I build with the cove up, love that glue holder. use scraps for wedges or some of the professionals use 1/4" dowels to clamp against. You will quickly develop a large bag of tricks. Keep a damp rag around and wipe up any extruded glue and your life will be much simpler when it is time to sand.

Yes, flatten the sheer strip edge as the moving about the pieces will damage whatever side has the cove on it.

Don T

pic with comments https://picasaweb.google.com/ve9dt2/Guillemot#5160632683791806706

: I found it easier to apply a small amount of glue in a uniform
: manner into the bead on a strip and then place the new strip
: into the cove on the strip on the boat. I do have orangutang
: arms, almost 7 feet from finger tip to finger tip. This may not
: be practical for an individual with normal arm length.