The fall issue of American Lutherie Magazine had a small article I wrote about converting one of these thrift store scores into a nice, very functional hide glue pot for just a couple of dollars.
Even if you use one of these, I'd still reccommend adding water and setting it up like a double boiler so that your glue doesn't get too hot. I try to keep the glue from direct contact with the heating element. A small kitchen thermometer suspended in the water gives you a very nice readout.
My preference is for the 70s hot pots with a small rheostat on the side to controll the temperature. They come in the typical 70s colors. They work as well as the $100+ commercial pots. If you have a temerature controlll device for a flexible silicone heating blanket, you can plug one of these in and have the deluxe temperature controller. I've also seen students use a soldering iron variable controll device to vary the amount of heat. They run about $20.
For the $20, you can build a nice temperature controll unit using a hardware store 20 amp light dimmer. I also wire in a sauna timer in line with it. That keeps me from walking away and letting everything cook too long or burn up. Half hour of use and then the thing shuts off and I can go back to being the absent minded luthier. For glue it is a bit overkill, but without it I've seen many sides come out looking like burnt toast from overcooking with a silicone blanket.
Working alone I'm able to stay on top of it, but when I'm in the shop and customers drop by or the phone is ringing, it is easy to get distracted.....
j.
www.condino.com
