Bending 1/4 steel

[AnthonyK]

Heya, I am new to metal work and have an issue I could use some advice on. I build a smoker door out of ¼ steel with hinges welded to a 1/8 angle iron frame. The door is completely finished, painted and installed with 3/8 insulating seal around the door. The problem I ran into is after mounting the door I notices it has a small bend to it. There is about a 1/8 to m 3/16 inch bend running diagonally across the door causing the top left corner of the door not to seal flush with the frame. How can I straiten this? Am I going to have to heat it and re paint it?

[Blacksmith]

I'd try "tweaking" it if the hinges are strong enough. Push down on the high corner while pulling up on the low corner and see if you can influence it's shape and get the fit you want.

[Thegratenate]

Like stated if the hinges are strong enough prop open the corner that closes and use a small hammer to coax it into alignment, put a wooden block in between the hammer and your painted surface to prevent ruining the paint. I really like my 8 pound hammer but a 4 would probably work if you are aggressive.

[BD1]

hi, there used to be a gasket material that might work. You could try a fireplace store or where they sell wood burners. If you do remove you could clamp it flat and take a piece of flat stock on edge and tack weld diagonaly to hold it flat on the back side if you have the clearance. Good luck.

[vicegrip]

Picture putting some tape on the door in a region (diagonal for instance)
near the offending corner. Now if the tape could contract it would pull
the surface bringing the corner back into position.
=======================
Heating with a rosebud set pretty high and moving smoothly along
but staying just ahead of a hint of deep red, will do just that.
This takes practice, several bands applyed, spaced apart somewhat
can move mountains of metal.

Should be able to tune your door "pretty".
vg

[theguapo]

a smoker door with .25" plate!!!! holy smokes bro!