Keyway Key Source

[ear3]

Wanted to get an assortment of machine keyway keys to aid in tool setup.  I was wondering if anyone new a source that was more "woodworker friendly."  Meaning I don't have to buy lots of duplicates, and I get a decent range of sizes.  McMaster Carr has an assortment available, but it's of undersized keys:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-keys/=zbidjh

There's a few on Amazon, but the sets have a lot of duplication, and don't seem to have larger sizes, for example:

http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Assortment-Pieces-Plated-Finish/dp/B00065V01W/ref=pd_sim_sbs_469_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GTR8BBYK4VP7XGMPT11&dpID=414N8EHyrJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

 

[tjbnwi]

Brass gauge blocks,

http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Router-Bits-9800-Gauges/dp/B000EHPEFA

Tom

 

[rvieceli]

Edward  - If you have access to a real hardware store, you should be able to walk in and buy the singles of the sizes you want. My local True Value has a good selection. Their stuff looks a lot like the pieces in the Amazon link.

Also Amazon has a Whiteside brass set here:

http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Router-Bits-9800-Gauges/dp/B000EHPEFA/ref=pd_sim_469_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=13EH9AZVNZ26RYN7C3YW&dpID=21a1iUYvq8L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

If you don't have some already, you might also want to pick up a set of 1-2-3 blocks. This is a cheap set that is nice:

http://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-Hardened-Precision-Machinist/dp/B00BGBOJZO/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1444567210&sr=8-16&keywords=anytime+tools

Ron

 

[nclemmons]

I use the white side set a lot.  Nice cost effective addition for setting router bit and saw offset spacing.

 

[waho6o9]

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mO4AAOSwBLlVAnmA/s-l500.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIVE-12-PIECES-C1018-Cold-Rolled-BAR-STOCK-3-16-Square-KEY-Stock-Pins-Parts-/261876754412?hash=item3cf91227ec

Bay rocks

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=square+key+stock&_frs=1

 

[ear3]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I was looking at the Whiteside ones, but was hoping to get a set with more non-standard sizes included (7/32, e.g.).  But I guess I can get the Whiteside and then fill in with singles as needed.

 

[mike_aa]

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]

Lee Valley has set-up blocks, athough they are a lot more pricey.

Mike A.

 

[ear3]

Perfect -- exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks Mike.

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]

Lee Valley has set-up blocks, athough they are a lot more pricey.

Mike A.

 

[mike_aa]

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]

Also, I remember that Woodpeckers did a set as a one-time tool.  You could call them to see if they are planning a re-run.

Mike A.

 

[jbasen]

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]

Also, I remember that Woodpeckers did a set as a one-time tool.  You could call them to see if they are planning a re-run.

Mike A.

I have the basic Woodpecker's set and find them invaluable.  The longer I have them the more ways I find to use them.

Last night I was cutting splines for some joinery.  I used the setup block to very quickly set the fence on my bandsaw to be just a hair over-sized of the size I wanted my spline.  I cut the splines and then ran them through my drum sander to remove the saw marks left by the bandsaw and to perfectly size the splines in a single pass. 

The Veritas blocks look very similar to the Woodpeckers that I have.  Not cheap but I would definitely buy them again.