Shims are like paper clips—no glamour until you need one. Yet shims offer both cost and time savings by providing a means for making mechanical spacing adjustments between two materials. For example, instead of grinding the bottom of a machine or table leg to make it level with the floor, simply place some shims underneath. Shims also maintain a buffer zone to suppress vibration, noise and wear.

Buy shims based on thickness, width and height with tapered, flat, circular, rectangular or other special shapes. Get special alloys, plastic or laminated shims for your business requirements. When looking for shims consider the following:

1. Choose steel shims for their anti-corrosive properties.

2. Get industrial shims made of various metals, alloys, plastic and laminates.

3. Find the right valve shim for a particular engine brand.

4. Locate manufacturers that work with you for your shim requirements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy steel shims in kits for extra savings

Stainless steel shims provide strength and good protection under corrosive conditions.

I recommend: Fill in the “Inquiry” for carbon, spring or stainless steel shims at Mercer Gasket & Shim, Inc. Select a shim kit in sizes 2x2-, 3x3-, 4x4- and 5x5-inch stainless steel that includes full, starter, mini, service and others at Accushim, Inc. Go to Mr. Shims for a nice selection of kits and shim packs.

Select from a variety of industrial shims

These providers offer a full range of different materials and types. Buy shims that include plastic, metal, kits and laminated shims for many industrial applications such as machine tools, railways, automobiles and industrial manufacturing.

I recommend: See the Aloma “B” mini kit that contains 130 3x3-inch shims made of stainless steel in various thicknesses at Aloma Shim and Manufacturing Co. Process the quote form at Industrial Gasket and Shim Co., Inc. for metal, laminated, plastic or pre-cut alignment tab shims. At Lameco Group, with a USA office, scroll down to the material and specific weight box then click “Request a Quote” at the bottom to fill in your specific parameters. Request a quote for your mechanical shims by filling out the form at Connor Manufacturing Services, Inc.

Locate valve shims designed for your engine

Valve shims make adjustments between a cam lobe and valve.

I recommend: Select valve spring shims by size at JEGS Highperformance. For bikes and ATVs, see the valve shim kits at CycleBuy.com. Select 7.5mm, 9.5mm, 25mm or 29mm shim kits at Sudco International Corp.

Choose shim stock based on material and sheet size

Buy shim stock by size (width, length and thickness) and material for your required spacing needs. Typically, use metal snips or scissors to cut the shapes. Sheet steel takes solder easily.

I recommend: From the dropdown list, enter your parameters for brand, thickness, width, length and material to see the pricing for shim stock at Enco. Click “Quote Request” for shim stock, slotted and assortments at Delco Fasteners, Inc.

Work with a shim manufacturer for custom solutions

Choose a shim maker that offers precut shims or fabricates your designs in a timely manner. These companies provide all types of materials and sizes.

I recommend: Click “Online Quote” or phone/fax your request for stainless steel, bronze, low carbon and other metals with sizes as thin as .0005 inch at Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing. Go to AccuTrex Products, Inc. and click “Request a Custom Shims Quote” for stainless steel, plastic and laminated material with short or long production runs. Order plastic shims cut to your specification at Auburn Manufacturing Co. Click “Price List” for further information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In many environments, laminated shims offer several advantages over plastic and metal. You peel away layers for a more precise fit, which in turn makes a quick fix in industrial settings where production needs to continue. The semi-solid laminated shim contains a solid base with laminated layers on top.