White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1865-07-06
Ustfld ano Curious.
comnositian Rollers.

We have received several letters, LATELY,
asking for information a. to what is the best
mode of making composition rollers, and what
are the best ingredients. In reply, we give
the following, which is about as clear in expla-
nation Of the art of roller-making as We
ever saw. 1t was furnished US BY Mr.. A. E.
Senter, an old practical pressmsn ;.
flake seven pounds of the best glue, put IL
into hard water, and let it soak until the water
has struck half way through it.. Then take it
out of the water, and let il lay long enough so
that it will bend easily. 1t is then ready for
the kettle.
1.-The kettle for melting and mixing should
be Sc set as to heat and boil the composition
by steam or hot water bath, in the manner in
use by cabinet makers. Let the glue heat In
the kettle until it is all dissolved, or it will
make the roller lumpy. When the glue is. all
melted evenly, take four quarts of good sugar
house molasses or sorghum syrup, stir in, and
continue to stir occasionally for three or four
hours, during which time the heat under the
kettle should be kept up so as to give the com.
position gentle boil. The sorghum is supe-
rior to all other syrups, from the fact that it
bears to be boiled longer without the fear of
granulation. and, consequently, will make q
tougher roller. A set of rollers made from this
material, for an Adams press, in the month of
TENDER following. To try the composition.
take little out on piece of paper, and, when
cool, if 1t is tough SO as to resist the action of
the finger without feeling tacky, it is ready to
cast. A person can generally tell when it is
done, by taking out the stirring atick, and
holding it up, when, if the composition will
hang in strings, it is done.
ga very important feature of roller making
is in preparing the core. Strip of the old COM
position with knife, and scrape the core.
Keep water away from it, and also sWeaty
hands. If water is used at all, let it be hard
water, and let the core dry thoroughly before
casting. II the core is likely to give the COM
position the slip, brush it over with lime water
newly made with quick lime. and let it dry
we'll, and the composition will stick fast.
"Have the mould carefully cleaned and oiled
on the inside, set it upright, with the core in
its place in the centre, then pour in the com.
position hot from the kettle, carefully, upon
the end of the core, so as to run down the core,
and not down the inner surface of the mould,
as that would be likely to take off the oil from
the mould, and by flowing it against the core,
would make it peel off when cast.
"When the composition is cold in the mould,
and ready to be drawn out, draw it steadily;
trim the ends with sharp knife. beveled to-
ward the core, so the ends will not be so likely
to get started loose; take hot iron and run
it around the ends of the composition, solder
ing it to the core, which operation will prevent
water. lye, or oil from getting in between the
composition and the wood, and making it peel
at the ends. Do not wash roller when it is
taken from the mold; it will be all the better
for two or three days seasoning, with the oil on
the surface. 1t is always good economy to have
rollers cast ahead, so as not to be obliged to
use new ones until they are seasoned. in
washing, use I've just strong enough to start the
ink, and rinse off with water Immediately, and
carefully wipe dry with sponge. If the ink is
allowed to dry on, oil or benzine will be re-
quired to start the ink, and in that case the
surface of the roller is liable to be injured.
Rollers should always be kept in an alright
box, without water, and in the room where
they are worked. Sudden changes Of tempera.
ture, as from u cold cellar to q warm press.
room. will soon use them up. They should
not be cleaned with spirits of turpentine, as
that will give them hard surface"
We have heard that, in addition to the usu-
al ingredients, the use of glycerine has been
found very beneficial, giving the roller more
life, making it more tough, and in every way
improving it. We do not know in what guam
| tity it is used, but little experimenting will
soon teach that. In our November number
| We mentioned some of the substances en-
ployed by printers in roller-making with sue
cess. We shall be pleased to publish any
communication on this interesting and useful
subject.-Ihe Printer.