Kram79, thanks for the great tip. My first try at a nice random board was or is a disaster…...i cut individual pieces that of course was a nightmare to try and glue in a even strip. I have been working on it and just using a block plane to try and make them fit. Slowly but surely I will finish it but there will be plenty of glue gaps on it.
I have a bunch of 8/4 hard maple ready for my next one. I think I will try your version.