Repairing dented buckets?

[mike z]

Anyone have any ideas on removing dents from Al. buckets. I dropped one of my buckets this spring when cleaning. I pushed the knarls out best I could but it's still pretty ugly. They just clean up better with smooth bottoms. (nobody likes a bottom full of dimples):lol: What about gently heating with a torch, then try pushing out dents?

[Fred Henderson]

Sit it on a nice flat piece of steel , then use a piece of wood and a mallet.

[KenWP]

Aluminium isn't like steel it is hard or soft it dosn't get softer when you heat it. Try a piece of firewood to reform it. When you buy used buckets there are lots of dents in them around here. that and ridges worn in the inside from over cleaning them.

[maple flats]

Heating will warp it. Get a good solid flat surface to set the bucket on and with a hammer tap a flat ended piece of wood on the inside. Any defects in either surface will show when finished.

[mike z]

Thanks for the help. I hate to loose any buckets.