Shaft Collars

Shaft Collars for Australian Engineering and Maintenance

Shaft collars are the simple but critical components that lock components axially on a shaft — preventing bearings, gears, pulleys, and similar parts from sliding sideways under load. For Australian fitters, engineers, and maintenance workers, the right shaft collar is the difference between an assembly that holds tight in service and one that walks loose under vibration. AIMS Industrial supplies shaft collars across the styles, sizes, and materials Australian trade and industrial customers need.

The shaft collar types we stock

• Set-screw collars — solid collar with one or two set-screws that bite directly into the shaft; the everyday economical choice
• Clamp-style collars — split collar with clamping screws that compress around the shaft; doesn't damage the shaft surface
• Two-piece (split) clamp collars — two-half clamp collars that fit around the shaft without sliding from a shaft end; useful for retrofits
• Shaft collars with keyway — clamp collars with internal keyway for shafts requiring positive torque transfer
• Shoulder shaft collars — collars with extended outer flanges for additional bearing surface

Set-screw versus clamp-style — which to use

Set-screw collars are economical and quick to install, but the set-screws bite into the shaft surface and create marks (and potential stress concentrations). Clamp-style collars distribute the holding force evenly around the shaft via clamping pressure — no marks, no stress concentrations, and the shaft can be removed and reused without damage. For applications where the shaft is the keeper (precision shafts, finished surfaces, soft materials), clamp-style is the right choice. For general industrial use where shaft surface marks are unimportant, set-screw collars cost less and install fast.

Where shaft collars earn their place

• Bearing axial location — preventing bearings from sliding along shafts
• Gear and pulley positioning — locking gears, sprockets, and pulleys at specific axial positions
• Conveyor shaft assemblies — preventing rollers and components from drifting
• Equipment retrofits — adding axial location where the original assembly didn't include it
• Custom shaft assemblies — anywhere a component needs to stay where it's positioned on a shaft

Sizing — match to shaft diameter

Shaft collar sizing is by shaft bore diameter. Common metric sizes range from 6mm through 100mm, with imperial sizes from 1/4 inch through 4 inch. Match the collar bore exactly to the shaft — undersized bores won't fit, oversized bores can't grip properly. The outside diameter and width vary by series; choose by mounting space available.

Materials and finishes

• Steel zinc-plated — the everyday workshop choice for indoor and protected applications
• Stainless steel 304 and 316 — for corrosive and food-contact environments
• Aluminium — for lightweight applications
• Black oxide finish — for non-reflective and decorative applications

Brands stocked at AIMS

Boston, FYH, and other quality power transmission brands cover the shaft collar range. For OEM replacement, match the existing collar's brand and part number where possible; for general use, any of the major brands will deliver to spec.

Installation

For set-screw collars, position the collar on the shaft, tighten the set-screw to the manufacturer-specified torque against the shaft surface. For clamp collars, slide the collar over the shaft end (or fit a two-piece collar around the shaft), tighten the clamping screws progressively in a cross pattern to draw the clamp evenly. Don't over-tighten clamping screws — that distorts the collar and reduces clamping force.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Shaft collars sit alongside our broader power transmission range — see needle roller bearings, self aligning bearings, shaft seals, and spherical bushings for the related products.

Need help with shaft collar selection for a specific application? contact our team — we'll match by shaft size, mounting type, and load.