--- title: Shafts, Threads and Keyways in Reno | Wolf Machine url: https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/shafts-threads-and-keyways/ business: Wolf Machine & Fabrication, Inc. address: 4812 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502 phone: (775) 359-5570 hours: Shop Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:30 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday type: Metal and plastic fabrication and machining (custom and CNC machining, welding, metal and plastic fabrication, gearbox and part repair, align boring, metal spray) --- [Photo: Stock photo: a lathe rough-turning a steel shaft] - [Home](https://wolfmachinenv.com/) - [Services](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/) - Shafts, threads and keyways # Shafts, threads and keyways: new, rebuilt and repaired Wolf Machine makes new shafts from a sample or print, rebuilds worn bearing journals, cuts and repairs threads, and cuts keyways and keyseats. Shafts, threads and keying shafts are all on the shop's own list of specialties. [Photo: Blue-toned close-up of a lathe tool on a turned, threaded shaft] A lathe tool on a turned, threaded shaft (stock photo). Stock photo: a lathe rough-turning a steel shaft A shaft carries the load in a pump, a roller, a gearbox or a motor, so when one wears, bends or breaks, the machine stops. Most shaft problems come down to four things: a journal that is worn, a thread that is damaged, a keyway that has opened up, or a shaft that is bent. Each has a repair or a replacement, and the shop handles both. ## At a glance - New shafts made from a sample, sketch or print - Worn journals and seal areas rebuilt and machined back to size - Threads cut, recut or repaired - Keyways and keyseats cut or restored I have used Wolf Machine several times over the past few years for fabricating and repair of parts on my ultralight aircraft. [...] These guys are great to deal with. I wouldn't take my projects anywhere else. James B. ยท Google review, September 2023 [Leave us a Google review](https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJVWVOfCI_mYARibcFMPsDEKc) ## Which measurements matter on a shaft? A shaft is described by a short list of features, and the quote goes faster when you have them. Measure each journal diameter where a bearing or seal sits, the shoulders between diameters, the overall length, and the size of any keyway or thread. If the shaft is worn, measure the part that did not wear as well. An unworn area shows the original size, and the worn area shows how much has to be rebuilt. - Journal and seal diameters, and the length of each - Shoulder positions along the length - Key width, depth and length - Thread size and pitch, and whether it is left or right hand ## Rebuilding a worn journal When a bearing or seal has worn the journal undersize, the usual repair builds the surface back up and machines it to the original size. The build-up can be weld or [metal spray](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/metal-spray/), depending on the shaft and the load. The shop also turns journals down for an undersized bearing when that is the right choice. A rebuild is often the sensible route for large or special shafts, where a new one would take material, machining and wait. The [repair or replace guide](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/repair-or-replace/) walks through the decision. ## Threads and keyways Threads are cut on the lathe to the pitch and form you specify, and damaged threads can be recut or repaired. Keyways are cut to a consistent width and depth so the key seats evenly. A keyway that has opened up can be restored or relocated. The glossary entry on the [keyway and keyseat](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/keyway-keyseat/) explains how those parts relate. Where a rotating part needs balancing after machining, the shop arranges it with an outside balancing shop, and the part comes back ready to run. ## Getting a shaft quote Send a photo of the shaft from the side, close-ups of the journals and keyway, and the measurements above. A sample in hand is as good as a drawing. Use the [quote request](https://wolfmachinenv.com/request-a-quote/) or call [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570), Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. ### Sources - [Wolf Machine & Fabrication services list](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/) (2026-10-18) - [Key (engineering): keyways and keyseats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_(engineering)) (2026-10-18) ### Shaft work the shop takes on - Replacement shafts copied from a worn or broken original - Bearing journals and seal diameters rebuilt - External and internal threads cut to a specified pitch - Keyways on shafts and keyseats in hubs and bores - Bent or damaged shafts checked and corrected where possible ### Typical parts - Pump and turbine shafts - Roller shafts for printing and processing equipment - Motor and gearbox shafts - Pivot and drive shafts ### Materials [Steels and steel alloys](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/steel-and-steel-alloys/) [Stainless steel](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/stainless-steel/) [Bronze](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/bronze/) [All materials we machine](https://wolfmachinenv.com/materials/) ### How to send us the job Drawings, CAD files, sketches and photos all help. Put a ruler or tape in your photos, show the worn or broken area up close, and note any part number stamped on it. [Request a quote](#quote) [What to put on a drawing](https://wolfmachinenv.com/guides/what-to-put-on-a-drawing/) ### Talk to the shop [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) | Monday to Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Request a quote](#quote) ### Related - [Metal spray](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/metal-spray/) - [Pump, shaft and turbine repair](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/pump-and-turbine-repair/) - [Electric motor shaft and endbell repair](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/electric-motor-shaft-and-endbell-repair/) - [Rollers and shafts](https://wolfmachinenv.com/parts/rollers-and-shafts/) - [Keyway and keyseat](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/keyway-keyseat/) ### Questions about this service - [I do not have a drawing. Can you still make the part?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/no-drawing-what-now/) - [What file types can I send with a quote request?](https://wolfmachinenv.com/faq/what-file-types-can-i-send/) ### Terms on this page [Keyway and keyseat](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/keyway-keyseat/) [The full glossary](https://wolfmachinenv.com/glossary/) ## Work from the shop [Photo: An industrial gearbox housing (speed reducer)] Job 11 An industrial gearbox housing (speed reducer). [Photo: A grinder assembly: machined cutter housing between thick plate end flanges, coupled to an electric motor on a fabricated base] Job 02 A grinder assembly: machined cutter housing between thick plate end flanges, coupled to an electric motor on a fabricated base. [Photo: A gold wheel (spiral gold-recovery concentrator) on a fabricated square-tube steel stand, built for the mining industry] Job 01 A gold wheel (spiral gold-recovery concentrator) on a fabricated square-tube steel stand, built for the mining industry. [See all our work](https://wolfmachinenv.com/gallery/) ## Related services - [Custom machining](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/custom-machining/) - [CNC milling](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/cnc-milling/) - [Vertical milling](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/vertical-milling/) - [Horizontal boring and milling](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/horizontal-boring-and-milling/) - [Lathe turning to 96 inch OD](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/large-diameter-turning/) - [Align boring](https://wolfmachinenv.com/services/align-boring/) ## Shafts, threads and keyways questions Still have a question? Call [(775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570), Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. ### Can you make a new shaft from the old one? Yes. The old shaft is measured and copied, with any worn areas corrected to the original size. ### Do you repair threads as well as cut new ones? Yes. Damaged threads can be recut or repaired, and new threads are cut to the pitch you specify. ### Who handles balancing after machining? Balancing is arranged with an outside balancing shop after machining, so the part returns ready to run. [Photo: Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying] ## Request a quote Tell us what you need, attach a drawing or photos of the part, and we will get back to you during shop hours. Free consultations; prompt estimates. [Call (775) 359-5570](tel:(775)%20359-5570) - From your specifications, drawings or samples. We can also assist you in designing your product or part. - Free consultations and prompt estimates - Stands behind the work: Our rates are very competitive and our quality is second-to-none. Wolf Machine stands behind the work we perform. - Company accounts: all major credit cards, or we can open an account for your company Shop hours Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Send your request any time and we will get back to you during shop hours. Stock photo: a lathe turning a bar, hot chips flying