How would you do this keyway?

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

The stepped key is by far the quickest solution, unless you want to cut a variety of internal keyways in newly bored holes.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

It’s easy to overthink these things. Sometimes it’s better to take a wild guess, throw something together and test on a piece of scrap like that. Remember that it’s all the same, it’s all cutting with the same basic requirements.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

My first thought was to alter the key itself but the 2 halves made it slightly more problematic. Also considering this is to lift the heavy knee of a milling machine I wondered if 3mm was just too weedy. So I kinda talked myself out of that idea rather quickly.

Anyhow I’ve done it now, and I’ve learnt something. The finished article is below. It almost went to plan. I just made a small mistake of setting the “tooth” of the tool to exactly the depth of the key. My thinking was that when the tool bottomed out, the cutting would be complete. In hindsight I should have allowed a bit more depth. It fits! but its very tight! For my first ever internal keyway, I’ll consider it a success! 🙂

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Well done indeed.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, looks good to me.

Regards Nick.

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Would probably be simple enough to ‘pick-up’ the slot again for another pass?  – looks good though..👍

[Eric OlthwaiteParticipant @ericolthwaite]

Quick rub with a file should relieve the high spots and stop tightness. The top can be a clearance fit but sides should be snug.

 

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Thanks for the help guys. 👍

[Author]

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