How To Make A Template For Cabinets Going On Angled Walls

There are many various methods of making templates for cabinets that are going to be installed on angled walls. I am going to offer a few suggestions that will yield good results but one that will give you excellent results. Especially if you’re making a Formica Countertop to go in the designated area where the angled walls are.



Thin 1/4” strips of wood
This method is often used by counter top manufactures. The person designated to handle all of the templating for the company carries a supply of 4” wide 1/4” thick plywood strips with them onto the job site. By using a skill saw, saber saw or razor knife in combination with a straight edge, the pieces can be cut to length and the necessary angles cut on them. Once all of the pieces are cut and in place the person then uses a construction grade hot melt glue to assemble the template together. By adding additional cross pieces to the ones that are along the wall the angled wall cabinetry pattern is strengthened enough to be handled several times while it is transferred onto the actual counter top pieces. Use the template as a guide and trace the wall lines onto a large piece of cardboard or other board. Then, layout your cabinets by following the lines.

Using the actual raw counter top pieces top make the template with.
Here’s how we make angled wall templates for cabinets that will be getting a plastic laminate top. This method will protect you against making expensive mistakes.

• Measure the walls from corner to corner and to the ends of walls where the top will stop.

• Use the actual wood that you will make the top out of and cut it to the actual kitchen, vanity, laundry room or desk depth and to the length of the corner to corner measurements. Leave the pieces long where the wall ends will be, you can mark these on the job.

• Take the pre-cut pieces of countertop material to the job site. We made some actual horses that are kitchen counter top height. Then, we set the pieces on the horses once we reach the location of where the top will be installed. Placing the pre-cut boards into position, they will overlap one another, trace the ninety degree board end onto the one that is below it and cut the line using a skill or saber saw. Only cut one piece at a time and check the fit as you go.

• Once the angled cuts are accurate you can mark the wall ends and take them to your shop and cut them off.

• Assemble the countertop pieces and then layout your cabinetry for the angled walls on the top of the raw wood using it as the template.

Tip: Because your cuts will not be perfect on the job, when you are making this angled wall template, make notes on the boards like: “add 1/16” here or “tight here.” When you return to the shop to assemble the pieces you can use your notes as a guide to get it put together as accurately as possible.

You can make a template however you choose and with whatever you have available to fabricate it out of. The most important thing to remember is that you should check and double check all of your layout dimensions. There is nothing more frustrating than reaching the job site and the cabinets don’t fit.