straighten an aluminum pipe wrench handle?

[Robb]

Ug, Never mind. These things are cheap enough it would be just as easy to replace it. I had no idea.

My son is getting started as a pipefitter intern, one of the old boys gave him some tools, one of which is an aluminum pipe wrench about 18" long and the handle is bent. Not bad but noticeable. Is it possible to straighten it? Can anyone up here in the N. Denver area do that?
Besides setting it on a coupe bricks and bashing it with a sledge I mean.

Thanks.

[ray1970]

Once the aluminum ones are bent they will usually snap if you try to unbend them.

Good news is it will work just fine with a bent handle.

[Robb]

Thanks Ray.

[TFOGGER]

If you do try to straighten it, anneal the bend first (just like brass). It will take one helluva torch to get enough heat to it, though. You'll have between 5 and 20 days to work it before it assumes its normal strength again. Aluminum alloys work harden like a mother, so it's usually better to use a hammer rather than bend it by clamping it in a vise and using a cheater pipe to avoid cracks.