Nowadays when I glue the top or back on a guitar with hot hide glue, I have a method of clamping that allows me to get it done in a hurry, and speed is definately a factor with HHG. I made a pad from 1/2" thick styrofoam construction insulation. I cut it out in the shape of the guitar I'm building. Then I cut another in the same shape and then cut out the middle leaving only the outside 1 inch or so and glue that to the first pad.
I lay that pad with the rim side up in my radius dish and but the back or top on it and then set the guitar side in the mold, on top of that. I use 4 concrete garden borders for weights to push down on the sides and the pad gives just enough to allow the sides and top or back to conform and make a perfect fit. So take it all apart and spread your glue, put it back in the stack just like it was and the clamps take 10 seconds to apply. I can have the whole operation done in 40 seconds flat.
Another HHG tip is for glueing with the go deck. Anytime you locate a brace or whatever, use a go stick or two to hold a blank piece of wood right next to where your brace will go. They you spread your glue and you have a marker to set your brace against and then as you hold your brace just transfer the go-stick from the blank to the brace and your good to go. I usually put all the sticks I'll be using on the blank piece and then I just have to move the bottom end of the stick 1/2" to the side and it's there.
Your can also put a block at the end of your brace to keep it from sliding that way as well. Just make shure you remove them after your brace or whatever is clamped.
Hope this helps.
