If It Works...

“If it works it ain’t stupid” has never rung more true than when using post-it notes in engineering prototypes. They can be used as slip gauges, spacers, washers, and in any scenario where you need to precisely fill a gap.

These little sticky back pieces of paper are conveniently stacked, sticky, and easy to incrementally remove until your post-its fit a gap perfectly. You can then measure the resulting stack, or simple trim off the excess and slip them into place as I did on a recent camera project.

Camera with paper spacer keeping the lens in focus The paper spacer
Paper spacer being used to keep the camera lens in focus

The gap between my camera lens and the camera body was too thin for a washer or lock ring, leaving no way to keep the lens locked into focus. So I found the perfect number of post-its required, cut them into shape, and put them to work.

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