Air compressor motor shaft key

[Chaznsc]

So....... my AC spit out the set screw for the main pulley on the AC pump, ordered a replacement and that fits fine, but I am also missing the key to the shaft and nothing I have in my assortment fits. Its an old Craftsman 106.173842 and the key is not listed as a part on anything I have seen.

 

[James-W]

That is strange, I would have thought one of the keys from an assortment of keys would have fit. I have an assortment of keys too, not sure where I bought them from, but there must be at least 100 keys of different sizes in the box. Maybe you could take a key that is slightly larger, put it in a vice, and file it down to the right size.

 

[Chaznsc]

My assortment doesnt have that many, I think its like 8 different sizes. Most of the assortments I see online are those half moon shapes. I think I need a square key.

 

[Falcon67]

https://www.fastenal.com/products/r...9and Keys"|~ ~|categoryl3:"600938 Keystock"|~

 

[Stuart in MN]

My local Ace hardware has a pretty good assortment of keys available, if you have one nearby go there and browse through their selection.

 

[Chaznsc]

My local Ace hardware has a pretty good assortment of keys available, if you have one nearby go there and browse through their selection.

I have one in the next town over, so I may venture over there. I sure miss hardware stores.

 

[rlitman]

My assortment doesnt have that many, I think its like 8 different sizes. Most of the assortments I see online are those half moon shapes. I think I need a square key.

The half moon shape keys are woodruff keys. They come in assortments, because you need the right sized one.

The other type of key is just a piece of key stock. I buy the square key stock in lengths (like all-thread), and cut it to the size required.

 

[matt_i]

Good to measure with dial/digital calipers to determine the width or take the sheave along with you to the store. There are metric and inch sizes and zero slop is tolerable. It should be a "light tap fit" in my opinion.

 

[Cyberbear]

There are also pulleys with a collet type clamp that tightens around the motor shaft besides using a key for positioning. These are especially good on older equipment that has suffered damage from pulleys that have come loose and been run until the shaft or keyway has been defaced.

 

[snyder]

If it uses a taper lock insert on the pulley , it could be a special keystock
Your local bearing, power transfer supply house will have that.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Could you just make one that fits?

 

[Flail]

After you put in the set screw, put another on top of it in the same hole to lock it in. Don't use liquid thread lock. It will wick down the hole around the shaft and be a pita next time you have to remove the pulley.