• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The DIY Doctor's Blog
MENUMENU
  • DIY Doctor menu logo
  • Home
  • Projects
    • All Projects
    • Brick, Block, Marsonary and Concrete
    • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
    • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
    • Electrical
    • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
    • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
    • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
    • Gardening and Landscaping
    • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
    • General Repairs and Cleaning
    • Green Living and Eco DIY
    • Ground work, Foundations and Drainage
    • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
    • Joinery and Carpentry
    • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
    • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
    • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
    • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
    • Plumbing
    • Roofing and Gutters
    • Tiling and Tiles
    • Tools, Appliances and Access
    • DIY Tips
  • UK DIY Forums
  • DIY Videos
    • Bathroom DIY Videos
    • Building Foundation Videos
    • Building Videos
    • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
    • Damp and Damproofing Videos
    • Decorating Videos
    • Electrical Videos
    • Fitting Blinds Videos
    • Flooring Videos
    • Gardening Videos
    • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
    • Hand and Power Tools Videos
    • Heating and Central Heating Videos
    • Kitchen Videos
    • Plastering and Drylining Videos
    • Plumbing Videos
    • Security Videos
  • Find Tradesmen
    • Find a Tradesman
    • Contract Download
    • Working With Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
    • Home Improver Protection
    • Price Doctor
  • Tool Store
    • Tool Store
    • Bookstore
    • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • DIY Competitions
  • About us
    • About DIY Doctor
    • What we do
    • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
    • Master Classes
    • Contact Us

Home > Blog Home >  DIY and Home Improvement >  Cutting Timber and Other Materials to Fit Odd and Uneven Surfaces Perfectly

Cutting Timber and Other Materials to Fit Odd and Uneven Surfaces Perfectly

Posted on January 11, 2019 by DIY Doctor

If you have ever tried to fit a shelf, window sill, kitchen unit or other object to an odd shaped or uneven surface then you will know this is no easy task.

Although you could just push it up as tight as you can to the surface in question, it never looks as good as it could if it was shaped to fit perfectly.

If, however, you are totally happy with just pushing it against the surface, that’s totally fine and there’s nothing wrong with that at all, but if you would like that polished, professional finish, then it is possible to shape the item to fit.

The process of marking a cutting line on an object is called scribing and the verb is described in the dictionary as “marking or scoring with a pointed instrument as a guide to cutting” and this pretty much perfectly describes the process.

How Should I Scribe my Line?

In traditional woodworking, cutting lines are points or measurement were marked using a bradawl.

If you’ve never seen one before, this particular tool looks similar to an ice pick and in most cases, has a shaped wooden handle at one end and at the other, a sharp metal spike that runs down to a fine point.

The fine point is used to mark a precise and accurate line or position for cutting up to.

Although still a favourite among traditional woodworks and tradesmen, most now use either a pencil or pen.

Engineers compasses

In all honesty it doesn’t really matter what you us, as long as you can see where you need to cut and any marks are fine enough to be accurate, that’s all good.

How Should I Scribe to an Uneven Surface?

When it comes to the overall success of how well your object, be it a kitchen base unit, shelf or other actually fits against the surface you are matching to, this really depends on how accurate both your marking and cut is.

We’ll deal with the marking out first.

To transfer the shape of the object you are fitting up to on to the object you need to cut, the best tool to use is a compass (or pair of compasses) that take a standard size pencil. See the image below.

In general, an engineers compass is the tool to go for as these normally feature a threaded adjuster that allows you move the legs to a set width and keep them there.

Next, you will need to position your object up to the surface in the exact place it is going to reside in. Make sure it is as flat and level as possible.

You may need a second pair of hands at this point in order to hold the item in place while you mark it. If you have help available, make use of it. Don’t struggle as you could make mistakes that will affect the overall quality of the job.

With your object in place, take you compass and place the non-pencil end against the uneven surface and the pencil end over your object, with the pencil in full contact with the surface. Make sure you starting at one end and working towards the other.

Scribing uneven surface to a piece of timber

Ensure that the pencil scribes a full and clear line as you go. Take your time and most importantly, don’t rush!

Once you have reached the end, you should then have a full and clear cutting line to follow.

As I’m sure you have gathered, the overall success of this job is really down to how accurate your cutting line is, so take your time and follow every detail in the surface.

If the above has inspired you to do some scribing of your own then check out our project on scribing to uneven surfaces here for even more tips and details.


Signup for the DIY Doctor Newsletter

<< Next Post

Do You Know how to Change a Tap on a Bath, Basin or Sink?
Do You Know how to Change a Tap on a Bath, Basin or Sink?

Previous Post >>

How to Calculate Your Roof Area for Sizing your Guttering
How to Calculate Your Roof Area for Sizing your Guttering

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

DIY Utility Kit:

Build your own work bench!

RRP Price: £49.99

Special Price: £39.95

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Advert

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Follow DIY Doctor

Follow DIY Doctor on Facebook
Follow DIY Doctor on Twitter
Follow DIY Doctor on YouTube
Follow DIY Doctor on Pinterest
Follow DIY Doctor on Tumblr

Blog Categories

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and C’s
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved