I am working through a similar startup problem with Redwood. It's older stock and very dry and the end grain just seems to drink the adhesive. I bought a Stanley pull saw similar to Spidey's and I'm planning to seal the end grain in advance. I'll be out of town until Sunday so I cannot say how this will workout. The pull saw gives a real fine cut though so I'm really looking forward to getting a professional result. You really need a jig to hold the pieces during cure. I'm planning to affix a pine board along the bottom of my strongback to create a shelf where I can join the strips and hold them straight. Good luck JJ.