bed bolts question

[chucks1967]

So I recently bought a bed that needed a little work on the inside panels down around the lip area where the bed bolts down to the wood floor. They were totally rotted out. I cut out the rusted out area and welded in some sheet metal that I had bent at a 90 degree to mimic the original shape. It looks perfect but the one thing I did not take into account was the bolt holes. They are square to hold the square head of the pan bold. Does any one have a good idea as to how I should proceed. Should I just get a spline type bolt and drill a round hole or just a standard hex bold, or if someone has some way to punch a square hole that would be great. As many ideas and helps as I could get would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
here is a pic of the job before I cleaned up the weld and shaped the end.

[LILRED66]

By using a carriage bolt with the square shoulder on it, you can drill your holes with a regular twist bit, that is slightly smaller than the square portion of the shoulder on the carriage bolt. When tightening, the square shoulder will friction fit into the round hole and hold itself from turning. You don't need to use splined bolts or punch square holes, to accomplish this.

Good luck with your project.

[chucks1967]

Thats a great Idea. I had thought about that to begin with, but was wandering how much it would deform the surrounding metal. I think however that will be the route I will take.

[LILRED66]

Try this method on a piece of your patch panel material, to ensure the hole size you drill and the shoulder size will work together without too much distortion. Too large and it will spin...too small and it will distort..correct size and it will work great.

[chucks1967]

Thanks! Ill post pics when I get it done.