I made the planks for my 55 2nd with hand tools.
I bought the yellow pine locally, cured it in the garage for a period of time. Cut them to width with a table saw, used a router for the edges, skill sawed the grooves, then cut them to length. I just recommend that the metal strips be a little higher than the wood so when you slide sheets of stuff down the floor that it goes in smoothly (and doesn't scratch you cool floor).
I bought the metal strips at a swap meet for one of the vendors. Saved shipping costs.
I used Valspar polyurethane that I bought locally at Lowes for a finish, but you will find that everyone concocts their own favorite encapsulating solution. You may like them black.
All the bolts were bought locally in a box. I did not off-set the plank bolts and did not find it to be a problem.
Have fun. That is why we do this and gather here.
