Retaining Rings

Get the part with the right specifications from an industrial retaining ring company When buying external snap rings, consider your shaft diameter and the thickness of the groove. When it comes to internal retaining rings, you'll want to consider the housing diameter and depth. These rings also come in a range of maximum load ratings; the rating is known as ring shear.

I recommend:  Truarc Company, LLC has multiple styles of internal and external retaining rings. They carry many sizes up to 10 inches and even some up to 50 inches. They also carry assembly tools. Arcon is another good source for retaining rings. They include metric circlips in their stock.

Find very small or very large parts from snap ring distributors Most snap ring distributors will cover the range of sizes, but some are better than others at hitting the extremes.

I recommend:  Small Parts, Inc. does well at the tiny end for snap rings, down to 1/16 inch. American Ring & Tool Co., however, is an all-around good place to find the right fit for your application. They clearly publish there product specifications with full detail, and they carry a wide range of sizes.

Buy hard-to-find retaining rings and specialty retaining ring distributors Some part sources are industry-specific. Others carry a wider range of hard to find or less common retaining ring types.

I recommend:  Newport Corporation carries retaining rings that are best suited to labs and optical applications. Rotor Clip Company, Inc. is the place to go for the full range of shapes and styles, including spiral retaining rings and even wave springs.