Buy Woodruff Cutters Online in Australia
Woodruff Key Cutter Selection — Quick Reference
Woodruff key cutters — SEMI-CIRCULAR slot-cutting end mills for WOODRUFF KEYWAY production. Workshop + machinery + shaft + keyway. Match keyway SIZE + cutter shank to lathe / mill spindle. See keyway guide.
| Woodruff Cutter Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Standard HSS Woodruff Cutter | Workshop general |
| Cobalt M35/M42 Premium | Stainless + tough material |
| Carbide-Tipped | Production + premium |
| Common Sizes (#3 - #20+) | Standard Woodruff key spec |
| Straight Shank | Workshop standard |
| Morse Taper Shank | See Morse taper guide |
| 2-Flute Standard | Workshop chip evacuation |
| Match Keyway Spec | SAE / DIN / AS standard |
Critical: Match KEYWAY SIZE precisely — Woodruff key only fits correct seat. Use CUTTING FLUID. PPE — eye + ear + chip protection. Brands: Sutton Tools, P&N. Companion: key steel, key stocks, keyway guide, machining.
Woodruff cutters mill the semicircular key seats in a shaft that receive a Woodruff key — the half-moon-shaped key that locks a pulley, gear or coupling to a rotating shaft. The cutter's diameter and width are matched to the key size, with sizing standardised under ANSI B17.2 in imperial and DIN 6888 in metric.
What to look for
- Material — HSS for general carbon steel and aluminium; HSS-Co (M35 or M42) for stainless and tougher alloys.
- Shank style — straight shank for collet mounting; threaded shank for arbor mounting on bigger cutters.
- Size selection — identify the key first (#404 to #1612 in imperial; equivalent metric codes in DIN 6888), then choose the matching cutter.
Run woodruff cutters at the low end of the speed range for HSS — the short, deep cut generates heat fast and there's not much room for chip evacuation. Plenty of cutting fluid keeps the slot clean and the cutter sharp.