broaching a keyway

[Job05]

so, at home i can mill a keyway into an axle but i do not have a specific boraching machine. i wonder if it's OK(or healthy) for a machine like a drillpress or a mill to use a broaching tool to broach a keyway for a sprocket hub.

answers are always appreciated.

 

[mckutzy]

A broached internal keyway is pressed in, no turning is nessisary... There is a guid plug that fits the bore... But a good arbor press will do... Any press that is easilly controllable, along with plenty of lube...

 

[Job05]

i thought that pressing and no turning would speak for itself
but if i understand, it will not do any harm when i put a broaching tool in e.g. a mill or a drillpress and then press it down?

 

[mckutzy]

I would think is possible if the quill can be locked, but the tool needs to be press into upon... So as where you are going to apply pressure is a better question...

Here's a broach tool, with the bushings, shims...

 

[Job05]

i would mount the broach in the drill chuck and then press down with the lever used to lower the quill, and if that's not enough i can put a longer tube over it for more leverage.

 

[mckutzy]

The broach as far as I know, needs to be loose when pressed, as its a one way tool only.
So when its setup, itll go through on a pass, a shim added, through a pass, shim(s) added..ect. till required depth....
The withdrawal of the tool will likely dull or potentially break the tool in the work piece....

 

[anickode]

I seriously doubt a drill press is designed to apply the kind of pressure required for broaching. It might work, or you might wind up ruining your drill press.

A manual arbor press really isn't that expensive.

 

[supermanotorious]

You could buy a press new or see below. I love this guy's channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d0IFhln6vM

 

[kevbo22]

Colinfurze used a shop press, much like a HF 12ton press. If you have a shop press.... Check out around 5:37 in the vid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9W-pqDLdw

 

[Job05]

i am definitely not going to buy a brand new arbor press, but i do know a place where i might be able to get one for cheap