Keyway Key Source

ear3

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Jul 24, 2014
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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_
 
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
 
I use the white side set a lot.  Nice cost effective addition for setting router bit and saw offset spacing.
 
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 said:
[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.
 
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