Evening all.

I'm having a few nightmares messing about trying to fit some tiny E-ring type circlips to a shaft (from a stepper motor and gearbox assembly that I am trying to rebuild). The shaft(s) are 2mm and 4mm diameter, so you can get an idea of the size I am talking about.

DOes anyone know of any tools, or helpful tips when it comes to fitting them? My success rate at the moment is about 10%. I'm breaking half of them, and some are flying off across the workshop when I try to fit them. It's doing my head in!

Cheers
Andy

A hand size pair of pliers pushing the clip onto the shaft.

Another technic i've used in the past is to push them on by thumb, but with the blade of a flat head screwdriver between you thumb and the clip to stop the clip digging into your hand.

Some of my chaps at work use an E-RING fitting tool!
Looks a bit like a needle file but has a small sprung clip on the end to hold the cli p whilst you push it on. If you`re going to do them often get one, otherwise, long nose pliers, patience, safety glasses, a torch and a towel

For circlips, which are different, use circlip pliers

[Edited on 7/3/05 by ReMan]