McMaster-Carr logo
    Forward
    Enter e-mail addresses in the fields below
    Message
    Cancel
    Print
    How can we improve?
    Comments
    E-mail address (if you would like a response)
    43 Products

    Machine Key Stock

    Cut this square or rectangular key stock to length to create a straight machine key. Straight keys are the most common type of key. 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.
    1008-1045 Carbon Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    1008-1045 carbon steel key stock is an economical choice with good strength.
    Oversized Tolerance—Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized stock fits tightly in a keyway. Press it into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway.
    Undersized Tolerance—Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized stock is the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use it when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    1/2" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098830A355000000
    1/2" × 3/4"Undersized-0.003" to 0.000"-0.003" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098830A34800000
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.002"0.000" to 0.002"Rockwell B5098830A39000000
     
    36" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.002"0.000" to 0.002"Rockwell B5098830A97100000
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.002" to 0.000"-0.002" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098830A55200000
     
    72" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.002"0.000" to 0.002"Rockwell B5098830A66000000
     
    Zinc-Plated 1008-1045 Carbon Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    Zinc-plated 1008-1045 carbon steel key stock is an economical choice with good strength and resists corrosion in wet environments.
    Oversized Tolerance—Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized stock fits tightly in a keyway. Press it into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway.
    Undersized Tolerance—Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized stock is the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use it when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    1/8" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A110000000
    1/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A14400000
    5/16" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A16100000
    3/8" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A16900000
    3/8" × 3/4"Undersized-0.003" to 0.000"-0.003" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098491A40600000
    7/16" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A18200000
    1/2" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A19000000
    1/2" × 3/4"Undersized-0.003" to 0.000"-0.003" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098491A36000000
    9/16" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A21000000
    5/8" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.004"0.000" to 0.004"Rockwell B5098491A20700000
    5/8" × 3/4"Undersized-0.003" to 0.000"-0.003" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098491A44700000
    11/16" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.003"0.000" to 0.003"Rockwell B5098491A22100000
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.002"0.000" to 0.002"Rockwell B5098491A22600000
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.002" to 0.000"-0.002" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098510A22600000
     
    36" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.002"0.000" to 0.002"Rockwell B5098491A43200000
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.002" to 0.000"-0.002" to 0.000"Rockwell B5098491A43300000
     
    1095 Spring Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    1095 spring steel key stock is an economical choice with good strength.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    3/8" × 3/4"Standard-0.001" to 0.002"-0.001" to 0.002"Rockwell B9098535A166000000
    1/2" × 3/4"Standard-0.001" to 0.002"-0.001" to 0.002"Rockwell B9098535A19600000
    5/8" × 3/4"Standard-0.001" to 0.002"-0.001" to 0.002"Rockwell B9098535A21200000
    3/4" × 3/4"Standard-0.001" to 0.002"-0.001" to 0.002"Rockwell B9098535A22000000
     
    18-8 Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    18-8 stainless steel key stock offers a balance of strength and corrosion resistance. It may be mildly magnetic. 18-8 stainless steel key stock is more corrosion resistant than steel key stock.
    Oversized Tolerance—Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized stock fits tightly in a keyway. Press it into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway.
    Undersized Tolerance—Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized stock is the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use it when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    3/8" × 3/4"Standard-0.008" to 0.008"-0.015" to 0.015"Rockwell B8092530A167000000
    1/2" × 3/4"Standard-0.008" to 0.008"-0.015" to 0.015"Rockwell B8092530A18000000
    5/8" × 3/4"Standard-0.015" to 0.015"-0.015" to 0.015"Rockwell B8092530A20700000
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.005"0.000" to 0.005"Rockwell B8298493A22600000
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"Rockwell B8292530A22600000
     
    316/316L Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    316/316L stainless steel key stock has the best corrosion resistance of our stainless steel key stock and may be mildly magnetic. 316/316L stainless steel key stock is more corrosion resistant than steel key stock.
    Oversized Tolerance—Slightly larger than the size listed in the table, oversized stock fits tightly in a keyway. Press it into place for use in high-torque applications or to replace a key in a worn keyway.
    Undersized Tolerance—Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized stock is the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use it when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    1/2" × 3/4"Undersized-0.003" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"Rockwell B8698530A190000000
    3/4" × 3/4"Oversized0.000" to 0.004"0.000" to 0.004"Not Rated98530A68700000
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"Rockwell B8698530A22600000
     
    36" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"Rockwell B8698530A442000000
     
    416 Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    416 stainless steel key stock is stronger than other stainless key stock and can be heat treated for extra strength. It's corrosion resistant and magnetic. 416 stainless steel key stock is more corrosion resistant than steel key stock.
    Undersized Tolerance—Slightly smaller than the size listed in the table, undersized stock is the choice when you need a slightly looser fit or when you have an inconsistent keyway. Use it when parts need to be taken apart frequently, such as for maintenance or prototyping.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Undersized-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"Rockwell B8699374A160000000
     
    360 Brass
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Machine Key Stock. Machine Key Stock.
    360 brass key stock is corrosion resistant and nonmagnetic. 360 brass is softer than other metals, so it's often used for shear keys.
    Tolerance
    Ht. × Wd.
    Tolerance
    Rating
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Min.
    Hardness
    Each
    12" Long
    3/4" × 3/4"Standard-0.0045" to 0.0045"-0.0045" to 0.0045"Rockwell B3598500A226000000
     

    Tapered Gib Keys

    Image of Attribute. Front orientation. Contains Annotated. 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.
    Inch—The height of inch keys decreases by 1/8" for every 12" of length. They conform to ASME B17.1 Class 1 standards for dimensions and tolerances.
    Tolerance
    Head
    Lg.
    Ht.
    Wd.
    Ht.
    Lg.
    End
    Ht.
    Rate of
    Taper
    Specs. Met
    System of
    Measurement
    Each
    1018-1045 Carbon Steel
     
    3/4" × 3/4"
    4"-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"1 1/8"7/8"0.716"1:96ASME B17.1 Class 1Inch98471A360000000
    4 1/2"-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"1 1/8"7/8"0.711"1:96ASME B17.1 Class 1Inch98471A36100000
    5"-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"1 1/8"7/8"0.706"1:96ASME B17.1 Class 1Inch98471A36200000
    5 1/2"-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"1 1/8"7/8"0.701"1:96ASME B17.1 Class 1Inch98471A36300000
    6"-0.004" to 0.000"-0.004" to 0.000"1 1/8"7/8"0.695"1:96ASME B17.1 Class 1Inch98471A36400000
     

    Fixture Keys

    Image of ProductInUse. Front orientation. Contains Annotated. Fixture Keys. Fixture Keys.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Contains Annotated. Fixture Keys. Fixture Keys, Rectangle.

    Rectangle

    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 Machine
    Table T-Slot Wd.
    Lg.
    Wd.
    Ht.
    Wd. Tolerance
    For Mounting
    Screw Size
    Mounting Fasteners
    Included
    Each
    Rectangle
     
    Steel
    3/4"1 1/4"3/4"1/2"-0.0005" to 0"5/16"
    		No8961A69000000
     
    back to top