Tried paper template transfer instead of measuring twice on a tricky wall cabinet

Had to fit a cabinet into a corner with some weird drywall bulge near the window in my shop last Wednesday. So I grabbed some kraft paper and traced the exact wall profile with a scrap block and pencil, cut it out, then transferred it to the back of the cabinet panel. Took maybe 20 minutes total but saved me from having to scribe and sand for hours after install. Anyone else use paper templates for irregular walls or is that just me being extra?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mila1mo ago

Wait, you mean I'm not supposed to just hold my breath and hope the cabinet fits after five trips back to the saw? I spent an hour last week doing exactly that, then my back hurts and the gap is the size of my pinky finger.

norab211mo ago

The "hold your breath and hope" method... yeah I've been there. What finally worked for me was measuring twice (three times honestly) and clamping the piece before cutting so it doesn't shift on me. Saved my back and my pinky gap situation.

milessmith1mo ago

And @norab21 is spot on about clamping before cutting... that piece shifting even a little bit is what kills the fit. The other thing I'd add is don't trust your tape measure's hook. Those little rivets get loose and throw off your whole measurement. Check it against a ruler or another tape first.