Ms Penning please thank your father for sharing his knowledge with us who appreciate the skills he has acquired over the years. truly the best scribing video I've seen.
This is brilliant. I've been brainstorming for months on how to do this. It got to the point to where I bought poster board and was cutting small pieces and taping them against the larger poster board... well, it doesn't matter anymore. Thank the Lord I found this. My wife will be thankful too.
FINALLY! I watched a bunch of videos (made by professionals) on how to scribe a shelf. They all showed a close up of the process but they did not show or explain how they put the board against the wall to make the mark. In fact, all the videos showed the board appeared to lay FLAT between the two walls BEFORE the scribe. Which means that the board would have to be short AFTER the cut. Thanks for a showing the complete process.
This is the best explaining on how to scribe to fit a shelf between 2 walls. In every video I have seen no one has explained how the shelf needs to be larger and tilted, though it should be common sense it is not and I was having a hard time figuring it out until I saw this video. Subscribed!
This is a great tip. I've 'fitted' closet shelves that don't fit properly in the past and my daughter now tells me she wants shelves in the other closet too. With this tip I should be able to do a better job. Thank you very much
this is excellent, I started off thinking this is unnecessary then quickly came to realization that this is very important to anyone that shows good craftsmanship, if you're going to do it do it right no rigs! thank you so much!
I’ve watched probably 10 videos on how to scribe an alcove shelf. Each 20 minute video consisted of people yapping about nothing and building an entire template. This was the exact kind of method I was looking for and my brain just couldn’t figure it out on its own. Not to mention, it’s was only 6 minutes with a yap rate of 0. I’ve commented on maybe 3 videos in the past 15 years, but tell OUR dad that I said thank you! 🙏
Thank you! I'm installing the closet shelves at work tomorrow. I'm starting with the same start that you started with here. I felt they should be scribbed but no one is mentioning it. They are keeping it very simple. I appreciate this so much! Now where the heck did I put that compass lol?
Thank you for sharing! In process of remodeling after 15 years in house realized existing closets aren't designed for current needs. I combined 2 - 6ft California closets into a 12 ft walk-in closet for my daughter who has a lot of great storage but needed the ability to see everything and give everything room to breathe. She is able to stay organized and on time even with her busy schedule so it was worth it. Now I am finishing the remodel for the 2 closets I took apart to build the 12-ft walk-in. Project 1 is in a 5th bedroom that serves as den and craft room. There is a secretary and upper cabinet in there from my original kitchen remodel so I took extra oak plywood from a custom wall unit that is getting replaced with a beautiful new wall unit upgrade and used 4 side panels to create the peg board sides to hold the custom shelving to compensate for removing the reach in closet organization system where I am removing the wall to add a double center door to help remove the feeling of claustrophobia and open it to the family room for more unified feel. I am cutting 20 shelves and the walls are not plumb (likely due age related settling (25 yo home or to drywall/mud etc) so this will help tremendously. My second project is in the 4 th bedroom where there are 2 large reach ins. I am converting one of the reach ins into a large linen closet with 6 - 5 1/2 ft X 2' & 2 - 5 1/2 ft X 1' shelves held in by furring strips. Again the walls aren't plumb and since I have other pantry closets that were done with rough cuts and caulk, I do not want the same sloppy work for these projects. Over the years the caulk method looks terrible and the supports are not fully supporting the weight so I will be added support and fixing what needs it. To anyone reading this post, I agree the time constraints to cut wood for a perfect fit will test your patience, but using this method requires much less time than trying to cut quick, caulk, paint or having to get more wood to finish your project. Thank you Susan and your dad for your time and posting this method to help our projects along. I will be looking into your channel. W
Thank you so much. This is an upcoming project, and I value finish above time! I was planning to make templates first, but this method is so much easier.
What if the back wall needs scribed too? The board wont fit in the area to do it first. If you do it last it will move the profile of the scribed sides backwards and mess everything up.
Make the shelf bigger than it needs to be. Scribe both ends then do the back wall last. Its also alot easier if you scribe it all then mark each end on the front and cut the front off. Then edgeband it.
Neat, thank you. I so could have used this about a week ago lol. I didn't know "scribing" was a thing until I couldn't figure out how to make it fit nicely.
Thanks very much for this video! I begin installing shelving in a reach-in closet tomorrow this is very useful. I may just connect the scribe with my track and then use the "tube scribing" (caulk ) if there is more than 1/8".
Excellent refresher and similar day light closet project at my place. I think however, you will be annoyed by the close mounting of the closet pole to the shelf as you will be bumping into shelf with the hook of your hangers. Give it an extra space of an additional inch for an easier time of taking hangers in and out. Just a suggestion. Many thanks.
Two things that will help that he did not mention is when cutting your scribed line make sure you take into consideration your curf and which side to cut on and also that the use of a "downward" cutting bit for your jigsaw will significantly aid in not tearing out the top of your shelf material along the cut line.
In these cases (I have one right now, in fact), I prefer to use furring strips on the back and side walls to help support the shelves. If necessary, a strip on the front can be added, too, then dressed with crown or some other kind of molding.
uk They don't build houses square so ya gotta compensate. Don't tell me you put up baseboards without caulking? 😂🤣😂🤣 Craftmanship is making something work (unlike your sawhorse)🤣
I am a noob in the DIY world but I need to cut a bit of a strangely shaped shelf (tubes and other problems in its way). Is a cardboard a good idea? I'd cut the cardboard and then use it as a model to cut the wood. Thanks for your help and ideas :)
Davide Nastri Yes you can do that. It is called a template. I make templates all the time. It allows you to cut the board anywhere you want even off site if you desire.
Very helpful. My husband and I have been looking at wire shelving, and I just don't like it. I keep thinking we can do this ourselves. We have a closet with a 45" wall, and I'm trying to figure out how we make it so it doesn't end up sagging in the middle. It's in our bathroom, and I use it for storing extra soap, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc.
Use 1x4 as your cleats against the wall (If you have a router, route the bottom outside edge slightly, you can sand it for similar results). If it's going in your bathroom, I suggest not using any kind of MDF or particle board, as once that kind of material absorbs moisture it tends to bloat. Whatever you use, make sure it's at least 3/4 inch thickness (this should prevent sagging). You can also use a 1x2, route the outside edges or sand as a nosing to make it look a little more sharp.
I don't understand why people complain about something they don't understand or, just have a general bitch about something others are trying to do to help. If you have a better idea... post it on youtube. If not, don't leave disparaging comments about somebody trying to help.
Hello Russel and Melissa! We doing same, but i have another solution. Could you take look to my invention. What the way I do to achieve clean cut without any cheeping. ua-cam.com/play/PL69vX4Gwc_4-ZWdBM5LzQmv2gt0yglsiQ.html I hope for your response. Best regards, Alex
WOW!!!! been a trim carpenter now going on 43 years. Do plenty of custom closets. A lot faster way using a framing square, a real tape and never use a jig saw to cut long straight cuts. It aint a piano :)
+rjcontra It depends on the standard of finish that is desired. Some jobs I do have a specification from the architect that filler is not to be used on jointing surfaces such as shelves.
I enjoyed the video and appreciate the workmanship. Unfortunately, drywall walls are often not accurate or square, therefore any wonderfully cut shelf may not be tight to the wall--regardless of the scribing. I believe that a better approach would be to measure (via tape, to the closest 1/8"), cut, place, fill with paintable chalk and finish paint. And then get on to to the other unfinished projects.
Pattern scribe with the flat bar method. More accurate for all walls. Place an undersized thin board( 1/4 in luan) flat in place shelf goes rhen use a thin metal bar ( Varied. Lengths. 12 in and 3 in. Will do it) to get the wonky shapes. Scribe your lines on template and then transfer to the real goods via reverse scribe with said bar method. . cut n done.
this is a more complicated version of taking the tape measure and measuring from side to side. Both to the back of the shelf and the front of the shelf then cut the line that meets between the two marks.
okay I was trying to understand the compass thing and now I get it.. it's just to form a straight line.. I was thinking it had something to do with angles. Thanks for the tutorial
Check the youtube video: Build a Stair Tread Cutting Jig. That is another way to cut wood precisely. But, it is important to learn Susan Penning's Dad method too.
The whole point is that the resulting shelf fits exactly in the space. Imagine that the walls are slightly curved and the corners are not square. If you use a straight edge there will be visible gaps.
6 min of video explaining how to cut a board?.. What about if the side walls are not parallel? What about if the back wall has a ding or bump? How than the shelf will fit "perfectly"? And why do you use this compass technique if you already know that you have to cut 1" from both sides?
+alexander62 That's the whole point of the video ! You scribe it both sides, then you scribe the back and it fits perfectly tapered walls, dings and all. You leave the inch so that you have some to trim when you've scribed it. Or is all that of no consequence because you just wanted to troll someone?
+Graham Orm Troll someone?... NO, I asked question. you answered. I still don't get it, but I am fortunate to have some brain left to figure out this problem by myself. The video is done by a professional, not by an educator. And you are not educator either ...
It's not "a compass"! We dont say divider do we? We say dividers, (plural) because they have two legs. So it's compasses because they also have two legs. "A compass " is used to find direction.
Your Dad should do a whole series of teaching techniques! Very good!
Finally!!!!! A video that is exactly 💯 what I was looking for 👌 mint explanation from your dad 👌 nice job
Your Dad is a great teacher and seems so sweet! Please pass on my gratitude for his clear explanation.
Most helpful video I have found on how to scribe with simple tools and actually gets to the point! Thank you!!!
This is so cool! I was having trouble understanding other videos, but your dad is a born teacher. Tell him thanks for saving my closet! 💜
Ms Penning please thank your father for sharing his knowledge with us who appreciate the skills he has acquired over the years. truly the best scribing video I've seen.
Thank you so much! I'll let him know.
this was easily the best tutorial I found on youtube for this - thanks so much, worked perfectly!
This is brilliant. I've been brainstorming for months on how to do this. It got to the point to where I bought poster board and was cutting small pieces and taping them against the larger poster board... well, it doesn't matter anymore. Thank the Lord I found this. My wife will be thankful too.
So glad it was helpful, Dave! Thanks for stopping by.
Easiest video of how to do this that I've seen. Kudos
FINALLY! I watched a bunch of videos (made by professionals) on how to scribe a shelf. They all showed a close up of the process but they did not show or explain how they put the board against the wall to make the mark. In fact, all the videos showed the board appeared to lay FLAT between the two walls BEFORE the scribe. Which means that the board would have to be short AFTER the cut. Thanks for a showing the complete process.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback!
That was exactly my difficulty, so big thanks from UK for these tips!
This is the best explaining on how to scribe to fit a shelf between 2 walls. In every video I have seen no one has explained how the shelf needs to be larger and tilted, though it should be common sense it is not and I was having a hard time figuring it out until I saw this video. Subscribed!
This is a great tip. I've 'fitted' closet shelves that don't fit properly in the past and my daughter now tells me she wants shelves
in the other closet too. With this tip I should be able to do a better job. Thank you very much
this is excellent, I started off thinking this is unnecessary then quickly came to realization that this is very important to anyone that shows good craftsmanship, if you're going to do it do it right no rigs! thank you so much!
I’ve watched probably 10 videos on how to scribe an alcove shelf. Each 20 minute video consisted of people yapping about nothing and building an entire template. This was the exact kind of method I was looking for and my brain just couldn’t figure it out on its own. Not to mention, it’s was only 6 minutes with a yap rate of 0. I’ve commented on maybe 3 videos in the past 15 years, but tell OUR dad that I said thank you! 🙏
Thank you! I'm installing the closet shelves at work tomorrow. I'm starting with the same start that you started with here. I felt they should be scribbed but no one is mentioning it. They are keeping it very simple. I appreciate this so much! Now where the heck did I put that compass lol?
Superb tutorial, Ive struggled to get the concept but this explained it perfectly thanks.
Thank you for sharing! In process of remodeling after 15 years in house realized existing closets aren't designed for current needs. I combined 2 - 6ft California closets into a 12 ft walk-in closet for my daughter who has a lot of great storage but needed the ability to see everything and give everything room to breathe. She is able to stay organized and on time even with her busy schedule so it was worth it. Now I am finishing the remodel for the 2 closets I took apart to build the 12-ft walk-in. Project 1 is in a 5th bedroom that serves as den and craft room. There is a secretary and upper cabinet in there from my original kitchen remodel so I took extra oak plywood from a custom wall unit that is getting replaced with a beautiful new wall unit upgrade and used 4 side panels to create the peg board sides to hold the custom shelving to compensate for removing the reach in closet organization system where I am removing the wall to add a double center door to help remove the feeling of claustrophobia and open it to the family room for more unified feel. I am cutting 20 shelves and the walls are not plumb (likely due age related settling (25 yo home or to drywall/mud etc) so this will help tremendously.
My second project is in the 4 th bedroom where there are 2 large reach ins. I am converting one of the reach ins into a large linen closet with 6 - 5 1/2 ft X 2' & 2 - 5 1/2 ft X 1' shelves held in by furring strips. Again the walls aren't plumb and since I have other pantry closets that were done with rough cuts and caulk, I do not want the same sloppy work for these projects. Over the years the caulk method looks terrible and the supports are not fully supporting the weight so I will be added support and fixing what needs it.
To anyone reading this post, I agree the time constraints to cut wood for a perfect fit will test your patience, but using this method requires much less time than trying to cut quick, caulk, paint or having to get more wood to finish your project.
Thank you Susan and your dad for your time and posting this method to help our projects along. I will be looking into your channel. W
Love the compass tip thank you so much
Great instruction on how to get that perfect fit on shelving.
Thank you
I was looking for a way to cut shelves to fit without any gapes. Thank you. You save the Day.
Hector Reyes You are very welcome. I'm glad it was helpful.
Thank you for this. Helped me massively 😁
Great teacher. Thank you
Okay, so that's how you get it to fit. I found this video very helpful.
Thank you
Nice Video.This is the video I’ve been looking for. Wasn’t sure how to scribe both sides of an opening. And get the width you need. Thanks Again.
Thank you so much. This is an upcoming project, and I value finish above time! I was planning to make templates first, but this method is so much easier.
+Paul Elder So glad the video was helpful, Paul. :)
+Susan Penning (Living Rich on Less) That is a great instructive video. Thanks for Sharing.
genius! defo deserves a subscribe!
What if the back wall needs scribed too? The board wont fit in the area to do it first. If you do it last it will move the profile of the scribed sides backwards and mess everything up.
Make the shelf bigger than it needs to be. Scribe both ends then do the back wall last. Its also alot easier if you scribe it all then mark each end on the front and cut the front off. Then edgeband it.
Awesome..i learned something new...thank you so much❤️
Neat, thank you. I so could have used this about a week ago lol. I didn't know "scribing" was a thing until I couldn't figure out how to make it fit nicely.
Great tips ad great video. Thank you. Exactly what I needed.
Thanks very much for this video! I begin installing shelving in a reach-in closet tomorrow this is very useful. I may just connect the scribe with my track and then use the "tube scribing" (caulk ) if there is more than 1/8".
Perfecto! Experience is more valuable than gold
Your father did a terrific job...... thanks for sharing this video!
Great tips from your Dad!
Best scribing explanation really well done
Excellent refresher and similar day light closet project at my place. I think however, you will be annoyed by the close mounting of the closet pole to the shelf as you will be bumping into shelf with the hook of your hangers. Give it an extra space of an additional inch for an easier time of taking hangers in and out. Just a suggestion. Many thanks.
Your Dad is awesome!
Nice! But what about the back wall?
What about the wall profile on back wall? Did you need to scribe that too or was it pretty flat.
Where can I buy the pencil scribe ? What is it called exactly ?
Two things that will help that he did not mention is when cutting your scribed line make sure you take into consideration your curf and which side to cut on and also that the use of a "downward" cutting bit for your jigsaw will significantly aid in not tearing out the top of your shelf material along the cut line.
Great scribe tutorial. Any advice for spanning distances over which shelf bowing would be a concern?
In these cases (I have one right now, in fact), I prefer to use furring strips on the back and side walls to help support the shelves. If necessary, a strip on the front can be added, too, then dressed with crown or some other kind of molding.
Awesome tip.
Awesome video
Great learning tool.
Why would you use particle board for that?
That's one sturdy sawhorse you got there.lol.
I just measure cut an caulk, takes way less time an looks perfect.
Fits where it touches and fill it eh 😂😂😂
Real craftsmanship!
uk They don't build houses square so ya gotta compensate.
Don't tell me you put up baseboards without caulking? 😂🤣😂🤣
Craftmanship is making something work (unlike your sawhorse)🤣
I am a noob in the DIY world but I need to cut a bit of a strangely shaped shelf (tubes and other problems in its way).
Is a cardboard a good idea?
I'd cut the cardboard and then use it as a model to cut the wood.
Thanks for your help and ideas :)
Davide Nastri
Yes you can do that. It is called a template. I make templates all the time. It allows you to cut the board anywhere you want even off site if you desire.
I've never considered this before. Good to know...thanks for sharing.
This is an excellent explanation on how to scribe. Great video! When I read some of the comments I couldn’t believe how stupid some people are...wow.
Good technique
Very helpful. My husband and I have been looking at wire shelving, and I just don't like it. I keep thinking we can do this ourselves. We have a closet with a 45" wall, and I'm trying to figure out how we make it so it doesn't end up sagging in the middle. It's in our bathroom, and I use it for storing extra soap, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc.
Use 1x4 as your cleats against the wall (If you have a router, route the bottom outside edge slightly, you can sand it for similar results). If it's going in your bathroom, I suggest not using any kind of MDF or particle board, as once that kind of material absorbs moisture it tends to bloat. Whatever you use, make sure it's at least 3/4 inch thickness (this should prevent sagging). You can also use a 1x2, route the outside edges or sand as a nosing to make it look a little more sharp.
You speak of other videos of this project, but I can't seem to find them.
What about the back wall?
Good question!
I don't understand why people complain about something they don't understand or, just have a general bitch about something others are trying to do to help. If you have a better idea... post it on youtube. If not, don't leave disparaging comments about somebody trying to help.
Hello Russel and Melissa! We doing same, but i have another solution. Could you take look to my invention. What the way I do to achieve clean cut without any cheeping. ua-cam.com/play/PL69vX4Gwc_4-ZWdBM5LzQmv2gt0yglsiQ.html
I hope for your response. Best regards, Alex
When you say that the board is 2" longer than the hole, where are you measuring the hole from? The front? the back? Thanks :)
I am assuming it's an average of both or at the least from the longest side.
WOW!!!! been a trim carpenter now going on 43 years. Do plenty of custom closets. A lot faster way using a framing square, a real tape and never use a jig saw to cut long straight cuts. It aint a piano :)
+rjcontra
It depends on the standard of finish that is desired. Some jobs I do have a specification from the architect that filler is not to be used on jointing surfaces such as shelves.
Brilliant!
I’m lost to why you can’t just measure across and cut once?
I enjoyed the video and appreciate the workmanship. Unfortunately, drywall walls are often not accurate or square, therefore any wonderfully cut shelf may not be tight to the wall--regardless of the scribing.
I believe that a better approach would be to measure (via tape, to the closest 1/8"), cut, place, fill with paintable chalk and finish paint.
And then get on to to the other unfinished projects.
Pattern scribe with the flat bar method. More accurate for all walls. Place an undersized thin board( 1/4 in luan) flat in place shelf goes rhen use a thin metal bar ( Varied. Lengths. 12 in and 3 in. Will do it) to get the wonky shapes. Scribe your lines on template and then transfer to the real goods via reverse scribe with said bar method. . cut n done.
Thank you so much. At last a scribing video that actually shows you how to scribe! Please thank your Father for showing us.
Hi, in case you didn't know Woody Hyezmar is making his book available for download since he's looking for feedback before publishing it, google him.
Good stuff!
A jib saw is the most worst thing that you could use to prevent chipping.
Great video! Ignore those trolls.
this is a more complicated version of taking the tape measure and measuring from side to side. Both to the back of the shelf and the front of the shelf then cut the line that meets between the two marks.
That only works if the wall is straight. Scribing is done for walls that have undulations in them.
nope
okay I was trying to understand the compass thing and now I get it.. it's just to form a straight line.. I was thinking it had something to do with angles. Thanks for the tutorial
The compass is important because it will mark your shelf exactly where it needs to be cut as it rides the wall, which is probably not exactly square.
Check the youtube video: Build a Stair Tread Cutting Jig.
That is another way to cut wood precisely.
But, it is important to learn Susan Penning's Dad method too.
Merci
Wow, pretty lady!
$.89 per foot for firring strips seems a bit excessive.
College course. All I remember is shelf and pencil
For whatever reason, it feels like a little complicated to cut a board. But thanks for posting
+Omar Rodriguez Depends if you can live with big gaps or not I guess.
How many cm in a fuddy inch?
Closet rod to close to board. Also, why isn’t your closet build square to begin with. Also, you will never get a clean cut with a saber saw.
Ever heard of using a straight guide while cutting with a jigsaw?
The whole point is that the resulting shelf fits exactly in the space.
Imagine that the walls are slightly curved and the corners are not square. If you use a straight edge there will be visible gaps.
Superb video! Ignore the trolls.
I know that woodprix has the best woodworking plans ever.
Cunningly stands in front of "difficult edge" and says "no gap on either side"...
Fake news.
6 min of video explaining how to cut a board?.. What about if the side walls are not parallel? What about if the back wall has a ding or bump? How than the shelf will fit "perfectly"?
And why do you use this compass technique if you already know that you have to cut 1" from both sides?
alexander62 The compass technique overcomes a side wall that isn't square.
alexander62 Did you watch the video? You clearly dont understand what is going on here...
+alexander62 That's the whole point of the video ! You scribe it both sides, then you scribe the back and it fits perfectly tapered walls, dings and all. You leave the inch so that you have some to trim when you've scribed it.
Or is all that of no consequence because you just wanted to troll someone?
+Graham Orm Troll someone?... NO, I asked question. you answered. I still don't get it, but I am fortunate to have some brain left to figure out this problem by myself. The video is done by a professional, not by an educator. And you are not educator either ...
+alexander62 The video is self explanotory, if you needed me to explain it to you please don't attempt it, you'll hurt yourself.
That shelf is not level! Otherwise, your methods seem sound.
I found great plans on the Stodoys website. I think this is a good solution for everyone.
It's not "a compass"! We dont say divider do we? We say dividers, (plural) because they have two legs. So it's compasses because they also have two legs. "A compass " is used to find direction.
Tips for cheap living. Get a dad that has a life time of knowledge that you don’t have to pay for lol
Woodglut has very good and accurate plans.
THIS GUY TALKS TO MUCH ... BRING SUSAN BACK
+Gabriel Graffix So do you
Never seen someone make cutting a board so difficult
LOL
Way too complicated method, its not molding....just a shelf
Nice