Nelson Wood Shims 8 24 Pack - Kiln Dried Wood

The Verdict

If you’ve ever fought a warped shim that splits right when you need it most, you already know why shims aren’t all created equal. The Nelson Wood Shims 8" 24-pack has earned its 4.8-star rating across 240 reviews for one simple reason: these are the rare shims that behave predictably. Made from kiln-dried pine with a consistent taper, they solve the two biggest frustrations in leveling work—splitting and compression—without costing premium lumber prices.

What you actually get

This is a straightforward package: 24 pine shims, each measuring 8 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, tapering from roughly 1/4 inch down to a feather edge. The kiln-drying process is the key spec here—it pulls moisture down to around 10-12%, which means the wood won’t shrink or shift after you’ve set your door, window, or cabinet. Each shim in the pack I examined was clean, straight-grained pine with no knots or pitch pockets that would create weak points.

Real-world performance

For door hanging and window leveling, these shims are excellent. The taper is graduated smoothly, not in abrupt steps like some cheaper brands, so you can fine-tune your gap down to a hair. When you tap them into place, they don’t crumble or delaminate—they compress slightly and hold. One reviewer noted, “I used these to hang six interior doors and didn’t have a single one split on me. That’s never happened with the big-box store shims.” That track record aligns with the kiln-dried advantage: lower moisture means less internal stress, so the wood bends rather than breaks.

Where they fall short

The 8-inch length is the main limitation. For leveling a refrigerator or a long run of baseboard, you’ll find yourself piecing shims together or wishing for the 12-inch version. Also, 24 pieces per box feels stingy for larger renovation jobs—a typical set of three exterior doors can easily eat through the whole pack. And while the pine is clear of knots, it’s still softwood; for heavy structural shimming under load-bearing posts, you’d want a hardwood alternative.

Who should buy these

• DIY homeowners replacing interior doors or installing pre-hung units—these will save you from the frustration of split shims mid-project.
• Finish carpenters who need consistent, reliable shims for trim work and cabinetry leveling. The predictability is worth the slight premium over generic packs.
• Window installers who need precise adjustments to get that perfect reveal. The smooth taper makes micro-adjustments genuinely possible.

Frequently asked questions

“Can I reuse these shims after trimming them?” Yes, within reason. If you snap off the thin end, the remaining piece still has usable taper. Just don’t try to pull them out and re-tap them—they’ll have taken a compression set.

“Are these treated for outdoor use?” No. These are interior-grade pine shims. For exterior applications, you’ll want pressure-treated shims to avoid rot and insect damage.

“How do they compare to cedar shims?” Cedar is naturally rot-resistant but softer and more prone to crushing. These pine shims hold up better under compression, making them the better choice for load-bearing adjustments.

The Verdict

Buy it if you’re hanging doors, setting windows, or leveling cabinets and want shims that won’t split, compress, or shift after installation. The kiln-dried consistency is genuinely worth the extra dime per shim compared to bulk alternatives.

Skip it if you’re doing rough framing or need long shims for major leveling work—buy the 12-inch version or a larger pack instead.

Rating: 4.6/5 — Reliable, well-made, and priced fairly. The only real knock is the pack size and length limitations, but for its intended purpose, this is the shim pack I’d grab first.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.