What does the word "knurled" mean to you?

[mean_dorris]

Does "knurled" mean a pot shaft that, instead of being smooth, has a bunch of ridges going around?

Therefore, would it follow that a knob that is labelled as being "knurled" would have the corresponding grooves within the knob, as opposed to a set screw?

That's the assumption I made when I included such knobs in recent parts orders, one from Small Bear;
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/knurled-silver-center-colors/

and one from Mammoth Electronics;
http://www.mammothelectronics.com/4SKP-14X17KSL-p/700-2203.htm

...and in both cases I find myself having been shipped knobs with set screws, to accompany a build of mine with knurled pots.
Now I have 6 set screw knobs, and a Big Muff with no knobs!

What gives?

[Leevibe]

That's a tricky one. It can mean for knurled shaft and/or the outer grip surface of the knob. I feel your pain though. I just received a SB shipment in which I inadvertently ordered 16 knurled shaft synth pointer knobs that I needed to be set screw. It was my fault in that case though.

[davent]

I only think of it as a diamond texture cut on a curved surface.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

You CAN put set screw knobs on knurled shaft pots ya know. 

Usually, people snap off the small metal tab on the pot and wedge it into the split that is on the knurled pots. Then, you can install the set screw knob and tighten without the pot shaft pinching together.

[mean_dorris]

Heyyyy now that I think about it, the outsides of these knobs are actually knurled. Gosh darnit, maybe that's what they meant!

D'oh!

I realize I can still put them on, but I was endeavouring to rid myself of set screw knobs and go with entirely knurled stuff, since I find myself with loose knobs on the inside of my pedalboard case fairly often. I realize I can just ream the screw on there, but for some reason I feel I've had better success with commercially made pedals that have knurled shafts..

Also, I find that when I turn a set-screwed knob, it's not properly centred and it looks all wonky.
This is all nitpicking, I know, but I'm a finicky dude sometimes.

Thanks for helping me see the light, guys.

[davent]

Also, I find that when I turn a set-screwed knob, it's not properly centred and it looks all wonky.
This is all nitpicking, I know, but I'm a finicky dude sometimes.

Thanks for helping me see the light, guys.

Are you putting those set screw knobs on solid 1/4" shaft pots. I'm pretty sure the splined shafts pots have 6mm shfts so the set screw knobs will always be wonky. Tried brass bushing sold to accomodate 6mm splined shafts to 1/4" set screw knobs and it was better but still wonky.