Oakfield Apparatus soil probe bent

[Shopsweeper]

Long shot here. I have a used Oakfield Apparatus soil test sample taker (probe or plug extractor) that is well used and the plug cutter portion (end) is bent slightly.

This device pulls out about 12" of soil 3/4" in diameter in order to take soil samples. The material is "high-grade nickel chrome plated steel" per the Mfg.

I have all manner of presses in my shop these days. I was thinking of laying this on V blocks in 5ton arbor press and bending it back straight (cold, of course - heating crome is not people who want to live).

Would you all like to talk me out of this? My worry is that the chrome coating might not flex with the base metal and it would flake away on me.

I am open to cautionary tales of bending cromed parts (I don't ever do this) or alternate ideas for this fix.

 

[Martin W]

Could you press a 3/4” piece of round stock into the plug extractor to straighten it?
Cheers
Martin

 

[Aukai]

Hello that was my idea
Thinking out loud, anything close to the ID that can be tapered, and try to pass it on the inside? Assuming that it's a gentle bend.

 

[Shopsweeper]

You clever people!

That is a capital idea. The ID being the only part that really needs to be straight and round.

I will look for a solid round bar that I can dress up properly for this. It may be Sautruday before I get shop time.

I offically owe pics and updates for your kind help.