Hi mick;

Darn, this temporary vacation after I closed my retail computer business has led to some late hours - - I wonder if it is habit forming . . .

On the subject of filing bevels: After experimenting with planing, sanding, and filing rolling bevels on strips that have to be removed from the forms and placed in a jig (however simple) and re-cut, then reattached and bevels checked and redone ad infinitum, I tend to gravitate toward your technique of doing it "in position."

I would offer what seems to be an improvement, and ask if you have tried it or have any comments about the modification. In metal machining, we use what are called "safe files." These are files that have one or more cutting edges removed by grinding, to produce "safe" (non-cutting) sides. These smooth sides can reference one or more surfaces for positioning, while the cutting side(s) can cut the desired surface.

Specifically, I am thinking about removing all but the one, top, wide cutting surface from a file and using it as a tool that can be slid between adjacent strips and will cut neither the previously installed strip surface or the form. It would only cut the newly laid in strip, and at the exact angle needed to mate it to the last existing strip. This would be done by simply indexing the bottom flat side of the file against the existing strip, and cutting the new strip, clear across the stations and all points in between.

Methods other than yours that I 've seen (and tried in the last few days) often depend on eyeballing bevels that require setup on the form, removal, planing, recheck on the form, etc., are all without solid reference. What with my grousing about handling 20' strips in a garage, I think you have the right idea doing direct reference right on the form, right at the mating strip.

mick, I propose a new strip fitting standard in the likes of C&B - m&K (short for mick & Ken [Ken is my real name]). Plus, we could sell the m&K WONDER FILES for $100 each and split the profits . . . Big market on this board since they don't know the secret . . . heh, heh, heh . . .

Best Regards, Spidey