Hey Frank,
You'll notice I mentioned that in the building note sheet. I think your T-pin is probably larger diameter than the .03 wire...I used a cut-off piece of the wire, just twisted it back and forth like a drill bit as I worked it through the tip rib. I doubted it would work but it did...and I know I'm no more skilled at building than you are!
As far as what construction stage, I did mine after the wings were covered, in fact after the lower wing was glued in place. You have to kinda watch the angle of the hole, but that can be adjusted after the fact by tweaking the wire itself.
If you think it's sort of a Mickey Mouse arrangement, direct your complaints to Mr. Scarinzi, not me. Me, I'm staying mum about it. I don't criticize other peoples' designs, hoping they'll refrain from criticizing mine in return. I don't think it always works though.
I suppose you could leave off the rounded tips, just leave 'em flat a la BiSlob, and make struts from a narrow strip of 1/32" ply. or something on the end. You might even get by with leaving them off altogether except then you won't have a leadout guide...always complications.
Good luck.
Hmmmmm...I was hoping the strut would show up better than this; best picture I have of it right now. It was done exactly as the original plans show, little bent tabs at the end and all.
--Ray