Tried a different way to cut around a tricky floor vent yesterday

I was doing a job in a 70s split-level and the floor vent was this weird octagon shape, not a normal rectangle. Instead of my usual method, I traced the shape onto some cardboard first to make a template. When I cut the carpet using that, it fit perfectly on the first try, no extra trimming needed. I probably saved like 15 minutes of fiddling around on my knees. I'm definitely keeping a piece of cardboard in the truck from now on for odd shapes. Has anyone else used a simple trick like that for vents or other obstacles?

3 comments

3 Comments

kai_nguyen7925d ago

Man, I always just tried to freehand those weird ones and it was a total pain. Your cardboard trick is actually genius. I used to think making a template was extra work for no reason, but you're right, it saves so much time on the back end. Getting it right the first time is way better than kneeling there with a knife for twenty minutes. You just changed my whole method for odd cuts.

tara_williams125d ago

My buddy Steve had a vent shaped like a star once, total nightmare. He did the cardboard thing after seeing a tip online, maybe from someone like @kai_nguyen79. Said it was the only reason he finished before dark.

avery_roberts10d ago

Yeah, the cardboard trick is a lifesaver. I had to cut around a weird octagon vent last year and I just traced it onto an old cereal box. Cut that out first to test the fit, then used it as a guide on the actual piece. Made it way less stressful, idk why I ever tried to guess before.