SS - this is an interesting project. Not sure how it will end up, but interesting if for nothing more than a mental exercise.

BTW, and the real reason for my comment, the copper strip I believe is used for hanging pipes, lots of them. I may be wrong, but I think they are mounted on the joists/rafters and the pipes are then run through the holes.

But then again, I've been accused of smoking crack with some of the crap I come up with sometimes...

Good luck and keep us posted!

-G