Cross Pads Vs. Cartridge Rolls

Cartridge rolls and cross pads are two abrasive goods that customers frequently aren't sure which one they need. While they can be used for many of the same sanding and grinding jobs, they each have different features, so it's crucial to select the appropriate one for the work at hand. The distinctions between each are discussed in this article, along with suggestions for when to use each abrasive.

CROSS PADS: WHAT ARE THEY?

Abrasive flaps that are flexible and resemble sandpaper are folded over one another to form a cross shape to form abrasive cross pads, a kind of sanding tool. They are frequently employed for operations such as sanding, polishing, and grinding inside cylinders, holes, and pipes.

They can adapt to the shape you are sanding because of their unique shape. The cross pads' increased flexibility makes it possible for them to adapt to the surface being sanded, which makes them ideal for sanding in confined, complex spaces.

Cross pads may be quickly and easily attached to a threaded cross pad mandrel for use with a range of power instruments, including die grinders and rotary drills.

BENEFITS OF CROSS PADS

Cross pads with their cross sign/t-shape/plus sign structure have several benefits:

• Able to fit into gaps and nooks that other tools are unable to reach. 
• Excellent for intricate tasks. 
• Extremely adaptable and able to take on the contour of most workpieces. 
• Flexibility that's perfect for curved or uneven surfaces. 
• Simple to operate and adaptable to many power tool attachments (mandrel included). 
• Reasonably priced

DRAWBACKS OF CROSS-PADS

However, there are a few drawbacks:

• Not as strong as some other kinds of sanding pads, and thus could require frequent replacement. 
• Does not function well under intense pressure.
• It is not appropriate for sanding big, level surfaces.

APPLICATIONS FOR CROSS PADS

 These pads are frequently used for close-tolerance.

• Metal, wood, plastic, and other materials are ground and polished 
• Sanding, grinding, and polishing in cylinders, holes, tubes, and pipes that are small.
• Unusual channels, bell mouth configurations, interior curves, fillets, and corners are all blended, deburred, ground, and finished. 
• Forming complex patterns and shapes into soft materials like wood.

THE BEST WAYS TO USE CROSS-PADS

Select the proper sanding grit first. Connect your cross pads to a drill or die grinder that is appropriate for the job. Use minimal pressure while grinding the surface, allowing the abrasives to finish the job. Excessive pressure exerted on the pads may result in their deformation and an uneven finish. When the pad gets worn out or clogged, replace it. 

CARTRIDGE ROLLS: WHAT ARE THEY?

Another excellent abrasive tool for squeezing into small spaces or uneven surfaces is cartridge rolls. They are composed of an abrasive fabric that has been rolled into a cylinder. They come in two different shapes: tapered-shaped cartridge rolls or straight cylinders. Although they come in a variety of sizes, the most common ones are 1/4 to 1 inch in diameter and 1 to 2 inches in length.

The cartridge sanding rollers have a long lifespan and require minimal stopping time to operate because of their rolled-up shape. This is due to the fact that when the abrasive material on the outside wears off, the sheet breaks off, revealing a new layer of abrasive until the roll is completely consumed.

BENEFITS OF CARTRIDGE ROLLS

Cartridge rolls provide a number of benefits:

• Compared to many other abrasive instruments, the multi-layered construction lasts longer, exposing fresh abrasives when worn layers separate. 
• Simple to operate and adaptable to many power tool attachments (with a cartridge roll mandrel attachment) 
• Excellent for exemplary work on curved or sculpted surfaces 
• Reasonably priced

DRAWBACKS OF CARTRIDGE ROLLS

However, there are a few drawbacks:

• Not as adaptable as instruments such as cross pads, and might not adjust to uneven surfaces 
• It is not appropriate for sanding big, level surfaces.

APPLICATIONS FOR CARTRIDGE ROLLS

Cartridge rolls are frequently employed for numerous purposes, such as:

• Metal, wood, plastic, and other materials are ground and polished. 
• Precise finishing on surfaces with curves or contours.
• Sanding, grinding, and polishing in small apertures, pipes, and other confined spaces.
• Blending and deburring seams and edges. 
• Internal pipe, tube, and cylinder finishing and polishing. 
• Removing castings' separating lines and flash. 
• Carving elaborate patterns and shapes into soft materials like wood.

TYPES OF CARTRIDGE ROLLS

There are two types of cartridge rolls: tapered and straight.

• STRAIGHT CARTRIDGE ROLLS

Straight cartridge rolls are cylindrical and have the same width from top to bottom. They offer uniform sanding along their whole length. Their best uses are deburring and grinding inside small spaces, sanding down holes made with a hole saw, general-purpose sanding applications where continuous contact is needed, and smoothing out welds on flat surfaces.

• TAPERED  CARTRIDGE ROLLS

The tapered rolls are coiled firmly into an angle or cone shape. Because of their form, they are sometimes called "sanding cones." Compared to a straight roll, they can fit into tighter locations thanks to their slanted and tapered form. Tapered cartridge sanding rolls are frequently utilized on works with complex curves, fillets, and uneven contours that call for the highest level of precision.

THE BEST WAYS TO USE CARTRIDGE ROLLS

Select the correct grit first. Using a mandrel attachment, fasten your cartridge roll to a die grinder or rotary drill that is compatible. Use minimal pressure while grinding the surface, allowing the abrasives to finish the job. You can continue grinding for a more extended period since the abrasive will rip off when its outer layer wears away to reveal a new layer. When the roll is completely worn out or clogged, replace it.

CARTRIDGE ROLLS VS CROSS PADS

These two abrasive materials serve comparable purposes. There are a few things to think about while choosing between cartridge rolls and cross pads:

A. SURFACE TYPE

• CURVED, IRREGULAR, OR CONTOURED SURFACES: Cartridge rolls would be a preferable option because of their cylindrical shape if your project has a curved, irregular, or contoured surface.
• TIGHT OR INTRICATE SPACES: Cross pads would be a preferable option for jobs requiring reaching into constricted areas. Cartridge rolls can fit into small locations, but their width is limited, and there is less space for them to move about than with cross pads because they are less flexible. Conversely, cross pads can fold up and fit the region that has to be sanded.

B. KIND OF MATERIAL

Aluminum oxide, an abrasive grain that works well for sanding and grinding a wide range of surface materials, including soft surfaces like fiberglass and hard metals like stainless steel, is used to make both of these abrasives. All these technologies can, however, be more appropriate for specific uses.

• METAL SURFACES: A cartridge roll is the most effective tool to use when grinding aggressively and applying additional pressure on metal surfaces. 
• WOOD OR SOFTER MATERIALS: Cross pads are more flexible and may follow the curves of the material if you are dealing with wood or other softer surfaces.

C. STURDINESS AND LONGEVITY

• CARTRIDGE ROLLS: You should use a cartridge roll if you're working on a big project and require a tool with higher durability. They will last longer because of the multi-layer design, so you won't need to replace them as frequently. 
• CROSS PADS: A cross pad is what you want if flexibility to fit different forms is more essential to you than durability.

D. TOOL COMPATIBILITY AND ATTACHMENT EASE

Power tools like die grinders and rotary drills can be used with both cartridge rolls and cross pads. To attach your abrasive to your power tool, make sure you have the appropriate mandrel for the particular abrasive you're using.

CONCLUSION

Choosing between cross pads and cartridge rolls ultimately comes down to the specific requirements of your project. Both tools have their unique strengths, each with its own set of applications and limitations. Hopefully, this article helped you get a better understanding of the differences between each and what you’d need for your project.