C-Stand repair question

[Ellis Vener]

One of my turtle-base Avenger C-Stand columns has been damaged.  The main (outer) steel tube has been dented in one spot, about a 1/4-inch deep deflection.. I can still use the stand at full height but when the bottom of the second column gets to where the dent is, it is sticky and takes some force to get  it past past the dent.  has anyone ever fixed an issue like this, and if so what tools to you recommend the force the dent area back into shape, or do you have a machine shop do it for you? I know I can just replace the column but that seems like a waste if it can be repaired.

[LenR]

Hi Ellis,
I can't imagine how that happened given all that my C stands have been thru in the last thirty years.
My first thought was to drill a hole into the center of the dent and use a wheel puller to pull out the dent.
I think what I would do is just drill out the whole dent. 
I don't think it's a big deal if there's a hole in the stand (these things are TANKS) and when you use it under water as I have it will help drain it faster:-)
Regards
Len

[pfigen]

The steel in my C-stands is pretty robust. If any were dented as you describe, I think the dent puller route would work, but you'd have to heat the affected area with an acetylene torch in order to actually move it, and if it's chrome plated, heating to 1200-1500F might not be the best thing to do with the chrome. Not only will it ruin the chrome, but it may release unhealthy vapors as well. It might just be easier in the long run to replace the tube.

[alan_b]

Hammering a tapered rod down the tube would probably work if the bottom of the tube is open.  Take a grinder to an appropriate diameter rod.  Probably will need another section of rod to bang the taper back out the way it went in.

[Ellis Vener]

I took it to my local machine shop and pfigen is right about it being easier and also more cost effective to get a new column and use the older, dented one as a spare.