PREFACE.

The present work hardly needs a preface. The object is to present in the simplest form the subject of the manipulation of india rubber. To mould and cure the mixed gum but few appliances are needed, and these can be made at home. The articles produced are of more than ordinary utility. These two facts give value to the art and furnish a raison d’être for this book. If its instructions do not prove practical it will have missed its object.

For some reason the methods of moulding the material are not generally known. Experiment has taught many the futility of attempting to melt and cast it. While thus intractable by the usual methods, it is the most plastic of materials when properly treated. Its power of reproducing the finest details of a mould, of entering all the intricacies and undercuttings of a design, cause one to feel a peculiar pleasure in working with so responsive a material. It is not saying too much to affirm that to some readers this book will disclose a long hidden secret. To make it more generally useful it is written for such readers, to meet the want of those knowing of the subject. It was felt that in following this course, and in treating the subject from its first steps, including the simplest as well as most advanced methods, the book would appeal to a larger body of readers.

The allied subjects to which some chapters are devoted will be acceptable to many readers. The hektograph is given in several modifications. A substitute for rubber stamps which stands the severe usage of the Post Office has very distinct merits, and the manufacture is accordingly described in detail. Cements and inks embody many special formulæ. In the last chapter interesting and practical notes will be found.

For the use of certain cuts we are under obligations to the Buffalo Dental Manufacturing Co., Messrs. E. & F. N. Spon & Co., and to Mr. L. Spangenberg.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
THE SOURCES OF INDIA RUBBER AND ITS HISTORY.
The Trees—The Sap—Caoutchouc—Early Uses by the Indians—First knowledge of it in Europe—Goodyear, Day, and Mackintosh[9]
CHAPTER II.
THE NATURAL HISTORY AND COLLECTION OF INDIA RUBBER.
African, East Indian, Central and South American Gums—Different Methods of Collection and Coagulation[15]
CHAPTER III.
PROPERTIES OF UNVULCANIZED AND VULCANIZED INDIA RUBBER.
Properties of Unvulcanized Rubber; its Cohesion and importance of this property—Analysis of Sap and Caoutchouc—Effects of Heat and Cold—Distillation Products—Vulcanized Rubber, and its Properties[24]
CHAPTER IV.
THE MANUFACTURE OF MASTICATED, MIXED SHEET AND VULCANIZED INDIA RUBBER.
Treatment by the Manufacturer—Washing and Sheeting—Masticating—Making Sheeting and Threads—Mixing—Curing—Coated Tissues[35]
CHAPTER V.
INDIA RUBBER STAMP MAKING.
Mixed Sheet—Outlines of Moulding—Home-Made Vulcanizing Press—Further Simplifications of Same—Securing Accurate Parallelism of Platen and Bed—Distance Pieces—Wood vs. Iron as Material for Press—Use of Springs on the Home-Made Press—Metal Flask Clamps—Large Gas-Heated Vulcanizing Press—Preparing Type Model—The Matrix—Plaster of Paris and Dental Plaster as Substances for Matrices—Dextrine and Gum Arabic Solutions for Mixing Matrix—How Matrix is made—Shellac Solution for Matrix—Matrix Press and Spring-Chase—How to retard the Setting of Plaster of Paris—Oxychloride of Zinc Matrices—Talc Powder—Moulding and Curing the Stamp—Kerosene Heating Stove—Manipulation of Press—Degree of Heat—Simple Test of Curing—Time Required—Combined Matrix Making and Vulcanizing Apparatus—Chamber Vulcanizers—Object of Steam in Vulcanizers—Temperature Corresponding to Different Steam Pressures—Jacketed Vulcanizers—Gas Regulator—Flower Pot Vulcanizer—Fish Kettle Vulcanizer—Making Stamps without any Apparatus Whatever—Notes on Type, Quadrats and Spaces—Autograph Stamps[47]
CHAPTER VI.
INDIA RUBBER TYPE MAKING.
Movable Type Making—Simple Flask and Matrix—Precautions as to Quantity of Rubber—Moulding—Curing—Cutting Type Apart—Special Steel Moulds—Wooden Bodied Type[73]
CHAPTER VII.
THE MAKING OF STAMPS AND TYPE FROM VULCANIZED INDIA RUBBER.
Ready Vulcanized Gum as Material for Stamps—Simplicity of the Process of Using It—Advantages and Disadvantages—Availability for Type[77]
CHAPTER VIII.
VARIOUS TYPE MATRICES FOR RUBBER STAMPS AND TYPES.
Electrotype Matrices—Papier Maché—Flong Paste—Flong Matrices—Beating into Model—Drying and Baking—Struck-up Matrices—Chalk Plates[80]
CHAPTER IX.
THE MAKING OF VARIOUS SMALL ARTICLES OF INDIA RUBBER.
Suction Discs—Pencil Tips—Cane and Chair Leg Tips—Corks—Mats—Cord and Tubes—Bulbs and Hollow Toys[85]
CHAPTER X.
THE MANIPULATION OF SHEET RUBBER GOODS.
Sheet Rubber Articles—Toy Balloons—Uses of Sheet Rubber in the Laboratory[94]
CHAPTER XI.
VARIOUS VULCANIZING AND CURING PROCESSES.
Liquid Curing Baths—Sulphur Bath—Haloids and Nitric Acid as Vulcanizers—Alkaline Sulphides—Sulphur Absorption Process—Parke’s Process[97]
CHAPTER XII.
THE SOLUTION OF INDIA RUBBER.
Mastication with Solvent—Peculiarities of the Process—Different Solvents and their Properties—Paraffin—Vulcanized Rubber Solution—Aqueous Solution[103]
CHAPTER XIII.
EBONITE, VULCANITE AND GUTTA-PERCHA.
Ebonite and Vulcanite—Manufacture—Manipulation—Gutta-Percha and its Manipulation[108]
CHAPTER XIV.
GLUE OR COMPOSITION STAMPS.
Substitute for Rubber Stamps—The United States Government Formula—Models and Moulds—Dating—Handles[113]
CHAPTER XV.
THE HEKTOGRAPH.
How Made—The French Government Formula—Hektograph Sheets[121]
CHAPTER XVI.
CEMENTS.
Marine Glue, and other special Cements[125]
CHAPTER XVII.
INKS.
Hektograph, Stencil and Marking Inks—White and Metallic Inks[129]
CHAPTER XVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Preservation and Renovation of India Rubber—Burned Rubber for Artists—India Rubber Substitutes—General Notes of Interest[134]