Removing dent from S/S Kettle & 1/4" & 1/2" fittings

[cruiscinlan]

I've the chance to get a stainless kettle but there is a dent on one of the pre-drilled ports.  Can you knock a dent out of stainless steel?

Also on the pre-drilled ports, there's two 1/2" ports one for a tap and another for a thermometer.  Can you get blind fittings if you don't want to use them?  The 1/4" sight gauge for instance I can't see myself bothering with.

[Leann ull]

Top or middle yeah possible, at the bottom near impossible as its strongest part of the pot and may need to heat and tap out on a former, run the risk of cracking the base with repeated impact as a guy on Jims did recently. 
Have you a pic?
Was watching this the other night by co-incidence for aluminium pots, stainless tend to be drawn in a press in a stages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RY0cjSUPGg

[cruiscinlan]

Top or middle yeah possible, at the bottom near impossible as its strongest part of the pot and may need to heat and tap out on a former, run the risk of cracking the base with repeated impact as a guy on Jims did recently. 
Have you a pic?

This is near the bottom as the dent is on the bottom-most port.  I wonder if there's a metal shop that would do it?

[Leann ull]

panel beaters?

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Sheet metal workers/fabricators are your man, originally known as Tin Smiths, they would have the equipment and skills necessary.

[johnrm]

Weld it shut and make a new hole?

[auralabuse]

Could you get a heat resistant soft washer to just make up the gap?

[cruiscinlan]

Could you get a heat resistant soft washer to just make up the gap?

This is what I'm wondering.  I'd have to get a nipple and nut to match wouldn't I?

[Pepin The Short]

Block of wood cut to fit the radius of the pot and a small rounded mallet or very light ball hammer.It`s far from perfect but should take the worst off it .Most fittings you`l be putting on will cover a section out from the hole . if it`s just a dent from the guy using a punch and nothing to brace against it .Then I`d  try the fittings to see how far it goes beyond them . If it isn't to bad get tap tap tapping  .As long as you can get a good seal ,I wouldn't worry to much a few imperfections .

If you are going to use a punch on a pot,use something to brace the inside of the pot .Otherwise you`l get a nice key for the drill bit,but also a dirty big dent in your new pot . All you need is a bit of wood to fit against the inside of the pot & another as a brace to hold it there ... Or get a friend to hold it for you & give them a home-brew 

[DEMPSEY]

2 steel hammers will work too. Use one as a support on one side and the other to hit the dent. When using a hammer do not bounce it,swing the hammer at the dent and hold the hit firmly as you impact the dent. Many a person driving a nail into say concrete often let the hammer head bounce back as it hits the nail head and this cause the nail to bend.
Tip of the day

[cruiscinlan]

2 steel hammers will work too. Use one as a support on one side and the other to hit the dent. When using a hammer do not bounce it,swing the hammer at the dent and hold the hit firmly as you impact the dent. Many a person driving a nail into say concrete often let the hammer head bounce back as it hits the nail head and this cause the nail to bend.
Tip of the day

Thanks for all the suggestions lads.

Here are the pics from the for sale thread: http://s29.postimg.org/wni1qp27b/IMG_3752.jpg, http://s28.postimg.org/h834g0yvh/IMG_3751.jpg

[delzep]

[DEMPSEY]

[cruiscinlan]

Feck ye anyway, I had a nightmare about this last night!