I confess i've wanted to jump into this with my own opinions and preferences for some time now.
But, by now i'm sure you folks are starting to realise that everyone has their own way of doing things. Odds are that if you have decided to build something. it will likely follow your own recipe.
I'll take it one step further.
if you come on this forum looking for suggestions. its because you'd like validation for what you've already decided to do. (and few will be swayed until they have first done it 'their way')
Its no wonder that larry tuttle, mango carafino, rush randle, and everone else has
their own opinion in these matters. thats's ok.
some opinions are guided by past experiences
some opinions are guided bychoice of materials
some opinions are guided by board geometry and construction.
some are guided by marketing and politics.
I can say with certainty that both approaches (flat plate or tapered insert)
are perfectly viable.
Yet, either will fail w/o proper execution of a design which addresses all structural constraints from top to bottom
"Vive la difference!"
or
dont believe everything you read.
-bill
(spell check -compliments of johnny rotten
)