The dry run gave me confidence in the lines between the main riser block and the wood accent strip. But, after gluing it up it appears, before sanding away the excess, that the gap enlarged a bit. Did I slather on too much glue and it is holding the pieces apart ever so much?
A 36 grit sleeve was used to spindle sand the riser cuts. Maybe the grooves were so deep they held too much glue that the clamps couldn't squeeze out.?.
Clean up the block before throwing it in the fire! Lots of times baked on smooth-on will give the illusion of a ruining, fat glue line. I took a recent bow out of the oven and was about to cry. Looked to be gaping glue lines in several places. I was seeing what was left of a fine tip sharpie line, and shadows from the smooth-on boogers!
I use way too much epoxy, but I've never had any failures.
Thanks, Marty, for the encouragement. It is better than I thought. Not nearly as sweet as your's but I think it will do for my first attempt.