Scott,

: how do you intend to attach the rope lip?

I am using epoxy for this.

: I wonder if its
: possible to use another wooden hoop (cut down to 1/2inch) as the
: lip. You will need to make it about 1/2 thick (1/2 inch x1/2
: lip) to work and need to fill in the gaps with more hoop, but I
: wonder if it would work. (the gaps would come from the
: increasing diameter of layering the hoops)

It probably would work but would have to buy several hoops and that can be more of an expense. Rope is fine for me.

Rosanna