Chicago Cutting Tools aka General Cutting Tools brings Cratex ruberized abrasives, ruberized stones, ruberized grinding wheels to Chicago, Illinois with shipping to all of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and the rest of the US.  Each Cratex size and shape is made in four standard Grit Textures or compositions which differ in accordance with the mesh size of the abrasive grain used.

The Cratex bond common to each of the four Grit Textures is made with premium grade oil-resistant chemical rubber. In contrast to conventional grinding wheels the Cratex bond has unique cushioned action … cuts freely, smoothly and softly without gouging or digging into the work surface. It resists clogging or smearing, and is ideal for a broad range of appli­cations where metallic or non-metallic surfaces must be smoothed and polished without loss of dimensional tolerances or control.

The Cratex Hard Bond increases the cutting action when compared to the Cratex standard bond and is designed for use only in specialized applications. The Hard Bond removes burrs on hard metals like stainless steel and can also be used for light grinding on applications where light metal removal is essential. All Cratex Flexible Abrasive Finishers, in each of the four grit textures are available in Hard Bond. Hard Bond is not available in Kits and minimum quantities are required.

The abrasive type used in Cratex Rubberized Abrasives is premium-quality Silicon Carbide that has been washed, dried and treated to remove impurities and then carefully screened to U.S. Department of Commerce standards for size. Although silicon carbide is more expensive than other abrasive materi­als, it is used because it has a high level of purity and has been found to be best for the broadest range of light deburring, smoothing, cleaning and polishing applications on ferrous and non-ferrous alloys as well as many non-metallics, such as glass.

The Cratex Wheels, Points, Cones, Blocks and Sticks listed in this Catalog are all available as standard products. The occasional need for non-catalog shapes or compositions can usually be solved by adapting or modifying standard shapes and compositions to meet special requirements. Several wheels can be mounted in series for added width. The abra­sive action of the wheels can be softened by using lower operating speeds and lighter work pressures. Cratex Rubber Bonded Abrasives can also be dressed or shaped to special contours using conventional abrasivewheel dressing tools and methods. Contact a Customer Service Representative for fur­ther information.

All Cratex Rubberized Abrasives are made and safety in­spected to the requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publication, 87.1 Safety requirements for the use, care and protection ofabrasive wheels. If any Cratex item does not perform as promised it is returnable for full credit or exchange.

Return of products ordered in error will be subject to a re-stocking charge. Cratex will accept the return of large quantities whenever possible. Special orders may not be returned.

All returns must be accompanied by a Returned Goods Authorization Number which can only be obtained from the Cratex Customer Service Department.

Specify the part number and grit texture. (C) Coarse, (M) Medium, (F) Fine, (XF) Extra Fine. For Example: 54-C. Certain products are sold in units of l and others in boxes of 100. Refer to the Cratex Industrial Price List to verify the correct unit when ordering.

Hard Bond — Specify the part number, grit texture and bond. Example: 54-C HB.

and smoothing to relieve stress concen­trations and to remove visible and microscopic burrs with­out impacting surrounding areas.

and polishing to improve wearing qualities and to reduce the dangers of progressive fracture and fatigue failure.

CLEAT :         and polishing to remove undesirable surface de­posits.

and smoothing to improve performance, appear­ance, cleanliness and to lessen the dangers of surface contamination.

TYPICAL USAGES

Breaking edges, radiusing and polishing out high spots, removing rust, cleaning threads, smoothing the edges of punched or sheared metal, deflashing, smoothing and polish­ing molds, dies and other production tools, sharpening and honing of cutting dies, blades and edged tools, removing corrosion, excess solder, heat marks, cleaning and polishing contact points, jacks and electrodes, removing tool marks, scratches, light burrs, and fins, blending in welded seams after rough grinding, engine turning, damaskeening, polishing en­gine ports, shafts, turbine blades, smoothing glass edges, jew­elry finishing, gem stone sanding and many others.

Cratex Rubber-bonded Abrasives are used in a widely diversified list of industries, on production and assembly lines, in finishing operations, in tool and machine shops, in the production of basic tools, instruments, component parts and for maintenance and repairs.

Cratex Shaped Wheels have a tapered edge which makes them exceptionally versatile for fine work on small and deli­cate parts… ideal for polishing, cleaning out and finishing decorative and intricate designs.

Cratex Small Straight Wheels can be mounted on conven­tional portable motor tools and used on a broad list of debur­ring, smoothing and polishing applications. They can be used on countless operations requiring absolute control of metal removal such as in micro-deburring, relieving stress concen­tration areas and polishing away fatigue lines, scratches and other surface defects. Ideal for work on dies, molds, instru­ments, control mechanisms, electronic parts, jewelry, aero­space components, plastic articles, light castings, models, and Super sensitive scientific devices.

When a variety of Small Wheels in quantities of less than 100 is desired, see Cratex Kits and Assortments.

Maximum Safe Speed 25,000 Revolutions Per Minute. Best results are usually obtained at 30% to 80% of Maximum Safe Speed. Use a light work pressure.

Cratex Shaped Points are made in both cylinder and bullet shapes … for smoothing and polishing hard to reach sur­faces… grooves, ball corners, holes, clasps, spirals, flutes, and edges. They are widely used for polishing molds, dies, patterns and light castings; for cleaning contact points, solder spots and for relieving stress, micro-deburring, and damaskeening.

Possessing the same superior qualities as other Cratex products, Cratex Blocks and 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, they can be mounted in tool holding fixtures, chucks, or cradles. Use them for polishing shafts… damaskeening … clean­ing and dressing diamond wheels… polishing rotating cylindri­cal parts, cleaning calibrations and reference points, and for removing feather edges and touching up cutting tools, dies, chisels and other sharp edged tools.

Cratex Cones are the best answer to many difficult debar­ring, smoothing and polishing problems. They are easily shaped to contour while being used or by using a Cratex conventional dressing tool. They are ideal for cleaning and polishing grooves, ball corners, flares, angles and other hard to reach surfaces as well as for use on molds, dies, castings, combustion chambers and ports, stainless steel tanks, shafts, turbine blades, and many others.

Cratex Large Wheels have found wide application for removing rust, heat marks, tarnish, excess solder, scratches, corrosion… blending in and polishing welded seams after rough grinding… polishing bearing surfaces and raceways … re­moving burrs and breaking edges… smoothing and polishing castings and punched or sheared pieces … wet sanding of gem. stones… trimming plastic articles … smoothing glass edges… cleaning before welding or soldering… and for count­less other deburring, smoothing, and polishing operations.

The Cratex Dressing Block is ideally suited for truing, dressing, and shaping all Cratex Rubberized Abrasive Wheels. The shape is easy to handle, and the combination of fast cutting abrasive with a hardened bond provides an easy to use, efficient, and long lasting dresser that will enable you to achieve optimum performance from all your Cratex Rubber­ized Abrasive Wheels.

The Cratex Rotary Handpiece is a variable speed precision air tool manufactured to the highest quality standards. Its high torque, lightweight and rugged stainless steel construction make the handpiece ideal for use in a wide variety of precision grinding, finishing and polishing operations. Built into the handpiece is a quick change collet that accepts 1/8 inch and 3/32 inch diameter shanks and mandrels.

Cratex Rubberized Abrasives are carefully manufactured, tested and inspected. Nevertheless, as with all abrasive prod­ucts, they must be used properly and in accordance with established safety codes. ANSI B7.1, as mentioned on the second page of this catalog, is mandatory reading for all grind­ing wheel users!

MOUNTING: The area of greatest stress in abrasive wheels is at the center hole. Wheels should therefore be mounted on spindles or arbors of correct diameter (nominal diameter plus zero minus .002 inches). Avoid forcing the wheel onto the spindle. Proper fit, neither too tight or too loose, is essential.

Cratex Wheels shall be mounted only on straight spindles (nottapered) and shall be supported by standard abrasive wheel flanges of equal size covering at least 30% of the wheel diame­ter. The back flange should be keyed or secured to the shaft (except when mounted on a mandrel) and the outside flange nut should be tightened only enough to keep the wheel from slipping while it is in use. Several Cratex Wheels can be mounted in series for additional width, providing the mounting spindle is large enough to support the extra weight.

PROTECTIVE GUARDS AND SHIELDS: When operating an abrasive wheel, the operator should be properly shielded. The operator as well as any other personnel in the work area should wear safety goggles and face shields.

WHEEL DRESSING: The same dressing and truing tools and methods are used on Cratex products as are used on conven­tional grinding wheels. Cratex Dressing Blocks are ideal as are all types of manual or mechanical dressers and diamond truing tools. Truing achieves a concentric geometry between the periphery of the wheel and the spindle on which the wheel is mounted. Dressing is a cleaning operation. It clears the wheel face and exposes fresh, sharp-cutting abrasive grains. Proce­dure: The dresser or turning tool should be supported on a work-rest (set not more than 1/8 inch away from the wheel face) and held at a slight (5 to 20 degree) angle to the wheel face. Light cuts should then be taken in a straight line across the high points of the wheel until the face is smooth and even. The wheel must not be run at full speed until any signs of imbalance have been removed.

After the wheel has been trued or shaped it should be permitted to turn at full speed (not to exceed maximum safe speed) for one minute or more before work is applied. During this time the operator should stand to one side, away from the wheel.

Contact us for more information or order.