Knurling tool design & wheel size

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

I would like to design my own knurling tool. It will be a clamp type but thought first decision would have to be 'what size knurling wheels'. Can anybody tell me how best to decide/calculate the wheel size. I envisage wanting to knurl diameters up to 2 inch.

Thanks, Nige

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

When I was looking the common sizes available were 5/8 OR 3/4. I can;t see it matters much which when likely to be knurling ocassionally on a varety of sizes. As a beginner I built **LINK**

This one and it works fine for the time I've used it. Tere is a set of yutube videos to go wth it for anyone that needs them.. Everyone here seems to have their own favourite tool.

pgk

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Nige,

Rather than re-invent the ( knurling ) wheel, why not use a proven, existing design. As pgk says, everyone has their own favourite, mine being a Graham Meek one. I chose it specifically because it copes with large ( up to 65mm ) diameter stock, uses a choice of wheel diameters and can be run very close to the chuck jaws, if required. The plans in Grahams book give all the details. Here's my version:

I slightly modified it to fit into the QCTP. I have to say, it works very well.

John

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Thank you guys

[fishy-steveParticipant @fishy-steve]

I also made Toms knurling tool that pgk recommends and very good it is too. I will say though that I've found the correct size knurls are hard to come by.

I ended up making modified knurl holders to except knurls that are easier to find.

Steve.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Nige,

Why design your own? There are plenty of working designs out there already and yours will likely mirror one of those already existing – or maybe a combination of several. Some are better than others and yours may well not be as good as the best out there.

Make your own, by all means, but my advice is to choose a design which is proven to work (popular reiews) and get on with it.

I would be using easily purchased, good quality, reliable wheels from a good supplier. Making those as “few offs” is neither cost effective nor easy. Replacing, or adding, wheels later would be simple – and a lot less hassle than making your own to exacting standards.

Your choice in the end, of course, but that is what I would suggest. Re-inventing the wheel has been done umpteen times, but few have bettered the basic age old design of a circular rim running on an axle!

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

I like the Hemingway Kits Marlco copy. Not expensive, relatively easy to make, and does what it says on the tin.

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Hi thaiguzzi. I looked at the Hemingway kits. Do they come as a kit of parts that just needs assembling or is there some machining to do as well?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Why design your own?

Because it's a great way to learn?

A knurling tool requires thought about materials, geometry and proportions. While some designs may be more elegant and offer additional convenience, within broad limits any sensible design will work.

If Nigel comes up with his own solution, he'll be better placed to tackle the next challenge, regardless of how well it works in practice.

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Nige on 14/06/2018 08:20:26:

Do they come as a kit of parts that just needs assembling or is there some machining to do as well?

They just supply a pile of materials, you need to make each and every part.

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi Nige,

Have a look at 'Toms Techniques' Youtube channel. He gives a great step by step series on making a really nice knurling tool of super design.

Best one I have seen! On my list to make fairly soon when I get time ……. Hmmmm!

Lots of other great stuff for the beginner also. I have watched them several time over.

Regards, Martin

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

If you need a knurling tool in a hurry, or you want a fine parallel knurle, get a flint wheel from a BIC lighter, put a bronze bush in the hole, get a bit of scrap steel to make the body, and that's.

Ian S C

[Bruce EdneyParticipant @bruceedney59949]

I have built an enlarged version of Ken Johnson's tool as presented in ME 4435. I enlarged it due to having larger knurling wheels. Seems to work well

Bruce

 

Edited By Bruce Edney on 14/06/2018 10:59:53

Edited By Bruce Edney on 14/06/2018 11:01:02

[SpurryParticipant @spurry]

I made the Hemmingway kit some years ago. If my memory is correct, the actual wheels are a bit of an oddball size and the choice of knurl is limited from Hemmingway. However choices were available from Cromwell Tools.

Pete

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Form follows function

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Spurry on 14/06/2018 11:21:05:

I made the Hemmingway kit some years ago. If my memory is correct, the actual wheels are a bit of an oddball size and the choice of knurl is limited from Hemmingway. However choices were available from Cromwell Tools.

Pete

Indeed.

Hemingway drawings quote a 1/4" wide wheel.

I had 3/8" wide x 3/4" OD wheels lying around spare, so ground them down to 5/16" wide in the Stent, and used them.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by JasonB on 14/06/2018 08:24:55:

Posted by Nige on 14/06/2018 08:20:26:

Do they come as a kit of parts that just needs assembling or is there some machining to do as well?

They just supply a pile of materials, you need to make each and every part.

Yep, drawings included as well.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Nige on 14/06/2018 08:20:26:

Hi thaiguzzi. I looked at the Hemingway kits. Do they come as a kit of parts that just needs assembling or is there some machining to do as well?

All the Hemingway stuff comes as basic materials and drawings, some with instructions. You need to machine everything, but this particular kit is not difficult. I also found it to be reasonably priced.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Narrower wheels need a lot less force, but only an issue if you are trying to knurl in the centre of a bar.

Neil

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Neil: I understand that narrower wheels would need less force but sorry, I'm not understanding the centre of a bar reference

Nige

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Nige on 15/06/2018 15:31:32:

Neil: I understand that narrower wheels would need less force but sorry, I'm not understanding the centre of a bar reference

Nige

Well if you are knurling the end of a bar, you only have to engage half the knurl to get started, then move it slowly sideways.

Better to do a small strip at a good depth than than try and start a wide shallow knurl on harder materials.

Neil

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

In trying to find a supplier for knurling wheels it seems that very few people sell any variety except for eBay where you take a big chance on quality particularly with respect to hardness I suspect. It appears to be easier and cheaper to by a ready made knurling tool and remove the knurls than to try and buy knurls alone

Do I go for 10 mm knurls or bigger? Thinking I might want to knurl up to 50 mm diameter stock but then of course I could design it with interchangeable wheels thinking bigger stock bigger wheels, smaller stock, smaller wheels!

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

Nige, There are plenty about, *** Chronos *** do them 3/4" or 5/8" in various patterns. As do *** Cromwell ***

I don't think size matters particularly (well not for knurl wheel diameter anyway)  just get what's available and design the tool around it.

John

Edit: spelling

Edited By Journeyman on 15/06/2018 16:25:46

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Neil: Thank you, I understand your reference now

Journeyman: Thank you. I had found the Cromwell tools offering but they don't appear to have knurls suitable for diamond patterning and having now found Chronos, thank you, they are quite expensive. Chronos it is

Nige

[Author]

Posts