: Flipped the boat over, started the deck. My trouble is this: I am having a
: tough time securing the sheer strip to the forms. I have gone this far
: without any staples, and would like to keep it that way if possible. Any
: tips? I tried hot gluing, but, I don't think it will hold. My sheer is
: 1/2" wide . I was thinking of drilling tiny holes at each form and
: using pushpins (an old model airplane trick). But I really wanted to stay
: stapless. HELP!! Thanx all! Steve

Hi Steve. Here are some possible courses of action to help you out.

Thin down the sheer strip. A 1/4" strip should stay in place with no problems. Once you put another 1/4" on top of that, the laminated pair should hold its shape pretty good. You can continue to keep downward pressure at the sheer by stapling short scrap pieces to the forms above the glued strips. You can also try preforming the strip by bending it using heat from a heat gun or iron etc.

In the picture you can see a prebent strip that will follow the curving line setting on the side of the stands. You can also see the scrap pieces stapled to the forms to hold things in place. Also note the use of 1/4" wide strip at the sheer.

You can also try using some masking tape to keep pressure on things. I found painters tape worked the best for me. Painters tape will easily pull off the strips without pulling out wood grain or leaving residue. I used wider tape to allow for sufficient holding power. The tape was lifted and reused between strips quite a few times before I would need to apply some fresh tape to hold things. Taping was by far the quickest of any clamping method I have used.

I have not tried the hot melt glue routine. It might work better, but probably a little slower.

Tom