Knurl tool - Clamping type

[garage nut]

When I made the tap wrench - I really wanted to knurl the handle ends.

When I made my over sized knife vice - I really wanted a knurl tool to make the clamp screws. Fortunately I had ordered the knurl wheels some time ago and had the jaws for the knurl tool lazer cut some time ago when I was short to fill the minimum charge at the Lazer Cutter.

I have the drawings if somebody is interested.



Only thing is I did not have any 8mm for the main body so laminated some 3mm and 5 mm with a TIG weld all the way around the edge. The jaws is 6mm and initially I thought it was an over kill, but with the side force it seemed to have been the right choice. Once we are back to mormal I will remake this part.



The first knurl was the tap handle. Was actually very easy. the professionals can criticize the end result and please tell me what I am doing wrong and what I should do to improve the end result. I was running my lathe as slow as it can go and using lots of cutting fluid.

[DIYer]

Thanks garage nut! We've added your Knurling Tool to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: garage nut's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Knurling Tool by garage nut

tags: knurling

[old_toolmaker]

garage nut,

Thanks for sharing your nice work. That is a nice looking knurling tool!

[Crusty]

Looks like it worked to me.

Did you turn the handles to an appropriate starting diameter for that knurl pitch? If the diameter is too far off that can cause the wheels to not exactly mesh into the previous divots and smudge the pattern. There's a handy calculator at the Little Machine Shop website that I refer to so that I start with an appropriate diameter. Use lots of lube when you're running it.

I start out fairly tight, spin it for a second, stop and tighten some more, spin for another second, stop, tighten, spin again, etc. until I get nice sharp points then I let it walk naturally towards the chuck without the lead screw as it spins.

[bigtrev8xl]

Looking good, and substantial

[Karl_H]

The jaws is 6mm and initially I thought it was an over kill, but with the side force it seemed to have been the right choice.

Nice looking tool. I made mine with 1/8 steel (3.2 mm) and it tends to twist some. This makes the first and last portions of the knurl unusable, so I have to put some sort of decoration - under cut or something - at each end. My remake will be beefier.

The first knurl was the tap handle.

I have a commercial tap wrench with knurled handles, and the feel of the knurl annoys me, so I made another with smooth handles. I like the feel of my own better. It doesn't affect the function at all since the forces are just push/pull and not any twisting motion.

Knurls on knobs, though, seem essential. With your fine knurling tool, I expect you will be making lots of knobs.

Karl

[msgale]

excellent,thank you, I can see now why my own shop-made tool is too flimsy: i used thinner stock.

i am not sure how to read your diagrams,though.

Questions:

what thread size is the adjusting nut?
how thick are the green horzontal pieces?

thank you

Mel