Thanks for the advice on the carriage bolts.

: How are you going to drill the holes for the seat spacers? I used a friends
: drill press, with a jig setup to hold the hanger vertical. I've heard of
: others glueing two grooved pieces to gether to get a long hole.

I used a friend's drill press on my shorter pieces (3 1/2 "or smaller) but we struggled. The long bits want to wander and I may end up doing one piece over as it popped out the side on the end. A friend with a lathe drilled the holes in my 5" pieces but he also struggled and I'm not sure if they will work. I think he went in from both sides to meet in the middle in an attempt to stay in the middle and I'm not sure the bolt is going to actually go through as it didn't end up being a straight hole. I can try enlarging the hole though.

The concept of gluing two grooved pieces together is intriguing. Definitely worth considering if what I have doesn't work. Not that I have to tools to make a groove either, though. :-) Would you use a router?

: Slightly oversized is recommended from some reading I've done. Supposedly it
: prevents swelling of the wood due to any moisture that does get in from
: cracking the wood, if it constricts onto the bolt. ... mine were pretty tight
: and a bit difficult to assemble. that is a bit difficult to 'shove that
: bolt through'.

I know what you mean there.

: I varnished before assembly (actually I used oil, but same Idea) I recommend
: you do the same. Makes taking it apart easier, and I beleive gives a
: better seal for the wood.

That makes sense and is what I was guessing.

Thanks, Myrl. You've been a great support for me through this. Much appreciated.