Reference libraries · Industrial MRO

Industrial MRO Reference Library

Sizes, standards, wall charts and how to identify what’s in front of you, written for industrial MRO counters, buyers and the customers they serve.

200 sheets planned · 37 published · 9 sections. New sheets are added as they’re written.

Written in the open: anyone can suggest an edit on any sheet. Help write or review it →

Published now

Technical Reference

Bearings, power transmission, abrasives, tools, material handling and adhesives — what each product is.

Wall Charts

Printable one-page shop charts.

Measure & Identify

Field identification of unknown bearings, belts, chain and supplies.

  • How to Identify an Unknown BearingReading markings and measuring when markings are gone.Coming soon
  • Measuring Bearing Bore, OD & WidthMeasuring with calipers and converting to a series.Coming soon
  • How to Measure a V-BeltTop width, depth and length measurement.Coming soon
  • How to Identify Roller Chain SizeMeasuring pitch, roller diameter and width.Coming soon
  • Counting Sprocket Teeth & Measuring BoreData needed to replace a sprocket.Coming soon
  • Identifying Coupling Types & SizesRecognizing coupling families and sizes.Coming soon
  • Identifying Timing Belt PitchMeasuring tooth pitch and profile.Coming soon
  • Measuring a Shaft & KeywayShaft diameter and key size for replacement parts.Coming soon
  • Identifying Grease Type From the LabelThickener, base oil and NLGI grade on a label.Coming soon
  • Reading a Lubricant Product Data SheetInterpreting typical properties on a data sheet.Coming soon
  • Reading Grinding Wheel LabelsWheel markings including maximum operating speed.Coming soon
  • Reading Sling Identification TagsRequired tag information and when a missing tag removes a sling from service.Coming soon
  • Identifying Chain Grade MarkingsGrade marks on alloy chain and fittings.Coming soon
  • Identifying Threadlocker by ColorTypical colors and why to confirm by part number.Coming soon
  • Identifying O-Ring MaterialClues to elastomer type and the limits of field identification.Coming soon
  • Reading a Motor NameplateNameplate fields needed to replace a motor.Coming soon
  • Identifying Hose FittingsThread and seat identification for hose ends.Coming soon
  • Identifying Screw Drive Types for BitsTelling Phillips from Pozidriv and similar drives.Coming soon

Lubricants & Compatibility

Oils, greases, viscosity and what can and cannot be mixed.

  • NLGI Grease Grades & ThickenersConsistency grades, thickener types and how to choose.Ref MRO-0117
  • ISO Viscosity Grades & Oil SelectionISO VG grades and how viscosity is selected.Ref MRO-0118
  • Grease Thickener CompatibilityWhy mixing greases can soften or harden them.Coming soon
  • Lithium, Lithium Complex, Calcium Sulfonate & PolyureaCommon thickeners compared.Coming soon
  • Food-Grade Lubricants — H1, H2 & H3Incidental-contact categories and registration.Coming soon
  • Synthetic vs Mineral Oils — PAO, PAG & EstersBase oil types and trade-offs.Coming soon
  • PAG Oil IncompatibilityWhy PAG oils must not be mixed with mineral or PAO oils.Coming soon
  • Industrial Gear OilsEP and synthetic gear oils and AGMA grades.Coming soon
  • Hydraulic Oils — AW, HM, HV & Fire-ResistantHydraulic fluid families.Coming soon
  • Compressor OilsOils for reciprocating and rotary compressors.Coming soon
  • Chain & Open-Gear LubricantsPenetrating and tacky lubricants.Coming soon
  • Penetrants, Dry Films & Specialty LubricantsPTFE, moly and silicone sprays.Coming soon
  • Anti-Seize CompoundsCopper, nickel and metal-free anti-seize.Coming soon
  • Lubricant Storage & Contamination ControlKeeping lubricants clean and dry.Coming soon
  • Oil Analysis BasicsWhat an oil sample report tells you.Coming soon
  • Seal & Elastomer Compatibility with LubricantsSwelling and shrinkage of seals in lubricants.Coming soon
  • Grease Fittings & Grease GunsFitting types and grease gun use.Coming soon
  • Over-Greasing BearingsHow too much grease damages bearings and seals.Coming soon
  • Single-Point & Centralized LubricationAutomatic lubricators and systems.Coming soon
  • Lubricant Identification & Color-Coding SystemsTagging lubricants and points to prevent mix-ups.Coming soon

Engineering & Failure Analysis

Failure modes, life, alignment and maintenance safety.

  • Bearing Failure AnalysisClassifying bearing damage by cause.Coming soon
  • Bearing L10 LifeWhat rated life means and what shortens it.Coming soon
  • Belt Drive Design BasicsService factors and drive selection.Coming soon
  • Belt Tensioning MethodsDeflection and sonic tension methods.Coming soon
  • Belt Failure AnalysisReading wear and failure patterns on belts.Coming soon
  • Sheave & Sprocket AlignmentAlignment methods and tolerances from the drive maker.Coming soon
  • Chain Wear & ElongationMeasuring chain elongation.Coming soon
  • Chain Drive Lubrication & Failure ModesWear, fatigue and galling in chain drives.Coming soon
  • Coupling Misalignment & FailureRecognizing coupling damage.Coming soon
  • Shaft Alignment BasicsStraightedge, dial and laser alignment.Coming soon
  • Vibration Analysis BasicsSeverity, trending and common faults.Coming soon
  • Adhesive Bond Failure — Adhesive vs CohesiveDiagnosing where a bond failed.Coming soon
  • Threadlocker Cure — Gaps, Primers & TemperatureWhy anaerobics sometimes fail to cure.Coming soon
  • Abrasive Wheel Safety & BreakageMounting, ring testing, guarding and speed limits.Coming soon
  • Sling Damage & Removal CriteriaWhen a sling must come out of service.Coming soon
  • Hoist Inspection BasicsFrequent and periodic inspections.Coming soon
  • Power Tool Safety & GuardingGuards, switches and inspection.Coming soon
  • Lockout/Tagout for MaintenanceEnergy control during maintenance.Coming soon
  • Corrosion in Bearings & DrivesMoisture, fretting and electrical erosion.Coming soon
  • Motor Failure BasicsCommon motor failure causes.Coming soon

Specification & Engineering Control

Writing specifications and controlling substitutions.

  • Writing an MRO Item SpecificationAttributes a complete MRO item description needs.Coming soon
  • Bearing Interchange & Substitution RulesWhen a bearing from another brand is a true equivalent.Coming soon
  • Belt Interchange RulesMatching belts across brands.Coming soon
  • Approved Lubricants ListBuilding a plant lubricant standard.Coming soon
  • OEM vs Aftermarket PartsWhen OEM is required and when equivalents are fine.Coming soon
  • Rigging Hardware Specification & Proof TestingWhat rigging hardware specifications must include.Coming soon
  • Adhesive Callouts on DrawingsSpecifying adhesives on engineering drawings.Coming soon
  • Critical Spares ListsIdentifying parts that must be on hand.Coming soon
  • Standardizing Slings & Rigging HardwareReducing variety in rigging gear.Coming soon
  • Equipment BOMs & Where-Used DataLinking parts to assets.Coming soon
  • Food Plant MRO RequirementsMRO product rules in food plants.Coming soon
  • Tools & Equipment for Hazardous LocationsClassified-location requirements for tools and equipment.Coming soon

Procurement & Cost Reduction

Buying smarter: total cost, standardization, pricing programs and supply risk.

  • Total Cost of Ownership for MRO suppliesWhy unit price is the wrong metric and how to compare on cost per use or per part.Coming soon
  • Standardization & SKU RationalizationCutting duplicate items and brands to lower inventory and purchase cost.Coming soon
  • Approved Brand Lists & EquivalentsHow to build and maintain an approved-brands list and judge "or equal" requests.Coming soon
  • Contract Pricing, Rebates & Price EscalationStructures for fixed pricing, escalation clauses and rebate programs.Coming soon
  • Box Quantity vs Bulk BuyingWhen standard package quantities, bulk packs or broken-box pricing make sense.Coming soon
  • Reducing Emergency & Spot BuysRoot causes of expedited orders and how to plan them out.Coming soon
  • Supplier ConsolidationBenefits and risks of moving spend to fewer suppliers.Coming soon
  • Country of Origin, Marking & TariffsOrigin marking basics and how duties affect landed cost.Coming soon
  • Counterfeit & Grey-Market ProductWarning signs of counterfeit or diverted product and how to buy through authorized channels.Coming soon
  • Measuring Cost Savings — Hard vs SoftDocumenting savings customers and auditors will accept.Coming soon
  • Repair vs Replace DecisionsWhen rebuilding gearboxes, motors or pumps beats replacement.Coming soon

Quality, Compliance & Traceability

Inspection, documentation, traceability and regulatory paperwork.

  • Incoming Inspection BasicsWhat to check on receipt, sampling plans and when to reject.Coming soon
  • Certificates of Conformance & Test ReportsWhat a C of C, mill cert or test report must contain and when to request one.Coming soon
  • Lot & Batch TraceabilityKeeping lot numbers attached to product from receipt through shipment.Coming soon
  • ISO 9001 for DistributorsWhich clauses touch a distributor's daily work.Coming soon
  • Shelf Life & Date-Coded ProductsManaging FIFO/FEFO for products that expire.Coming soon
  • Nonconforming Product, RMAs & ReturnsQuarantine, disposition and documentation of bad product.Coming soon
  • Recalls & Safety NoticesHow to receive, act on and document a manufacturer recall.Coming soon
  • SDS & Hazard CommunicationDistributor duties to pass Safety Data Sheets downstream.Coming soon
  • California Proposition 65 LabelingWhen a Prop 65 warning is needed and who is responsible.Coming soon
  • Conflict Minerals & Restricted SubstancesResponding to 3TG, RoHS and REACH declaration requests.Coming soon

Inventory, VMI & Automation

Keeping the right stock at the point of use with less labor.

  • Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) BasicsHow VMI programs work and what the customer and distributor each own.Coming soon
  • Two-Bin & Kanban SystemsSetting up visual replenishment at the point of use.Coming soon
  • Industrial Vending MachinesWhere vending pays off, what to stock and how to report usage.Coming soon
  • Min/Max & Reorder Point SettingsCalculating mins, maxes and safety stock from usage and lead time.Coming soon
  • Barcode, QR & RFID LabelingLabel formats and scanning for bins, shelves and items.Coming soon
  • Cycle CountingCounting a little every day instead of a full physical.Coming soon
  • ABC AnalysisRanking items by value and velocity to focus attention.Coming soon
  • Critical Spares & Stock-Out RiskIdentifying items whose stock-out stops production or vehicles.Coming soon
  • Obsolete & Slow-Moving InventoryFinding, reducing and preventing dead stock.Coming soon
  • Usage Reporting & Consumption AnalyticsReports customers actually use to cut consumption.Coming soon
  • Storeroom OrganizationLayout and labeling for an MRO storeroom.Coming soon

Your catalog, your prices and your name, on every customer’s phone.

Same app, same scanner, works with your existing ERP. Loaded with your catalog and your logo.

See how it works →Book a demo
See how it works → ☎