Knurling with Hand Tools

[sign216]

Anyone have experience knurling w hand tools? Any issues or things to keep in mind with the different tool styles ?

Occaisionally I have small pins (1/8 to 3/16") that need knurling on the end. The hand tools appear to be an easy fix, if they work as advertised.

 

[Jimsehr]

I have good luck knurling soft material with my hand tool.

 

[sign216]

Jimsehr,
What kind of hand tool? I have found two different styles, the "press style" and the "clamp style" (see links).
I am knurling annealed tool steel. Have you had luck with anything that hard?

press style tool

C-clamp style

 

[Jimsehr]

I think it would work if the knurl is not too deep. I went out to shop and took some pics.
Don’t see a brand name and I have been collecting tools for well over 60 years so don’t remember where or when I got it. It is hardened and has been repaired with weld some time in its past. Looks like it could take a good size bar but I have only used it on small stuff. I think it could be shop made .

 

[sign216]

Thanks for the photos. Yes, it might be shop made. I can see why a someone would make one up; even the no-name ones I'm finding online are almost $100. The name brand knurling tools are 3 or 4 times more. As much as I'd like to knurl these rods, I don't want to pay $300+ to do it.

 

[Jimsehr]

I went to eBay and found some for about 30 bucks. I also have a turret lathe knurling tool that fits a turret but could be used in qctp block that takes 3/4 round tool.

 

[sign216]

I saw those, but aren't they for use on a lathe? I don't have a lathe.

 

[Jimsehr]

Yes ,they are for a lathe. Maybe you can find a a hobby machinist group near and sweet talk them into doing the knurling for you.

 

[sign216]

Thanks, but I'll continue the search. I might get the no-name unit, or wait until a better, used one shows up.
Your tool is interesting. Do you think it could do steel, or just softer metal?

 

[Jimsehr]

Works on c1215 steel. That is not very hard.
I had another thought. Maybe you could adapt a tube cutter too a knurler.
check Harbor Freight‘s supply . I am posting a pic but they have a heavier duty one also.