Muswell

I saw a video of A-S Mutter playing when a cloth she was using ended up draped over the crook of her elbow. She doesn't use anything now.

I don't need padding on my bony collarbone but that doesn't work with a Hill style chinrest which digs in.

I suggest you start off with a chamois leather on your shoulder to give some friction. You can do without in time. Or you can fix a bit to the violin with elastic bands... only one thickness, not a pad.

I made my template for the outline of the Salabue last week. I got some radii for the corners but everything else was just averaging out the 2 sides and then fitting it all together by eye. The original is so wonky and asymmetrical that I decided that I was just going to fit to the general proportions and arching and not worry about the rest.

I have one of these. It's most excellent https://www.workshopheaven.com/hand-tools/sharpening-tools/carbide-sharpening.

I use a practice mute for a good proportion of my practice time in order to limit the exposure. My wife left a community orchestra because the rehearsal space was too small and made her ears hurt...and she's an oboist!

I use the box it came in

I think it's because it's much harder to play a string instrument than it is, say, the flute at community orchestra level. Plus you only need 2 flutes but to match that you need at least 8 violins 2 violas and a couple of cellos. There is always competition for a wind seat but we violinists will be welcomed wherever we go. At one time I was in 5 community orchestras!

What hardness pencil?

That's it....6.5.

I'm planning to fit the post to my latest today, now I have to worry about whether I want "free" or "edge

Then I wonder what happens if you go out of that range, either up or down.

What are the reasons for choosing 6.5 rather than 6.0 mm, for example?

Anne-Sophie Mutter seems to be doing OK

I suspect that is more to do with not damaging the varnish, and what they have been taught than technical difficulty. If you watch Rachel Podger play you'll see what I mean. I played without a chin rest for a few years and and it's not hard once you get used to it. Hardest part is shifting in the lower postions, which is what baroque players do all the time.