A simple way to scribe and measure a closed countertop for a perfectly tight fit
This video from Refresh Home Improvements illustrates a magnificently simple approach to templating a three-sided piece of finish stock, such as a countertop between out-of-square walls. The author uses a piece of paper, a scribing block, and a pencil to figure out the exact size and shape of the finished countertop.
Video Transcript:
Hey guys! I'm going to show you a really, really easy way to both measure and scribe for a surface at the same time. All you need is a piece of paper or Bristol board (in this case), a straight edge (this is just a piece of some sort of IKEA material—it doesn't matter as long as it's straight and consistent), and a pencil.
If your wall is really wavy, having a shorter straight edge helps. We're getting ready to put the countertop or the top piece onto this cabinet here. Because these walls aren't straight, true, or perpendicular, we're going to have some scribing to do. I'll show you how to do it all at once while measuring the exact length.
Marking the first corner
First, put your paper on the wall and slide it all the way into the first corner. When I do that, you can see that this fireplace actually dips away from me there. Once the piece is lined up, make a small mark on the wall and the paper at the same spot. For me, that's mark number one.
Next, take your straight edge and place it up into the corner along the same line as the fireplace. Trace this line, then slide your straight edge along following the fireplace, making another mark. Finally, mark the last little curve there. For this, I also mark from underneath for the edge of my existing pieces by running a line along like that.
Adjusting for the second side
Slide your paper down to the other side. Over here, the wall is even more extreme. Start by going back to your first mark on the wall and make a second mark there—this is mark number two. When you line up these two marks, they’ll give you the exact width.
Repeat the process on this side: trace the wall and mark underneath. Using these marks, you'll be able to cut your top piece perfectly scribed and exactly to the right width.
Laying out the template
Now, we're coming to the final piece. Lay your template on top and ensure the back edge is lined up. Slide it over, leaving enough room for the width of your straight edge to make sure it’s still on the piece. For me, that's pretty good there, so I’ll start right there.
With this piece lined up, go to mark one and make a little mark on the board. When mark one is aligned, and the back edge is aligned, take your straight edge, line it up, and trace the other side.
Marking and cutting the countertop
Slide it down, using the ruler for guidance, and mark the final angle. To get the width right, go back to mark two. Slide your template down until mark two lines up with mark one. Ensure the back edge is nicely aligned and repeat the tracing process on this side.
Now I’ve got the exact width and the scribe marked out. I’ll cut that, fit the piece into place, and then deal with the final width adjustments.