straightened two bumpers using the same method, dig 2 foot diameter hole in ground insert 2 in pipe connected to exhaust end of a shop vacuum cleaner, dump in 25 bag of charcoal light the charcoal turn on the blower and wait for the blast furnace effect. Once fire is going well put the bumper on to heat the bent section, once it red hot then you are ready to straighten. Tried sledge hammer, problem dents the bumper. Then I drag a steel I beam out and used a rail jack chained down to the I beam to straighten the bumper. Took about three heating cycles per bent side to press the bumper straight.

I’ve have noticed however that the straighten bumpers seem to bend again easier.

The later model Pattern 13 bumpers seem to be made of standard C channel steel beams so check with your local steel dealer you may find that he has the correct channel in stock.

As for the bumpers for the earlier designs which are bent out of 3/8 sheet steel, I had one made from my Pattern 12 at the local steel fabricators.