The short answer
On a CNC turned-shaft RFQ, a **silent keyway** is not the same quote package as a labeled **width / depth / length / position / end condition** stack. Broach, mill, or wire options, plus runout to bearing journals, change setup minutes and inspection. Silence on keyway callouts is what widens many [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php) **rates.v1.1** estimate bands—not the shaft diameter alone.
This guide is for buyers packaging stainless and aluminum turned shafts. Illustrations use an **Example part** only—not a customer gearbox shaft. Related turning and GD&T notes live in [datum schemes for multi-setup CNC parts](https://3dwk.com/resources/datum-schemes-for-multi-setup-cnc-parts), [GD&T callouts that raise CNC quote bands](https://3dwk.com/resources/gdandt-callouts-that-raise-cnc-quote-bands), and [surface roughness Ra for machined parts](https://3dwk.com/resources/surface-roughness-ra-for-machined-parts); here we focus on **how to label keyways on turned shafts** so estimators do not guess.
What keyway stacks mean for quoting
A keyseat needs width, depth (or height above shaft), length, axial position, and whether ends are square, radius, or run-out open. Process pages for automation and robotics turned parts ([CNC turning SS 304 automation](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-turning/ss-304/automation.html), [CNC turning SS 304 robotics](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-turning/ss-304/robotics.html), [CNC turning Al 6061 automation](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-turning/al-6061/automation.html)) assume clear keyway notes when lots mix journals, threads, and drive features.
Do not write only “keyway for standard key.” Put **W×D×L**, end style, and position to a journal or shoulder on the PDF and mirror it in RFQ text. Background: [DFM checklist before an online CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/dfm-checklist-before-online-cnc-quote), [what files to send for a CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-files-to-send-for-cnc-quote).
Broach vs mill and interrupt cuts
Broaching can be fast on production lots with standard widths; milling or slotting fits prototypes and non-standard sizes. Interrupt cuts near shoulders raise chatter risk. Soft stock (PA66 time coeff ×0.8 under **rates.v1.1** estimates) is uncommon for drive shafts; stainless and alloy steels dominate. Harder alloys (17-4PH ×1.4, IN718/IN625 ×2.5) amplify tool wear; aggressive tight-width + deep seat asks on hot alloys frequently auto-route toward **needs_manual** when mid-line bands exceed planning thresholds.
If a Woodruff key or sled-runner end is required, say so—do not leave the CAD silhouette to imply method.
Bar $/kg planning bands (estimates only): 17-4PH ~9, IN718 ~55, IN625 ~60. Material cost matters, but keyway method and journal protection dominate setup minutes.
Journals, runout and secondary grind
Keyways next to precision journals often need op order notes: turn/grind journals first, then cut keyseat with soft jaws or between centers. Related workholding: [soft jaws vs vise CNC production lots](https://3dwk.com/resources/soft-jaws-vs-vise-cnc-production-lots) (conceptually related clamp keep-outs), [how workholding changes a CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/how-workholding-changes-cnc-quote).
Tolerance and inspection traps
Key width H9 without go/no-go sampling, or 100% optical of every seat on a 300-piece lot, widens QA bands. Default non-critical seats to standard fit class and put functional gauging only on drive interfaces. Related: [CMM sampling plans for CNC lots](https://3dwk.com/resources/cmm-sampling-plans-for-cnc-lots), [position vs profile tolerances CNC brackets](https://3dwk.com/resources/position-vs-profile-tolerances-cnc-brackets), [CMM vs optical measurement machined parts](https://3dwk.com/resources/cmm-vs-optical-measurement-machined-parts).
Illustration 1 shows an **Example part** shaft with labeled keyseat width/depth/length relative to a shoulder datum.
Example part walkthrough
**Example part:** SS304 shaft Ø20×120 mm, two bearing journals Ø20 g6 over 18 mm, one keyseat 6×3.5×25 mm square end, position from shoulder 40±0.2, ISO 2768-m elsewhere. With STEP + clear keyseat stack, expect a usable automatic planning band on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Same geometry with “add keyway” only and silent journal protection often lands DFM notes or **needs_manual**—without inventing any customer PO.
Illustration 2 contrasts a vague RFQ (“standard keyway”) versus a labeled W×D×L / end / position block and the clearer estimate path.
Fit class and mating hub notes
If the hub bore and key are a matched set, say the fit class (for example key width H9 / hub Js9) and whether the shop supplies only the shaft. Silent “press fit somehow” next to a keyseat often fights the seat depth. Related: [GD&T basics for buyers](https://3dwk.com/resources/gdt-basics-for-buyers), [prototype vs production CNC quotes](https://3dwk.com/resources/prototype-vs-production-cnc-quotes). Clear mating notes keep **rates.v1.1** planning bands narrower without inventing a customer gearbox PO.
What widens bands fastest
Silent end style, width without depth, keyseat through a grind journal, and 100% CMM of every seat corner radius. Quantity breaks help unit cost but do not erase interrupt-cut risk—see [how quantity breaks change CNC unit cost](https://3dwk.com/resources/how-quantity-breaks-change-cnc-unit-cost) and [what needs_manual means](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-needs-manual-means-preliminary-quote).
Threads and keyways on the same shaft
Blind tapped ends next to keyseats need both depth stacks and clamp maps. Cross-link your thread notes—see [thread depth callouts blind tapped holes CNC](https://3dwk.com/resources/thread-depth-callouts-blind-tapped-holes-cnc)—so the RFQ does not treat them as independent surprises under **rates.v1.1** estimates.
What to do next
Mark **W×D×L**, end style, axial position, and journal keep-outs, then upload on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Service pages: [CNC machining](https://3dwk.com/cnc-machining-service.php), [materials](https://3dwk.com/materials.php). Treat **rates.v1.1** min/mid/max as estimates, not invoices. If the UI shows **needs_manual**, answer the keyway questions rather than forcing a fake firm price.
Common questions
Is “for 6 mm key” enough?
No. Width, depth, length, end style, and position still belong on the drawing even when the key is a catalog size.
Do broached seats always cost less at qty 100?
Often for standard widths under **rates.v1.1** estimates, but tooling and setup must amortize. Non-standard widths stay milled.
How do grind journals change the quote?
Op order and protection pads matter. Silent keyseat through a grind diameter commonly triggers **needs_manual**.
Should Woodruff seats follow the same habit?
Yes—name the seat type explicitly so estimators do not assume a parallel keyseat from a partial sketch.