RE: Filling ARF hinge slots and using Robarts?
I have done the same, but I used epoxy. There's no need to "Fill" the slots. Just having a pin glued into its center is enough.
But if you DO want to fill it, don't fill first, then drill for the pinned hinge. That will create a hard spot in the center which will make drilling difficult. The drill will want to "wander" away from the hard glue in favor of the soft balsa.