Fasteners are often judged by a simple question: Will they hold? But in the field, the better question is usually more specific: What kind of hold does the job require?
Not every fastening job calls for threaded hardware. In some cases, the right solution is a permanent joint that locks materials together. In others, the need is a compact way to hold a component in place on a shaft or inside a housing.
Rivets and retaining rings are two non-threaded fastening options that help solve different challenges. Understanding what each option is designed to do can help maintenance teams, fabricators and fleet shops choose the right product faster, reduce rework and keep critical equipment moving.
What Rivets Do
Rivets are ideal when you need a strong, permanent joint and do not want to rely on threads that can loosen over time. Instead of clamping with a nut and bolt, a rivet is set by deforming part of the fastener so it locks materials together. That makes rivets a smart choice for applications where vibration, weather exposure or limited access can make traditional hardware less practical.
Kimball Midwest offers a broad selection of rivets, including blind rivets, structural rivets, solid aluminum bucking rivets, self-piercing rivets, aluminum drive rivets, Bulbex rivets, Huck® Magna-Grip® fasteners and rivet and rivet nut tools.
Blind rivets are especially useful when you can only reach one side of the workpiece, while large flange styles help spread the load on thin or softer material. Closed-end rivets can help seal against liquids and vapor, and structural options such as Huck® Magna-Grip® fasteners are designed for high-strength, vibration-resistant connections.
What Retaining Rings Do
Retaining rings are not meant to join panels together. Their job is to keep a component positioned where it belongs. When a bearing, gear, pulley or shaft collar needs a positive stop, a retaining ring fits into a groove and holds the component in place. This allows compact designs without the added length or bulk of nuts, bolts or collars.
Kimball Midwest stocks internal snap rings for housings, external snap rings for shafts and E-rings for applications where side access is limited. Options include carbon spring steel for everyday service, 18-8 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, reinforced E-rings for higher thrust and RPM demands, and both SAE and metric sizes. Retaining ring assortments are also useful for shops that need common sizes ready at the bench or in a mobile storage setup.
Matching the Option to the Application
Rivets are a good option when the goal is to permanently fasten materials together without threads. Common examples include attaching brackets, joining sheet metal, securing panels, repairing equipment guards or building assemblies that must resist vibration. Rivets are usually selected by material, diameter, grip range, head style and access to the work area. If only one side is accessible, a blind rivet may be the right solution. If the joint faces heavy vibration or structural stress, a stronger structural rivet may be better.
Retaining rings are a good option when the goal is to control movement on a shaft or inside a bore. They are common around rotating components, bearings, gears, pulleys and housings. Retaining rings are usually selected by shaft or bore size, groove dimensions, load requirements, material and corrosion exposure. External rings fit around shafts; internal rings fit inside housings; E-rings can be installed from the side when straight-on access is not practical.
The Bottom Line
Rivets and retaining rings are both small parts that can make a big difference in equipment reliability, but they are designed for different types of non-threaded fastening work. One helps create a permanent assembly; the other helps retain a component in position. When you match the fastening option to the job, you improve fit, performance and service life.
For shops that need dependable fastening options on hand, Kimball Midwest offers rivets, retaining rings and assortments designed to support common maintenance, repair and assembly needs. Your Kimball Midwest sales representative can help you secure the right parts for your operation. If you don’t have one, we’d love to help you