knurling tool

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to which knurling tool to buy i have seen diferent types but dont know which is best dont need anything special .

thanks Kevin

On smaller lathes always go for the clamp type as they put less strain on the spindle bearings. I got both of mine from Chronos and have been very happy with them.

Regards.

David.

The usual advice is to use a calliper (clamp) type knurling tool. This will accomodate different sized workpieces, with minimal strain on the bearings of the machine, since it loads from both side. The type that uses one wheel and is pushed onto the work, like a cutting tool loads the Headstock Bearings more.

Howard

I'd advocate the use of a caliper type, too. I made my own to a Graham Meek design, although I altered it to incorporate the mounting direct to my QCTP. See below:

It will knurl up to around 60mm diameter, though I have used it just recently in "push" mode to knurl the outside of a piece 78mm diameter.

John

Edited By John Hinkley on 18/03/2016 16:15:54

I made a caliper type for my mini-lathe. Then one day i wanted to knurl a 2 1/4" diameter bit of EN1a. I cut a slot in the end of a bit of bar, drilled a cross hole and threaded the shank of a 3/16" drill through the bar and a knurl.

Worked like a charm, I've since put a proper bronze spindle in fixed by a pair of c-clips.

Neil

I made this frame based one:

thanks for the info it seems to be thumbs up for the scissor type

Kevin

I think knurling tools are usually over-sized and over-engineered, they don't need to apply as much force as is often assumed, and they often have a huge capacity when if they are only knurling small stuff they can be made much more lightly.

Here's mine, only works up to an inch or so. An M4 thread has served perfectly well for applying the knurling force.

It knurled its own height setting button.

Neil

If you're feeling spendy you can't do much better than a marlco.

Nutcracker style works well. Probably minimum force on lathe too.

This is mine. Commercially made but hasn't been on the market for many years. A lightly modified version was written up for the 29 January 1999 issue of Model Engineer by R.V.Horwis (senior) title "A Hand Held 3-Wheel Knurling Tool".

If you root around the internet you should be able to find an article from the American magazine Popular Mechanics (?) entitled Nutcracker Knurler showing a similar device. Not sure if there is a printable resolution file out there. The version I found was bit light on resolution to use as a constructional article without careful re-draw and rewrite. The American version looks a little cruder but is possibly easier to make as being built up from bara and plate sections bolted together. Mr Horwis copied the folded sheet construction of the commercial article which is much neater but I'm unsure as to how the U bend could be neatly made in the home workshop.

Clive.

Edited By Clive Foster on 18/03/2016 21:08:27

If you really want to get into knurling I small way, this one was suggested by Stan Bray in his book "Introducing the Lathe". The wheel is the flint wheel from a disposable lighter, there I a bronze bush in the wheel, the spindle is a 3/32" x 3/8" needle roller out of a bearing, the main body is a bit of scrap steel. With the wheel I use, it produces a fine, straight knurl, I' used it on steel, brass, and aluminium.  Time to make, less than an hour, unless you have to go out and find a dead lighter (all ways pick up road kill)

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 19/03/2016 09:30:42