Does anyone know where to get a good knurling tool for making prop hubs? The one I got makes only a narrow, straight pattern, and not really deep. BTW, I am using a 7x12 mini lathe. Thanks for any leads.

J

Try the national tool chains, like MSC, J&L (now MSC), and Rutland. There may even be some Boeing surplus dealers where you are. As a last hope, try McMaster-Carr. It has a wide selection of things, including knurling tools, but within a specific item class, the choices are more limited than with a specialized tooling supplier. One thing you will have to consider is the size of your tool holder. A lot of knurling tools are too big, unless you have something like and Aloris or Dorian quick change.

John

That lathe too small to bump knurl prop knurls.You need a lot more pressure than you can get with that size machine to effectivly knurl the surface. Doesn't matter what tool you find.

I bought mine from Littlemachineshop.com.Its probably like the one you have.
You could also try micromark.com.
They work fine on my 9x12 cummins on my hubs.Not real deep or big but it doesnt take much of a nurl to hold anyway.

I went ahead and used the one I have,making three "rows", it should be OK. Thanks to all! Should have my Stihl 32cc four-stroke running soon.

J

Littlemachineshop.com

or you can do what I do , order the wheels and make your own, I made a one wheel holder for my 7x10 and works better than the 2 wheel unless you want a diamond pattern. You can get different sizes and patterns , fine and course.

G'day jtisch

Have you got any photos of your conversion as I am interested in that engine and I am gathering info on how they go please.

Thanks Adrian.

Adrian,
I'll start a thread on the 32 pretty soon (next week?).

J

I did one by broaching. I did that in the lathe but not under power. I put a v-tool in the tool post so that it cuts on the horizontal axis relative to the chuck, set it on center. I then marked a piece of tape around the chuck every inch with my wife's sewing measuring tape. I then installed my dial indicator to act as a pointer only, on the marked chuck. I then set the compound cross feed to 5-degrees. By dragging the tool radially outward across the prop hub I got a groove that made a pyramid as I came out to the larger diameter. cut one groove then advance one inch of rotation on the chuck. If you cut at 0-degrees you get a flat top at the outside of the hub. By repeating it on the marks on the chuck I worked my around until the hub had nice radial v-grooves. It turned out very professional looking.

I have knurling tools but did not bother. The hub I got from a manufacturer had arcs instead of radial lines. I infer they did it with a flycutter and a rotary table in a mill. I don't have a rotary table ...so ther you go.

ENCO has lot of machine tool for reasonable prices.

Interesting,ill have to give it a try.