Tom Cummings Tom Cummings

Mixing lubricating greases can lead to several complications.

Mixing lubricating greases can lead to several complications. Here's why it's usually recommended against:

1.     Incompatibility Between Thickening Agents: Greases are typically made up of base oil and a thickening agent. Common thickeners include lithium, calcium, aluminum, and polyurea. If greases with different thickeners are mixed, they can react with each other and cause the mixture to soften or harden. This can result in the grease no longer providing the necessary lubrication for the application.

2.     Oil Separation: Mixing greases can cause oil separation, where the base oil separates from the thickener. This can reduce the lubrication properties of the grease and increase wear on machinery.

3.     Change in Performance Characteristics: Different greases have different additives that provide specific performance benefits, such as anti-wear, anti-corrosion, or extreme pressure resistance. Mixing greases can dilute or negate these additives, potentially reducing the grease's performance.

4.     Alteration of Dropping Point: The dropping point of a grease is the temperature at which it becomes fluid enough to drip. Mixing greases can change this point, potentially making it unsuitable for high-temperature applications.

5.     Variation in Viscosity: Greases have varying viscosities based on their intended application. Mixing them can result in a product with unpredictable and undesired viscosity, which can affect the lubricating performance.

6.     Increased Risk of Contamination: Each time a grease is handled or transferred, there's a risk of contamination. Introducing a different grease can bring in contaminants that can cause wear or damage.

7.     Cost Implications: If mixed grease causes machinery to fail or reduces its efficiency, this can result in downtime and increased maintenance costs. It's often cheaper in the long run to ensure that the correct grease is used consistently.

8.     Warranty and Specification Issues: Using the wrong grease or mixing greases might void the warranty on a machine or component. Many manufacturers specify a particular type of grease for their equipment, and deviating from that specification can lead to complications.

9.     Difficulty in Predicting Behavior: The resultant mixture of two or more greases can behave unpredictably. This can make it hard for maintenance personnel to predict how often re-lubrication is required or when the grease might fail.

For these reasons, it's essential to carefully select the correct grease for each application and avoid mixing different types. If there's a need to change the type of grease being used, it's important to clean out the old grease thoroughly before applying the new one.

 

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Tom Cummings Tom Cummings

Micrometers

Micrometers measure in increments of 0.001 inches (or 0.01 mm) for such precise readings as the thickness of washers, the width of bolts and more.

Standard micrometers have three scales that measure 0.1 inch, 0.025 inch and 0.001 inch, respectively. Knowing how to read a micrometer begins with the two larger scales on the sleeve and finishes with the smaller scale on the dial or thimble.

Take these steps before a micrometer reading:

*Confirm that the horizontal line on the sleeve lines up with the 0 on the thimble. If they do not align, the micrometer needs to be calibrated.

*Press the object you are measuring against your micrometer’s anvil.

*Tighten the device until the spindle is firmly pressed against the object and has clicked 2-3 times.

*If your micrometer has a lock lever, turn it to hold the object in place.

Read the Micrometer Sleeve: Whole numbers printed on the sleeve scale represent 0.1 inch. Three small lines separate the whole numbers on the sleeve scale. These each represent 0.025 inch. Read the whole number on the sleeve first and then the quarter marks. If the whole number is a 3 followed by two quarter marks, the measurement is 0.350 inch. If the number is a 5 followed by three quarter marks, the measurement is 0.575 inch. Read the Multimeter Dial or Thimble: After you’ve read and recorded the measurement on the sleeve, check the dial or thimble, which measures in 0.001 inch. Find and record the measurement on the dial or thimble that is closest to the sleeve measurement.

Combine Your Readings: Once you have taken the measurements from every scale, combine them to determine your complete measurement. In the example presented on the diagram, the last whole number on the sleeve is 3, followed by three quarter marks (0.075) and a 6 on the thimble. The measurements would be: 0.300 + 0.075 + 0.006 Add them together and your complete measurement is 0.381 inch.

Tips for Using a Micrometer: Keep the surface of your micrometer clean of oil, dust or dirt to ensure a precise measurement. Use a soft cloth or dust rag to wipe down the spindle, anvil and measuring faces of the micrometer before and after use. Micrometers are highly sensitive, so even changes in room temperature can affect the results. When a micrometer is at the minimum setting, the horizontal line on the sleeve should align with the 0 on the thimble. If they do not line up, calibrate the micrometer with these steps: Find the adjustable wrench that came with the micrometer. Put the wrench in the small hole in the sleeve. Turn the sleeve until it aligns with the thimble. Store the micrometer at room temperature and make sure the anvil and spindle are separate in the open position. Do not store micrometers with the anvil and spindle in contact. Digital micrometers work the same as standard micrometers, but the measurements can be easily read on an LCD display. Remove batteries from digital micrometers before storing them.

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Tom Cummings Tom Cummings

Benefits of using Pre-Cut Shims

·       Pre-Cut Shims save valuable time by not having to cut, de-burr and measuring shims of of a roll of material.

·       Most pre-cut shims are made with an insert tab which makes  them safer when pacing them under the feet of heavy machinery.

·       The shim thickness is usually stamped or permanently marked for speedy and easy identification.

·       Pre-cut shims are typically made from stainless steel making them reusable even in corrosive environments.

·       Most shim kits contain sizes from .001” to .125 thick shims and usually contain 10 to 15 of each size. This also makes it easy to just reorder the shims you use instead of another full kit.

·       These are the most widely used sizes, A (2”X2”), B (3X3), C(4X4), 5(5X5).

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Tom Cummings Tom Cummings

Keeping your jobsite clean and safe

A tremendous amount of money is spent on keeping company assets operating in a reliable manner, however the most important asset for any company is the employees. All of us have sat through countless hours of safety meetings, training, and coaching. We have all complained and grumbled about the safety team auditing our jobs. It is easy to take for granted that we go home day after day and year after year with no injuries. This does not happen by accident, but by being proactive and vigilant concerning safety. Housekeeping is a foundation for not only a safe workplace but also a productive one. When housekeeping is poor at a worksite, employees are more likely to be hurt on the job. The unsafe conditions present due to poor housekeeping, is often a contributing factor in workplace injuries. Let us all take the time to keep up with housekeeping and stay safe!

Housekeeping = Safety

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