After my kayaks first trip (the strongback moved from the carport to the lounge so I can work on it easier) I have attached the first two shearline strips. Trying stapless construction, I was using hot glue to attach the strips to the forms to get a good strong start point. The hot glue stuck OK to the duct tape but where there is a twist in the strip (the concave part of the flare in the bow of a Great Auk) the duct tape was pulled away from the form. I have tried steaming (steam iron and wet rag, its not a big twist) but doesn't work to well.

Questions: 1/ (Spidey) is your heat gun an itegral part of your steaming technique or does it just speed up the process?

2/ does steaming strips already in place harm the glue between already glued strips?

3/ Is steaming in place on the forms practical, or is it better to create a steam box and a jig for each strip. (this could be a long process)

Any advice on shaping strips to the forms to reduce stresses for stapless construction would be much appreciated.

Simon