Cutting Shims for Precise Work
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Check out the simple sled I use to cut 100's of 'feather-end shims' so I can "Say No to Stubby Shims" when I do precise work like setting cabinets.
The fixture I use is not OSHA approved but works well for me. Using it is well within my comfort zone for doing the potentially dangerous task of cutting hundreds of shims. I give step by step details of how I make the fixture I've used for years and use it to cut over 400 feather-end shims for this video. If you choose to make your own shims with a fixture like mine, or anyone else's for that matter, you do so at your own risk. Pay attention, use PPE you're comfortable with and work safely... NO shim in the world is worth risk of injury or a trip to the Emergency Room, right?
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Need any of the tools or supplies I use in the video? Looking for the low online prices you expect? Great! You can get both from the following list of all the tools and supplies I use in the video and my 'ol buddy Jeff Bezos will help support video production here at Next Level Carpentry by paying small ad fees so I really appreciate it!
C.S. Osborne magnetic tack hammer:
www.amazon.com...
Clic-Reader's glasses... my favorite!
www.amazon.com...
General 12" shop rule:
www.amazon.com...
Machinist's square set:
www.amazon.com...
Irwin 7 ¼” dovetail pull saw
www.amazon.com...
Record 52ED Quick Release Woodworker’s Vises with ‘Dog’ and 7” Jaw Width
www.amazon.com...
Makita 18v Li-Ion Cordless Brushless Drill Kit:
www.amazon.com...
Snappy 3pc carbide countersink set
www.amazon.com...
Snappy 5pc High Speed Steel countersink set:
www.amazon.com...
Stanley 57-594 8 oz Soft Face Hammer
www.amazon.com...
SC Johnson Paste Wax- 16 oz (1lb)
www.amazon.com...
Starbond CA Glue Accelerator:
www.amazon.com...
Starbond Medium CA Glue 2oz:
www.amazon.com...
Whiteside 1” Round Nose Core Box Router Bit
www.amazon.com...
Stanley 25' tape measure:
www.amazon.com...
OK ¼” to 2 1/8” by 1/8” Forstner Bits Set
www.amazon.com...
Sharpie 30174 Permanent Marker Set of 4 (Red, Blue, Green, Black)
www.amazon.com...
Bosch 7-1/4 In. 24 Tooth Daredevil Portable Saw Blade
www.amazon.com...
Freud thin kerf 10" crosscut blade:
www.amazon.com...
Marshalltown 1 ½” Putty Knife
www.amazon.com...
Stanley Wire Nails 1/2" x 18ga Bright Steel
www.amazon.com...
#6 x 1/2" Coarse Thread Phillips Flat Head Wood Screws
www.amazon.com...
#7 x 3/4" Standard Thread Phillips Flat Head MDF Wood Screws
www.amazon.com...
They make mine out of a 1 by 6 way smaller than that easier to use
I make smaller shims using the same cutting jig too... not 'easier to use' in all applications but definitely better in some...
Matt! Wow, That was a lot of work putting this video together! Thank you so very much for taking the time and putting WAY more effort into the details than anyone else we've see on this platform in your genre! We see the effort you selflessly put in editing your videos so well, in amazon affiliate links, in design work, in camera angles, split screen, time-lapse, color grading and in so many other ways that a lot of people don't even know, but can tell something is very special and different with your videos. I'm sure it took quite a bit of your time and effort to put these together! PATREON and MERCH are the least we can do If anyone else sees the production value like we do! Thanks again Matt! Keep up the great work!!
Thanks for such an observant and gracious comment here Levi. Video production is definitely the hardest thing I've undertaken in decades so I really appreciate the details you noticed and point out. Giving a shout-out for the various income sources here tells me you really 'get it' where 'free' video content production is concerned. It's the part of the whole UA-cam thing I dislike most so when viewers understand the reality of online 'show business' it helps me feel a little less 'sleasy' for the necessity of self-promotion. Thanks again! Best, Matt
I am genuinely blown away with your woodworking techniques. More important, the safety parameters considered and applied! Semper Fi
Great. Just great. Keep me coming. The dry humor is spot on.
Love to watch the master at work. Time well spent every single time. Thank you!!
Your precision and attention to detail are greatly appreciated
At first I thought you were full of shims, now I know your full of shims. Nice simple safe jig inspired me.
Thanks for showing this jig, I made one and worked exactly like yours made perfect shims for wedging slabs when flattening 👍👍🦘🦔
I watched what turned out to be several scary shim jigs videos and they could all learn a lot from you. I thoroughly enjoy your channel and your safe work ethic.
Live to work another day, right? 😎
I made your jig this morning and made a hundred shims in just a few minutes. The jig is simple to make and I felt very comfortable using it. Thank you for what you do.@@NextLevelCarpentry
Glad to hear it Steve... FWIW I've still got a couple bundles of the shims I made in this video that I'm using on the current remodeling project I'm doing... and I thought clear cedar for making shims was expensive back then! 🤯
Very efficient design and execution!
The Master strikes again! I love your work sir!
Hey S.O.D... I've enjoyed reading comments from you recently on a number of videos here and appreciate it. Engaged viewers that find content here worth their time to watch are helping Next Level Carpentry grow by leaps and bounds so thanks for watching and commenting! Anything you do to share this Channel with friends is appreciated too! Best, Matt
Hello Matt, Another Fine Video... I make a very similar shim but shorter and narrower... I use both Sugar Pine and old scraps of Red Wood... My Jigs are much simpler to make. I too use a zero clearance insert on my shop Table saw. But out in the field when I am forced to use my job site table saw I don't have a zero clearance for it so I just clamp a thin piece of 1/8" Hard board to the saw over the blade and it runs against the fence... Instant Safety measure...
Since My shims are only 6" long by 3/4" wide my sled is much smaller and can actually fit into one of my nail bag pouches for transport so one less this to carry around... We do think alot alike... I
Always seem to enjoy your videos reminiscent of old days of myself and present day projects. Greg
I love learning from the older generation they know how it used to be done. Never stop teaching us.
Your safety protocols are great! Semper Fi
They say we learn something new every day. With your channel I'm getting stuck learning too many things. This was a really good one. Thanks
You know to take a break if you feel a lump growing on your head Shopnwoods... packing in to much too fast can do that, you know? 😂😂😎 Thanks for watching and commenting here... Best, Matt
I just wanted to thank you. I just cut a half-dozen maple shims, 2.5" wide, 23" long...trying to hit 1/4" @ the 18.5" point. I hit .250" at 14.5", so just a little thick...but my friend wanted room to work them down to exact taper/thickness. He's a luthier and needed a couple long maple shims for repairing an old Doghouse Bass. I used your ideas for the jig and it worked flawlessly. They came out clean and straight (nice having a 5hp saw). Thanks again!
You are certainly welcome Marc.
That kind of precision and specification is tough to achieve so kudos to you for extrapolating ideas from this video for the task at hand...
Best, Matt
I’ve watched many videos on how to make a jig to cut shims and this is the only one so far that considered safely. Awesome video and thanks for sharing!! 👍
You betcha Al... Glad you like the video! Best, Matt
Excellent video you are one of the best teachers on the internet. Please I encourage you to continue making these tremendous videos. Many people want to learn more about woodworking in these difficult times ...
Masterminded!! Only one more thing will make this superior design complete! A way to keep the shims in order of cut, instead of in a pile on the floor!!
This was really logical and nicely thought through, but the top hold-down with finger indents was genius! Simple and so effective!
Thanks for noticing and commenting that Richard... there's no shim on the planet worth an injury of any kind so making this fixture as safe-to-use as possible is most important! 😎
Thanks, Matt for a great instructional video, time well spent in helping people to use tools safely and productively. Thanks to Chip too!
Great jig. I Especially love the hold down safety piece. More for the the fact that you can cut all the way to zero. Thanks
I remember looking for a video on how to make shims safely. Didn't find anything good enough so I had to go buy the ones from the big box store.
Great video! Always look forward to seeing you work.
When you don't have the time to make them, I think is better to buy, bundle is only $6.00 at Home Depot. Plus is very dangerous.
Exactly what this carpenter needed before the snow here in alpine Oregon winters. Thank you, I will be making this jig.
Yip Matt, the "master" at work again! Awesome video and a great build! Respect as always. Regards, Mark
Thanks Matt. I really appreciate your emphasis on safety in all of your projects. Fingers do not grow back and need to be protected at all costs. Same is true for our eyes and using safety glasses. Safety is not slower either, just smarter. Great shim jig, got to make one now.
Cheers,
Michael O.
Alabama, USA
Great comment Mike... thanks! Best, Matt
Once again I thank you, Matt. I had my own system for cutting shims but now I am going to use yours.
You're welcome Riidher... funny thing is that this is the best shim-cutting fixture I've ever made and used. The design and concept are the same as older ones but I end up making a much more respectable version for the sake of the video and viewers. I really do like it though for every day off-camera use and I think you will too. Best, Matt
Great jig. Looks like it's easily adaptable for cutting thin strips also.
The best part: your attention to safety. Thanks.
Always any work safety FIRST
Fantastic! Framing subdivision housing had to make shins on the fly at the jobsite. 71/4 saw with thin kerf blade using 2by 8 on up by hand. Mine were not as fine but thanks for the lesson!
Nevermind the shims what a cool hammer
Wow this is not carpentry, this is woodworking science.
Bloody hell, this is seriously NEXT LEVEL
A very well design jig! thanks always.
HI, amazing jig, probably the best I have seen so far throughout the years !!
regardless your "camera angle" you must be a great guy, and also make great things.
Now you need to build a shim-catching-basket-attachment for your table saw.
I've been missing this channel, you are a GREAT TEACHER!
Welcome back? Thanks for watching. Best, Matt
Cardboard tipped drill bits, the next product from Duh Walt?
Wow, it’s a good ideas to make roof shingles for the bird houses 👌👍👏👏
So much safer than my current hack. Thank You!
attention to detail, and prep work makes for efficient shim cutting
Love it!
Love the videos!
Thanks for binging and commenting on a few videos here at Next Level Carpentry Thinkerator... much appreciated. Keep in mind that I've spent a lifetime accumulating the tools and equipment I have but in the early years I did a whole bunch with a lot less and encourage you to apply yourself with what you have available rather than wait for 'someday'... with your enthusiasm you'll accomplish far more than you think! Best, Matt
Nice little jig Matt
Rubbing alcohol does the same thing as that expensive activater,great job teaching,
Another great and worthwhile video. Your videos are an inspiration for other things I do. Thanks again.
I like your relaxed attitude. And you seem to know a lot of stuff too :D
a lot more work then expected, but the results was great! awesome video
EXACTLY what I was looking for. Great information, thanks very much. Gonna make this tomorrow. 👍
Thanks for sharing your sled design .................................
This is awesome. Going to have to make one because I too hate the store bought shims. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting the video. Always a pleasure to watch and learn. An excellent jig. Best wishes.
The tack hammer is impressive!! Looks like another tool I have to get....lol. I usually place the CA glue before the activator so the activator has less time to evaporate. Awesome video...Subscribed!
You NEED a magnetic tack hammer, I can tell! 😎 FYI CA glue activator remains active long after the acetone 'carrier' evaporates so it's irrelevant which you apply first. It's actually beneficial to let the accelerator 'flash off' until it's all or mostly dry before contacting the CA glue itself. It's a bit counterintuitive but hopefully this fact reduces any anxiety you might have about application and curing. If it's hard to believe, just do a few tests with and without 'dried' accelerator because seeing is believing. Oh, and thanks for the sub!
@@NextLevelCarpentry Thanks for the info. I thought it was active only when wet, but I guess I was wrong. Now I won't be rushing as much when using CA. Cheers.
@petemiller519 I see it more as a matter of going through the learning process more than an issue of being right or wrong. The recent Next Level Carpentry video I did about making templates for round Corner hinges is a perfect example of what my process for using CA glue looks like in real time.
Top notch video, as always.
Excellent video, you can not beat, a true wood engineer I say that cause carpenters don't bother to make their own shims. Especially quality shims. I have to say Matt you carpentry here a made in the GREAT USA thing. I gotten shims from the box stores and they say made in china.
Big Box shims work for a lot of things but custom shims often make my job better and easier. IMHO anyone who thinks it's a waste of time is, truth be told, actually wasting the little time it actually takes to make a batch of feather shims on other stuff like social media that truly IS a waste of time. Best, Matt
Great video with a lot of attention to detail and safety. Inspiring!
Thank you Sir for your astounding woodworking tips always !!!
Every video is first rate. Thanks! No more basswood forest headed to China to return as c__p shim packs leaving carving wood for guys like me in retirement. One can only dream.
That’s good stuff….was trying to get a look at your clamp holder on the wall.
I've never done a dedicated video for it but you can probably get a better idea of the simple, practical design by looking closely at other videos. It's pretty practical and efficient use of space IMHO.
So many good, helpful videos. Thank you so much!!!
Chip is a Hella good buddy
Awesome work Matt!
Thanks Chris... hope all's well by you! Best, Matt
thanks for the video. enjoyed watching all your videos. in the past i have made the same jig for making door stops.
Love that Mr Matt! HNY and all best to you and yours! Cheers
Really liked this 1. Thanks for explaining this process. I may have to give this a shot in the spring. Glad to see Chip helping in the shop. Does he work like that all the time or just when he know there will be millions of viewers watching him? I have an evil twin Skippy, but hes just the opposite. I get blamed for all the miscuts or wrong measurements HE does, Keep those videos coming Matt.
I hope Skippy and Chippy never meet up... I've spent years honing Chip into the workin' machine you see in videos. He just puts his nose down and works... but, sadly, I've not been able to instill that work ethic into him to the point he'll work when I play... go figure.
Thanks for watching and commenting John Boy! Best, Matt
So wonderfully helpful, many many thanks.
Great jig great video !!! Thank you for sharing your skills!!
This is really a great little jig. You know you could reduce the hand movements by quite a bit by cutting two shims before flipping. I don’t think I would use these to hang doors with because I would go through that batch of 400 so quickly. Maybe if I could make this jig to do adjustable size shims it would be worth using for general carpentry as well.
What a great idea i could definitely use this, now to get a table saw.......
Outstanding video.Thanks
Top notch work. Thanks for sharing
Matt, you truly are a master...🙏🙏🙏😎😎😎
Thanks JW... much appreciated. Your assessment of me as 'master' instead of OCD victim is most welcome, especially for videos like this where it would be just as easy to say 'what kind of fool makes his own shims?' ! Best, Matt
I consider myself the best cabinet installer/ the Kanye west of cabinets, and this blew my mind. awesome. thanks. I'm only 32.
Hope adding 'feather shims' to your cabinet installation arsenal takes you to a new next level of your own!
Best,
Matt
Matt this is such a simple way to make perfect shims very safely, thank you for making such a detailed video, I will be making one of these jigs quick smart👍 , oh poor chip I hope you gave him some bread and water once he finished 🤣🤣🤣
Great video
Thanks for an efficient "how to" video, you gotta love it when they're straightforward and to the point. Can you direct me to where I could find the tablesaw insert that you use that accepts different zero tolerance sacrificial inserts? Thanks again!
That's a next level shims!!! Awesome! By the way, you're a great actor as well.. LOL
great，i am going to make one of this tomorrow
Hey Matt, thanks for all the videos! would love to know if you do any projects for yourself such as storage for your mountain bikes etc! thanks again
That’s a great fixture!
My late father was a carpenter for 50+ years. I was lucky to study under him. He would love this channel.
this video is incredible thank u!
Great video, thanks!
Another great one - thanks, Matt
Thank you so much, for making it easy to understand great video keep up the good work.
God Bless.
For many years I used plastic coated playing cards where I could. You can't get finer than the thickness of a card.
Playing cards are a great option... as long as you don't need the adjustability tapered shims provide...
@@NextLevelCarpentry I had forgotten that aspect of their usefulness, but at my age I forget a lot?
@@jackriley5974 The playing card trick is a good one to remember too!
Greta to work, but I’ll just buy a pack of shims, thanks
Hahaha! @12:47 " Keep my hand away from that spinning, finger amputation device." I couldn't resist laughing.
I enjoy your videos and the commentary. Thank you for making these videos, and constantly emphasizing safety. Way to take it to the next level.
Thanks Ceasar... Much appreciated!
So much great information thank you
Put a box or a bucket, or a basket and a shute on your out feed and you wont have to pick them up off the floor. Economy of motion will add another level :)
Thank you so much!!!!!....great video!!!!!
Smart work
Thanks! I’ll be doing this.
Where did you get the insert for the unisaw? I’ve been looking for years!!
I'm curious about that as well. My neighbor has given me a 1940s-1950s Unisaw that will need a restoration and fence built or purchased for it. It is still in his garage while I wrestle with whether or not I want to ditch my Ridgid table saw with no issues for an antique that might end up being a headache. I sooooo like the idea of having a vintage Unisaw though.
Matt addresses that question below, where Clint Satterwhite asks him the same question. It's out of production now apparently. Possibly because it doesn't work with a riving knife.
David Gagnon I will have to make my own. I have an aluminum insert, I just have to mill it to accept the wood inserts.
Thanks!
Thanks for this, Jerry... much appreciated!
Best,
Matt
Great work as usual, thank you.
"finger amputation device" 😂
Next level for sure! Very neat
However, the guy in the back made me a little nervous, he's working too fast with that amputation device!
Not that I am being negative nice-looking gig worx good but by the look of your index finger on your right hand you already know about the finger amputation device😮
Nice one! Cheers
Hi Matt. I'm a new subscriber and am enjoying your videos. Is your zero clearance throat plate something you made? How about a short video on that? Thanks!
Thanks for watching and subbing Mark. Lots of viewers love that insert like we do... unfortunately it's no longer in production. This photo shows product info if you want to search ebay to find one: www.pinterest.com/pin/551479916872563704/ Best, Matt
Brilliant
Execellent Video!!!