Fixing warped windmill sails

[green3nergygeek]

I'm fixing up an old Prairie Windmill, but some of the sails are bent out of shape. The tip beads are getting in the way of my usual tools, and there's a curl on the edge. Anyone ever tried using a pneumatic planishing hammer for this kind of thing? Do you think it'll work for some light fixes?

 

[Blowmymind]

I have no experience with this windmill, but I do have experience with a planishing hammer and I can tell you that you may not be able to do everything with it, especially with the edges. You can straighten out some dings and bends, but for the edges you'll need something else. Not sure how delicate everything is, but I'd try a rubber hammer.

 

[Alan]

That’s pretty much been my experience too. You can try using a planishing hammer to help smooth the flatter sections, but those curled edges and beads usually respond better to hand work with a rubber or wood mallet. Go slow, old sail metal likes to move all at once.