I do not remember intentionally removing it... give me the thread and I will see what I can do to restore it...

I also do not think that will be enough heat.. you sure do not want to bend it without it being hot enough.. that would cause cracks... but of course you are not going to be putting much pressure on them...so if you start with good metal like the Sears Craftsman one it might not matter to have some surface cracks...

If you can borrow some bent wrenches from someone to try once I think you will want some yourself.... the back cylinder is a pain even with the bent wrenches.....