Shirley - thanks! I did figure out a method, but there has to be a better and more efficient (and standardized) way of doing this. A reconnaissance mission to Calico Corners may be in order before I attempt this again.

The cord is giving me fits. I followed the tutorial, but the cord insists on untwisting and fraying - bad cord! Sit! Stay!

My shiny new aluminum bench press arrived yesterday (oooh... pretty...), but it looks nekkid without any dies. Seriously, if anyone here is planning to attend Shirley's Open House and wants to set some hardware, let me know 'cause I'll be ordering dies.