Metal Shims | McMaster-Carr

Keep shim stock in a variety of thicknesses on hand with these sets, which are color coded by thickness for easy identification. Cut them into custom shapes to fit your application.

Color-Coded Shim Stock

This shim stock is color coded by thickness for easy identification. Cut it into custom shapes to fit your application.

Peel-Away Layered Shim Stock

Cut this shim stock into custom shapes to fit your application. Stock is made of layers of material bonded with adhesive; remove layers with a utility knife until you get the thickness you need.

Slotted Shims

The slot lets you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery.

Slotted Shim Sets

Be prepared with slotted shims in a variety of thicknesses. The slot lets you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery.

Color-Coded Slotted Shims

These shims are color-coded by thickness for easy identification. The slot lets you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery.

Color-Coded Slotted Shim Sets

Keep slotted shims in a variety of thicknesses on hand with these sets, which are color-coded by thickness for easy identification. The slot lets you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery.

Horseshoe Shims

Align cabinets, doors, and windows with these shims. The horseshoe design fits around screws.

Multi-Slotted Shims

Use a single shim on feet or positioning arms that are secured with multiple fasteners. The slots let you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery. Also known as finger shims.

Round Shims

Ring Shims

Precisely align, level, and adjust spacing on fasteners and shafts with these shims.

Ring Shim Sets

Be prepared with ring shims in a variety of thicknesses. These shims fit around fasteners and shafts to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing.

Wide-Rim Ring Shims

Also known as machinery bushings, these shims have an oversized OD to create a larger bearing surface for reduced wear between moving parts.

Tight-Fit Ring Shims

For a snug fit around a shaft, the ID of these shims is held to a tighter tolerance than other round shims.

Peel-Away Layered Ring Shims

These shims are made of layers of metal bonded with adhesive. Remove layers with a utility knife until you get the thickness you need.

Disc Shims

Use these round shims as they are, or punch out the middle to create the ID you need.

Shims for Shortening Screw Shoulders

Slide these shims under the screw head to shorten the shoulder length.

Shims for Lengthening Screw Shoulders

Spin these shims onto screw threads to extend the shoulder length.

Shims for Ball Bearing Housings

Also called tolerance rings, these rings are for use in stamped, molded, or worn housings to form a tight hold on the bearings.

Shims for Ball Bearings

Adjust spacing between bearings and other components on shafts. These shims are sized to fit the outer rim of a bearing.

Shim Sets for Keyed Shafts

Be prepared with shims in a variety of thicknesses. Also known as arbor spacers, these shims are notched to fit over keyed shafts.

Shims for Button Dies

Place these shims under sharpened dies to restore their original height and extend their life.

Shims for Keyed Shafts

Precisely shaped to fit snugly on keyed shafts, these shims align, level, and space components. Because of their tight fit, they also help components rotate in unison with the shaft.

Shim Sets for D-Profile Shafts

Be prepared with shims in a variety of thicknesses. These shims are shaped to fit over D-profile shafts. Use them to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing.

Shims for D-Profile Shafts

These shims are shaped to fit over D-profile shafts. Use them to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing.

Heavy Duty Tapered Shims

Ridges keep these aluminum shims from sliding apart when stacked. Designed for aligning shafts and axles, they support heavier loads than plastic tapered shims.

Washers

General Purpose Washers

Metric General Purpose Washers

Use these metric washers to evenly distribute the load under bolt or screw heads and nuts when fastening. They can also act as spacers.

Metric Oversized Washers

Compared to our general purpose washers, these have exaggerated diameters and/or thicknesses. Use them to cover oversized holes, hold heavy fastening loads, or as spacers and levelers.

Oversized Washers

Compared to our general purpose washers, these have exaggerated diameters and/or thicknesses for covering oversized holes or for use as spacers and levelers.

Mil. Spec. Washers

Choose these washers for their adherence to strict military standards for material and construction.

USS Washers

USS washers generally have a larger ID and OD than SAE washers.

SAE Washers

SAE washers generally have a smaller ID and OD than USS washers.

ASME Washers for Soft Material

Also known as Type B washers, these distribute your fastener's load over a larger surface area than other washers to minimize damage to soft materials.

Washers with Material Certification

These washers come with a traceable lot number and a physical and chemical test report.

Washers for Structural Applications

Designed for use with A325 structural screws, studs, and nuts, these washers are often used for construction and exterior building applications.

Washers for Blind Rivets

Also known as backup washers, these are for use with blind rivets for extra support when fastening into soft material.

Metric Washers for Structural Applications

These thick washers are designed to support structural screws, studs, and nuts.

Tension-Indicating Washers for Structural Applications

When you’ve applied the correct tension, these washers release an orange dye as a visual indicator.

Square Washers

Square washers fit into slots and channels and have flat sides to keep them from rotating.

Square Washers for Blind Rivets

Also known as backup washers, these are for use with blind rivets for extra support when fastening into soft material.

Angled-Edge Washers for Tie-Down Straps

Use the angled edges to hold and align tie-down straps.

Angled-Edge Washers for
Toggle Clamp Holding Screws

Use on clamps with open arms to keep the holding screw in place.

Cup Washers for Oversized Holes

Cover oversized holes and the ends of tubes and pipe with these cup-shaped washers.

Double-Clipped Washers

Clipped on both sides to fit where standard washers can't, these won't rotate when you position the flat edges against a flat surface.

Clipped Washers

Clipped to fit where standard washers can't, these won't rotate when you position the flat edge against a flat surface.

Easy-Install Slotted Washers

A slot in the side allows you to install and remove these washers without completely disassembling your joint.

Oversized Clipped Washers

With greater diameters and/or thicknesses than general purpose washers, these washers cover oversized holes or act as spacers and levelers. Clipped to fit where standard washers can’t, they won’t rotate when you position the flat edge against a flat surface.

Washers for Electrical Terminals

To keep electrical connections intact, these washers retain wires so they won't slip out from under your screw head.

Metric Finishing Countersunk Washers

Finishing Countersunk Washers

Countersunk Washers

Flat and oval head screws sit flush within these washers for a neat, finished appearance.

Metric Countersunk Washers

Flat and oval head screws sit flush within these metric washers for a neat, finished appearance.

Curved Washers

Also known as saddle washers, these curved washers fit round surfaces such as tubes and pipe.

Washers for Plaster

Repair sagging, cracked plaster with these washers. The holes allow plaster to flow through to form a secure bond between the washer and the wall.

Washers for Cross-Bracing

Connect cross-bracing rods or cables to structural beams.

Notched Washers for Wood

Also called No. 10 Western Timber and Victor washers, these have large ODs to prevent screws from sinking into wood. The notches allow you to temporarily secure them with nails to keep them from rotating during installation.

Sleeve Washers for Soft Material

Reinforce holes in soft material to keep them from collapsing around screws.

Flanged Washers for Cross-Bracing

These washers have a flange to spread force across structural beams better than standard washers for cross-bracing rods and cables.

Washers for Foam Insulation

These washers have prongs that pierce foam insulation so they stay in place.

Leveling and Wave Washers

Leveling Washers for I-Beams

Metric Leveling Washers for I-Beams

Triple-Wave Washers

With three points of surface contact, these washers provide more stability than single-wave washers.

Single-Wave Washers

These curved, flexible washers act like springs to compensate for tolerance variations and uneven surfaces.

Metric Single-Wave Washers

These curved, flexible washers act like springs to compensate for tolerance variations and uneven surfaces.

Leveling Washers

Metric Leveling Washers

Split Lock Washers

As a screw is tightened, these washers flatten to add tension to the joint and prevent loosening from small amounts of vibration.

Metric Split Lock Washers

As you tighten a bolt, these metric washers flatten to add tension to the threaded joint and prevent loosening from small amounts of vibration.

Mil. Spec. Split Lock Washers

Choose these washers for their adherence to strict military standards for material and construction.

Oversized Split Lock Washers

Compared to standard split lock washers, these are thicker and have larger outside diameters.

Metric Split Lock Washers for Socket Head Screws

Split Lock Washers for Socket Head Screws

Spring Lock Washers

Spring Lock Washers for Slotted Bearing Nuts

Designed for use with bearing nuts, these lock washers have a conical shape that presses like a spring against bearings, bushings, gears, and pulleys to hold them in place on your threaded shaft or spindle.

Belleville Spring Lock Washers

Also known as conical washers, these have a slightly cupped shape that gives them spring-like flexibility to grip tighter than split and tooth lock washers.

Belleville Spring Lock Washers for Socket Head Screws

These washers have smaller outside diameters than standard spring lock washers to fit neatly under socket head cap screws.

Metric Spring Lock Washers

The arched shape of these washers presses up against a bolt and down against a nut to prevent loosening from wear, vibration, or temperature changes.

Tooth Lock Washers

Countersunk External-Tooth Lock Washers

The teeth on these washers firmly grip heads of 82° flat head countersunk screws.

Mil. Spec. External-Tooth Lock Washers

Choose these washers for their adherence to strict military standards for material and construction.

Countersunk Tight-Grip External-Tooth Lock Washers

To keep 90° countersunk screws from loosening in vibration applications, the teeth on these washers bite further into the screw head and joint than standard external-tooth lock washers for a more secure hold.

External-Tooth Lock Washers

Teeth on the outside edge of the washer bite into the screw head and joint for a tight grip.

Tight-Grip External-Tooth Lock Washers

The teeth on these washers bite further into the screw head and joint than standard external-tooth washers to provide a stronger hold.

Metric External-Tooth Lock Washers

Teeth on the outside edge of these metric washers bite into the screw head and joint for a tight grip.

Internal-Tooth Lock Washers for Soft Material

Slightly domed with an oversized outside diameter, these washers distribute your fastener's load over a larger surface area than other internal-tooth lock washers to limit damage to soft material.

Metric Internal-Tooth Lock Washers

Internal teeth dig into the screw head while the smooth outside edge won't snag objects. Use with metric fasteners that have small heads, such as fillister and cheese head screws.

Mil. Spec. Internal-Tooth Lock Washers

Choose these washers for their adherence to strict military standards for material and construction.

Internal-Tooth Lock Washers

Internal teeth dig into the screw head while the smooth outside edge won't snag objects. Use with fasteners that have small heads, such as fillister and cheese head screws.

Internal-/External-Tooth Lock Washers

The combination of internal and external teeth boosts gripping power to maintain a tight hold and provide more vibration resistance than other tooth lock washers. Use with fasteners that have heads large enough to make contact with the external teeth, such as pan, button, and binding head screws.

Tab Lock Washers

Bend one tab against the side of the mounting surface and the other tab against the flats on a bolt or nut to prevent both the fastener and washer from turning and loosening in high-vibration applications, such as a motor mount.

Metric Tab Lock Washers

Bend the tab of these metric lock washers against the flats of a hex nut or bolt head to prevent the fastener and washer from turning and loosening due to vibration, wear, or changes in temperature.

Wedge Lock Washers

Also known as NORD-LOCK® washers, these two-piece washers provide more locking power than split, tooth, and spring lock washers. Wedges on the inside lock the two pieces together, and serrations on the exterior grip surfaces to resist loosening from high vibration and shifting.

Square-Neck Bolt Lock Washers

Designed for use with square-neck bolts such as carriage bolts, these washers have teeth that dig into wood and other soft material to prevent rotation.

Sealing Washers

Metal Sealing Washers

Also known as crush washers, these compress when tightened to form a tighter, more durable seal than rubber washers. They are commonly used to seal fluids such as oil and fuel.

Metric High-Pressure-Rated
Metal-Bonded Sealing Washers

Able to withstand pressure greater than 7,000 psi, these one-piece bonded washers create the tightest seals.

Metal-Bonded Sealing Washers

Create a stronger seal than metal or rubber alone. These one-piece washers are metal for strength with a bonded rubber seal that creates a tight grip.