straightening lock castings???

[rallen]

Since I'm new to lock building, I have some lock castings with twisted plates. What are the best ways to straighten the lock plates so they lie flat? Do you just heat them and then pound them flat or is it better to use jigs etc.?
Thanks
Ryan

[brokenflint]

You can heat em and beat em or just beat em :-)  I use a small hammer between blocks to handle small warp or a vise with pads at other times, mostly cold work.  Nothing critical about the lock plate as far as bending etc. imo, your mileage may vary.

Broke

[Acer Saccharum]

Lock plate castings are not hard, so they should bend OK. Watch you don't bend too much right at the tumbler hole, that's where it will bend the easiest.

Tom

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I just built another TRS lock set - this time a Baker 1800 rifle lock.  The lock plate had a warp in it as well as some wiggles, so I just put in to the vise between brass jaws, right at the bend, and gave it a tap with a nylon hammer.  I repeated the clamp/whack thing until the plate was straight.  No problemo.