I was watching Ben Gitty on the CBN-TV and he was gluing down a fret board with hot glue. He's talking about the problems he might have with the glue setting up before he can get his clamps on it. The feed was flashing 'live' but apparently wasn't when I was watching it so my suggestion didn't get posted.
Anyrate. I looked about and didn't find anything so thought I'd post what I do here. When I'm gluing on a fret board to a neck I use a level now. I mark out on the neck where I'm goop'n on the glue. Slather it on, slap the fret board on top then put my level on top of the fret board. Make fine adjustment in positioning the fret board and then use two quick clamps to suck everything together. Once the fret board is in position I torque the clamps down as tight as I can get them. This gives an even pressure the length of the fret board/neck. I find it very quick and no need of salt or anything else to keep things from sliding around.
When the glues set and the clamps removed the level kept everything nice and straight. So when I bang in the frets later they end up being nice and level with little fling needed.
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i find the hardest thing is to get the neck level and square before the fretboard goes on ..
Yep... Unless you have a shop full of equipment I find it the biggest challenge too. I have a band saw and very old breadbox Delta planer so my squaring is the biggest challenge I face.
Flat surface, couple of sheets of sandpaper. Double sided tape. Circular movements. Easy peasy.
This was for a headless ukulele.