Abstract: The stator blades of a stage of an axial flow turbo machine are assembled in an arcuate series, as by insertion of the journals at the outer ends of the blades in the stator housing. A one-piece arcuate inner shroud ring is formed with aperture spaced circumferentially comparable to the spacing of the inner ends of the blades in the series. The diameter of the apertures exceeds the diameter of the blade journals. Force is applied to the ends of the ring to control or bow the same sufficiently to permit insertion of the contracted ring into the series of blades. Upon insertion of the ring, the contracting force is relieved, permitting the ring to expand to normal contour whereby the inner journals of the blades become positioned in the apertures of the ring. Thereafter annular bearings are inserted in the space between the journals and the bores of the apertures.