JB, I believe you have an issue with your build. I have built this one myself and can say for sure no boost should be needed. Go over the build again, and again if need be. Worst case rebuild it. Its a pretty quick one.
We all have these hiccups. Its almost always a silly oversight on the part o the builder.
Once you get it to fire up try replacing the 10K resistor linked to the oscillation switch with a pot. Its a quick thing to try, I found that it opened up a lot more range for this circuit.
Good Luck.
Give a man a match and he'll be warm for a day.
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.