Steel Shims

Steel shims and shim stock are used across a wide range of industries to fine-tune fit, alignment, and spacing between machine parts. A shim is a thin piece of material used to fill small gaps or spaces between objects or to make a surface flush or level. In industry, parts of machines can get worn away or ground down over time, resulting in loss of functionality. When machine components wear down, steel shims restore correct alignment and spacing without requiring full component replacement, reducing maintenance costs and downtime across Australian industrial facilities.

RS Australia stocks steel shim stock, shim tape, shim rolls, steel shim plates, and pre-cut shims in various thicknesses to suit maintenance, fabrication, and precision engineering applications.

Key Uses of Steel Shims & Shim Stock

Steel shims and shim stock steel provide a practical, low-cost solution for restoring precise fit and alignment in worn or misaligned machinery. Key advantages include:

• Precision Fit and Alignment: Steel shims close tight gaps and bring parts back into correct alignment without replacing worn components, reducing downtime across Australian manufacturing and processing facilities.
• Reduced Wear and Extended Machine Life: Shims absorb pressure between worn parts, compensating for material loss and extending the service life of machinery and equipment.
• Easy to Customise: Steel shim stock sheets and rolls can be cut, stamped, drilled, or milled to any shape needed on site, suiting both standard and bespoke applications.
• Multiple Material Choices: Choose from steel shim stock for general indoor use or stainless steel shim plates for applications requiring corrosion resistance in harsh environments.
• Cost-Effective Maintenance: Shimming worn parts avoids the cost of replacing entire assemblies, making steel shims a practical first option for routine machine maintenance and repair.

Shop Range of Steel Shims, Sheets & Rolls

RS Australia stocks steel shims, stainless steel shims, shim tape, and steel shim stock sheets and rolls for industrial use. Browse the range by product type and thickness.

Steel Shim Rolls and Shim Sheets

Shims can be purchased pre-cut into specific shapes or made from shim stock sheets or coiled shim stock rolls. Shim rolls and steel shim stock sheets are supplied in continuous lengths that can be cut to any shape or size on site. Shim sheets and rolls are made from thin sheets of metal that are manufactured to precise tolerances. The sheets or rolls can be cut into individual customised shapes for use in specific applications.

Shim rolls are easy to form and fabricate and can be cut, stamped, bored, milled, sheared and drilled into any shape to make custom shims. Shim stock sheets can have a design stencilled on them which can then be cut out. Stainless steel shim stock is ideal for making spring clips, retainers, and washers.

Pre-Cut Steel Shim Plates

Steel shim plates come pre-cut in standard sizes ready for immediate installation between machine components. Designed for fast, drop-in fitting where on-site fabrication is not practical, steel shim plates are manufactured to tight tolerances for accurate and repeatable fit.

Available in various thicknesses and dimensions, suited to manufacturing, maintenance, and construction environments across Australia.

Stainless Steel Shims & Shim Metal Sheets

Stainless steel shims offer stronger corrosion resistance than plain steel shims, making them suitable for damp, wet, or outdoor environments. Available in sheet and roll form as shim metal sheets, they can be cut to size for custom fabrication. Stainless grades provide good strength alongside corrosion resistance and are widely used in food processing, marine, and chemical plant applications across Australia.

Also suited to making small components including spring clips, retainers, and washers.

How to Choose the Right Steel Shim for Your Needs

Steel shims, shim rolls and shim sheets are made from different grades of steel and steel thicknesses. Stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance, strength and fabrication characteristics.

Selecting the right steel shim depends on the gap to be filled, the operating environment, and the fabrication method required. Consider the following:

• Thickness: Choose a shim thickness that matches the exact gap to be filled. Steel shim stock is available in multiple thickness options for precise gap adjustment.
• Form: Use shim stock steel rolls or sheets for custom-cut shapes. Use pre-cut steel shim plates for quick drop-in fitting where on-site cutting is not required.
• Material: Use carbon steel shims for general indoor use. Use stainless steel shims or shim metal sheets for wet, outdoor, or corrosive environments.
• Length and Width: Match shim dimensions to the coverage area of the machine surface to ensure full contact and even load distribution across the joint.
• Standards: Check whether the application requires a specific material grade or tolerance for the shim stock steel before ordering.
• Application Type: Precision machining and tool-and-die work require tighter tolerance steel shim stock than general construction and structural alignment use.

Common Industry Applications of Steel Shims

Steel shims, shim tape, and steel shim stock are used across a wide range of industries in Australia wherever precise gap filling, alignment, and levelling of machinery and components is required:

• Precision Machinery Alignment and Levelling: Steel shims level and align machine bases, motor mounts, and equipment frames in manufacturing and processing facilities, restoring correct operating tolerances.
• Tool and Die Set-Up: Steel shim stock allows fine adjustment of die heights, tool clearances, and press alignments in metal stamping and forming operations.
• Machine Repair and Maintenance: Steel shims compensate for worn or ground-down components in pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, and other machinery, restoring original tolerances without full component replacement.
• Motor and Pump Mounting: Steel shim plates level and align motor pump bases and other driven equipment during installation, reducing vibration and extending bearing life.
• Prototype and Development Work: Shim stock steel sheets suit prototype assembly and development tasks where multiple thickness adjustments may be required during build and test phases.
• Construction and Structural Alignment: Steel shims level structural steelwork, bearing plates, and equipment bases during construction and installation of industrial plant across Australia.
• Automotive Assembly: Steel shim plates are used in engine component fitting, suspension alignment, and drivetrain assembly where tight dimensional tolerances must be maintained.
• Aerospace and Defence: Precision-grade steel shim stock is used in aircraft structure assembly and defence equipment maintenance where exact tolerances and material traceability are required.

Your Trusted Steel Shim Supplier in Australia

RS Australia is a trusted supplier of steel shims, shim stock steel, and steel shim plates for industrial and engineering applications, stocking shim rolls, pre-cut shims, and shim metal sheets from RS PRO and Precision Brand. Products are backed by technical support and fast delivery across Australia.

Beyond steel shims, RS Australia stocks a comprehensive range of shim stock, including brass shims, plastic shims, and pre-cut shims, covering the full range of shimming and spacing requirements.

Browse the full range online and order for fast delivery across Australia. For delivery timeframes and fees, visit our Delivery page.