Denford Software & Machines

Any idea what to replace the shear key with on input shaft .. looks like a modified drill bit wedged in .still has HSS and part of drill size on it .. States aluminium but at what grade ? would a brass key do ? I have some 5mm square brass very close to 3/16 ..

Brass is a lot harder than ally. I would file a new key from a snip of ally sheet, it can't be any worse than a wedged-in drill bit and might save the gears next time.

I put my cluster shaft between centres and it's good. As you can see, the filed flat is a factory feature. I guess they must have had apprentices doing the touch-ups.

Great thanks Pete much appreciated .. I have PM'd you with what I require was looking at the other shaft , The 3 position selector lever one ,the taper pin hole has been knarled and drilled at some point . If you have that one as well that would be great ..

Stucapri170 wrote:Any idea what to replace the shear key with on input shaft .. looks like a modified drill bit wedged in .still has HSS and part of drill size on it .. States aluminium but at what grade ? would a brass key do ? I have some 5mm square brass very close to 3/16 ..

The details of the key are on drg ML115-1004, and say the material is Aluminium GR1 - normalised. Although basically its 5mm square, the shape is a bit more complex, presumably Denfords had their reasons for making it so. I got a 12" length of 1/4" square aluminium at one of the exhibitions, can't remember who from, possibly College Engineering. How close it is in grade to GR1 Normalised. I haven't a clue, but at least its in the drawer if and when I need it. I shudder to think of a shear key made from a piece of HSS, even if it is the softer shank end of a drill.

Me too found length of 1/4 sq bar .. HSS bit / key