My suggestion, for safety reason, is to replace it.
If it is badly bent it is better to replace it and you should get the cost
for a new one. If it is the taper type you will have to get it from a
speciality store. If it is a straight SS tubing type you may check with
your local metal store. The cost for a 3 to 4 feet length 3/4 - 1" OD SS
tubing may well be under $5.00 - $10.00. Providing there is no kinks in the
stanchion you may have a 50-50 chance to succeed. if you have a strong and
properly anchored stanchion base you may try to straighten it with your own
physical strength.
It this fail you have to remove the stanchion, fill the inside with sand and
use a mechanical bending devices. While straightening the stanchion if a
hair line crack develops, for safety reason you will have to replace it.

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any ideas on how to straighten a bent stanchion in
place?