6 Best Stainless Steel Shims For Leveling Industrial Equipment

Leveling industrial equipment is the difference between a machine that runs for decades and one that shakes itself to death within a year. Precision shimming is the foundation of mechanical alignment, ensuring that rotating shafts remain true and vibration is kept to an absolute minimum. Selecting the right stainless steel shim is not just about filling a gap; it is about choosing a material that resists corrosion and maintains structural integrity under heavy compressive loads. Proper material selection prevents premature equipment failure and avoids the costly downtime associated with recurring alignment issues.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Precision Brand Slotted Shims: The Industry Standard

Precision Brand is often the first name encountered on a job site, and for good reason. These slotted shims are manufactured to strict tolerances, ensuring that the thickness stated on the label is exactly what is delivered under the micrometer.

When dealing with a motor-to-pump coupling, consistency is paramount. Using a shim that varies in thickness across its surface will induce a twist in the equipment base, leading to “soft foot” where the machine sits unevenly on its mounts.

Reliability is the hallmark of this brand. When a project requires a high volume of shims across multiple units, relying on the standardized sizing of Precision Brand reduces the guesswork during the installation phase.

Martin Sprocket & Gear Shims: Readily Available

Accessibility is a major factor when a machine is down and production is halted. Martin Sprocket & Gear shims are stocked by a vast network of industrial distributors, making them an easy choice for field technicians who need parts by the next morning.

These shims are designed for high-stress industrial applications where thermal expansion might change the alignment requirements over time. Their slotted design allows for rapid insertion around anchor bolts without the need to completely remove the hardware.

For contractors maintaining large plant facilities, having a localized source for these shims is a logistical win. The durability of their stainless steel construction means these shims will hold up even in high-humidity or wash-down environments.

AccuTrex AccuPeel Shims: For Fine Adjustments

Laminated or “peelable” shims are the secret weapon for precise alignment. AccuTrex AccuPeel shims allow the installer to peel away individual layers of foil to achieve a perfect, custom thickness in the field.

This eliminates the need to stack multiple loose shims, which can become unstable or shift during the bolting process. By peeling to the exact thousandth of an inch, the installer achieves a superior contact area between the machine base and the foundation.

These are best suited for high-precision motors where every micron matters for vibration analysis. While they come at a higher price point than solid shims, the time saved in the iterative alignment process often offsets the initial cost.

Steel Shim & Gasket Co: Best For Custom Orders

Sometimes, standard slotted sizes simply do not fit the footprint of specialized or legacy industrial machinery. Steel Shim & Gasket Co excels in providing non-standard shapes and custom dimensions that the mass-market suppliers do not offer.

When the footprint of a pump base is irregular, custom-cut shims prevent the need for grinding or dangerous field modifications to standard parts. This ensures maximum surface contact, which is vital for transferring the weight of the equipment directly to the concrete base.

Engaging a custom manufacturer is the right move for unique project scopes or large-scale overhauls. It provides a finished, professional look that demonstrates a commitment to long-term equipment longevity.

Precision Brand Shim Stock: Cut Your Own On Site

There are moments during a project when the exact shim thickness is unknown until the machine is set. Keeping rolls of Precision Brand shim stock on hand allows the field crew to snip, punch, and customize shims on the fly.

This approach is highly cost-effective for large projects where a high volume of custom shims might be required. It provides total flexibility, though it does require the technician to have a steady hand and a good pair of aviation snips or a dedicated shim punch.

While efficient, this method requires more labor than using pre-cut slotted shims. Use this approach for the final “fine-tuning” phase of an installation rather than for the primary leveling of heavy bases.

Grainger Assorted Kits: Best for The Service Truck

A well-stocked service truck is the mark of a pro who respects the client’s time. Assorted shim kits from Grainger provide a comprehensive range of thicknesses and sizes, ensuring that any unforeseen alignment issues can be solved immediately.

These kits typically come in sturdy, indexed organizers that keep the shims sorted by size. This prevents the “junk drawer” effect, where expensive stainless steel pieces end up bent or lost at the bottom of a tool box.

For the mobile contractor who moves from site to site, the convenience of having an “all-in-one” solution cannot be overstated. It is an investment that pays for itself by preventing trips back to the warehouse.

304 vs. 316 Stainless: Which Grade Do You Need?

The choice between 304 and 316 stainless steel comes down to the environment. 304 stainless is the industry workhorse, offering excellent corrosion resistance for most indoor, climate-controlled industrial settings.

316 stainless, however, contains molybdenum, which significantly increases its resistance to pitting and chemical corrosion. If the equipment is located in a marine environment, a salt-heavy climate, or a chemical processing plant, 316 is the only acceptable choice.

Skimping on the grade of stainless is a common mistake that leads to seized bolts and degraded shims over time. Match the material grade to the specific atmospheric conditions of the facility to avoid rust-jacking, where oxidation expansion causes the alignment to shift.

Slotted Solid or Laminated: Choosing Your Shim

Solid shims are the gold standard for heavy-duty, high-load applications. Because they consist of a single piece of steel, there is no risk of individual leaves shifting or compressing unevenly under the weight of a massive motor base.

Laminated shims offer unparalleled precision but must be installed with care. They should only be used where the total stack height is verified, as the adhesive or bonding between layers can sometimes introduce small variances if improperly handled.

A good rule of thumb is to use solid shims for the bulk of the height adjustment and reserve laminated shims for the final, critical leveling. This minimizes the risk of instability while still achieving extreme accuracy.

How to Properly Install Shims and Avoid Soft Foot

“Soft foot” occurs when one of the mounting feet of a machine does not make firm contact with the base, even when all bolts are tightened. This is often caused by uneven shimming or a warped machine frame.

To avoid this, always use a feeler gauge to check for gaps under each mounting foot before fully torquing the bolts. If a gap is detected, insert a shim that matches the gap exactly rather than forcing the bolt to pull the frame down.

Never stack more than three or four shims in a single location. Excessive stacking creates a “springy” connection that absorbs vibration instead of damping it, which is the primary cause of premature bearing failure in high-speed equipment.

Key Safety Checks for Heavy Equipment Leveling

Safety starts with physical security. Always ensure that the equipment is properly blocked, cribbed, or craned before removing any mounting bolts for shimming.

Never place fingers between the machine base and the foundation while inserting shims. Use magnetic reach-tools or needle-nose pliers to position the shims, and always wear appropriate PPE, including heavy-duty work gloves and steel-toe boots.

Finally, remember that leveling is a systematic process. Always use a calibrated precision level or a laser alignment tool to document the final results, and ensure all anchor bolts are torqued to the manufacturer’s specified tension pattern.

Achieving perfect alignment through the use of high-quality stainless steel shims is an essential skill for any serious contractor or industrial mechanic. By choosing the right material grade and thickness, and by strictly adhering to precision installation practices, the longevity and performance of any industrial machine are significantly enhanced. Do not cut corners on the foundation; a machine is only as stable as the surface it rests upon.