Figure 8 Fasteners in a Pinch

I was finishing a coffee table project this weekend and to allow for movement between the legs and the top, I needed some figure 8 fasteners. Drove up to Rockler and was disappointed in that the new ones they are receiving are thin, stampings rather than the normal washer-like pieces they used to carry. Even worse was that the stamped versions have the countersinks on the same side of the fastener, which was useless for what I needed.

I was bummed that I could not finish the project this weekend. I decided a trip to my favorite local hardware store was in order. I looked at all of the different hardware to see if there was something that I could substitute when it hit me. I looked in the next aisle and found some chain links (like those on a motorcycle or piece of lawn and garden equipment) sold in small packages. I found that number 60 chain links would work just right. I took them home, used a countersink bit to countersink for screws, one from each side, and was able to finish the table. I actually like them better than the store-bought kind as they are made from thicker steel.

Take a look,

Tim