Bending aluminim

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Hey folks. I have a steering wheel. The rim part is about 1/2" diameter aluminum. I want to make it a flat bottomed wheel.  I was wondering....I was thinking of cutting it at the 6 o'clock position and then making it straight across from about the 4:30 and 7:30 position then welding the cut solid. I guess my question is: do I need to heat the aluminum before I bend it or should I just relief cut it or what? I would like any suggestions because I know that sometimes when al is bent, cracking can occur. It's a junk wheel I'm experimenting on so I guess it doesn't really matter if it gets destroyed. Thanks for your input guys and gals.
Reply:You have to anneal it before bending..Set up the acc. torch with only burning accetelyne coming out..Get the piece all sooty..Crank up the oxygen now and heat it up untill the soot dissapears..Dunk in cold water while hot..Now it will bend without cracking... ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Man, that was fast! Thanks alot.
Reply:Originally Posted by rajun asianMan, that was fast! Thanks alot.
Reply:Saw your other post about the welding attempt, but I'll post here because it is more the fabrication and not welding part.Instead of cutting and rewelding your wheel, how about just heat-n-beat/bend to the desired shape?
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseSaw your other post about the welding attempt, but I'll post here because it is more the fabrication and not welding part.Instead of cutting and rewelding your wheel, how about just heat-n-beat/bend to the desired shape?