I'd go with the Grouping tool method myself :) That way it's also easy to add the metal without complicated math and you can add a slight displacement to it as well and have it look right :)

FREEBIES! | My Gallery | My Store | My FB | Tumblr |
You just can't put the words "Poserites" and "happy" in the same sentence - didn't you know that? LaurieA
  Using Poser since 2002. Currently at Version 11.1 - Win 10.