Tips on bending Chapparal LW clip?

I have put clips in my Irwin quick grip wood clamp and lightly compressed to my desired tightness.
 
I caught my Lil Native wire clip pulling it up and sideways. I put blue tape on a pair of quality needle nose pliers and bent it back to shape trying not to fatigue the steel. Been good so far!
 
Maybe just take it off and compress the end a little with a channellock. Remember, little by little, and less is more. Ask me how I know. ;)
 
Another option is to take a screw driver or something similar that can fit under the clip. Then bend the clip over it to get enough tension back. I've done it with wire clips and the stamped flat type too. Maybe use masking tape if you're worried about scratching anything.
 
I've had that happen. Pretty easy to fix.
What I did was,
- Removed the clip,
- Got something that was just a little skinnier than the gap I wanted to achieve (I don't recall what I used now - maybe a nickle and a penny, or two pennies, right sized stack of business cards, chopstick, ??? I don't remember what it was)
- Put that "something" in the "hook" area of the clip and then with some pliers (I've used both my multi tool and channel locks) squeeze the clip down onto your "spacer material".
- Go easy, make sure both prongs are even, and check often. It goes pretty quick, and works good.
When I've done mine, I give them a touch more tension than they had normally, as that is my preference.

u.w.
 
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