Ideas for DIY alteration to aluminium cassette

[pmx_super]

I've got this roller blind cassette from a botched order that I want to repurpose as a cover for the mechanism above a sliding door. I need to remove, or bend back, the circled bit that sits proud. Any ideas how I could do that? It's aluminium I think so should be pretty soft, though it doesn't bend by hand.

I don't have an angle grinder. Maybe that's the only way.

 

[conny]

Do you want to bend it back or cut it off?
To cut it off, an angle grinder is your best option. Failing that, a standard hacksaw.
If you can get away with bending it back out of the way, I would suggest a pair of mole grips to get a good purchase on it and simply work your way along it, bending a short section at a time. Don't try to bend it all the way, just about a third, or possibly half, then start again to bend it to the correct position.
If you do cut it off, (or it snaps off when bending), don't forget to de-burr the edge with a small file.

 

[Odds]

Aluminum will bend easily under the right amount of pressure, evenly applied through a pair of mole grips. If you have to cut the piece, then use a hacksaw to avoid too much vibration through the metal.

 

[pmx_super]

Cut off best, bend back adequate.

I like the idea of mole grips, then inching down the length. I could clamp the bit adjacent to the bend between two longer strips of wood to prevent the torque from deforming the rest of the piece.