Scribing to Fit

When you're installing drywall or wood moldings, you might run into situations that seem difficult at first glance. One example is hanging drywall next to the irregular stonework of a fireplace. Trying to measure and transfer all of the irregularities to a sheet of drywall would require saintly patience and a lot of time. But if you know how to scribe, you'll produce accurate results within minutes.

Scribing also works well for sheets of wood products, countertops, moldings, and other trim boards. If a wall has a slight bow to it, for example, you probably won't be able to muscle a 1x4 applied flat into the arc. Although pumping a caseload of caulk into the gap is one solution, scribing is more sensible and less expensive.

Another common problem deals with fitting angled pieces of sheet goods. Die-hard engineers will reach for their calculator and trig tables. But the rest of us will get faster results with a tape measure, straightedge, and no math with the following procedure.