The Writing Is On The Wall...

basswood

...really it is. I like laying things out full scale (1"=1"). I do this for kitchen cabinets (draw out the whole cabinet layout on the walls) this helps me as cabinet installer, but often helps other trades too (plumbers, electricians, etc.). Helps with locations of stuff like microwave outlets, undercabinet lighting wiring, etc.

The same for built-ins, closet shelving, etc. I do this as early in the process as practical and often find outlets or switches that need to move... best to get the headaches out of the way early.

More challenging trim situations get drawn out too. Here are some examples (the skirt to base pic shows how I messed up the layout on my first try--better to mess up the drawing than cutting a one-of-a-kind skirt board too short):

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DBCoop

Good idea Bass! Helps everyone one down the line.If it's paint grade and I see a spot that needs attention.....I'll highlight that area to help ensure that it's not missed.........It's gotta look GOOD!

critter

More challenging trim situations get drawn out too. Here are some examples (the skirt to base pic shows how I messed up the layout on my first try--better to mess up the drawing than cutting a one-of-a-kind skirt board too short):[/quote]

I second that motion!! Graphite is cheaper than millwork!

loneframer

Layout of cabinets beforehand is a definite for me too. This helps greatly when working alone as it is easier to hang cabinets accurately. Made the mistake of not allowing for the faceframe reveal once or twice, but not anymore.

1mancrew

Heck of a way to operate..Thanks for sharing!

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basswood

Sometimes it's fun to just go nuts leaving little blue tape bits all over the place... even when nothing is wrong to see how many of them the painter will touch up before he figures out the trim guy is an arse.

I second that motion!! Graphite is cheaper than millwork! [/QUOTE]

Yep. Helps to visualize some things too... see if it "works" before you do it.

Nice one. In kitchens like that--with a bunch of stuff going on--it is easy to miss something. I like to idiot proof things for myself (Chief Idjit).

Thanks. Here are a few more pics of those projects. When you are working up high, on scaffolding and ladders, taking time to mock it up on the ground can save time too (see the use of level and square to check the test fit). On the stairs I had to make the skirt to base transition and stay below the stair lights just above the skirt too.

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Sooner Pesek

Nice work, as usual, Bass

Good transition on the skirt board, had the light box been higher (hint to the electrician) would you normally have used 1 x 12 for the skirts--or did you and I'm I seeing the pic wrong?

Thanks,
Roger

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basswood

That skirt board is about 1x12 size, but with the lights, I could only "daylight" about 3" from tread nose to top of shirt (about 9" showing from top of skirt to back of tread/bottom of riser).

Would be nice to see more skirt (in this case and in general).

G'day,

Bass

loneframer

Hey Bass, good to hear from you. I like the continuity of the skirt.. In this area most stairs are built with boxed stringers off site and then dropped in. I always try to situate base so that I can rip top profile off and use it to cap skirt. I don't like the look of using termination blocks to butt cap moulding/ baseboard to.

neolitic

Since I am a shameless saver of all
birch underlayment scrap, (nice for jigs
and whatever) I like to use spare rips
to template skirts and tricky trim.
Saves me some sweating when I've
got a piece of hardwood too $$$
to screw up.

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

basswood

I've mocked up rail gooseneck drops, etc. with ply scraps like you are saying. Sometimes people see the mockup and think "what is this guy cobbling together here?".

I can see the wheels turning in their pointed little noggins... I like to just keep right on working--silently... and keep 'em guessin'.

PA woodbutcher

I have a set of base cabinets to build for a kitchen that is sitting gutted until the tile man gets ready to start. Once his backer is down and the walls primed I will be drawing the cabs on the floor and walls. Kitchen has a couple of odd angles in it where the boxes will be setting. Will be needing to build one box for a small lazy susan that will cover a 14" 45 degree angle in the wall....any ideas of where to check for custom parts?

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