We inherited these metal bench ends and I’m trying to determine the best way to secure the wooden slats to them. I am thinking about using cedar 1 inch thick lumber (unless you suggest differently). Should I use a stainless pan head screw from the bottom with a washer (I’m afraid that won’t hold strongly enough), a stainless bolt with washer/nut, or is there a specific fastener out there for this type of bench? Thank you!
Replies
I would use stainless panhead from below. Penetrating the boards from above will let water in, which you should avoid.
If you are to use cedar, I suggest you increase the thickness to milled 6/4 lumber, that will give you 1 1/4 inch finished and increase the stiffness and screw length. Usually you see a harder Tropical wood for this application such as Iroko or teak, ipe 3/4 inch deck planking would be ideal but heavy. Stainless screws will not improve the durability since the ends are iron, you would be better with galvanized steel.
Stainless carriage bolts. I would not use a softwood like cedar. If it is going to live outside I'd go with ipe. 1" thick sounds about right.
I think you’ll find they are made using carriage bolts. Panheads will loosen if wood moves.
We have several benches most of the pan head screws in the support bar underneath are either loose or have fallen out.
+1 on the cedar, you could get by with thicker lumber, deleting on how long the benches are, you could bend some bars to match profile and install in middle underneath slats.
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