The Beginner’s Guide to Flag Hinges

When shopping for hinges, you may come across flag hinges. Also known as double-acting hinges, they are commonly used on doors and gates. Once installed, flag hinges will allow the door or gate to swing open. Unless you’ve used them … Read More

Internal vs External Tooth Lockwashers: What’s the Difference?

Lockwashers offer an easy and effective way to protect fasteners from vibration-related loosening. Over time, vibrations can cause nuts and bolts to loosen. Lock washers, however, feature teeth that grip to prevent loosening. As you tighten the bolt or nut, … Read More

The Beginners Guide to Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Seals

Seals play an important role in many machines. Machines often have fluid- or gas passages. As the fluid or gas heats up, it will become pressurized. To prevent leaks, mechanical seals such as O-rings are placed around the mating surfaces … Read More

Pneumatic vs Semi-Pneumatic Casters: What’s the Difference?

Casters are often categorized according to the material from which they are made. There are phenolic casters made of a synthetic polymer known as phenolic, stainless steel casters made of stainless steel, cast iron casters made of cast iron, and … Read More

What Are Staked Hinges?

Hinges are available in many different styles. There are butt hinges consisting of two leafs and an interconnected knuckle, loose joint hinges consisting of a fixed pin in one leaf, continuous hinges consisting of long leafs that span the entire … Read More

What Is a Bearing Housing?

Bearings play an important role in many machines. Consisting of enclosed rings with balls, they are designed to support rotating shafts. Machines with a rotating shaft will often feature a bearing to reduce friction. Bearings, however, are typically used in … Read More

Ribbon Cables vs Flex Cables: What’s the Difference?

Not all copper cables are the same. While they all feature copper conductors, they are available in different styles, such as ribbon and flex. What’s the difference between ribbon cables and flex cables exactly? What Are Ribbon Cables? Ribbon cables … Read More