Apex and Asafan: thanks for the comments. As we used to say on the charter boats, I guess it's time to fish or cut bait. Being hung up for almost 3 weeks with the weather as I was, I've absorbed way too much information... Not surprisingly, a lot of it conflicts as each person indicates what has worked for them, and I end up with my brain spinning and changing my idea of what I want to build for effort. My foster son, who feels he is full of ancient wisdom since he achieved senior citizen status, likes to say, "It's just a wooden spring, dad. Quit trying to complicate it." Time to just take some of the supplies on hand and make a bow.