June 30, 2026
What is a Finish Bore Sprocket Hub?
A maintenance technician is standing next to a down conveyor with a worn sprocket in his hand. The chain size is right. The tooth count is right. The bore looks…
MDS Blog
Posted on June 30, 2026 in FAQHow To
What is a Finish Bore Sprocket Hub?
A maintenance technician is standing next to a down conveyor with a worn sprocket in his hand. The chain size is right. The tooth count is right. The bore looks close. But when he goes to install the replacement, something is off. The sprocket does not sit on the shaft…
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June 26, 2026
PEER Single Strand Roller Chain Now Available Online
MDS of Michigan now sells PEER Chain single strand ANSI standard roller chain online. PEER Chain has been a trusted name in industrial chain since 1969, and their roller chain…
June 19, 2026
What Does the “MDS” in “MDS of Michigan” Stand For?
About once a week, someone asks us a simple question: What does MDS of Michigan stand for? It usually comes up during a phone call, at the sales counter, or…
June 17, 2026
Spur Gear Rack Size Chart
Use this simple spur gear rack size chart to compare common rack part numbers by diametral pitch, length, number of teeth, and pressure angle. Important: When replacing a spur gear…
June 16, 2026
Custom Spur Gear Racks in Michigan
When a machine needs straight-line motion, a spur gear rack is often one of the simplest and most reliable ways to get it done. Spur gear racks work with a…
June 11, 2026
How to Measure Chain with Calipers
When you are trying to identify a roller chain, the most important measurement is the chain pitch. Pitch is the distance from the center of one pin to the center…
June 9, 2026
Why Skive Your Conveyor Belts?
We have had customers call us after a conveyor belt splice failed and assume the fastener was the problem. But after talking through the application, belt thickness, cleaner setup, and…
June 5, 2026
Flexco Belt Skivers: What They Do and Which One You Need
When a conveyor belt needs to be prepared for mechanical fasteners, the belt cover often needs to be removed before the fasteners are installed. That process is called skiving. Simple…
May 29, 2026
Why You Should Always Stock a Spare Electric Motor
A maintenance manager in West Michigan called us in a rush because a motor failed on one of their main production lines. The motor itself was not the most expensive…
May 29, 2026
Why More Plants Are Stocking Critical Spare Parts
A maintenance manager once called us after a small bearing failure shut down an entire production line. The part itself was not expensive — but the downtime was. The lesson:…
