Welcome, Tommy D. You'll enjoy building the Herk. First thing, get a couple copies made of the plans. I cut up a couple cutting out bulkhead patterns, etc.
As far as hinging, if I am tapering the elevator in the center, I draw a centerline on the elevator, cut the hinge slots, and then taper it to the centerline. I find it easier to put the slots in before tapering.
Here's a pic of my stab when it was laid out to cut out the elevtors. The wide mark in front is what is cut out and replaced with the stab trailing edge and elevator leading edge. I'm pretty sure I used what the plan called for.
Pin holes in the fuse! Mine took quite a bit of putty to fill. I was told later by the auto body instructor at school that they make a polyester filler for fiberglass that doesn't shrink like putty and is lighter and easier to sand, but I haven't tried it.
Randy