This 94-page handbook (3.5" x 6", 9cm x 15cm) contains carefully selected materials designed to assist repair firms in their everyday work. Just as important, your customers and potential customers can use this pocket handbook as a handy reference for mechanical data for motors and driven equipment.

The welding, cutting and brazing processes expose workers to a variety of hazards including: burns, fire, eye damage, possible lung irritation and damage, electric shock, slips and falls. Numerous injuries and deaths occur each year from the hazards associated with welding, cutting and brazing operations in the American workplace. Most of these injuries and deaths are preventable.

Suppose two motors came in for an emergency repair. One of the motors is a steel frame and the other is an aluminum frame. Both have broken feet that need to be welded back on to frame. Which motor would you prefer to weld? I believe that most would choose steel over aluminum. But that doesn't have to be the case. Welding aluminum requires a different approach. A unique and intimidating aspect of heating aluminum is the lack of visual feedback. If a torch is used to heat a steel or cast iron fan, the metal gradually changes color. Eventually it will begin to glow red from an increase in temperature as it nears the melting point. If the same process were repeated on an aluminum fan cover, it would not change color from the increase in temperature. It may appear to darken slightly just prior to suddenly melting. The same is true while welding thin aluminum materials; there is no visual indication of the intense heat applied. The welding arc is the only clue. The comfort level in working with a metal that displays little if any visual feedback and such a sudden change of state can be unnerving.

In the power transmission industry, a fair amount of cast iron is used. Whether it's for motors, pumps, or gear reducers, many use cast iron for the bulk of their structure. This variety of usage results in service opportunities involving the repair of cast iron components.