> I've just started puting together the strongback for Nick Shade's 'Little
> Auk' and am planning to strip it without staples. I've read many great
> ideas and techniques on the procedure, but am buffaloed on how the starter
> strip at the shear line stays put with out staples.

> Need help, Marcel

Use brads. They hold a bit better than a staple and leaves only a single, random hole that is un-noticeable in the finished boat. It will be easy to remove this if you don't drive it in all the way, but be careful to not scrape youself on it as wyou work. A strip of tape over it should reduce the potential for getting yourself snagged on it. You don't need one in every form.

You can also staple scraps to your forms on either side of the strip. Scraps from bead/cove strips will match the curves of your starter strip and support it. Pull off the scrape on the side of the next strip, add that strip, and replace the scrap piece to hold it in place until the glue dries.

I have heard of people using hot melt glue to hold strips to the forms (not to each other) until the edge bonding glue sets up. The hot melt glue does not make a very strong bond and the strips can be remove with a little effort. You might try this for the first strips.

Hope this helps.

Paul Jacobson