Shaft collars are simple ring-shaped devices that mainly clamp onto shafts, but also hoses, cables and any other thin, cylindrical components. Their mainly function as stops or targets, or for clamping, positioning and mounting.

They are frequently comprised of steel and stainless steel alloys, but there is also the aluminum shaft collar. Additionally, many shaft collars have some type of surfacing or coating like black oxide, chromium or zinc. Closure, setting or clamping methods for shaft collars vary, as do ring types. Here are the main types:

1. Setscrew shaft collars work well for shaft positioning, but do not usually bear loads well. They are not the best for applications that involve frequent repositioning.

2. Threaded shaft collars work exclusively with threaded shafts, but bear high loads. They reposition relatively easily.

3. C-style and one-piece collars hold somewhat uniformly on a shaft and reposition easily. They are also known as single split collars.

4. Two-piece shaft collars handle very high loads and provide very uniform holds. They are also known as double split collars.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy shaft collars from a quality shaft collars distributor

Some of the specifications to look for in shaft collars are outside and inside diameter, width and maximum load capacity. If you are buying threaded shaft collars, be careful to match the thread type with that of your applications.

I recommend: Dayton Superior Products carries solid collars, but is also a split shaft collar source, both double and single. In addition, they have threaded industrial shaft collars. Climax Metal Products Company has similar products, so do some price comparing.

Purchase specialty shaft collars online

There are many special features available on shaft collars. There are hexagonal bore shaft collars for PT and other drives. Also available are wide heavy duty shaft collars that have exceptional holding and feature a higher resistance to shock. For applications that require hand gripping, there are shaft collars with knurled surfaces.

I recommend: Ruland carries both single and double split shaft collars that are double-wide to resemble couplings. Lucas Industrial is an imported shaft collar source and carries collars comprised of multiple materials and coatings, and also has oversize collars.

Locate custom shaft collar manufacturers

Many shaft collars on the market are versatile and diverse, but there are sources for custom shaft collars to exactly fit your applications and concepts.

I recommend: Stafford Manufacturing Corp. proclaims, "If you don't see it, we'll build it!" They have a long list of parameters to choose from with regard to hardness, size, materials and options, including O-ring grooves, press fit pins, knurls, flanges and special bores. Also check out the parts available from American Collars and Couplings, Inc.. They post a phone number where you to call to get custom manufactured shaft couplings. They generally have no minimum order requirement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have an application that requires repositioning a shaft collar at a range of diameters, use a two-piece shaft collar. The gap on either side of the shaft collar allows for a wider range of diameters than other shaft collar types.