CEMENT Armenian or Diamond Cement.— Dissolve to the consistency of thin cream 6 lumps of gum mastic, each about the size of a large pea or about dram each, in 3 drams of 95 per cent alcohol. Fill a 2-ounce vial loosely with isinglass broken in small pieces and cover with water. When the isinglass is slightly softened, pour off the water, cover with French brandy, and add two small lumps (IC grains) of gum ammoniacum powdered and dissolved in as little alcohol as possible. Mix the two solutions and dissolve with gentle heat in a double boiler. Keep in a glass bottle closely stoppered, and when required for use set the bottle in boiling water.
This celebrated adhesive has been used from time immemorial by the jewelers of Turkey, who are mostly Armenians. The formula was brought to England by a former British con sul, and this preparation has been widely used with uniformly good re sults. It is employed in the Orient to ornament watch cases and other jewelry with diamonds and other precious stones by simply gluing or cementing them on. The stone is set in silver or gold, the lower part of the setting being shaped to corre spond with the part to which it is to be fixed. The parts are then warmed slightly, the glue is applied, and the parts thus cemented never separate. This cement will unite polished steel with other metals or with glass. It is suitable for the finest work, and may be regarded as absolutely relia ble. So-called Armenian cement as commonly found on the market is an inferior preparation and is usually sold at an exorbitant price.
Other proportions recommended for Armenian cement are as follows: isinglass, 1 ounce ; acetic acid, 1 ounce ; water, 5 ounces ; alcohol, 2 ounces; gum ammoniacum, ounce ; gum mastic, ounce. Mix and dis solve with gentle heat.
Or dissolve 1 ounce of isinglass in 6 ounces of water, and boil down to 3 ounces. Add 1+ ounces of 95 per cent alcohol, boil two minutes, strain through silk, and add while hot ounce of milky emulsion of ammoni acum and 5 drams of tincture of gum mastic. Where instructions are carefully followed, this is a perfect cement.
Resin Cement.—A class of cements having valuable waterproof qualities is made of the gums amber, mastic, rosin, shellac, etc., dissolved in spir
its or other solvents, and often com bined for various purposes with oth er adhesives or solids, as plaster of Paris, clay, iron filings, etc. Bees wax is often combined with these resins to soften them and prevent excessive brittleness.
Shellac Cement for China and Glass. — Sealing wax, the principal ingredient of which is shellac, or powdered shellac itself, may be used as a cement by dusting the edges of chinaware or other articles with it, heating them until the shellac runs, and pressing them firmly together. Failure to get good results by this method is due to lack of sufficient heat or the use of too much of the material. Or dissolve white shellac in alcohol to the consistency of mo lasses, and apply to the edges of broken glassware or other glass sur faces to be joined. This sets quickly without heat and will stand all ordi nary wear except heat equal to boil ing water.
Or dissolve 2 ounces of white shel lac and ounce of gum mastic in 1 ounce of pure sulphuric ether. Let the mixture stand for an hour and add 1 pint of 95 per cent alcohol. Bottle and cork tightly for use. Shake well before using. Heat the articles to be mended, apply the ce ment evenly with a soft brush, and hold the surface together until it sets.
Or, for so-called Chinese cement, put 4 ounces of pale-orange shellac in a glass bottle and pour over it 3 ounces of 95 per cent alcohol, and let stand in a warm place until dis solved. This will have the consist ency of molasses. It is suitable for wood, glass, jewelry, ivory, and all fancy work. It is very strong.
Shellac Cement for Labeling on Metal.—Dissolve 1 ounce of pulver ized borax and 5 ounces of gum shel lac in 1 quart of boiling water. Boil until dissolved. Before applying, wash the metal with a dilute solu tion of caustic potash or soda and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Apply the cement warm. For inscriptions, size the metallic surface with this cement, and write the inscription with bronze powder by means of a brush. When dry, varnish over the bronze.