Most diemakers use steel shims for an accurate adjustment that does not compress. The skill in making shims can be as simple as a round disk or as complex as your imagination. You need to layout the shape of the shim and be able to trust your layout lines. A pair of small tinsnips (that are sharp) is essential, I always used my shim punch for getting the basic geometry cut out. Then I'd use my die grinder and stones for any detail work needed (dowles,screw holes, ejector pins). Finally, run both sides of the shim on a fine India stone to remove the burrs on the edge (usually a few .001's built up by then on the edge). You should also keep the shim stack to 3 or less to avoid the accordian effect. Dies that would require repeat shimming over the life of the tool should have all the old shims kept to avoid making the same shim over and over. When possible, make a single shim thickness of prehard 4140 if it's over .115 in shim thickness. It seems like a lot of work making shims but it becomes fairly easy when you get the hang of it.  |