Bolt jewelling diy.

Shedmaster

Shedmaster

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ne Alberta
I’ve a hankering for jewelling a couple boring looking bolts. Wondering what y’all use for an abrasive rod? Perfhaps someone may have one to part with? Thx
 
I've used both Cratex and wire brushes. The Cratex will give a bright, clear, sharp detailed turn while the brush provides a softer, duller turn. Most jewelling you see will be in the brush category.
 
Lodi said:
I've used both Cratex and wire brushes. The Cratex will give a bright, clear, sharp detailed turn while the brush provides a softer, duller turn. Most jewelling you see will be in the brush category.
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Where can one find the Cratex rod? And what diameter of rod would make the jewel pattern similar to Remingtons jewelled bolt?thx
 
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Shedmaster said:
Where can one find the Cratex rod? And what diameter of rod would make the jewel pattern similar to Remingtons jewelled bolt?thx
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You will need to create a jig to lay the bolt in so that the pattern remains consistent and even.
If you dig around (search) either within this site or even the world wide web there is someone with a detailed description on how to make one.
I recall someone describing it here on CGN just before or during covid lock down.
 
Shedmaster said:
Where can one find the Cratex rod? And what diameter of rod would make the jewel pattern similar to Remingtons jewelled bolt?thx
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I got mine from Brownells many years ago. It will be a kit with both Cratex and tool to use the abrasive rod. By itself the cratex is very soft and cannot be used without the tool.

The Remington style is closer to a wire wheel and just a few wraps of wire.
 
I have tried the pencil eraser and 240 valve compound. It does NOT work! I've also looked for cratex and no one can source it in the maritimes.

If you could find some ~80 grit paste and a super firm rubber it could work.

A lot of people say "look at ###X" but then none of it applies to us here in canada.
 
An old gunsmith I knew used steel cable, He drilled a hole in the end of a rod and soldered a piece of maybe 3/16 cable in it and cut it off about an 1/8 of an inch from the end of the rod. Chucked it in the drill press and put the bolt in a vice and went to work
 
Canadian source for cratex:
http s://www.gessweincanada.com/searchresults.asp?Search=cratex&Submit=

Order some Grobet Swiss pattern pillar files while you're at it.

Cheap home made engine turning tool is a small round brush with rubber tubing placed around the bristles and then dipped in valve grinding compound. Even at slow speeds in the drill press it's messy but works.
 
flange said:
Canadian source for cratex:
http s://www.gessweincanada.com/searchresults.asp?Search=cratex&Submit=

Order some Grobet Swiss pattern pillar files while you're at it.

Cheap home made engine turning tool is a small round brush with rubber tubing placed around the bristles and then dipped in valve grinding compound. Even at slow speeds in the drill press it's messy but works.
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Besides looking appealing, I am wondering if a Jeweled Bolt in a Bolt Action Rifle slides smother then an regular Bolt ?

Cheers
 
Your biggest challenge is making the jig that holds the bolt for spacing and indexing while using your drill press for spinning the tool.
 
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Brassman66 said:
Besides looking appealing, I am wondering if a Jeweled Bolt in a Bolt Action Rifle slides smother then an regular Bolt ?
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Not in my opinion. I hate the feel of it when working a bolt, and I'd rather just have it smoothly polished. I'm indifferent to the cosmetics because there's no practical advantage.
 
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