Have any of you seen a source for pre-knurled brass rod? Thinking 1/2"
or 5/8" in pieces ling enough that I can chuck up in my lathe, drill
the center, thread and part off to make knurled nuts? Or any of you
know a source of knurled nuts with 2BA threads? I'm not so hot at
knurling and was looking for a shortcut to cut my lathe time down

Hey Gerry,

What kind of knurl(er) do you have? The "scissors" or "adjustable"
type work very well and easily. For instance= = = =

http://www.kbctools.com/usa/main.cfm

Then pick KBC # and in the space above enter:

1-587X-1000

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:13:10 -0700, Gerry wrote:

Have any of you seen a source for pre-knurled brass rod? Thinking 1/2"
or 5/8" in pieces ling enough that I can chuck up in my lathe, drill
the center, thread and part off to make knurled nuts? Or any of you
know a source of knurled nuts with 2BA threads? I'm not so hot at
knurling and was looking for a shortcut to cut my lathe time down

Yep, that's the tool I have. I have yet to learn the proper way to set
up and use it.I do OK but not good enough for my taste. FWIW, the
position I'm using it is upside down to the picture in the catalog-the
adjustment nut is on top. I have not learned the art of controlling my
depth consistently from one piece to another or when to stop before
the knurls start being too deep. Can you travel with that tool? Wheels
should be at 12 and 6, right?



On Jul 21, 4:35 pm, Brian Lawson wrote:
Hey Gerry,

What kind of knurl(er) do you have? The "scissors" or "adjustable"
type work very well and easily. For instance= = = =

http://www.kbctools.com/usa/main.cfm

Then pick KBC # and in the space above enter:

1-587X-1000

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:13:10 -0700, Gerry wrote:
Have any of you seen a source for pre-knurled brass rod? Thinking 1/2"
or 5/8" in pieces ling enough that I can chuck up in my lathe, drill
the center, thread and part off to make knurled nuts? Or any of you
know a source of knurled nuts with 2BA threads? I'm not so hot at
knurling and was looking for a shortcut to cut my lathe time down

Gerry,
here's how it always works for me using a "scissors" knurler.
You will have to experiment to get the feel for this.
The best knurls are the beveled type.
Bring the knurls to touch the work at 12 & 6 (diametrically opposite)
and square with the side. Lock the crossfeed.
Move the saddle to go off the work. Adjust the knurler a small amount,
run the spindle at lowest speed (~100 rpm or less).
Now run knurler back onto the work slowly a bit then back off.
Stop the lathe and look to see if both knurls are tracking.
The trick is to have a fairly heavy feed the first try without
overdoing it.
This forces the knurls to track right away.
If all is well, continue to the knurled length you need.
If not, add more feed and try again. Do this off the work
Now it's just a matter of adjusting to the depth you need.
All this should be done in as few revolutions as possible.
All the chips that flake off get mashed into the work, so brush them
off
as you go or stop and clean up.
If the knurler tends to squirm side to side as you move, that's bad.
Knurling should be the first operation, machining the rest to size
last.
RichD, Atlanta

"Gerry" wrote in message
oups.com...
Have any of you seen a source for pre-knurled brass rod? Thinking 1/2"
or 5/8" in pieces ling enough that I can chuck up in my lathe, drill
the center, thread and part off to make knurled nuts? Or any of you
know a source of knurled nuts with 2BA threads? I'm not so hot at
knurling and was looking for a shortcut to cut my lathe time down


Keystone may have something premade that would suit - I think they call them
thumbnuts. http://www.keyelco.com/

"RichD" wrote in message
ps.com...
snip----

If the knurler tends to squirm side to side as you move, that's bad.
Knurling should be the first operation, machining the rest to size
last.
RichD, Atlanta


Rich,
If the knurl is not free to move side to side, you'll have one hell of a
time getting a knurl that isn't split unless you start with a perfect major
diameter. The side movement is what corrects for the improper diameter of
any given knurl by adjusting the overall length.

Harold

Hey again Gerry,

Well, if you don't want the "adjustment nut" to point down, remove the
tool holder part and reverse it. I don't recall having the do that
with mine, but I do have the "nut" up where it is easy to get at.

(Note I also made a series of sleeves for the threaded rod that the
nut is on, so I can drop the different sizes in to accommodate the
size work to be knurled. That way, the "nut" is always at the "top"
and I don't have to run it up and down. (2nd Note the "tool-holder"
part on the KBC models are cranked so it can be sued on different size
lathes. Check for best use on yours.

6 &12 o'clock is good, but position is more dependant on the situation
and tool-post height. Just be sure the knurls are "opposite" one
another on the work-piece, or you will have a problem.

And yes, it will travel OK. Hints and tips from RichD and Harold V.
tell it too.

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:40:10 -0700, Gerry wrote:

Yep, that's the tool I have. I have yet to learn the proper way to set
up and use it.I do OK but not good enough for my taste. FWIW, the
position I'm using it is upside down to the picture in the catalog-the
adjustment nut is on top. I have not learned the art of controlling my
depth consistently from one piece to another or when to stop before
the knurls start being too deep. Can you travel with that tool? Wheels
should be at 12 and 6, right?



On Jul 21, 4:35 pm, Brian Lawson wrote:
Hey Gerry,

What kind of knurl(er) do you have? The "scissors" or "adjustable"
type work very well and easily. For instance= = = =

http://www.kbctools.com/usa/main.cfm

Then pick KBC # and in the space above enter:

1-587X-1000

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:13:10 -0700, Gerry wrote:
Have any of you seen a source for pre-knurled brass rod? Thinking 1/2"
or 5/8" in pieces ling enough that I can chuck up in my lathe, drill
the center, thread and part off to make knurled nuts? Or any of you
know a source of knurled nuts with 2BA threads? I'm not so hot at
knurling and was looking for a shortcut to cut my lathe time down

RichD wrote:


... run the spindle at lowest speed (~100 rpm or less).

I'm using 300 rpm (about 20..30 mm diameter of work). Slow rpm only waste
time. :-)

All this should be done in as few revolutions as possible.

Not my impression.

All the chips that flake off get mashed into the work, so brush them
off

I'm using coolant with a steady and thick stream to wash them off.
*Not* oil! It only makes the chips adhere even more and you end in some nice
but useless brass smudge.

When done, go over it with a wire brush. Makes a big difference.


Nick

On Jul 22, 4:19 am, "Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote:
"RichD" wrote in message

ps.com...
snip----

If the knurler tends to squirm side to side as you move, that's bad.
Knurling should be the first operation, machining the rest to size
last.
RichD, Atlanta

Rich,
If the knurl is not free to move side to side, you'll have one hell of a
time getting a knurl that isn't split unless you start with a perfect major
diameter. The side movement is what corrects for the improper diameter of
any given knurl by adjusting the overall length.

Harold


Harold,
I was refering to the holder. It should not turn. When knurling and
moving
from side to side, a loose knurler will turn. That ruins the work.
My knurler has the knurl wheels held in a close fitting slot. No
sideways
movement. The stock diameter is unimportant.
I do this frequently. The precedure works every time.
RichD