On Sat, 22 Dec 2018 10:09:56 -0800 (PST), Eusebius
wrote:

The power of the drill press is really the least of your concerns. It's quite
likely, depending on the geometry of the knurling tool, and the support of the
workpiece, and the retention of the chuck in the drill press, and the bearings
on the drill quill, to go very wrong. But if you don't mind terminally wrecking your drill press then it is possible

That's a point. Are the bearings different on a lathe? I can see that the piece should be supported both ends

Bearings on a lathe are catering for axial and radial loads a drill
press just axial ones.

The chuck on a lathe is either clamped or bolted or screwed onto the
spindle. In almost all operations it's not going to come loose.

The drill chuck in a drill press might be just a press fit in the
spindle (maybe morse taper or jacobs taper)

Apply side loads (such as you'd do if attempting to mill) and the
chuck and whatever it is holding can just fall out. Same load path
with a knurling tool. Axial restraint of the workpiece between the
chuck and the table is essential.

Clamp type knurlers should be slightly safer than those approaching
from one side

Even a half horse motor(375W) on a lathe will easily faclitate
knurling on mild steel / brass

Plus copper can be a sod to machine.