Thanks for the timely advice Paul. I have decided to go with a bevel on the deck construction. I created a ledge with periodic 1/4" spacers along the front edge of my workbench to create a channel which holds the strips. I just didn't figure out the wedges to lock the strip. I am using a block plane and my main concern is planing into the outside edge of the strip too much creating an uneven line.It would be nice to come up with a "reverse shaper" arrangement where the strip comes through the gap and the plane can only make the right cut.
I think I'll work on that. JJ.