Shopsmith Forums

***UPDATE: 05/22/2024***
I want to thank everyone who assisted me with identifying the correct retaining ring for the 10ER Speed Changer. I obtained a replacement this morning and wanted to pass down all my findings in the event someone else runs into this issue in the future.

A 2-1/4" External Snap / Retaining Ring has the perfect free diameter (hair over 2") and thickness (.078") for the speed changer. Regardless of the shaft measuring 2-1/8", the 2-1/4" ring matches the original ring's free diameter and amount of play in the groove.

Hello all,

After many years of informally looking and waiting, I finally found a 10er speed changer for my shopsmith.

Anyways, after initial assessment, the only issue I have found is that the retaining ring (see pic) has both ears broken off and is somewhat out of round. Does anyone know the original size of these rings and if they can be purchased generically? If it is a proprietary size by Magna, does anyone know of an alternate method to use in place of this part.

I appreciate any information provided.

Have a look at the attached PDF. Rotor Clip brand retaining ring selection. Match up your ring dimensionally with a ring in the catalog.

Any bearing retailer should sell these, or McMaster might also sell them.

Vis-a-vis Steve's PDF file, the only important dimensions are the ring thickness and the free (inside) diameter. The other dimensions are inconsequential for use on the speed changer.

Thank you both for the response. In measuring free diameter of my existing, damaged ring, I get roughly 2.0625 (2-1/16”). The shaft groove measures 2” strong.

Can the folks with speed changers tell me if the ring on their changers are tight on the shaft groove, or can they be spun by hand?

The Retaining Ring has to seat into the groove, but I can rotate it with a tool pushing it. The remaining ring you have should work until you can replace it if it still seats into the groove.

As you continue to restore your Speed Changer there are a couple things to pay attention to. The three locking nuts used on the Screw Assembly (113 310) may need replacing if the insert is worn. Also, the springs should not be compressed when reinstalling the end locking nut. Check for wear on the brass bushings in the Floating Pulley Assembly (113 200). A Speed Changer I restored had the shoulder on one bushing completely worn off.

Yes, I will be assessing all those parts as I clean it up. Thank you for the great info.

My remaining retention ring looks better in the pic than it actually is, it fits very loose in the groove and comes out easily by hand.

Standard external snap rings, which this appears to be, are sized based on shaft diameter. Unless you have a fit problem or a non-standard groove, shaft diameter is the only thing you have to measure. So for example a 5/8" snap ring aka SH-62, is referred to as a 5/8' snap ring even though no dimension measures 5/8". Many woodworkers may not have the tools to measure the groove dimensions or doing so may require more disassembly than is necessary.

- David

nv10er wrote: Thu May 16, 2024 12:50 pm the only issue I have found is that the retaining ring (see pic) has both ears broken off and is somewhat out of round.

Believe it or not, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your retaining ring… I thought the same of one I was restoring. But when I got the “broken” ring off and compared it to a ”good” ring with ears, I realized its width didn’t vary like the “good” ring as you get closer to the ears. So I concluded it was a different ring design, but completely intact. Looks just like yours…

jpdalton wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 11:36 pm

nv10er wrote: Thu May 16, 2024 12:50 pm the only issue I have found is that the retaining ring (see pic) has both ears broken off and is somewhat out of round.

Believe it or not, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your retaining ring… I thought the same of one I was restoring. But when I got the “broken” ring off and compared it to a ”good” ring with ears, I realized its width didn’t vary like the “good” ring as you get closer to the ears. So I concluded it was a different ring design, but completely intact. Looks just like yours…

I have bent it a little more back into shape in the event I might need to use it, but I did find a local company that has a viable replacement that I’ll be looking at tomorrow. I will post back with my findings. Thanks!

Correct ring found!

A 2-1/4" External Snap / Retaining Ring has the perfect free diameter (hair over 2") and thickness (.078") for the speed changer. Regardless of the shaft measuring 2-1/8", the 2-1/4" ring matches the original ring's free diameter and amount of play in the groove.