Dave,
OK :shock: With that drawing, I get it!! Thank you so much. I will use this method. Looks really easy now, and I should be able to get a real accurate cut.
As far as the old mast, I changed the way I attached it to the boom and crutch, by putting some wedges of 2x6, and then giving it a good snug bungeeing thinking I could eventually take out some of the warp and use the mast, Well, the two days later part mast started splitting up the middle along the"weldwood" glue line. "probably a blessing" So I think this mast needs to retire. I am a worry freak anyway, and need that particular feature to be as safe as I can get it. I didn't do it right the first time for sure.
Thanks for all the help!!