CRATEX

Cratex rubberized abrasives are made in four standard grit textures and colors, which differ in accordance with the mesh or grit size of the abrasive grain used.

Coarse (Dark Green) 40 grit
Medium (Dark Brown) 90 grit
Fine (Reddish Brown) 120 grit
Extra Fine (Grey Green) 240 grit

Cratex sticks are excellent hand tools for cleaning and polishing metal surfaces, for breaking edges, smoothing away high spots, removing rust, heat marks, tarnish and stains.

Designed for either manual or mechanical operation, Cratex abrasives can be hand-held or mounted in tool holding fixtures, chucks, or polishing cradles.

Cratex abrasives are used for polishing shafts, cleaning and dressing diamond wheels, polishing rotating cylindrical parts, cleaning calibration and reference points, removing feathered edges, or touching up cutting tools, dies, chisels and other sharp edged tools.

Cratex wheels are available in diameters from 1/2" to 6", some are available with a tapered "knife edge" shape.

Cratex wheels are a good choice for removing rust, heat marks, tarnish, excess solder, scratches, and corrosion.

Uses for Cratex:

Blending and polishing welded seams after rough grinding
Breaking edges
Cleaning before welding or soldering
Cleaning model railroad tracks
Damaskeening (decorative patterning)
Deburring punched or sheared pieces
Deburring, smoothing, and polishing operations
Jewelling
Polishing bearing surfaces and raceways
Removing burrs
Smoothing and polishing castings
Smoothing glass edges
Trimming plastic articles
Wet sanding of gem castings
Wet sanding of gem stones

Maximum safe RPM for Cratex wheels:

1/2" - 7/8" diameter ---- 24,000 RPM
1-1/2" diameter -------- 15,000 RPM
2" diameter ------------ 10,500 RPM
2-1/2" diameter --------- 8,300 RPM
3" diameter ------------- 7,000 RPM
4" diameter ------------- 5,250 RPM
5" diameter ------------- 4,200 RPM
6" diameter ------------- 3,600 RPM

Cratex wheels and points should only extend 1/2” from the collet. For each additional 1/4” reduce the RPM’s by 20%.

Best results are generally obtained at 30% - 80% of the maximum safe speeds, and with light work pressure.

Cratex mandrels are designed for use with flexible shaft units, moto-tools and drill presses. The correct usage speed depends on the accessory being used.

Small felt cones, felt cylinders, rubberized abrasive points, cones, cylinders and bullets are but a few of the many types of accessories that can be mounted on Cratex mandrels.

Mandrels and mounted accessories used improperly are dangerous. Comply with American National Standards Institute Safety Code B7.1 and Occupational Safety and Health Act covering: speed, safety guards, flanges, mounting procedures, general operating rules, handling, storage and inspection. Always wear safety glasses when using these products.

NOTE: THE MAXIMUM SAFE SPEED IS DETERMINED WITH 1/2" OR LESS EXPOSED MANDREL LENGTH. FOR EACH ADDITIONAL 1/4" OF OVERHANG DECREASE THE SPEED BY AT LEAST 20%.

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN USING CRATEX