Good Morning! Up and at it early. Home depot opens @7 am.
Pictures to follow.
Was just ready to paint tube and it rolled off the table and shattered the cap end.

Broke like an egg shell. $19.00 dollars and a trip across town and I made it right. Lost time.
The tube is painted gray. The deck looks really good sanded and coated with Thompsons. The Aluminum angle cradling the tube with stainless hardware will insure longevity and further strengthens the set up.
All I have to do is screw the deck down and then secure the deck to the tube as we discussed. ( Hank, Padilian ). I was thinking Either the threaded rod bent to a U-bolt like you guys said or stout flat strap, thick 1 inch wide or so. Bent over the top of the wood and down to the aluminum struts, some how. But this may have complications in itself. Anyway it goes I will be done with it by noon I hope.
Thank you for the advice guys. Pictures soon!