Repair or replace?

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This afternoon SWMBO's mailbox and post were damaged by a tourist in a 2015 rental.The post was made from 2x2 aluminum angle 1/8" thick.The two week old mailbox will be replaced, but the post is the question. It is set in concrete and is now bent. Not enough to have visible cracks, but bad enough it will have to be straightened.If the post was steel, I'd be all over it with O/A and have it perpendicular to the ground in under 1/2 an hour.But I have zero experience with aluminum that has been out in the weather for 40 years.Any suggestions on the least frustrating course of action?Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Throw a chain around the top of it an pull it back straight.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:A come along hooked to a truck would give you the power to straighten it while still having the control to avoid going to far the wrong way. If there are places with kinks that need pounded out you may need to heat them a little, just remember the low melting temp of aluminum, it won't take much.
Reply:You should be able to bend that back by hand it's only 1/8th 2x2 angle  you could use a truck and chain but that is excessively overkill lol
Reply:Truck, chain and come along...That should bring enough power to make the thing resemble vertical again. Fortunately, there are no kinks or tears in the post. The bracket that holds the mailbox and flower basket are scraped up.I just have to discuss the issue of closing the only northbound lane of a state highway with the NY State Police because I'll have to position my truck perpendicular to the path that tourist took though My Lady's front yard.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by abecYou should be able to bend that back by hand it's only 1/8th 2x2 angle  you could use a truck and chain but that is excessively overkill lol
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goI just have to discuss the issue of closing the only northbound lane of a state highway with the NY State Police because I'll have to position my truck perpendicular to the path that tourist took though My Lady's front yard.