Pre-Cut vs Hand-Cut Shims
When you align a motor, pump or gearbox, the shims under the machine feet decide how accurate the job is and how long it stays that way. You can cut your own from shim stock, or use factory-made pre-cut shims. Here is how they compare.
The problem with hand-cut shims
- Burrs and uneven edges. Cutting shim stock by hand leaves burrs and rough edges that stop the shim sitting flat. A shim that doesn't sit flat can throw the alignment out and cause soft foot.
- Time on every job. Measuring, cutting, slotting and deburring each shim adds time before the alignment can even start.
- Hand injuries. Sharp, burred edges are easy to cut yourself on when fitting and removing shims.
- No thickness marking. Once cut, the pieces aren't marked, so mixed thicknesses have to be measured or kept sorted.
- Stacking. Odd-sized homemade shims often end up stacked many high to make up a gap, and every extra layer adds a little more error.
What pre-cut shims do better
- Flat and burr-free. Factory-made shims sit flat under the machine foot, helping you get an accurate, repeatable result.
- Marked thickness. Every shim is marked, so you can pick the right one quickly and check what is already fitted.
- Extraction tab. A tab makes shims easier to position, and to pull out and swap during the alignment.
- Stainless steel. Resists corrosion, so the shims can stay in place under the machine.
- Standard sizes. Five profiles, A to E, from 50 x 50mm to 200 x 200mm, in thicknesses from 0.05mm to 3.00mm. Fewer, thicker shims can make up a gap instead of a tall stack.
Which shim do I need?
Pick a profile that covers the machine foot, with a slot that fits the hold-down bolt. The Shim Size Chart lists every profile, slot width, thickness and price, and the Shim Selection Guide walks through choosing one.
If you align machines regularly, a shim kit gives you the common thicknesses from 0.05mm to 2.00mm in one carrying case.
Need a size we don't list? We supply custom sizes. Contact us for a quote.