A Straddle Knurler for the Sherline Lathe

[ttabbal]

Interesting. I might give it a go. I can always switch them out if they don't hold up.

 

[TIM-RANEY]

Great article, Mikey. The knurling tips will definitely help me make better quality knurls. Most of the time, my knurling goes very well. Though I really think your tips will help me make quality knurls much more consistently. Thanks very much for sharing!

 

[mikey]

You're welcome, Tim!

 

[nighthawkFmobil]

wow! found this at a perfect time. I didn't even know one could knurl such nicely defined shapes. amazing!!!

 

[mikey]

wow! found this at a perfect time. I didn't even know one could knurl such nicely defined shapes. amazing!!!

Thank you! With the right tool, knurling is not difficult.

What really sets off a knurl is the treatment on either side of the knurl and the perfect tool to create the shapes you want is a graver. Soft domes, gentle curves or slopes that artistically swoop down to meet the neck of a lever handle are all simple to do with a graver.

 

[ZenModeling]

Hi Mikey,
Well written Interesting piece! I just posted my [Hi I’m a GREENHORN & New] & your post got my attention as it mentioned Sherline. In my Intro post I mentioned I have a 4000 series Lathe & purchased it for crafting custom aluminum detail 1:24 scale auto parts- pulleys - tanks- ect.. & went out & bought the Lathe got it set up right - purchased a copy of “Joe Martin’s Tabletop Machining” some 1” & smaller aluminum round stock & then Got (Machine Fright) - just not sure how to start making [Chip’s] ~something like that;-) lol
Any suggestions from a PRO like yourself??
Respectfully,
Lee aka: ZenModeling

 

[mikey]

Welcome to HM, Lee, and thank you for your many years of service as a trooper.

I will post my comments to your intro post so we don't clutter this one up with non-knurling stuff.

 

[ttabbal]

I figured I would post a pic of my build. I think it's a rule around here... I made a couple of changes to use the wheels I already had. Form-Rol KP series. I think I'll order some other pitch and straight versions, but they cut well. I think I needed to go deeper, and I need to practice with it, but the adjustment nut for the knurler turned out alright.




One thing I changed was mounting. I felt like I had too much movement in the QCTP. So I made a block that registers against the plinth. It's probably overkill, but it was interesting to build. I think I'm going to build another block for a more ridgid parting tool holder.

 

[WobblyHand]

Here's a picture of mine, and a first knurl. (Unsupported 1/2" 6061) I obviously need to make a new nut and knurl it! Haven't quite finished it completely, but wanted to give the knurler a try. The plinth was quite new territory for me, but I came up with something. Had to drill and tap my cross-slide to mount the plinth, but I think it came out ok. I have learned a lot from this little project. @mikey thanks for documenting your build so well. It really helped me understand the thought process in doing something like this. I also want to thank @ttabbal who gave me a couple of helpful hints - they got me out of the corner that I had painted myself into!

 

[WobblyHand]

@mikey have to ask this. Sorry if it's obvious to everyone. For this knurler, where do the wheels go relative to the stock for best results? I don't recall seeing any description of this. For a bump knurler, one just buts the knurler against the stock. For this kind of knurler, what does one do?