Making knurling tool - how much side-play?

According to jtaylor :

I *think* that perhaps an extra 0.001" or so would help to circulate the lube down to the shaft on which the knurls run, so as to reduce the wear over time.

Enjoy, DoN.

If the rolls on a diamond knurling tool are restricted from some side movement, you'll have a much harder time on some sizes starting a knurl without splitting. The rolls need to be free to wander side to side somewhat to compensate for the less than perfect pitch circle you have for random diameters. That's why any diameter can be successfully knurled. The knurl has a drunken appearance when observed, but is a full knurl. It makes up the missing length by stretching the circle to the side.

Harold