Hello Gordon,  I hope these tips may be helpful.  Please continue to
pass along your experiences, as I'm always grateful to learn.

One of the advantages of hide glue is that after it sets, it shrinks in
drying.  (People sometimes confuse "set" and "dry" in terms of gluing,
and fail due to misunderstanding.)

I think your negative experiences with hide glue might improve with
slight modifications in technique.  Gluing is affected by humidity and
temperature, especially if you work in a cold environment.

Bad smell -- Hide glue is protein, and it will smell from overheating,
much like burning hair.  Hide glue should be freshly made, in small
batches, in clean glass.  Baby-food-sized glass jars are ideal.  If you
will reuse a batch (not necessarily a bad thing, but never for
pneumatics), remember the glue is perishable.  Think water-bath canning
of food: wipe the glass rim clean, seal the jar, only then remove it
from the water bath directly to the refrigerator.  The lid button should
pop down when it cools.  Use it in short time, otherwise it may develop
contamination from bacteria or fungus.

Sharp edges -- After application, press parts together, then wipe
excess glue using a cloth dipped in hot water and wrung dry.  Sharp
edges on the inside can be minimized by careful application, including
permitting the glue to gel slightly and then ironing the fabric into
the glue.  Excess glue gets absorbed into the fabric.

Doesn't always stick -- This may indicate that the joint was not sized,
or the glue may have set too quickly.  Glue will not absorb easily into
cold wood or cold cloth.  Parts to be joined should be at least room
temperature.  Sizing the fabric with a light coat of thinned glue may
resolve.  I do not recommend trying to size leather, as the glue shrinks
and distorts it.  Normally, I apply the glue hot and apply the leather
or fabric immediately.  I've not needed to iron anything (here in Fort
Worth it's 103 degrees today).  And the results have been excellent.

Best wishes,
Robert Linnstaedt - The Organ Shoppe
Fort Worth, Texas