Knurling tool

tcncj · Nov 10, 2017

Hello,

I need to do allot of knurling operations (diamond pattern). I currently use a form knurling tool in my CNC lathe. Problem is...it's a PITA to setup and get consistent results. I found some knurling tools like accu-track that have a knurling tool that cuts instead of forms. It should be allot easier to setup.
I only found positive reviews of this tool. It ain't very cheap but the price worth it because it saves allot of time. Some opinions on this tool or alternatives?

MattiJ · Nov 10, 2017

Zeus (Hommel-Keller) and Quick are the most notable ones around here.

tcncj · Nov 10, 2017

Thanks MattiJ
Just found out the local toolsupplier has them from Zues

lionelt · Nov 10, 2017

Have you spoken to your local Floyd rep?

Cut Knurling | Floyd Automatic Tooling

djm77 · Nov 10, 2017

I would recommend a cut knurling tool all day long. It took us a few goes to get comfortable with it, but once we hit on the right speeds and feeds it has proved to be pretty good. We still get the odd part in any batch run we do that doesn’t seem to come out correctly, but it’s manageable for us. Just remember that the OD still grows slightly just not as much as a normal form knurler.

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Gobo · Nov 10, 2017

Wholeheartedly agree with the above post. Cut knurling is the shit. Don't get one of those nasty form knurling tools anywhere near me.

billzweig · Nov 11, 2017

For diamond knurl the cut knurling tool works the best.

otrlt · Nov 11, 2017

Hello tcncj,
I've been turning at the highest level for decades. Knurling is the most difficult operation to master, especially on heat treated alloys. I'm very interested on hearing anything on this subject. Thanks for bringing this up for discussion.
otrlt

david n · Nov 11, 2017

Get the Accutrak unit and drive on.........................I'll never go back to a bump style.

litlerob1 · Nov 12, 2017

I'm out of Goats.

otrlt said:
I've been turning at the highest level for decades.

I hafta ask, what exactly does the above statement mean? Exactly? Like for Vulcans or something? Maybe building parts for Gene?

otrlt said:
Knurling is the most difficult operation to master

Do you mean in Life, or just on a Manual Lathe? Knurling is a filthy, raw and aggressive operation; "difficult"? "Most difficult"???? I don't think so. There is too much to set-up to really explore difficult in a short amount of time, try single point threading 0-80, try single point internal 2-56, try drilling .05mm holes in 304. I can think of some pretty horrifying operations that I have done, with questionable success. :dunce:

I'm not even going to get into compound angularity, all around Profile or other make believe GD&T callouts. There's some pretty tough stuff out there.

Robert

Oh yeah, Accu-trak for me!! Bumping is tech. from the Bronze age.

MattiJ · Nov 12, 2017

djm77 said:
I would recommend a cut knurling tool all day long. It took us a few goes to get comfortable with it, but once we hit on the right speeds and feeds it has proved to be pretty good. We still get the odd part in any batch run we do that doesn’t seem to come out correctly, but it’s manageable for us. Just remember that the OD still grows slightly just not as much as a normal form knurler.

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Cut knurling tool will also happily reduce the diameter if you fuck up your math.

Best one I did was probably close to 1mm smaller after cut knurling with "slightly" too aggressive DOC

djm77 · Nov 12, 2017

MattiJ said:
Cut knurling tool will also happily reduce the diameter if you fuck up your math.

Best one I did was probably close to 1mm smaller after cut knurling with "slightly" too aggressive DOC

[emoji38][emoji38]

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adama · Nov 12, 2017

The realy good scissor style pressure ones work just fine too, don't think any one makes a good one any more though, have a old turret mounted one and have never had a bad knurl off it.

That said, cut knurling is lovely, just hard to spend more on a tool for a occasional job than i have im my lathe! Have only used the quik ones, but again there good!

aj · Nov 13, 2017

We have a couple of scissor knurling tools from Eagle Rock. They seem to work pretty good. We run 'em in our CNCs on stainless, 1,000 pieces or so at a time.

No. K1-21 The Original Scissor Type Knurling Tools On Eagle Rock Technologies, Inc.

Don't know how much trouble it'll be getting one across the pond though...

tcncj · Nov 13, 2017

I bought a zues knurling tool today at my local tool supplier. Not cheap, but saves allot of time.
Thanks for all the feedback

Clive603 · Nov 13, 2017

Cut knurling should be the right way to go for CNC. Bit surprised by the size/maths problems. Can only presume that the machines in question don't have proper set-up procedure to get things right straight out of the box. In principle such is possible but does require proper reference surface provision on the tool.

Agree with Adama that a good scissors type is great. A Marlco 3" capacity one built on a 4" + cube of steel came with the Pratt & Whitney. Gotta be a serious job to heft that out of the drawer.

Gotta say I'm impressed by this Pratt & Whitney pivoting push knurl type with on centre and underslung wheel arrangements instead of the usual symmetrical about the pivot layout. Only paid £ 5 for it. Bought for the name really (Yup I'm sad. So) but it seems to pick up much better than the usual type. My guess is that having one knurl on centre gives a truer firmer push to get the first cut started on a smooth surface. Pivoted wheel having an easier time of it as its working on a partial surface with one side of the diamond pre formed.

Clive

MattiJ · Nov 15, 2017

adama said:
That said, cut knurling is lovely, just hard to spend more on a tool for a occasional job than i have im my lathe!

I bet "power skiving" would make really nice knurl right from the start and also make the cut knurling tools look like bargain!
Toyoda e5H GS Gear skiving - YouTube

If you want cheap cut knurling tool for manual lathe making DIY one to cut diamond knurl you have to pay only for one wheel.
With the exorbitant cut knurling tool prices you can still imagine it profitable even if your shop rate is 100$/h.

tcncj · Nov 22, 2017

Received the Zeus knurling tool.
Took me some time before I found I had to install the right knurling wheel in the position that's marked left. And the left wheel in the R position.
But I'm very happy so far

Just 2 quick test cuts.

Knurling tool

Cast Iron

Titanium

Cast Iron

Stainless

Aluminum

Titanium

Stainless

otrlt

Guest

Diamond

Diamond

Titanium

Aluminum

Diamond

Hot Rolled

Cast Iron

Titanium

Titanium

Cast Iron

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