I found that a good hot hide glue pot can be made by making a double
boiler out of an old electric percolator coffee pot.  I found one at
the Salvation Army that has a temperature control.  I put the glue
crystals in a jar that will fit inside the pot, use a small upside down
can to space the bottom of the jar off the heating element, add water
to surround the jar and plug in the pot.

Of course you also need to use the right amount of water in the glue
crystals to get the right consistency.  However, if the glue gets a
little thick, the water around the jar provides a ready source for
a little "make up" liquid that is already heated.

With respect to PVC-E, I am on the fence.  I find that it is very good
for gluing pneumatic cloth, pouches, and for general sealing.  No, it
is not as strong as hide glue, but it is more than adequate in shear
for the purpose intended and the pneumatic cloth is easier to remove,
if ever necessary.  However, I would not consider using anything but
hot hide glue to reattach pneumatics to their decks.  I would also not
use PVC-E on pump bellows, reservoirs, etc., that are under a lot of
continued stress.

On the subject of gaskets, which has been discussed lately, I have
found that trying to deal with cork is a real hassle.  I have switched
over to using nice gasket leather, instead, and in some instances, have
even used cabretta leather.  Sure, the leather may cost a little more
but it is so much easier to work with.  (I do glue it down with PVC-E).

Pat DeWitt

 [ http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/don.html
 [   Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
 [ http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/dt/dt0539.html
 [   A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology
 [
 [ cabretta leather
 [
 [ A leather produced from the skins of sheep which have hair instead
 [ of wool, i.e., straight-haired sheepskins.  The leather is produced
 [ in India, China, South America, and Africa, the best grades coming
 [ from the latter two areas.  In the United States, the term is
 [ generally considered to indicate specifically a Brazilian sheepskin.
 [ Cabretta is generally chrome tanned and has a very fine grain and
 [ a strong fiber network. (61 , 325 )
 [
 [ -- Robbie