# How to make a Shim **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [November 4, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026 "2009-11-04T05:16:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/1 "2009-11-04T05:16:50Z")
I happened to need shims, but didn’t want to spend money on getting a shim. So I decided to make one. My method is taken from separate sources, and then I combined the best ones to make a cheap and reliable shim. Homemade shims can be made quickly, for free, and work just as well as the ones you buy. So how to make it: Materials: Scissors, Nail Clippers, Hole Punch, Credit Card/ Gift card, or something among those lines. Step 1: Take the hole punch, and punch a hole in the card. Leave at least 3mm on all sides of the hole. Step 2: Since the diameter of the hole is a tad small, stick a scissor or knife into the hole, push the card down until it comes into contact with the blade, and twirl it around, scraping the side and enlarging the hole. Step 3: Use your scissors to cut off most of the card, leaving the hole with around 2mm of plastic around it. Step 4: Use a nail clipper to finish it up, leaving 1mm or less of plastic around the hole. Step 5: Insert into the yoyo and play!  😃 Sources: [Dot Ventures](http://www.theyo.com/yoyo/showthread.php?t=46714) However, in contrast to what the topic says, I use a scissor for making the hole larger, just because it’s easier, and I only use plastic, since I discovered that paper can rip when you twist. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/2 "2009-11-04T13:47:30Z")
Thats how a lot pf people do it. Good method. ---
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/3 "2009-11-04T23:22:16Z")
It’s just that I never found it here. So I thought that I might post it. ---
**Author:** ![tyler3490](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/tyler3490/32/77_2.png) [@tyler3490](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/tyler3490)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/4 "2009-11-04T23:38:45Z")
roll up a small bit maybe 180 grit sand paper and just twist it around in the hole, it takes only a few twists and you dont risk cutting yourself with the scissors ---
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/5 "2009-11-05T00:29:09Z")
I tried it and it doesn’t really work unless you twist it into a really tight rolll. More effort than just sticking in a scissor. ---
**Author:** ![yoyoninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e95f7d/32.png) [@yoyoninja](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoninja)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/6 "2009-11-19T00:15:52Z")
how do u get the shim to be a perfect circle??? ---
**Author:** ![ibanezcollector](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7ea924/32.png) [@ibanezcollector](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ibanezcollector)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/7 "2009-11-19T00:49:20Z")
> [@yoyoninja](#): > > how do u get the shim to be a perfect circle??? buy them haha 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![polloyoyo12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@polloyoyo12](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/polloyoyo12)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/8 "2009-11-19T00:52:28Z")
> [@yoyoninja](#): > > how do u get the shim to be a perfect circle??? get some sand paper and sand around the edges ---
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/9 "2009-11-19T02:26:53Z")
It doesn’t really matter though. ---
**Author:** ![Apetrunk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/apetrunk/32/148_2.png) [@Apetrunk](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Apetrunk)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/10 "2009-11-19T02:53:15Z")
They don’t have to be perfectly round. I would suggest not using finger nail clippers. They break easily. Use the scissors or a dremmel or just sandpaper. ---
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/11 "2009-11-19T03:15:40Z")
Really? I never had a problem… ---
**Author:** ![Apetrunk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/apetrunk/32/148_2.png) [@Apetrunk](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Apetrunk)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/12 "2009-11-19T03:45:58Z")
Oh I broke a pair lol. Well good guide. ---
**Author:** ![Batryn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/batryn/32/78_2.png) [@Batryn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Batryn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/13 "2009-11-19T06:01:16Z")
I never broke one though… ---
**Author:** ![ryanlim92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@ryanlim92](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ryanlim92)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-make-a-shim/8026/14 "2009-11-29T10:00:24Z")
thanks for the info … i made my hitman’s gap to 5mm … seriously thanks …