leveling a home

[jimncheryl]

Is there any feed back on using the plastic ABS wedges as opposed to the oak wedges . I have had some wood wedges fall out after about 5 years since the home was originally set up. I inspected the wood and found compression lines or areas of compression .
Any feed Back ??
Thanks
Jim

[Greg]

Plastic should be fine. You want to stay away from pine and other softwoods.

Greg

[ponch37300]

Is plastic HUD approved? I think I remember JD saying hardwood shims were what HUD calls for but maybe plastic is approved also?

On a side note do the box stores by you guys sell hardwood shims? None of them around me do.

[Greg]

I was thinking the functional end of using plastic, not the HUD approved end.

I am not sure if HUD approves the use or not.

Greg

[Steve S.]

On a side note do the box stores by you guys sell hardwood shims? None of them around me do.

Nope...I haven't found any. I had to shop online and then I ended up with poplar, not oak shims. They've held up so far. I would think that plastic wedges may not hold as well as wood and may slip out under compression.

[Greg]

You could always get a few oak pallets and cut wedges from them. It may take a little time, but the price is right.

Greg

[ponch37300]

You could always get a few oak pallets and cut wedges from them. It may take a little time, but the price is right.

Greg

I've thought about making my own but never figured out a good way to cut shims. I've thought about making a jig to hold the wood on an angle and run it threw my thickness planer but then I just order them instead of making them because they are fairly cheap. Is there a simple way to make them that I'm not thinking of?

[Greg]

Band saw if you have one,

Greg

[ponch37300]

No bandsaw and don't think the wifey would go for the excuse we need one to make some cheap shims! Have just about every other wood working tool except a bandsaw.