BrentD,

If you have access to a lathe could you turn a recess a little shallower than the thickness of the Mec Fingers, when open the hole in a washer big enough for a wad to pass thru. Add 3 or 4 holds in the edge of the washer for screws to pass thru and into the maple block. These will hold the washer in place and will sandwich the Mec fingers by pinching them between the wood and washer.

wbldon