The weak spot in the Flues design is the screw of which you speak. You can turn a bushing in lathe to keep you centered in the top strap hole when you drill the pilot for the wood screw. It is always tricky putting in a wood screw and getting it time up properly. I usually make a new wood screw to avoid that issue.

You are not over thinking things, take your time and plan a bit and it will pay off.

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