Bottom of Keyway to Bottom of Shaft ( B ) Keyway Width ( C ) Reference Depth ( D ) fractional decimal fractional decimal 3/8 0.375 0.322 3/32 0.0938 0.053 7/16 0.4375 0.386 3/32 0.0938 0.052 1/2 0.5 0.43 1/8 0.125 0.066 9/16 0.5625 0.493. Arbor Keyway Cutter Hole Keyway Dimensional Data per ANSI/ASME B94.19; Shaft Arbor Keyway Dimensional Data ANSI/ASME B94.19; Woodruff Key Size Data per. B17.2; Design of Square Key and Keyway Woodruff Stress, Shear and Torque.

Simply put, a keyway is a slot in a lock for receiving and guiding the key. Of course, with each specially designed keyway made to make a lock even more secure, the definition gets more complicated with plenty of options. When making a duplicate key for your lock, it is important to understand what type of keyway you have in order to determine whether or not your duplicate key is able to be cut and to ensure you have the right type.

Shape of Key

The shapes vary, but you can generally figure out what type of key you need just by looking at the top of the key, called the head or base. This is the part of the mechanically cut key that you hold in your fingers when trying to lock or unlock a door. Kwikset keys are typically more rounded and have between one to three-hole openings on the head. Schlage keys are usually a bit rougher at the top with a block or edgy look to them.

Engraving

Keyway Slotter

Sometimes, the key will have an engraving on the head. Inside the engravings is a code containing letters and/or number combinations, such as KW1, KW10, 5, 6, 66, 65, and so on. Schlage key types usually have a code such as SC1, 68, or C.

Grooves

Keyway SlotKeyway Slot

Place the key down flat with the head on top and the tip on the left. Flip the key over, and look at the correct side of the key. A Kwikset key will have two grooves or indentations. A Schlage key will have only one groove or indentation. Some keys have grooves that look similar, but the grooves alone don’t mean that the keys are compatible with the keyway.

Interchangeable

Some keys may appear to be interchangeable with another, but over time will wear down the lock if you keep using them on the wrong keyway. For instance, Weiser keys usually contain engravings such as WR5 or WR3 and can be duplicated using the Kwikset key type. However, Kwikset keys cannot be used in a Weiser lock.

There are different ways to determine which type of keyway is the one that you need most. When in doubt, seek the advice of a professional. A skilled and trained locksmith will be able to take one look at your key and tell you what type of keyway you have and be able to recommend which are the best keyways for your needs. Let Phoenix Locksmith 24 help you with your keyways and keyways types.

/ ˈkiˌweɪ /

noun

Machinery. a groove in a shaft, the hub of a wheel, etc., for receiving part of a key holding it to another part.
a slot in a lock for receiving and guiding the key.
(in poured-concrete construction) a longitudinal groove in a footing, or in a pour that has set, providing a key for newly poured concrete.
a depression or slot carved into rock to provide a bond or anchorage for a structure, as a dam.

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Origin ofkeyway

Words nearby keyway

Keyway Slotting Tools

Keystoner, keystone species, Keystone State, keystroke, key up, keyway, Key West, keyword, keyword indexing, keyword stuffing, key worker
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Keyway Slotting Machine

Example sentences from the Web for keyway

  • To cut out the square corners of the keyway, the diamond-point chisel shown in Fig. 2171 is employed.

    Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II Joshua Rose
  • These plugs must be of the same metal as that in which the keyway is cut, otherwise the drill will be apt to run to one side.

    Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II Joshua Rose
  • The strap should be set fair with the outside faces, which will bring the keyway fair if it is properly located.

    Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II Joshua Rose
  • A much more usual method, however, is to employ slotting or keyway drills.

    Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II Joshua Rose
  • The sides and bottom of the keyway should be surfaced true with the file.

    Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II Joshua Rose

Slot Machine Replacement Keys

British Dictionary definitions forkeyway

noun

a longitudinal slot cut into a component to accept a key that engages with a similar slot on a mating component to prevent relative motion of the two components

Keyway Slot Dimensions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012