Product Guides
Structural Bolt Tensioning to AS 4100: Categories & Washers Explained
A practical guide to structural bolt categories (S, TB, TF), the AS 4100 / AS-NZS 5131 standard split, snug-tight vs fully tensioned joints, part-turn and DTI tensioning methods, and K0 vs K2 washer selection.
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Pressure Relief Valve Guide: Types, AU Standard & Testing
How a pressure relief valve works, spring-loaded vs pilot-operated types, the Australian standard (AS 1271 and AS 1210), set pressure and accumulation limits, testing frequency, and signs a valve may be faulty.
Read moreSilicone Spray Guide: Uses, Food-Grade & Where Not to Use It
Silicone spray lubricates and protects rubber, plastic and painted surfaces without oil contamination — this guide covers how it works, where it shouldn't be used (paint, electrical contacts), food-grade NSF H1 options, and how AIMS's own range compares to WD-40 and dry PTFE spray.
Read moreRust Converter Guide: How It Works, When to Use It, and When It's Not the Answer
A rust converter chemically turns rust into a stable, paintable compound rather than removing it — this guide covers how it actually works, the honest limits (including what AS/NZS 2312 says), step-by-step application, and how to choose from AIMS's own converter range.
Read moreHow to Remove a One-Way Screw (4 Methods, Ranked)
One-way (clutch-head) screw removal: the dedicated tool, locking pliers, cutting a new slot, and drilling out — ranked, compared and explained, plus when to replace the screw afterwards.
Read moreWD-40 FAQ: What It's Actually For, What It's Not, and How to Use It Right
WD-40 is the water-displacing, penetrating, light-lubricating spray found in almost every Australian workshop and shed — this FAQ covers what it's actually for, what to avoid, whether it's a lubricant or a degreaser, safety and ingredients, how it compares to CRC 5-56, and how the Multi-Use and Specialist ranges differ.
Read moreLoctite 480 Guide: Rubber-Toughened Adhesive for Shock & Vibration
Loctite 480 guide: fixture times and lap shear strength by substrate, heat and chemical resistance, and when to choose 480 over 401 or 406 for shock and vibration.
Read moreLoctite 454 Guide: Gel Adhesive for Gap-Filling & Vertical Bonding
Loctite 454 guide: fixture times and lap shear strength by substrate, heat and chemical resistance, and when to choose the 454 gel over 401, 406 or 480.
Read moreLoctite 406 Guide: Fixture Times, Shear Strength and When to Use It Over 401
Loctite 406 guide: fixture times and shear strength by substrate, heat and chemical resistance, and when to choose 406 over 401 for plastics and rubber.
Read moreLoctite Thread Sealant Guide: 577, 567, 542 — Hydraulic and Pipe Thread Sealing Explained
Loctite thread sealant guide: choosing between 542, 567, 577, 5770, 5331 and 55 cord for hydraulic, pipe and gas connections in Australia.
Read moreLoctite Threadlocker Guide: Blue, Red, Green and Purple — Which Grade Do You Need?
Loctite threadlocker guide: choosing between purple, blue, red and green grades — plus 248/268 sticks — for Australian workshops and maintenance teams.
Read moreLoctite Retaining Compound Guide: Bearing Installation, Grade Selection and Troubleshooting
Loctite retaining compound guide: choosing between 609, 620, 635, 638, 641, 648, 660 and 680 for bearing installation across Australian workshops.
Read moreChisel Guide Australia: Cold, SDS Plus, SDS Max & Masonry Chisels — Sutton Tools, Stahlwille & Trax
Cold chisels, SDS-Plus and SDS-Max masonry chisels, and air chisel bits decoded: type selection, width and steel grade, safe striking technique, mushroomed-head safety, and the AU brands AIMS stocks.
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