Post a picture. If it's vintage, I bet someone would trade a taller, non-vintage hi-hat stand for it.

What you suggest is possible, but that stand will likely become unstable and top heavy. If feasible and it were my stand I would shop around for a good price on a used complete hi hat stand and upgrade.

Yeah, it's starting to sound like repairing this one may be more trouble than it's worth. I'm just trying to cut costs where I can, so it seemed like a good idea to me. I suppose if I outfitted it with smaller cymbals it would balance things out, but that would just complicate things - though I desperately need new hats, that's for sure!

Bend it back into shape and keep using it, or get yourself a taller one.

Either way, put some rubber, or feet, on your high hat stand's legs :)

I was considering bending it back - but I'm no machinist, so looks like I'll need to find one!

On another note - yes, I do need some rubber feet for those legs!

If you decide to try and straighten it, try finding something like a length of coiled spring as long as the tube that will slide snugly inside the tube. As you try and bend the tube, the spring will prevent the tube from kinking or collapsing.