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Thread: Knurling Tool

  1. #1
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    Default Knurling Tool

    Hi Guys.

    Does anyone know where I can get a knurling tool that will produce a good knurl? I have one at home already but it doesnt produce a very deep knurl. I want a knurl roughly akin to what you find on a socket wrench handle or something.

    I will initially be knurling 32mm rollers for a grain mill but envisage the mk2 model having 50mm or even 75mm rollers so the knurl will need to handle these sorts of diameters.

    Brendan

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  3. #2
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    For what you are doing does it need to be a knurl or could it be some other type of pattern?

  4. #3
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    Every commercial variety uses a diamond pattern knurl, I believe its what they refer to as a coarse knurl but im not sure. Its nearly identical to the knurling on my sidchrome 1/2inch drive socket wrench. Its possible other patterns would work, but id be experimenting as ive never seen one with anything but knurled rollers.

    Most of these things use 1 driven and 1 lazy roller. I believe the knurling helps to pull the grain through and as it does so it drives the lazy roller, crushing the grain in the process. Initially mine will run like this, but eventually I will cut some gears for it so that both rollers are driven.

  5. #4
    Metmachmad is offline Turning useful pieces of steel into scrap metal.
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    There are different grades of patterns available (ebay, engineering supplies, etc) fine, medium, course. Then also to get to optimum finish it does depend on technique.
    Turning useful pieces of steel into scrap metal.

  6. #5
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    Is the size the Grain gets crushed to important or is this a 1st stage opperation.

  7. #6
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    There are several types of knurling tool on the market.

    I got one with my QCTP, it is the type that gets pushed in to the work. I found this very limiting and it put a lot of strain on both the cross slide and the work (I do mainly small diameter stuff, up to 20mm)

    So I looked at the clamp type and it seemed to be a better way to go. I bought one on Sunday at the Bendigo Model Engineers Exhibition from LPR Toolmakers. I have done several diamond pattern knurls on both 12L14 steel and 6061 Aluminium so far and I can get a good deep knurling pattern, it is also very even. They also sell extra knurling wheels in 3 different patterns and in quite a range of pitches.

    They have an Ebay shop as well

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KNURLING-...item5d2bc60fb3

    The bar that holds it in the QCTP holder is 16mm high and my AXA tool holders are 14mm, so I had to mill a couple of mill off to make it fit, no biggie.

    Edit:

    There is another one available from Chronos in the UK

    it is a bit cheaper, but by the time you pay for postage maybe not that much cheaper. I decided to buy from the local guy because he was there and I could physically look at it. On the one I bought there 2 flats milled on the top of the knurled nut so you can put a spanner on to put more pressure. I found that worked really well. The pattern I got was really consistent and I could vary the depth quite easily. I could go deepr than the knurl on my Sidchrome socket wrenches or I could do a much shallower pattern.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CLAMP-TYP...item45fb4336cd

    There are other places that sell the clamp type as well, from memory they go to about 1.5-2 inch diameter. If you need to go bigger, then the the push in type may be the way to go.

  8. #7
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    You could always make your own. I purchased most of my wheels from Blackwoods. They are made by WDS in England and cost about 30 bucks a pair.

    BT

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    Thanks Big Shed. Do you know if the wheels that came with your tool are described as coarse, medium or fine?

    I think because of the size of my job I will need a push in style knurl, and acknowledge they are inferior due to the strain they put on the lathe etc. I guess I could make my own as suggested but I really want to expedite this job.

    are those wheels from blackwoods pretty good Bob?

  10. #9
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    Does the Grain have to be crushed to a particular size.
    It is a fairly large diameter to knurl.
    Have you considered screw cutting.

  11. #10
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    Nice looking rear tool post setup BT, how do you adjust the height?

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Shed View Post
    Nice looking rear tool post setup BT, how do you adjust the height?
    Agree! I was also admiring the slide, very handy bit of kit that.

  13. #12
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    The size of the crush when all graining isnt that critical. Its one of those things where blokes will argue til the cows come home about the features and benefits of a crush anywhere between .5mm and 1.5mm (this is the gap between the rollers and doesnt include the depth of the knurl). Most commercial designs come with adjustable rollers, however I dont know a single brewer who uses different gaps for different brews....they set it once and then leave it. My personal preference after trial and error is for a .8mm gap between the rollers. I find that the adjustable models inevitably come out of adjustment and this is something I want to avoid as it causes changes in efficiency, which can effect the balance of your brew and ultimately give youa result you dont want...which is something I will avoid by making my grain mill with a fixed gap.

    I have considered thread cutting, and it would probably work (especially with two driven rollers)...however the knurl appears to be the standard so I figured thats what I would do.

    How would you thread cut pipe? With a left hand then right hand cut and a 1mm pitch? Would you use a standard 60degree bit?

  14. #13
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    They are good Brendan. I have purchased a number of American made wheels that are equally as good and for a third of the price. Have a search for makers like Reed, Formrol, Armstrong and Brown and Sharpe.

    Having quality wheels simply rules them out of the equation if the resultant knurling isn't flash. The knurls I have work well on tougher stuff like 4140. The screws and lock "nuts" shown below are made from it.

    BT

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by 19brendan81 View Post
    Thanks Big Shed. Do you know if the wheels that came with your tool are described as coarse, medium or fine?

    I think because of the size of my job I will need a push in style knurl, and acknowledge they are inferior due to the strain they put on the lathe etc. I guess I could make my own as suggested but I really want to expedite this job.

    are those wheels from blackwoods pretty good Bob?
    Medium I think.

  16. #15
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    Bob those Knurls are awesome....thats precisely what I want to achieve. Is that coarse medium or fine?

    P.S thanks Big Shed. I think the knurl I have at home is too fine, too blunt or both.

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