# How do I make yoyo shims? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729 "2012-05-14T01:28:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shawn300110](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Shawn300110](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shawn300110)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/1 "2012-05-14T01:28:42Z")
I have been trying to make yoyo shims out of a paper plate with an xacto knife. This does not work at all. I need something that makes circles. With the xacto knife, I didn’t have much trouble with making the inside circles, but when I tried to make the outside circle it always cut into the center circle. I was wondering if any one knows what to use to make a good shape for my yoyo. THANKYOU ---
**Author:** ![Njstringer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/njstringer/32/1122_2.png) [@Njstringer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Njstringer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/2 "2012-05-21T14:59:19Z")
I’m not sure if this would even work but it can’t hurt to try. A while back I had to make some small rings out of heavy card stock which were only about 7mm in diameter with a center whole about 2mm in diameter. I went to Michaels art supply store and they had a hole punch that allowed you to make small holes and change out the tip to make different size holes. I am sure if you picked this type of punch up you would be able to make a bunch of small paper discs and then use a compass to find the center of each disc and punch a smaller hole in each one. Like I said, never tried it but can’t hurt to give it a shot. If I can find the hole punch I will post a pic for you so you can see what I am talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Njstringer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/njstringer/32/1122_2.png) [@Njstringer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Njstringer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/3 "2012-05-21T15:00:40Z")
> [@Njstringer](#): > > I’m not sure if this would even work but it can’t hurt to try. A while back I had to make some small rings out of heavy card stock which were only about 7mm in diameter with a center whole about 2mm in diameter. I went to Michaels art supply store and they had a hole punch that allowed you to make small holes and change out the tip to make different size holes. I am sure if you picked this type of punch up you would be able to make a bunch of small paper discs and then use a compass to find the center of each disc and punch a smaller hole in each one. > > Like I said, never tried it but can’t hurt to give it a shot. If I can find the hole punch I will post a pic for you so you can see what I am talking about. Couldn’t find what I used but this one is very similar and its on amazon [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000FW97U2/ref=dp\_image\_0?ie=UTF8&n=2617941011&s=arts-crafts](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000FW97U2/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=2617941011&s=arts-crafts) ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/4 "2012-05-21T16:22:43Z")
You can buy small hard brass and steel tubing in short lengths. Diameters run from about 1/16 inch up to maybe 1/2 inch. Look for a size that works. Use a fine file to sharpen the edge. Place the sharp edge on the paper and twist the tube between your fingers. this will cut a very nice circular piece out of the paper. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/5 "2012-05-21T17:06:31Z")
Simply go to a Harbor Freight or other tool store and buy a small hole punch set. It’s all you need. They will punch all kinds of material. It’s what I use. Or I make them out of copper on my lathe. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/6 "2012-05-21T17:20:34Z")
> [@Icthus](#): > > Simply go to a Harbor Freight or other tool store and buy a small hole punch set. It’s all you need. They will punch all kinds of material. It’s what I use. > Or I make them out of copper on my lathe. Do correct me if I’m wrong, as I probably am. Isn’t copper a relatively soft metal? I’d be concerned about the copper deforming by users cranking the halves down. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/7 "2012-05-21T20:57:24Z")
No different than the paper type shims that yyj made. Or using credit card shims. It’s actually harder than those materials. Works just fine for me. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/8 "2012-05-21T21:24:56Z")
> [@Icthus](#): > > No different than the paper type shims that yyj made. Or using credit card shims. It’s actually harder than those materials. Works just fine for me. Cool. I do have some shims anyways, but always good to know there are alternatives. I would not have even thought to use copper. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-do-i-make-yoyo-shims/37729/9 "2012-05-22T03:54:39Z")
I have something I buy that I trim down to make them. Not an easy task as they are very small but very doable. Thickness is the issue. That’s the hardest to deal with.