No dilution of Titebond needed. Just keep it to a minimum - wipe with the ole finger and what is left is enough. It takes a couple of hours to tighten up nicely. I have q-tips and a cup of water at hand to clean up any excess outside of the joint.

BTW - we all use blue painter's tape to put the tabs back on the ribs!
Shameless reference to my own Hog Bipe thread