Coloured Shims

[Nationthin467]

I was thinking the other day what an arse it is for shims sizing identification. Toying with the idea of getting some samples made up for testing as I'm not sure how the aluminium / anodized material would hold up to the grinding of gears. Nothing complicated 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm and 0.5mm all different colours.

Think it's worth a punt? Would you be excited to use colour-coded shims? Few other solutions like laser etching but so hard to see for those of us who need old man glasses not to mention more expensive.

 

[BackStop]

How often do you need shims? I am assuming you are talking about shimming scopes, so forgive me if I am wrong.

But if I am correct, then it is really a non-issue for most people. If I am wrong about it being about shimming scopes, then please inform all of us as to what usage you are referring to for these colored (there is a joke there, but I won't make it) shims?

And what about the color blind? (chuckle)

I am old enough to need glasses for anything outside of arms reach and to read labels and see this computer screen. (smile)

No offense intended.

All my best!

Kerry

p.s.

Your profile says you are from Alabama. Your spelling of "colour", use of "arse" and "punt" tells me you are not FROM Alabama. Nothing wrong with that. However... it just made me wonder so I looked up your profile and posts... say no more!

Apparently you are here just for the classified section. Now I do feel like a fool, and maybe I am.

 

[KWK]

Aluminium is soft but the anodizing is extremely hard. Probably not good when it starts separating and bits get mixed in.

 

[woogie_man]

You can get plastic shims that are different colors for different thicknesses.

 

[jarmstrong]

I bought these plastic machinist shims

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTZZPFG?th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

 

[Mr.Brocock]

Woogie Man nailed it. I'm a tool & die maker (that's trying to retire) and this is what i use if I can.
different colors make it easier for this old man!

 

[KWK]

I was thinking the other day what an arse it is for shims sizing identification. Toying with the idea of getting some samples made up for testing as I'm not sure how the aluminium / anodized material would hold up to the grinding of gears. Nothing complicated 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm and 0.5mm all different colours.

Think it's worth a punt? Would you be excited to use colour-coded shims? Few other solutions like laser etching but so hard to see for those of us who need old man glasses not to mention more expensive.

Ok, what gears are you referring to? You say "colours"and "aluminium", that's British for "colors and aluminum"

 

[beerthief]

My first thought reading the OP's post was shimming the spring in adjusting the power in a springer .

 

[Northwoods22]

Not exactly sure of your intended application for airguns, but I get the concept.

Precision aluminum shims of different thicknesses are used in R/C car racing to adjust the length of suspension arms and positioning of a-arms in tuning for different tracks and conditions. I had a full set of shims specific to my cars hard anodized in different colors to denote different thicknesses for easy and fast ID and replacement at the track. I put them in a small plastic organizer with labels for each color/thickness. The idea works well in this application, could work for your idea too.

They look like this-