Thread: Shims ... Why ?

I use shims to cheat - if I havent quite cut something correctly I can sometimes use a shim to correct the mistake.

Also on my 4 way toolpost, shims correct the tool heights.

Were they originally invented for a very specific purpose or are they simply a general all round bandaid/usefulthing.

I know that shim material is sold in huge long rolls in various thicknesses, so who buys these humungous rolls and what do they use them for, or is the world simply full of clumsy folk like me ?

I use scissors to cut up aluminium soft drink tins - approx 0.004"

Bill

Call them shims,packers gap fillers or any other assortment of names,they are used for alignment.

Were probably first used when people relized they couldn't get something exact or within tolerance at there first attempt.

Packing tools or levelling machine tools would probably be the most common use of them you would see in the workshop.

They can be made from many different materials and shapes and thicknesses.

They have many varied uses across a wide variety of industries.

I also see shims used to creat the correct clearance in split bearings. It also allows a bit of adjustment for wear.
Steam engines are a good example where you might find them.

Also good for those who need glasses, but don't wear them

Shims are really the only easy way to adjust clearances in compact multipart machinery - eg. engine camshaft valve lifters/followers, and vehicle front wheel drive wheel bearings are two classic applications.

The applications are endless.

Same as others have said. My first encounter with the use of shims was many years ago when rebuilding the transfer case of my series 3 landrover. It required the cirrect shim packing to achieve the correct preload on the bearings.

My next vehicle was a 1995 hilux. It also used shims to achieve the correct valve clearance on the camshaft. That job was a PITA.

My Pacific (Lagun) mill also uses shims to create the correct meshing on the bevel gear on the x powerfeed and a few other places.

Shims are used bloody everywhere!

Simon

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Thanks for replies.

Haven't had much to do with engines and cars and machinery - I remember in my twenties my mates used to talk this funny foreign language ..... HQ, Tappetts, shims, Big end, little end, journal, float valve, timing belt, tension wrench, top dead centre were often mentioned. Maybe they bought 20m rolls of shim material to help with their old holdens.

Bill



Bill