Knurling Tool

[rossbotics]

After recently replacing the cross feed screw and nut in my Clausing Lathe I decided I wouldn’t do any more side knurling with the cross feed unless I hadn’t any other way, side knurling puts a lot of stress on the cross feed nut and screw which will soon wear and create a lot of backlash between the two, this is what I’m trying to avoid since I repaired those two components, so I designed and made an adjustable Knurling Tool, one that the knurling wheels are guided by a vertical dove tail slide that the knurling wheels travel up and down by means of a left and right hand thread adjusting screw, (like a turn buckle) this method will put very little pressure on the cross feed assembly greatly extending their lives.

This tool is made to fit the dove tail on a BXA Tool Post this way I can do quick change over’s from one tool to the other, once the two knurling wheels have been centered with the machines axis it’s locked into position just like any other BXA Tool Holder with no more adjustment necessary, it’s just a matter of opening and closing the two knurling wheels to the diameter your knurling using the vertical adjusting screw, the upper and lower knurling wheels will simultaneously make contact with the work no matter what diameter it is up to two inches, the two knurling wheels can be adjusted from touching together to 2.125” apart, this is about the largest diameter I ever knurl so it’s big enough to handle 98% of my knurling needs, anything larger than 2” will require side pressure knurling, this tool also performs side pressure knurling.

This knurling tool has an upper and lower knurling wheel holder with male dove tails machined onto them for traveling up and down in a female dovetail slide, the knurling wheels are opened and closed by means of a left and right hand threaded adjusting screw using a 1/4” allen wrench, the tool was made from 4140 Pre Hard Steel, this tool was designed to work on lathes with a 12” or larger swing equipped with a BXA Quick Change Tool Post.

I have attached some photos of the manufacturing of this tool and a photo of the basic design I got from an Aloris Knurling Tool, also a video and the setup demonstrating its use.

As always thanks for looking and happy machining
Doug

[Dimitris Polychronis]

Hey Doug,

That's really awesome!! I wish to had its little brother for my mini lathe! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Dimitris

[Stevohdee]

Great job, its a beauty!!

[rossbotics]

Hey Doug,

That's really awesome!! I wish to had its little brother for my mini lathe! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Dimitris

Thanks Dimitris
The tool could be scaled down to fit most any Lathe, you could easily knurl on your mini lathe with this type of design.

Doug

[ACinSV]

WOW. Just...wow.

[Metallurg33]

I watched the video on YouTube last week. Very nice!

[PJs]

Oh My, Doug! Beautiful design and execution as always...The Top of Classy! Been wanting to build one like this for as along as I have had my peanut and wrote my dissertation. I might have considered Acme threads but 5/8-18 is plenty robust and easier to deal with (your threads were Gorgeous!). I've also seen Rack and Pinion types like this too and considered it but with no mill...hard put to do that precision by hand. I am hoping you are adding it to your plans as it Is scale-able as you said, if so...I'm In!! What size wheels does it take??

Thanks so much for sharing your fine work and talents with us!

PJ

P.S. I love that you used double set screws for the wheel pins.

[rossbotics]

Great job, its a beauty!!

Thank You Stevohdee

Doug

[Dimitris Polychronis]

Thanks Dimitris
The tool could be scaled down to fit most any Lathe, you could easily knurl on your mini lathe with this type of design.

Doug

Thanks Doug,

Although I don't have a mill; it will be nice for me to know that you add it to your plans!

Cheers
Dimitris

[rossbotics]

Thank You ACinSV, glad you liked it

Doug