A Problem with Knurling

Stern, Eightball,

Sounds like air is an important component when knurling aluminum. I'll try it next time; thanks!


TomG,

No problem... I think I *did* go too deep in addition to not clearing out the powder. The aluminum is 6061.
 
I've done quite a few knurls going into full depth pressure, automatic feed, and mister method; even on Aluminum.
 
Try a SINGLE

Sure you're not getting some double-tracking? I've had that problem when I've used a two-wheel tool for straight knurling. A single wheel works best for me for this kind of knurl.
 
Re: Try a SINGLE

Sure you're not getting some double-tracking? I've had that problem when I've used a two-wheel tool for straight knurling. A single wheel works best for me for this kind of knurl.

Hi, Frank,

I am certainly getting some double-tracking, which is another issue. I'm beginning to learn, from answers here and on one other forum, that no one seems to be very successful with straight knurl tracking with a pinch-type knurler. Makes me wonder why they provide three sets of straight knurl wheels with the tool... A single would eliminate the problem with both wheels having to sync up with each other. For a pinch knurler, someone suggested using one knurl tool and one sacrificial plastic roller, which they had done successfully.

But that said, in my limited experience, double-tracking doesn't cause the existing knurls to look all... what's the word? Chipped, maybe? Or broken? I think that issue is that I should be using flood coolant or air to keep the powder off the work as it's being formed. I'm going to have to experiment more with it. However, since I can't seem to sync up the straight knurls anyway, I think I will go on to more productive activities and stick with diamond knurls for now.
 
If you think about it, when you're doing diamond knurls, you're not using two wheels. You're using a pair of single wheels. One for each 'slant' of grooves. The bottom wheel isn't being asked to fall into 'track' with the top wheel. each is forming its own grooves. I don't have any straight knurls, but if I get some, I'll try to remember this and use a plastic roller.

I had a diamond knurl job jump to a double track once, but it was a pretty accurate half-spacing. A set of medium knurls gave me a very nice fine knurl. Take a look at the ring holding the sector arms on the rotary table.
P6170062b.jpg

P6170062b.jpg
 
If you think about it, when you're doing diamond knurls, you're not using two wheels. You're using a pair of single wheels. One for each 'slant' of grooves. The bottom wheel isn't being asked to fall into 'track' with the top wheel. each is forming its own grooves. I don't have any straight knurls, but if I get some, I'll try to remember this and use a plastic roller.

I had a diamond knurl job jump to a double track once, but it was a pretty accurate half-spacing. A set of medium knurls gave me a very nice fine knurl. Take a look at the ring holding the sector arms on the rotary table.
View attachment 55521

Hawkeye,

Yes, I agree... diamond knurling is actually two separate single wheel's whose line position relative to each other is irrelevant.

I'm not too familiar with rotary tables, and maybe I'm missing it, but the only knurl I see in this photo is the one next to the graduated collar on the hand wheel in the bottom, left side of the photo. Is this the one you're referring to?
 
Great thread, I swapped Oil out for Kool-mist. Boy what a difference. Cleaning out flakes in kurls not a fun job.
 
I asked on a different knurling thread but did not get much response. I'll try here.
I have a two wheel (diamond pattern) bump knurling tool (Phase II). Came with lathe.
In order to identify the pitch, I counted the teeth on the 3/4" wheels.

To my surprise, one had 39 teeth and the other had 40. That was unexpected even though as was stated earlier the two wheels have no registration relationship. Pitch math did not come up with an integer value for either. Comments?
 
I would 1st have the same pitch on the wheels, knurling is tough enough with correct setup. Which pitch to choose there are lots of info about calculating it.
I made up a excel sheet for it for the pitch options available from Acccu-trak.

Your welcome to it.

Not sure just how critical it is, but can't hurt.

Oil for stainless and kool mist for aluminum was my new lesson.

Here is a picture of some motorcycle parts, Made those with Oil.
parts%20(3).jpg


Knurl%20(6).jpg
 
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