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I use a small nail, but same idea (I do the same with my backs, too). For hide glue, yes, apply to both surfaces. I also warm up the surfaces a bit, typically too.

I used it on my first instrument, and I must say I'll never touch the stuff again. Bending wasn't too bad, just used a bit of heat, and glued up with tightbond. The biggest issue was the stain. ...

The question I always ask when this comes up: do you want mandolin? Then buy a mandolin. Do you wanna learn how to BUILD one (not just have a mandolin)? Well you're in the right place! :grin:
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They're rentable here:
http://smartflix.com/store/author/66/Robert-Benedetto

No problem at ALL, man. I really didn't realize that they didn't trigger the smilies, so as the youngun's say 'my bad'. :grin:

Next time I will just click on the darned thing.

Perhaps you failed to notice the ;-D :grin: It was a wink, in jest. You are, however, a Luthier. No joke, or hostility intended.

I, however, with 8 instruments in my belt (including that one on...

You're a Luthier. Get over it ;-D

As others (and I) have said numerous times, if you want a mandolin, buy one thats operable. If you want to learn to build (in this case repair) a mandolin, go to it. The tools you need to do this...

Go to your local butcher and ask for a couple femur bones. I've generally found I like fresh bone better than the dog type bones, because the fresh ones haven't had the time to leech in the marrow...

Hey man, I'd wondered what happened! You were my sort of 'inspiration' when you were documenting the IV kits back in the day, and I've since moved on to scratch building (have two in the queue right...

What Will said, with the caveat to be very, very careful to make sure the area in-line with the strings (the neck and tailpiece areas) do not go below .125, for stability. You can have minor areas...

The trick to this is to make SURE you keep it on the side of the mando, and pay less attention to the depth. You'll have to deepen the slot, but at least you have a portion of the channel cut to...

The guitar I refinished with deft nitro, is, if anything brittle in the finish, not soft. I put it on WAY too thick, too, and it's got a nice, old looking crackle all over it. Now I'm talking about...

I refinished my first guitar with deft, and it worked pretty well. For a mando? probably one can, two at max. I think I refin'd the guitar with two. Be careful about getting too thick, as it can...

I can get to about the 12-oclock position with that particular attachment, but the rest is done by hand. Even getting to the 12-oclock takes a very firm hand and slow going, and even then you're...

Basically indefinite, if it is kept dry.

I pretty well just dump it like mario says, cover with a a small amount of water over the top of the granules, toss it in a double boiler for a few hours (pot of water on stove, with my cup inside...

I've actually had pretty good luck with my badger 200 garage sale buy (never used the 150 so no comment, don't really need double action)

I need to get over to Jams more, and figure out where...

Once you've got a number of coats of varnish on there, I bet the thing levels out a bit. You could then topcoat with a bit of garnet shellac to add some more red/orange. Like John said, getting...

Double stick tape on the nose bridge. Only way to prevent fogging is to stop the moisture from blowing under your glasses in the first place and tape is the most effective way I've come across to...

I like Mario Proulx's idea of cooking up a batch of glue, letting it gel, and cutting it up into ice cube or smaller size squares for later use in a plastic squeeze condiment bottle. Load the bottle...

Are you talking about the inside of the back (top when facing up?) or the visible (outside) of the back? Inside heck i'd not worry about it too much, but that said I've seen re-curves on Loar...

I have used HHG pretty much from the beginning in my building forays, and have never found it to be a huge difficulty. My first instrument was put together with knox gelatin (yes the stuff in the...

Jeff,

If that is your attitude towards the process (i.e. interested in the process, enjoyment of it, etc) then I'd heartily say GO TO IT. I started my trek back in 2005 after watching the...

Second the 'yard sale find' espresso/cappuccino maker. An older pressure cooker is probably another option (the one with the rattle-weight on the top that you can remove)