starise said
Thanks Batto for the info on Hide glue. I should probably look to upgrade my glue when I decide to do that more major work. 

You know the real reason they call it hide glue? Because I will eventually hide it from myself. I can do that better than if you hid it from me

Hide glue would likely not be preferable for vegetarians. I am only a part time vegetarian. Mostly when no meat is available.

You UKers had me scratching my head over what a "double boiler" was in the context you mean't it. We talk funny over here you know. The thing you seem to be referring to is called a mini crock pot over here.......or maybe a  potporri crock. I have one of those. The element in it is so low level that I probably wouldn't need a potentiometer. LIKE the toy truck wheel idea. I had another idea to maybe cut a piece of long wooden pole or rod into the thicknesses I want and drill holes in each one. The wood doesn't necessarily need to be round. I envisoned a jig one could lay the violin into instead of having multiple pieces. Threaded rod up through plywood with stationary bottom pieces nutted in, then all that needs to be done is add the tops and tighten the wing nuts. Not sure what the actual one that can be bought looks like. What you made is much less complicated and it works, so in the end it's probably one of the best solutions I've seen.

  

The double boiler honestly is just simply heating a jar in a bit of water. The water helps regulate the temperature and stops the glue from being overcooked. Actually I theorize you could easily make one with a glass jar and a metal bowl you place over a candle. I have a collection of older style wick lamps that I’ve been tempted to make an electric free one.. mainly because I don’t use power tools and the idea of making something more akin what feasibly could have been used in the 1800’s appeals to me. 

then again I’m weird.