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Keyed Rotary Shafts


Combine these shafts with a machine key (not included) to transmit torque to gears, sprockets, and other power transmission components. All have an ANSI standard keyway (keys not included; see our selection of key stock). Their edges are chamfered to remove sharp corners, reducing damage to bearings, housings, and other components during installation. All are turned, ground, or polished to tight diameter and straightness tolerances.
Steel shafts are generally stronger than aluminum and stainless steel shafts but not as corrosion resistant. 1045 carbon steel shafts balance high strength and good machinability, making them ideal for general purpose use.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Keyway | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lg. | Lg. | Wd. | Dp. | ANSI Keys Included | Straightness Tolerance | Edge Type | Hardness Rating | Hardness | Each | |
Inch—1045 Carbon Steel | ||||||||||
1 5/8" Dia. (Tolerance: -0.003" to 0") | ||||||||||
3" | 3" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
6" | 6" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 00000 |
9" | 9" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 00000 |
12" | 12" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 00000 |
18" | 18" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 00000 |
24" | 24" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
36" | 36" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
48" | 48" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
60" | 60" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
72" | 72" | 0.375" | 3/16" | No | 0.013" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Rockwell B95 | 00000000 | 000000 |
Partially Keyed Rotary Shafts


These shafts have keyways only on the ends, leaving a plain shaft in the center. The keyways work with the included ANSI machine keys to transmit torque to gears, sprockets, and other keyed components. Use the middle of the shaft with bearings and other round-bore components. The edges are chamfered to remove sharp corners, reducing damage to bearings, housings, and other components during installation. All are turned, ground, and polished to meet tight diameter and straightness tolerances.
1045 carbon steel shafts are stronger than 303 stainless steel shafts. They have excellent machinability, so you can easily cut your own lengths.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.
Lg. | Keyway Lgs. | ANSI Keys Included | Dia. Tolerance | Lg. Tolerance | Straightness Tolerance | Edge Type | Hardness Rating | Hardness | Each | |
Inch—1045 Carbon Steel | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 5/8" Dia. (Keyway: 3/8" Wd. × 3/16" Dp.) | ||||||||||
24" | 4", 14" | One 2" Long Key, One 4" Long Key | -0.002" to 0" | 0" to 0.125" | 0.003" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Brinell 190 | 00000000 | 0000000 |
36" | 4", 14" | One 2" Long Key, One 4" Long Key | -0.002" to 0" | 0" to 0.125" | 0.003" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Brinell 190 | 00000000 | 000000 |
48" | 4", 14" | One 2" Long Key, One 4" Long Key | -0.002" to 0" | 0" to 0.125" | 0.003" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Brinell 190 | 00000000 | 000000 |
60" | 4", 14" | One 2" Long Key, One 4" Long Key | -0.002" to 0" | 0" to 0.125" | 0.003" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Brinell 190 | 00000000 | 000000 |
72" | 4", 14" | One 2" Long Key, One 4" Long Key | -0.002" to 0" | 0" to 0.125" | 0.003" per ft. | Chamfered | Medium | Brinell 190 | 00000000 | 000000 |
Splined Rotary Shafts
Good for hydraulic systems, machine tools, and other high-torque applications, these shafts have teeth that transmit high rotational loads. Compared to keyed shafts, they last longer and handle higher torque. They’re also better than keyed shafts for applications requiring frequent disassembly or adjustments because you can move bushings along their splines.
Parallel splines have large, straight-sided teeth that resemble machine keys and transmit more torque than involute spline teeth. These splines are known as straight splines.
Bushings act as a surface to transmit rotary motion or to position a load along the length of the shaft. If welded into place, these bushings can act as a coupler, connecting two splined shafts.
For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.