GWR’s unique flex ball rotor honing tool, with proprietary
"Automatic Cross Hatch Pattern™" design, it economically prepares turned
and new brake rotors for optimum burnishing... in just 10 to15 seconds.


Only "this tool" can apply an extremely low RA "cross hatch" pattern, something
OE testing has shown must be done to ensure proper mating and particulate
film transfer.  (I.E.  Required by Brembo, ATE, and other OEM Rotor Mfgs.)

Of equal importance is the fact that the all important X pattern can’t be
created with spinning sandpaper, cookies, or scotch type discs.
When mated with New Brake Pads, rotors that are honed before installation,
produce a more controlled break in and a higher Friction Energy Index (FEI)
performance number... that means safer and quieter braking.

You'll also save money!
Shop owners report the non clogging, long wearing oxide balls cut up to 150 rotors
with the proper electric drill and technique.  That is a net cost of about .25¢ per vehicle,
3 to 4 times less expensive than swirl type cookie discs.

 

Flexible Ball Hone

Tools for...
Rotors
and Cylinders
(See Cylinder Link Below)


UTILIZING PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY, THESE PATENTED TOOL PRODUCES
A FACTORY STYLE, OEM CROSS HATCH FINISH...  RIGHT ON YOUR SHOP LATHE!

FACT:
The final Ra and profile of your turned rotor, NOT the pad you use,
is responsible for brake noise and comebacks!

 

  • Twenty seconds of forward rotation transfers the recommended OEM circular style, "cross-hatch" pattern needed on brake rotors & flywheels.
  • Specially positioned Aluminum Oxide balls level off the spiral grooves created by brake lathe bits, the prime cause of friction induced brake noise.
  • Removes the ripped, torn and folded metal fragments formed by lathe cutting blades during the surfacing and/or truing process.
  • A net cost of only about .35¢ per brake rotor... not the typical $1.00 popular scotch pads and sanding type discs cost.
  • Honing lowers harmonic vibrations created by surface irregularities, thus reducing annoying high pitched squeal & groan after the burnish.
  • Easily produce a true Plateau Finish on the rotor. Duplicate the professional finish many performance factories do... only without a $300,000 CNC milling machine.
  • Forget changing sandpaper or discs every rotor... the hone lasts for months!

 
Does it really make a difference?
 

Finish #A    Before a Flexible Hone is used!
As received, rigid honed by factory rework section.
(
Photo blown up to 1000x)

The cross-hatch from first working has majority of cut in one direction with many smeared, torn, jagged and folded metal edges on surface. The smeared metal is loosely attached to surface and will be easily dislodged. In the case of a rotor, very peaky surface profiles generate excess heat during burnish process and this produces harder, noisier brake pads.

 

Note: Uneven, irregular Ra measurements on chart. The heights of the peaks and valleys vary greatly, widths are not symmetrical.   40 to 50u” (1.02 to 1.27um)
   

Finish #B    After a Flexible Hone is used!
Cylinder was Reworked with Silicon Carbide hone.
(Photo blown up to 1000x)

Uniform cross-hatch pattern, notice actual X pattern on surface. Honing creates a clean open appearance with most smeared, folded and torn metal removed. Note the excellent semi-plateaued profile on the chart, the cuts are symmetrical and lower overall. In the case of a rotor, this will reduce temperature of the burnish process and produce a pad that is not as hard.

 

Note: Surface finish roughness (Ra) of reworked piece has been reduced 50%, it's a more symmetrical wave pattern.    20 to 25U” (.51 to .63 um)

 

IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTE:

Contrary to common believe and what tech writers put in magazine articles, the proper terminology for rotor finishing is "cross-hatch" not "non-directional". Non means nothing whereas cross means something very specific. Which one do you want on your brake job?
 
 
Compare the process to re-working the cylinder walls in an engine. When you bore a block to install new pistons and rings you "cross-hatch" the walls with a Flexible Cylinder Hone Tool, race engines even specify the angle of cross hatch. Would you ever think of scuffing a new cylinder with a scotch pad or piece of sandpaper before assembly?
 
       
 
Do your brake rotors deserve any less?

Do not under any circumstances use swirly discs, cookies or sand paper, because they just flatten surface and do not create the proper finish for pad burnishing. Worse, they leave different, uneven patterns on all four sides of your rotors because these items wear with each use and each side.
 
NO NO NO YES


Remember,
Rotor Hones are the only tool capable of creating a real Cross-Hatch!


How to properly use the ROTOR HONE tool

Tool Setup Turn and Hone Procedure
Mount the Rotor-Hone tool in an electric hand drill. (Only use electric, not battery or air.) Straight line is OK but a 90º right angle drill works better. Your drill must maintain a constant speed between 800 and 1000 rpm, to produce a true "cross hatch" finish. After cutting the brake rotor (the truing process), leave it mounted in the brake lathe. Pull back your cutting blade assembly (loosen twin cutter nut, etc), then spin rotor at a rotational speed between 150 to 200 rpm. (Put on your eye protection, start drill then bring it to the lathe.) Hold the tool at a slight angle so the bottom half of cutting balls are slightly off the surface. Stroke the tool in towards rotor center then back out, 5 to 10 times about 1 second each stroke. On the last out stroke, move tool very slowly (10 seconds) until it walks off the outer edge.


IMPORTANT NOTES:

There is no need to reverse the direction of the hone, although it can be done if desired.  It is imperative though, that you use an electric drill to spin the Rotor Hone tool.  The X Pattern is created by the speed of the drill (RPM), not the exerted pressure or the length of dwell time the hone is used.  The correct final pattern should be tight tiny circles about 1/8" in diameter, not large rainbow shaped arcs curving from inner to outer edges.


To make the process even easier and to extend the life of the tool, we highly recommend the use of a right-angle electric drill. The 90º angle eliminates rotational torque and makes it extremely easy to properly position and hold the tool during the procedure.  If you don't have one or can't find one locally, we offer an inexpensive model that does a great job.
 

   

The unique, compact shape goes where standard drills can't so it fits easily on the inboard side of the brake lathe. Additionally, you can stand in front of the lathe and not have to twist your arms around to the side to control the hone's important back and forth movement. A real value!
  • Fully Shielded ball bearing construction
  • Weighs only 3.8 lbs for less hand fatigue
  • Variable speed, reversible (0-1500 RPM)
  • Easy access brushes

120 Volt, 3.5 Amps, Keyed Chuck w/ 1/16" to 3/8" capacity, Overall dimensions: 10.9" x 5.25" x 2.3"

Special GWR promotional price..... $39.95

 


See what our customers are saying about our Flexible Hone for Rotors.

If you're looking for a cylinder re-working Flexible Hone
please click picture...


Link to Full Product Index
Link to all products!
GWR Specialty Automotive Products
Copyright '96 - '14
1(800) 266-4497
Email: sales@gwrauto.com

How to order!

The term Flex-Hone® is a registered trademark of BRM, some photos and drawings used with permission.