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Shims are thin pieces of metal, wood or other material inserted between two surfaces to align or adjust the fit of the two surfaces. Anyone who has propped up a wobbly table by placing something beneath one of the table legs has, in essence, used a shim. The small, thin wood wedges used to balance home furniture and appliances are typical examples of shims, although many other varieties are available.

Industrial and construction shims are usually made of metal. The metals used include aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, steel and nickel. Plastic shims are also used for certain applications. When selecting a shim, it is important to choose a material that can withstand the conditions. Corrosion, climate and durability factors all contribute to proper shim selection. Shims also come in various thicknesses, and some can be as flat as .001 inches. Obviously, the strength of shim material becomes more of a concern in such thin shims.

For industrial purposes, shims come in a variety of styles. These include round, slotted, disc, notched and tabbed shims. Custom shapes and thicknesses can easily be manufactured by many metal fabricators. Round shims are basically washers, and consist of a thin band of metal designed to create a specific amount of space on a screw. Notched and tabbed shims resemble round shims, except that they have small notches cut somewhere into the band or internally/externally protruding tabs. Disc shims are just circular pieces of material that look much like drink coasters. Slotted shims come in a variety of shapes and can serve multiple purposes. Their common feature is an open, often U-shaped, slot. They can be fitted around existing bolts and screws or used as regular spacers. Some are fitted with tabs for easier insertion, and others are laminated. Compressible elastomer shims are also used in certain applications where components may shift closer after the shim is added. In addition to the household uses of wedge-shaped wood shims, they are also helpful in numerous minor construction functions.