Hiya, can someone tell me the best way to deform a plain stainless
steel pot to make it non cylindrical, but still straight-sided? I
possess, in fact, a smokers ashtray pot, a straight sided cynlinder
about 6 inches tall, and 5 inches in diameter. I want transform this
into make a guitar side bending iron that has a large radius and a
small radius in terms of the curves on the sides. However I do not want
to cut the bottom end off to 'squash' it since I need end to keep the
heat in and heat the thing up.

I have read that you can fill an object with sand then squash it
somewhat and it may work? Anyone ever try this?

thanks

Ray

South American construction workers make their own hard hats by beating
kitchen pots into shape. Might take a while. Supposed to be a
demonstration of their skill. Might be a long gone custom now that
labor is just another commodity.