Hi agapetos, the downsides with normal white glues compared to hide glue (and to some degree fish glue) are repairability, creep resistance, heat resistance, clean up ease, glue line visibility, what else...?
I don't make violins, but in the violin world I guess you should add 'non traditional' as another downside, plus the fact that some of the things commonly done by violin makers (rub joints, use weaker glues for the plate to rib joint for ease of removal for repairs, repair cleats) are more difficult with other glues.
I guess you could make your own hide glue by cooking hides, but I bet you will get more consistent results by ordering from somewhere. And if your time is worth anything to you it is probably better spent on building than hunting for hides and what not. Although fish glue has been around since antiquity I believe they were only able to make fish glue from something other than sturgeon bladders only quite recently, so it is probably even harder to make than hide glue. But if you are really interested in making your own glue, why not? Violin makers often maker their own varnish, so...
Are you sure you can't get it locally? Do they have artist supply stores in your area, they sometimes have it where I live. Hide glue is also quite inexpensive, just make sure you get hide glue and not "hoof glue" as the old timers up here call it, the quality is not the same.
_________________ Rian Gitar og Mandolin
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