I used all new steel hardware. The 1/2" bolts, nuts, washers and the visible ends of the 1/2" threaded rod were
immersed in muriatic acid to remove the zinc plating. The steel was then cleaned, heated with a torch, and treated
with Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown solution to give it an instant rusty brown patina. The 3/4" diameter steel
tubing (see next page) was not zinc plated so it required only a thorough cleaning and treatment with Plum Brown.
Each of the 2 and 5/16" by 2 and 5/16" oak beams was made by laminating three 3/4+" thick boards together.
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