Rounded Machine Keys
When installed, these keys fill oval keyways completely, reducing stress on the key and shaft. Using them in a closed keyway keeps them from sliding along the shaft axis. The rounded ends make it easy to slide gears, hubs, and other components into place. These are also known as feather keys. Machine keys are often the same material as the shaft and other components with which they are used. To use a key as a sacrificial part, choose a softer key that will shear off when parts are exposed to excessive force, preventing damage to expensive equipment.
Steel keys are strong and easy to machine. Since steel is the most common material, these keys work in many applications. Steel keys rust when exposed to moisture, so they should only be used in dry environments. Zinc-plated steel keys resist corrosion in wet environments. Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized keys fit tightly in a keyway. Press them into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway. Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized keys are the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use them when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
Keys that meet ANSI B17.1 specifications conform to ANSI standards for dimensions and tolerances.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Tolerance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lg. | Tolerance Rating | Ht. | Wd. | Specifications Met | Pkg. Qty. | Pkg. | |
1008-1045 Carbon Steel | |||||||
1/2" × 1/2" | |||||||
| 1" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1 1/2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.001" | 0.000" to 0.001" | ANSI B17.1 Class 2 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 1 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1 5/8" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.001" | 0.000" to 0.001" | ANSI B17.1 Class 2 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 1 5/8" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2 1/2" | Oversized | -0.001" to 0.000" | -0.001" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 2 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 2 1/2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3 1/2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
Zinc-Plated 1008-1045 Carbon Steel | |||||||
1/2" × 1/2" | |||||||
| 1 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
Machine Keys
Straight keys, with a square or rectangular cross section, are the most common type of key. Install them in keyways to transmit torque from shafts to gears and other components. Machine keys are often the same material as the shaft and other components with which they are used. To use a key as a sacrificial part, choose a softer key that will shear off when parts are exposed to excessive force, preventing damage to expensive equipment.
Steel keys are strong and easy to machine. Since steel is the most common material, these keys work in many applications. Steel keys rust when exposed to moisture, so they should only be used in dry environments.
Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized keys fit tightly in a keyway. Press them into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway. Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized keys are the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use them when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
Keys that meet ANSI B17.1 specifications conform to ANSI standards for dimensions and tolerances.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Tolerance | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lg. | Tolerance Rating | Ht. | Wd. | Minimum Hardness | Specifications Met | Pkg. Qty. | Pkg. | |
1008-1045 Carbon Steel | ||||||||
1/2" × 1/2" | ||||||||
| 1" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | Rockwell B50 | __ | 1 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B50 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 1 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B50 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1 5/8" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | Rockwell B50 | __ | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 1 5/8" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Not Rated | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.002" | 0.000" to 0.002" | Rockwell B50 | __ | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B50 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2 1/2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.001" | 0.000" to 0.001" | Not Rated | ANSI B17.1 Class 2 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B50 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 3" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B97 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 3 1/2" | Undersized | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | Rockwell B97 | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
Woodruff Keys
Woodruff keys work well near shaft shoulders, where a standard open keyway would create too much stress. They are also often used on tapered shafts. These keys have a rounded shape that makes them easy to remove when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping. Because they're usually shorter than standard machine keys, they work best in light duty applications. Use them to connect gears and other components to shafts. Also known as half moon keys.
Steel keys offer good strength.
Inch keys conform to ANSI B17.2 standards for dimensions and tolerances.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Tolerance | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodruff Key Number | Wd. | For Keyway Dia. | Ht. | Lg. | Wd. | Ht. | Specifications Met | Pkg. Qty. | Pkg. | |
1018-1045 Carbon Steel | ||||||||||
| V | 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 0.75" | 2.317" | 0.000" to 0.001" | -0.005" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.2 | 5 | 000000000 | 000000 |
| VX | 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 0.594" | 2" | 0.000" to 0.001" | -0.005" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.2 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
8630 Alloy Steel | ||||||||||
| V | 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 0.75" | 2.317" | 0.000" to 0.001" | -0.005" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.2 | 1 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| VX | 1/2" | 2 3/4" | 0.594" | 2" | 0.000" to 0.001" | -0.005" to 0.000" | ANSI B17.2 | 5 | 000000000 | 00000 |
Tapered Gib Keys
These keys have a tapered body that wedges in to the keyway for a more secure fit than standard machine keys. The gib head makes these keys easy to remove when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping. Keys are tapered along their length. Use them to connect gears and other components with tapered keyways to shafts. Keys are made of steel.
The height of inch keys decreases by 1/8" for every 12" of length. They conform to ANSI B17.1 Class 1 standards for dimensions and tolerances.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Tolerance | Head | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lg. | Ht. | Wd. | Ht. | Lg. | End Ht. | Rate of Taper | Specifications Met | Each | |
1018-1045 Carbon Steel | |||||||||
1/2" × 1/2" | |||||||||
| 2" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.484" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 00000 |
| 2 1/2" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.479" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.474" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 3 1/2" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.469" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 4" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.464" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 4 1/2" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.458" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 5" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.453" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 5 1/2" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.448" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
| 6" | -0.002" to 0.000" | -0.002" to 0.000" | 3/4" | 5/8" | 0.443" | 1/8" per 12" | ANSI B17.1 Class 1 | 000000000 | 0000 |
Tapped Rounded Machine Keys
Thread a screw through the tapped hole to pop these keys out of a keyway. When installed, they fill oval keyways completely, reducing stress on the key and shaft. Using them in a closed keyway keeps them from sliding along the shaft axis. The rounded ends make it easy to slide gears, hubs, and other components into place. To install, press them in to place. Use them for permanent or high-torque applications, or to replace a key in a worn keyway. Keys are made of steel.
Oversized keys create a tight fit. They conform to ANSI B17.1 Class 2 standards for dimensions and tolerances.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Tolerance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lg. | Tolerance Rating | Ht. | Wd. | Thread Size | Specifications Met | Each | |
1018-1045 Carbon Steel | |||||||
1/2" × 1/2" | |||||||
| 2" | Oversized | 0.000" to 0.001" | 0.000" to 0.001" | 1/4"-20 | ANSI B17.1 Class 2 | 000000000 | 00000 |
Fixture Keys
Sized to fit with precision in machine table T-slots, use these keys to locate fixtures and vises on your machine table. They mount to the underside of your fixture or vise with a socket head cap screw.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
| For Machine Table T-Slot Wd. | Lg. | Wd. | Ht. | Wd. Tolerance | For Mounting Screw Size  | Mounting Fasteners Included | Material | Each | |
Rectangular | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 3/4" | 1/2" | 1/2" | -0.0005" to 0" | 1/4" | No | Steel | 0000000 | 00000 |