Don't understand the strongback Q, but what I do for scarfing is shown on my web pages as linked below. I'd try to forget the work-of-art business and just go for a well-constructed piece of equipment instead. Then you'll more'n likely end up with the piece of art anyway, and more sanity (said the guy who builds boats out of a million tiny pieces of hamster cage bedding).

Whatever, you sounds like a candidate for the Ten Foot Rule: Always inspect your work from an honest ten feet away. Judging results from a nose length is a losing game.

Welcome to the asylum.