CRATEX Jeweling Sticks | CRATEX Abrasives
This article is part of what is jeweling? series.
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CRATEX is the leading US manufacturer of premium-quality silicon carbide rubber bonded abrasives used in various polishing, smoothing and deburring operations. The abrasive rod has been named the best metal abrasive for jeweling by the wide craftsman & DIY community and is our 2017 Best-Selling Product! They are used most often for jeweling steel, stainless and aluminum, and are placed in a holder specifically designed for the task. They are much more consistent in finish than a brush or any other tool with lapping compound, and they preform perfectly even without an abrasive compound.
Cratex Sticks just arrived from @cratexsandiego. Been wanting to learn how to engine turn for years, finally have an opportunity to take a project to the next level! Got these in a few grits and sizes to experiment with. #smithbergracing #cratex #engineturning #jeweling #cratexsticks #verticalmill #excitedmuch #whoneedssleep
source: InstagramCratex sticks make jeweling easy! #cratexsandiego #cratex #customknives #bladenation #knifecommunity #paulluskknives #knifemakingvideos #abrasives
@paulluskknives
Following diameters of CRATEX sticks are available: 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8" and 1". They are all manufactured as 6"- long rods and are available in 4 different grit textures. The grits and corresponding metal types are presented below.
The cross-section size you'll use depends on the size of your workpiece and the size of the jewels you would like to create. The grit type depends on the metal you’re working on and the depth of the swirls you’d like to create. Choosing the correct grit is important to avoid “ghosting”, so try a few out on different surfaces to find the best suitable option. Since we wanted to give you an opportunity to do this, we created Mini Kit 128S that includes one stick of every grit! On top of that, we made the deal even more attractive by including shipping and handling in already unbelievable price!
Make sure you regularly dress CRATEX rods either with a file or CRATEX dressing block, so that the tool can remain sharp and square.