Thanks for all the suggestions, now I got a better handle on this.

I like the idea of brass, and maybe neck it down in the lathe.

Need a decent guess on what a brass bolt would hold. (By the way the
bolt would break in tension NOT shear)


http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensile_strength

brass mpa is 250 from web site
1 mpa = 145 psi
or 38250 psi

1/4" bolt
PI*R*R=3.14*0.125*0.125=0.0833 sq.in

one bolt
38250*0.0833=3019 lb.

No way in hell, what's wrong with this calc.

Karl