Thanks for the Info. all...

Brian, you seem to understand what I am doing, despite my poor description. By the way I have not attempted pictures yet, since it sound so ominous from members of the board that struggle with it.

I will use much of what you suggested; it makes sense. I just have to break one of the pieces for the lip first, then I will give up and make the lip in several pieces instead of a oner. I like this steam bending stuff tho, and therefore have to give it a try. The first two pieces are NWC and they went fine. I bought a piece of hickory to take the punishment on the lip. Hickory is supposed to outbend ash, so I will try bending the hard way and see if I can get away with it. If I fail I will try hickory again only with the smaller dimentions you suggested. Thanks again for the gluing techniques. - Scott