It is common practice to use a filler piece between an end cabinet and the wall.

This gives you a bit of leeway with the measurements while you're positioning and levelling the cabinet.

It also lets you scribe and re-cut the filler if it turns out that the wall isn't plumb or there is a hollow or curve in the wall.

Out-of-plumb walls

The process for scribing and recutting a filler piece to match the deviations in a wall is much the same as for scribing templates and larger panels. We've talked about this process in the lesson: 'Templates' from the unit Checking fit of cabinets. The process of recutting or shaping a piece is covered in the lesson: 'Panels and bench tops' from the unit Adjusting cabinets on-site.

If the out-of-plumb wall is behind the cabinet, you can use a scribed end panel to fit flush with the wall.

Note that the cabinet itself will need to have a reduced depth so that the wall deviations don't push the cabinet forward.

This photo shows a cabinet set in 200 mm from the wall, with a scribed end panel.

Just remember that if you're using this technique, you need to make allowance for the extra board thickness (generally 16 mm).

Cornices

If you're installing wall cabinets that go right to the ceiling, you may find that you need to scribe around a cornice. In this instance, it's often easiest to use a pair of dividers to draw the shape. The profile line can either be scribed onto a template or directly onto the panel itself. Make sure you keep the dividers horizontal so that the line stays exactly parallel at all times.

Service pipes

There may be times when you need to work around existing service pipes, such as electrical conduits, air conditioning ducts and waste pipes. This particularly occurs in older buildings with masonry walls.

If the pipes or obstacles are against the wall, you can install a cabinet with a reduced depth and cover the gap in the same way as for out-of-plumb walls.

The drawing at right shows a plan view of a cabinet with filler pieces finishing to the side and rear walls.

For service pipes near the ceiling, you can cut an end panel that goes around the pipe.

This drawing shows an end panel with a hole cut for the pipe, and two vertical cuts that allow the bridging piece to be removed while the panel is fitted.

The bridging piece is then replaced and fixed in position.