Was wondering if anyone here has used paper shims in a vise before to make something parallel? Basically was setting up a small rod to be cut in v blocks. The lip of the vise was pretty bad and when I checked to make sure the rod was parallel, was about .002 off. So the first thing that came to me was to stick a couple strips of paper under one of the blocks. It worked. But was belittled by one of the old guys at work telling me a real machinist would never do something like that. Just wondering what you guys think since this is the highest concentration of real machinists that I know. Thanks.

Did you ask them what a real machinist would do?

I've used this trick before and I'll use it again. This is probably obvious, but paper and coolant don't mix. If you need to, Ziplok bags work in a pinch and they're just as easy to cut as paper.

Chris Kirchen

if the part is compressing the shim by either clamp down or pressed against pressure then the paper will tend to stay dry until the pressure is released , if it does get a little wet then it still won t go anywhere or have any ill effect
i've used paper as shim on many occasions , mostly for the fact it is usually within arms reach and i can quickly form it to my needs

maybe the next time they say "a real machinist blah blah blah" , you can tell them a real machinist is innovative and creative and that textbook thinking is for the guys who can't figure it out for themselves :)

...... But was belittled by one of the old guys at work telling me a real machinist would never do something like that....


I have done, and would again if necessary, and I am a real Machinist. :)

Listen politely to the old guys, if they are belittling just shrug your shoulders and let it slide off. But do listen; sometimes they include sensible advice in the belittling and just because the source is a silly old twit should not be held against the advice.

Incidentally paper does suffer from a defect in that application, it will compress over time. This is not really a problem if you have reefed the vise down like a demented gorilla but if you are pinching something gently the grip loosens.

Using Pop can material, about the same thickness as paper and very consistent. Just be careful cutting it, the edges are like razor blades. You will not feel a thing until you notice red stuff all over the vise.

Tool and Die maker for 20 years and do it all the time. Use it under lathe chuck jaws too.

There are two ways to get accuracy, one is to buy it and two is to create it using shims and a tool box full of other techniques and tricks acquired over the years.
Some old timers only know how to make do with what is at hand because they have never worked for a company that was willing to invest for the long term.
The collage degreed "non-time served" types who are unfortunately increasingly in control now days, often only know how to buy their way out of a problem.

As in most things the best way is to use both approaches. In other words if you find yourself putting a 0.002 shim under the left side most of the time, stop and figure out if the problem is the machine or the vice and fix it. If the tooling is good enough for the jobs you normally do you can just do what it takes to make a particularly difficult part which you may never see again.

Whatever get's the job done......as long as it's safe.

regards

I too use paper shims (cigarette rolling papers are fairly consistent). I also use aluminium foil sometimes- industrial stuff thicker than the kitchen stuff. As Geof says watch out for the sharp edges!

Thanks for the replys.

ive been doing this metal cutting thing for ten yrs.i get a pay check at a job because they hired me to machine parts.i have no college degree in machining.i have one in drafting.If you are getting your check for the same thing you are a real machinist.It is your job to make accurate parts for your boss.whatever it takes to get it done,including home made inventive shims,is all in a days work.dont let haters get you down.btw i use tape measure broken in pieces, coke can, paper whatever gets it done.Useing your head not raiseing hell to get your boss to spend more dough on shim stock is the kind of stuff that gets you raises.Above all to be good, be humble ive worked with those god head kind of guys they arent fun.inovative thinking like that sent me from being a peon to being the boss over a five yr stretch.