MechKit
The Journal
Understanding Bolt Torque
Torque is only a proxy for the bolt tension that actually clamps a joint. Learn the T = K F d equation, why lubrication changes everything, and how to set preload.
Gear Ratios Explained
Count the teeth and you can predict output speed and torque exactly. This guide covers the ratio formula, a worked 3:1 example, gear trains, idlers, and the speed-torque trade-off.
Choosing the Right Fastener
Bolt, screw, or stud? Which property class, thread, head, and material? A practical walk through every decision that separates a joint that lasts from one that strips or corrodes.
Reading Engineering Tolerances
No part is ever made to an exact size, so drawings specify a range. Understand limits, deviations, clearance and interference fits, ISO IT grades, and why tighter tolerances cost more.
Belt vs Chain Drives
Belts grip by friction, chains engage positively, and that single difference decides which drive suits your machine. Compare efficiency, slip, noise, and maintenance in a side-by-side table.
Metal Density and Weight
Weight equals volume times density. Use a density table for common metals and a worked steel-bar example to estimate part mass before cutting anything, and see why it matters.
Hydraulic Systems Basics
A confined fluid multiplies force through F = P times A. Learn Pascal's principle, why cylinders push harder than they pull, how flow sets speed, and the components that make it work.