How to Cut Shims out of Stainless Steel Stock

Stainless steel shims are used in machines such as car engines, motorcycles, lawnmowers or other machinery. Shims can be added to starters for balance or anywhere bolts and nuts do not fit properly. Typical shims are usually no more than 1/8-inch thick and can be difficult to cut unless you have a metal-cutting band saw that automatically provides fluid to the steel stock to aid in cutting and cooling while the steel is being cut.

Metal-cutting band saw

Instructions

- 1
  Lift up the top cover of the band saw 12 inches to expose a small slot. The blade will lift up with the cover. Use the big handle protruding horizontally from the front of the cover to lift it. Just below the slot on the right side, there will be another lever. Push this lever forward to lock the cover in the upright position.
- 2
  Place the stainless steel stock in the slot. The end of the stock should protrude over the blade cutting line 1/16-inch. The blade cutting line is the small slot running perpendicular across the bottom of the slot. On the front of the machine, there is a large dial. Turn it clockwise to clamp the steel securely in the slot.
- 3
  Turn on the machine. Fluid will begin to flow onto the stainless steel stock. Push the lever on the side of the machine down. The cover with the blade in it will begin to drop slowly and gradually cut through the stainless steel stock. The 1/16-inch shim will drop to one side of the machine and the machine will automatically shut off when it finished cutting the shim.

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