Machine Keys

Machine keys help maintenance professionals and machinists hold machinery components in position or align connected parts. This category includes Form B and Form AB machine keys for machine assembly, component fitment, and maintenance applications, with options in plain steel, carbon steel, and 316 stainless steel.

Product Display:
Helpful Buying Guide

Machine Key Buying Guide

Choose a machine key by matching its profile, cross-sectional dimensions, length, fit designation, and material to the compatible keyway and machinery assembly. The available options include Form B and Form AB profiles, undersize selections, and standard-size keys that can be installed without cutting or filing.

Visual Guide

Popular examples in this category

Use Cases

Position and align machinery parts

Machine keys are used to help hold machinery components in position or align connected parts during machine assembly and maintenance work.

How to Choose

Match profile, size, and fit

Compare the required Form B or Form AB profile, square section, overall length, and whether the application calls for an undersize or standard-size key.

Applications

Support assembly and component fitment

Available keys support machine assembly, component fitment, and compatible keyway applications for maintenance teams and machinists.

Additional Information

Review material and preparation needs

Material choices represented include plain steel, carbon steel, and 316 stainless steel. Some standard-size options are ready to use without cutting or filing.

2Profile types

Form B and Form AB profiles are represented.

3Material options

Plain steel, carbon steel, and 316 stainless steel are represented.

3Square section sizes

5/16 in., 3/8 in., and 5/8 in. sections are represented.

5 unitsEffective minimum order

Applies to the represented 316 stainless steel Form B key.

Comparison Guide

Compare Represented Machine Key Types

Use the stated profile, dimensions, fit designation, and material to compare the represented options.

Machine key typeStated detailsSelection consideration
Plain steel Form B5/16 in. x 5/16 in. x 2-3/8 in.; undersizeFor compatible Form B keyways requiring the stated square section, length, and undersize designation.
Carbon steel Form AB5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 3 in.; undersizeFor compatible Form AB keyways requiring the stated dimensions and an undersize key.
316 stainless steel Form B3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 2 in.; standard sizeFor compatible Form B keyways where a standard-size key can be installed without cutting or filing.
Planning Guide

Plan the right fit before choosing

Start With the Keyway

Identify the required profile and dimensions

A compatible machine key starts with the profile and stated size. Form B options are represented in 5/16 in. x 5/16 in. x 2-3/8 in. and 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 2 in. sizes, while a Form AB option is represented in a 5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 3 in. size.

  • Match the required Form B or Form AB profile.
  • Confirm the square-section dimensions for the compatible keyway.
  • Match key length to the required component engagement length.
Choose the Fit and Material

Compare undersize and standard-size options

Undersize machine keys are represented in plain steel and carbon steel options for applications requiring that fit classification. A standard-size 316 stainless steel Form B key is also represented and supports installation without cutting or filing.

  • Select an undersize designation when specified for the application.
  • Consider plain steel, carbon steel, or 316 stainless steel construction.
  • Choose a ready-to-use standard size when cutting or filing is not needed.
Check the Product Details

Confirm selection information before ordering

The plain steel Form B and carbon steel Form AB examples cite ANSI B17.1. The represented 316 stainless steel Form B option has an effective minimum order quantity of 5 units.

  • Review cited ANSI B17.1 information where provided.
  • Confirm the stated product dimensions and profile.
  • Note the effective minimum order quantity for the 316 stainless steel option.
FAQ

Common questions before buying

What are machine keys used for?

Machine keys are used to help hold machinery components in position or align connected parts.

Which profiles are represented in this category?

The represented products include Form B and Form AB machine key profiles.

Are undersize machine keys available?

Yes. The represented plain steel Form B and carbon steel Form AB keys have an undersize designation.

Do any represented keys install without cutting or filing?

The represented standard-size 316 stainless steel Form B key supports installation without cutting or filing.

Helpful Buying Guide

Machine Key Buying Guide

Choose a machine key by matching its profile, cross-sectional dimensions, length, fit designation, and material to the compatible keyway and machinery assembly. The available options include Form B and Form AB profiles, undersize selections, and standard-size keys that can be installed without cutting or filing.

Visual Guide

Popular examples in this category

Use Cases

Position and align machinery parts

Machine keys are used to help hold machinery components in position or align connected parts during machine assembly and maintenance work.

How to Choose

Match profile, size, and fit

Compare the required Form B or Form AB profile, square section, overall length, and whether the application calls for an undersize or standard-size key.

Applications

Support assembly and component fitment

Available keys support machine assembly, component fitment, and compatible keyway applications for maintenance teams and machinists.

Additional Information

Review material and preparation needs

Material choices represented include plain steel, carbon steel, and 316 stainless steel. Some standard-size options are ready to use without cutting or filing.

2Profile types

Form B and Form AB profiles are represented.

3Material options

Plain steel, carbon steel, and 316 stainless steel are represented.

3Square section sizes

5/16 in., 3/8 in., and 5/8 in. sections are represented.

5 unitsEffective minimum order

Applies to the represented 316 stainless steel Form B key.

Comparison Guide

Compare Represented Machine Key Types

Use the stated profile, dimensions, fit designation, and material to compare the represented options.

Machine key typeStated detailsSelection consideration
Plain steel Form B5/16 in. x 5/16 in. x 2-3/8 in.; undersizeFor compatible Form B keyways requiring the stated square section, length, and undersize designation.
Carbon steel Form AB5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 3 in.; undersizeFor compatible Form AB keyways requiring the stated dimensions and an undersize key.
316 stainless steel Form B3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 2 in.; standard sizeFor compatible Form B keyways where a standard-size key can be installed without cutting or filing.
Planning Guide

Plan the right fit before choosing

Start With the Keyway

Identify the required profile and dimensions

A compatible machine key starts with the profile and stated size. Form B options are represented in 5/16 in. x 5/16 in. x 2-3/8 in. and 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 2 in. sizes, while a Form AB option is represented in a 5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 3 in. size.

  • Match the required Form B or Form AB profile.
  • Confirm the square-section dimensions for the compatible keyway.
  • Match key length to the required component engagement length.
Choose the Fit and Material

Compare undersize and standard-size options

Undersize machine keys are represented in plain steel and carbon steel options for applications requiring that fit classification. A standard-size 316 stainless steel Form B key is also represented and supports installation without cutting or filing.

  • Select an undersize designation when specified for the application.
  • Consider plain steel, carbon steel, or 316 stainless steel construction.
  • Choose a ready-to-use standard size when cutting or filing is not needed.
Check the Product Details

Confirm selection information before ordering

The plain steel Form B and carbon steel Form AB examples cite ANSI B17.1. The represented 316 stainless steel Form B option has an effective minimum order quantity of 5 units.

  • Review cited ANSI B17.1 information where provided.
  • Confirm the stated product dimensions and profile.
  • Note the effective minimum order quantity for the 316 stainless steel option.
FAQ

Common questions before buying

What are machine keys used for?

Machine keys are used to help hold machinery components in position or align connected parts.

Which profiles are represented in this category?

The represented products include Form B and Form AB machine key profiles.

Are undersize machine keys available?

Yes. The represented plain steel Form B and carbon steel Form AB keys have an undersize designation.

Do any represented keys install without cutting or filing?

The represented standard-size 316 stainless steel Form B key supports installation without cutting or filing.