MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: PekkaNF on September 05, 2016, 03:35:18 AM

Title: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: PekkaNF on September 05, 2016, 03:35:18 AM

I never have made any woodruff key seats and I don't have the cutters on size I need.

I need about 3 and 4 mm wide seats, on this one I don't care much whether it is metric or imperial.

Where to get two cutters and keys? I can trawl trough ebay, but I have found out it's a little hit and miss to find useful tool, specially when it might take a month arrive.

Is there is tricks on them first timer should know or are they just a saws for shallow cut?

Keys I could make in a pinch, but ready made would be great.

Thank you,
Pekka

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: chipenter on September 05, 2016, 05:17:00 AM

For half moon keys the cutters are not hard to make from silver steel , or slot mill for virtical slitting saw for horizontal , depends iff you are cutting to a sholder .

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: John Stevenson on September 05, 2016, 05:59:30 AM

 Why do you need woodruff cutters ?
Cannot you use a conventional flat key ?

Woodruff keys are the spawn of the devil. They go too deep into the shaft and have nothing but sharp corners to cause stress points can can cause breakage or mor common, peeling of part of the shaft.

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: PekkaNF on September 05, 2016, 06:50:57 AM

Quote from: John Stevenson on September 05, 2016, 05:59:30 AM

Why do you need woodruff cutters ?
Cannot you use a conventional flat key ?

Woodruff keys are the spawn of the devil. They go too deep into the shaft and have nothing but sharp corners to cause stress points can can cause breakage or mor common, peeling of part of the shaft.

I agree on all of that and +Lucas (Prince of darkness)

Sometimes...taper...or too many features on one end of shaft like bearing, seals, pulley, thread.

You never take a step on the dark side?

Pekka

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: Sid_Vicious on September 05, 2016, 07:12:36 AM

I have used a dremel with a stack of cutting disks worn down to the right size to create the seat for the woodruff key and you can make the key from a piece of roundbar.

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: Jasonb on September 05, 2016, 03:30:06 PM

I used one on the last but one engine I made as that is what was on the drawing, got the 1/8" x 1/2" cutter from MSC and key off e-bay.

Remember you need the cutter dia to suit the length of key you want exposed, bigger the dia the longer the cord of the key.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/jasonballamy/Engineering/Lightweight/DSC01132_zpskaajsfna.jpg)

Title: Re: Woodruff cutters and keys?
Post by: PekkaNF on September 06, 2016, 03:09:12 AM

Thank you Jason.

Now I have to see if I REALLY want use it and then chase keys&cutters.

Pekka