Key Stock

[Charlie]

I lost a key for a Lofrans windlass. Funny thing is I remeber thinking I have to put this someplace safe so that I don't lose it and it is lost. It is 6 x 6 x 50. Lofrans wants $65 for the keys. I think I can make them myself for a little less then that but I don't know what material to use. 316 SS and zinc plated are available from McMaster Carr. The shaft is bronze and I don't know what metal the gears are. They might be aluminum. The Lofgrans parts list says that it is an "iron" key. Does anyone have a good guess as to what material I should look for for the key.

[doug86]

Just yesterday finished rebuilding my Lofrans Tigress. The shaft on mine is stainless, not bronze, so the keys were stainless too. In general, you would want to use a similar material for the key as the shaft, so I would opt for bronze in your case.

[capngeo]

I prefer to use a key of mat'l softer that the shaft, so any failure occurs at the key, NOT the shaft!

[anjou]

Its easier to replace the damaged key than to repair a chewed keyway.

[Charlie]

Makes sense to use a softer key but the gears are aluminum and the shaft is bronze. Seems like the gear would loose to a bronze key but i can't find aluminium keys. I guess I will opt for bronze.