Buy Knurling Tool Accessories for Lathe Operations Online in Australia
Knurling Tool Accessory Selection — Quick Reference
Knurling tool accessories = replacement knurling wheels + wheel holders for lathe knurling operations. Wheels wear with use and must be replaced to maintain pattern quality + prevent incomplete impressions. Selection matched to knurl pattern + pitch + workpiece material.
| Knurling Wheel Type | Pattern | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Straight (Axial) Knurl Wheel | Parallel lines along axis | Grip on handle + knob — single-wheel tool |
| Diamond (Cross) Knurl Wheel | Diamond cross-pattern | Tool grip — most common knurl finish |
| Diagonal (Helical) Knurl Wheel | Single-direction angled lines | Decorative + medium-grip applications |
| Fine Pitch (24-30 TPI) | Fine knurl impression | Small diameter + delicate work + decorative |
| Medium Pitch (20-22 TPI) | Standard workshop knurl | General handle + knob knurling |
| Coarse Pitch (14-18 TPI) | Aggressive grip pattern | Larger diameter + heavy grip workpieces |
| HSS Knurling Wheels | Mild + low-alloy steel + aluminium + brass | Workshop default |
| HSS Cobalt Knurling Wheels | Stainless + tough alloys | Production knurling — extended wheel life |
| Wheel Holders + Knurl Tool Bodies | Lathe tool post mounting | Match wheel size to holder geometry |
| Bump-Type Knurling Tool | Push knurl into workpiece — displacement form | Pure displacement, no chip removal |
| Cut-Type Knurling Tool | Cuts the knurl pattern — chip-producing | Cleaner finish on harder materials |
Critical: Match wheel pitch (TPI) to workpiece diameter — diameter ÷ pitch should give whole-number divisions for clean repeating pattern. Bump-type knurling deforms material — workpiece OD GROWS during knurling (account for finished diameter). Use cutting fluid + slow speeds. Companion: lathe tool bits, lathe tooling, machining.
Knurling Tool Accessories for Lathe Operations
Knurling tool accessories — primarily replacement knurling wheels and associated wheel holders — allow knurling tools to be maintained, reconfigured, and adapted for a range of workpiece materials and knurl patterns. Knurling wheels wear with use and must be replaced to maintain consistent pattern quality and avoid rough or incomplete impressions on workpieces. Having replacement wheels for each pattern type and pitch used in the workshop prevents production delays when a worn wheel needs changing mid-batch. AIMS stocks knurling wheels and holders compatible with common knurling tool systems used on CNC and manual lathes.
Knurling Wheel Patterns
Knurling wheels are available in three standard pattern types. Straight wheels produce parallel lines running axially along the workpiece — used for grip surfaces on round components and for creating mechanical interference fits. Diagonal wheels produce lines running at a helical angle, available in left-hand (L) and right-hand (R) helix variants. Diamond patterns are produced by combining left-hand and right-hand diagonal wheels in a straddle or bump knurling configuration. The pitch of the knurl — the spacing between adjacent lines or diamond peaks — is selected based on workpiece diameter, required grip texture, and functional requirements. Finer pitches suit precision instruments and adjustment knobs; coarser pitches provide more aggressive grip for heavy hand-operated components.
Wheel Materials and Bore Sizes
Standard knurling wheels for steel and aluminium workpieces are made from hardened high-speed steel or alloy tool steel. Carbide knurling wheels are specified for harder workpiece materials including stainless steel, hardened steel, and titanium alloys, where standard HSS wheels wear rapidly and produce poor pattern definition. Wheel bore diameter must match the pin or axle in the knurling tool holder — common bore sizes are 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm, though some brands use proprietary dimensions. Always confirm the bore size required for your specific tool before ordering replacement wheels to avoid returning incorrect stock.
Maintaining Knurling Wheels
Knurling wheels should be kept clean of chips and swarf between uses — built-up material in the pattern causes tracking errors on subsequent operations. A stiff brush cleans wheels effectively between cuts. Apply cutting fluid to the wheel and workpiece during knurling to reduce friction, improve pattern formation, and extend wheel life. Inspect wheels regularly for chipped or cracked teeth — a damaged wheel produces inconsistent pattern depth and should be replaced before it damages the workpiece surface or causes the pattern to track incorrectly.
For wheel pattern specifications or replacement supply, contact our team.
People Also Ask — Knurling Tool Accessories
Q: What does knurling do?
Knurling is a metalworking process that creates a textured pattern (typically diamond, straight, or helical) on a cylindrical surface. The texture provides grip on handles and knobs, improves friction-fit assemblies (knurled press fits stay in place better), and provides decoration. Knurling is typically done on a lathe using a knurling tool that presses hardened knurled wheels against the rotating workpiece. See [Knurling Guide](/blogs/product-guides/knurling-guide).
Q: What's in knurling tool accessories?
Knurling tool accessories at AIMS include replacement knurled wheels (different patterns: straight, diamond, left-hand helix, right-hand helix), wheel sets in various pitches (TPI), bushings and pivot pins for knurling tool holders, and specialty knurling holders for unusual applications (form knurling, scissor knurling). The collection covers the consumable side of knurling tools — the wheels wear out before the holder.
Q: What pitch knurl pattern do I need?
Coarse pitch (10-25 TPI): aggressive grip texture, large knurls, suits hand-grip applications and larger workpieces. Medium pitch (30-40 TPI): general workshop knurling, decorative and grip applications. Fine pitch (60+ TPI): subtle texture, decorative knurling on small parts, light grip improvement. Match pitch to workpiece diameter — fine pitch on small diameters, coarse on large. Available in standard ANSI (inch) and metric pitches.
Q: Straight, diamond, or helical knurl?
Diamond knurl (criss-cross pattern): the standard decorative and grip knurl — produced using two opposite-helix wheels working together. Straight knurl (parallel grooves): grip applications and decorative — produced using straight-teeth wheels. Helical knurl (single-direction angled): specialty applications and friction-fit assemblies. Diamond is the workshop standard for most knurling work.
Q: How do I replace knurled wheels?
Loosen the knurling tool holder set screws or pivot pin. Slide out the worn wheels. Install new wheels matching the pattern (if diamond knurl, both wheels must match in pitch and be opposite-helix). Reassemble and tighten. Test on a sacrificial piece before committing to a workpiece — confirm the wheel alignment produces correct pattern. Replace knurled wheels when the cutting profile shows visible wear or the resulting knurl is inconsistent.
Q: How do I know when a knurling wheel needs replacing?
Replace a knurling wheel when the pattern impression becomes shallow, uneven, or incomplete despite correct pitch matching and adequate infeed pressure, or when individual teeth show visible chipping or rounding under magnification. A worn wheel typically shows first on the workpiece as a partial or 'skipping' pattern rather than a clean, consistent knurl across the full contact length.
Q: Can I use a single knurling wheel for both diamond and straight patterns?
No — diamond pattern requires two wheels of opposite helix working together (one left-hand, one right-hand diagonal), while straight pattern uses wheels cut with axial (non-angled) teeth. A single wheel type produces one pattern family only; achieving both diamond and straight knurling on the same job requires swapping to the appropriate wheel set for each pattern.
Q: Why does my knurled diameter finish larger than the starting diameter?
This is normal and expected with bump (form) knurling — the process displaces material rather than removing it, so the workpiece OD grows as the pattern is pressed in. Account for this growth by starting with a smaller pre-knurl diameter than the finished size required; the amount of growth depends on pitch, depth of engagement, and material, so a test piece is recommended when precise finished diameter matters.
Q: What bore size do I need for a replacement knurling wheel?
Common bore sizes are 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm, but bore dimensions vary between knurling tool manufacturers and some use proprietary sizes. Always measure the existing wheel's bore or check your knurling tool holder's specification before ordering — fitting a wheel with the wrong bore either won't mount at all or will run with excess play that damages the pattern quality.
Q: Do carbide knurling wheels outlast HSS wheels significantly?
Yes, particularly on harder workpiece materials — carbide knurling wheels resist wear far better than HSS when knurling stainless steel, hardened steel, or titanium alloys, where HSS wheels dull quickly and produce a poorly-defined pattern. For softer materials like mild steel, aluminium, and brass, standard HSS wheels give good service life at a lower cost, so carbide is generally reserved for tougher workpiece materials or high-volume production runs.