A method of machining keyways in shafts comprises the steps of aligning a central line of a spindle of a machine tool with a centre line of a shaft to be machined, preliminarily machining a keyway in the shaft with keyway mill arranged on the spindle so as to retain a symmetrical allowance for a finishing machining of the keyways so as to machine walls of the keyway, finishing machining of radiuses parts of the keyway at its both ends with a cross-feed of the mill so that a width of radiuses parts is greater than a desired width of the keyway, and final machining the keyway with a self-aligning cutting tool mounted on the spindle so that it freely turns and is rectilinearly moved along the keyway.
Keys ca be cut using end mills or slot drills. Horizontal plain cutter.
