Hello,I just finished a guillemot without using staples and the way I secured the starter strip involves a hot glue gun and a lot of spring clamps. First start by coating the edges of your forms with a few coats of shellac to keep the glue from bonding to the forms (don't use tape because the hot glue does not stick well to tape) Also be sure to use the slow set type of hot glue, this will give you a couple of minutes to position your strip before the glue sets. To properly align the starter strip I clamped little plywood blocks to the forms at the sheer line and let them stick out enough for the strip to rest on them and then I used the spring clamp and plywood U clamp method in Nick's book to secure the strip while the glue set. Then working one form at a time take the plywood U clamp from the top of the strip and move it to the bottom of the strip to keep it secure while you put on the next few strips. Like I said, it uses a lot of spring clamps but it does a good job. Kenny > 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