Just wanted to give a quick update on Toby’s Eagle Scout Project. The project involved refurbishing the existing bleachers used by the tennis teams at his high school. Refurbishing meant repairing some of the existing parts, while other parts, like the wood planks for the bleachers themselves, needed to be replaced.
One challenge we faced was with some steel braces on the back bleachers that were pretty bent, most likely from kids standing on them. We couldn’t find replacements in the right size, nor any made of steel. Aluminum wasn’t an option because it wouldn’t be strong enough, and we also had some budget constraints to consider. So, we needed to straighten out the existing braces before stripping them and giving them a new coat of paint.
Despite their age and condition, the braces were surprisingly tough to bend. We tried using my workshop table vise, but it wasn’t enough. What we needed was leverage. Luckily, we found an old scrap piece of pipe about 5 ½ feet long and about 2 inches wide. Using that pipe along with some cement parking posts, I shouted “Archimedes!” and Toby successfully bent the steel braces back into shape.
Afterward, Toby decided to name the pipe “Archie.” Which I guess is easier to say than “Archimedes”. With Thanksgiving break here, Toby hopes to get everything assembled with some other scouts this week. Stay tuned!
