I used a very small dab at the top and bottom just to hold them in place. The cross pieces were just waste wood from the bluenose bulkhead pieces. Again just a drop between the strips and clamp down the cross pieces. I think I was able to do 8 - 10 strips at a time. I just found this pic of the piece I used to hold my strips. Ignore the stuff on it and you can see the lines for the holes and the glue from the strips at the top and bottom. You can see the 2 different sizes and the hole at the top of the chain plate for the deadeye to be attached. (Line below is top of chain plate)How did you get the glue to release without bending the brass strips? I understand that you glued the hardwood strips perpendicular to the brass strips, locating those between the 3/16" o.c. hole spacing, right? I do have some Buginga from Africa that is in thin widths that I can cut and may try it in the manner that you describe. Clamping the "mat" down will still require getting it parallel to the inverted T grooves in my XY table on the drill press. I have receive several recommendations/suggestions from other members so I have a spectrum to work from. Thanks for your reply. Rich
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