Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm about to cut the heel block and glue the veneer to the headpiece for my classical guitar.  I had it all planned until I read the glue/fretboard exchange this morning and I began to wonder about using hide glue on the veneer.

First, I'm going to trim the freshly glued heel block to the same width as the neck, then cut off the excess neck.  Second, using my table saw, I was going to cut the slots in the heel block for the body to fit in.  Then cut the heel with my band saw.  All of this is per the instructions in my book and video.  But, do I try to refine the heel at this stage so that it has a finished look or do I leave it rough cut until later? 

My kit only came with a single dark piece of veneer.  Both my book and video recommend two pieces of veneer with one being light wood.  I went by Rockler and purchased English Sycamore veneer to put under the dark veneer that came with my kit.  I was intending to use hide glue but after reading the fretboard glue topic I'm wondering if I'm okay with using hide glue.  I'm sure the answer is yes but I'd like some input.  On this guitar I was going to keep everything simple i.e. use only hide glue, since it is my learning guitar.  But, I still want a nice finished product.

BTW, in mixing my hide glue, I'm using Rockler hide glue pearls and using 2 tablespoons of pearls with 3 tablespoons water.  That seems to make a strong glue.

Sailor