The Australian Professional’s One-Stop Library for Industrial, Maintenance and Safety Insights and Updates

While we are humbled to be Trusted by Industrial Australia since 1988 to provide industrial, maintenance and safety supplies, we raise our glasses to the real everyday heroes like you who keep the industry alive:

• Carpenters, electricians, glazers, painters, plumbers, roofers, welders, woodworkers and more
• Engineers
• Machinists, millwrights, mechanics & technicians
• Maintenance managers
• Machine operators
• Purchasing officers
• Safety and compliance officers
• Small business owners

We hope our content will help you: 

• Make wise purchasing decisions
• Stay safe and compliant with Australian safety standards
• Stay productive in your trade or profession
• Keep your chores and hobbies interesting
• Help your peers by sharing your experience and expertise

Make the most out of your supplier relationships, spending and industrial real estate with these tips on efficient purchasing, inventory control and warehouse management. 

• Your Complete Guide to Choosing Industrial Suppliers in Australia: Here is a comprehensive list of factors to consider and questions to ask when making this important decision for your business.How many suppliers do you really need?What are the qualities of a reliable supplier?What are the most common challenges in maintaining good inventory?How do you manage your inventory to avoid unplanned downtimeHow do you deal with the price-vs-quality dilemma?What are the benefits of having a buyer account?
• Quick Guide to Economic Order Quantity (EOQ): Are you mastering this useful tool to find the ideal inventory levels that lead to cost savings and smoother operations?What is economic order quantity (EOQ)?The EOQ Formula + key considerations and benefits when using it
• Fostering the Buyer-Supplier Relationship: Here are some of the advantages of having a buyer-supplier relationship that has stood the test of time.
• Should More Retailers Crowdsource Last-Mile Deliveries: One of the main reasons this is becoming a trend is because the customer is not used to waiting long anymore.
• NSW $1000 SafeWork Small Business Rebate Programme: If your business is in New South Wales, consider taking advantage of this state-administered programme to encourage sole traders and small businesses that have less than 50 employees to invest in workplace safety. Charities and not-for-profits can also apply.
• Practical Gift Ideas for the Working Handyman: Are you looking for a thoughtful present for someone who loves to tinker things or work on DIY projects? Here are suggestions regularly updated for all occasions. 

The importance of workplace safety (and compliance to relevant WHS laws) needs no further highlighting. For a quick refresher course, these articles are a good place to start: 

• Overview of Work Health and Safety (WHS) Laws in Australia
• Stay Ahead: What You Need to Know About WHS in Australia
• Workplace Safety Statistics in Australia
• Quick Guide to Anti-Slip Safety Compliance
• Quick Guide to Asbestos Hazard Management
• Quick Guide to Industrial Gloves
• Quick Guide to Working in Heat
• How to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls in the Workplace
• 5 Tips for Creating a Safe Workplace
• Dangerous Goods Vs Hazardous Substances
• FAQs on Hard Hats (Colour Meanings, Types, Maintenance, Expiry Etc)
• FAQs on Safety Footwear (Standards, Classifications, Features, Maintenance, Etc)
• FAQs on Welding Safety
• FAQs About Sqwincher Hydration Products
• When You Need a Hot Work Permit
• Why Anti-Slip Ladder Rung Covers Are Essential
• Why Thermal Protective Work Gloves Are Crucial For Safe Handling
• Choosing The Right Protective Coveralls

This collection of tips and how-to guides will help you unlock clever hacks, streamline workflows, and boost your on-the-job efficiency, especially if you're in maintenance and repairs.

For those who need metric-imperial conversions and size charts:

• Fastener Reference Guide (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)
• Spanner Size Chart (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)
• Drill Bit Size Chart (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)
• Tapping Drill Size Chart for Thread Cutting Taps (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)
• Socket Sizing Cross-Reference Chart (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)

For those doing machining jobs: 

• How to Keep Your Chips Under Control
• Overview of Basic Singular Wear Patterns in Machining
• FAQs on Tap Magic Cutting Fluids

For those working with abrasives:

• Are Klingspor Abrasive Tools Safe to Use?
• Safety Advice When Using Cutting-Off and Grinding Wheels

For those working with adhesives:

• When to Use Which LOCTITE® Product (With Charts from Henkel)
• HamiltonJet Uses LOCTITE® In Their Ever-Reliable Waterjets

For those working with belt-driven systems and electric motors: 

• Quick Guide to Choosing an Electric Motor
• Choosing Between Belt and Chain Drives
• How to Measure a Power Transmission V Belt
• How to Identify and Measure Synchronous (Timing) Belts
• FAQs on Electric Motors for Hazardous Areas
• FAQs on Fire-Resistant Anti-Static Belts
• Proper Belt Storage and Handling
• Belt Length Acronyms (La, Le, Ld, Lp, Lw and Li)
• Electric Motor IP Ratings
• Pulley Speed Ratio: Larger Vs Smaller Pulleys
• Factors Affecting Electric Motor Lifespan
• Common Causes of Electric Motor Breakdown
• Diagnosing Improper Belt Tension or Misalignment
• Common V-Belt Problems and Solutions

For those working with fasteners: 

• Quick Guide to Stainless Steel Fasteners
• Fastener Reference Guide (Metric-Imperial Equivalents)
• How to Identify High Tensile Bolts

For those working with lubricants: 

• CRC Brings Back The Joy Of Maintenance
• How to Deal With Stuck Bolts and Nuts
• Easy Greasing with the Macnaught K29 Flexigun
• Does the CRC Evapo-Rust Really Work?
• Tinker With These Items Using INOX MX Lubricants
• How To Use Your WD40 To The Last Drop

For those working with pumps:

• Quick Guide to Buying Flow Meters
• Quick Guide to Industrial Pumps

For those who want cleaner, easier and safer welds: 

• FAQs on Welding Safety
• Shade Recommendations for Welding Helmets in Australia
• Weld Like A Pro With CRC Weld-Aid
• When You Need a Hot Work Permit

For those who want to make the most of their tools and devices: 

• Why Ergonomic Tools Are Important for Workers
• How Often Do You Calibrate Your Measuring Devices?
• Choosing Between High-Speed Steel and Carbide Tools
• What's Inside the Fastener, Engineers and Electrical Black Books
• Choosing The Right Band Saw Blade
• Understanding Basic Diameters in Tapping Drill Sizes
• Choosing the Right Drive Size for Sockets
• Choosing the Right Tap for Your Drilling Application
• How to Install Nut Rivets in Six Easy Steps
• Tips and Tools to Tackle Stripped Threads
• Clamping Made Easier and Faster with Lockjaw

Level up your DIY game with these guides that are perfect for weekend warriors and passionate hobbyists looking to tackle projects with confidence: 

• How to Make Resin Completely Clear Using Boston Gloss Spray
• How to Manage Industrial Waste At Home
• Spring Cleaning Your Workspace
• Spring Cleaning Your Car
• Quick Guide to Cleaning Agents

In a hurry and need short but relevant tips? Check out our quick guides, charts and cheat sheets below:

• The Right Drill Bits + FREE Charts
• Quick Metric-Imperial Fastener Cheat Sheet
• Spanner Sizes: Your Quick Guide to Getting The Right Fit
• How to Easily Master Pulley Speed Ratios
• Timing Belts: Measuring Made Easy
• V-Belt Basics: How To Measure Like A Pro (No Sweat Required!)
• Quick Guide to Choosing the Right Loctite Product
• Quick and East Electric Motor Selection Guide
• Belt Length Acronyms Made Easy
• IP Ratings for Electric Motors: Quick, Clear and Crucial
• Hard Hats 101: Crack the Color Code
• HSS VS CARBIDE: Quick Reference Guide
• The Essential Socket Chart for Every Toolbox

Let’s bring the “human” back in helping: 

• Content Collaboration Programme: We’d love to get ideas on how we can collaborate with our patrons, partners and peers by sharing content that is useful to our community of industrial professionals.
• Knowledge for Credit (upcoming programme): Do you have professional experience and examples – or even factual corrections to our articles – that you would like to share? Just keep it simple and respectful, like what these four gentlemen did here. Allow us to show appreciation by giving you some sort of incentive that you can spend at our online store. We’re still working on the mechanics, so stay tuned by subscribing to our newsletter (if you haven’t already).