[igneous]

We're doing a remodel of our bathroom, and after the tile guys finish the floor, I will install a new vanity, similar in dimensions to the previous one, but this one is 36" high instead of the lower one. I will have to cut new holes for the drain pipe and water lines that are in the wall. Two sinks. I watch Tommy Silva do stuff like this, but I'm not clever at discerning locations for holes. I have a 2' sink base, a 12" drawer cabinet in the middle, and another 2' sink base. The right side is against a wall. Any tips at cutting these holes (two sets) and getting cabinet level and plumb? I could cut one just one hole for all three under each sink, but I'd like to try to do it right.

 

[1acre]

a lot of vanities are open in the back...assuming your's isn't, and since your toe kick will most likely be built into the boxes, set a sink base up to the wall, mark the back of the box, cut holes. if you want to get it exact, maybe paint the rim of the pipes so it makes a mark and then hole saw. if you want to do 1acre style, put up the cabinet to the plumbing, eyeball some holes to drill around the outside of everything, jigsaw one big hole. no one will ever notice.

you'll have to scribe the cabinet on the side against the wall. I like to dado the side to be scribed, some people do a 45 deg. I use a compass and scribe to the wall. grinder/ jigsaw/sand/file off to scribe to wall. painters/masking tape if you'll be using a jig saw to keep the finish from chipping. You'll also have to find your highest spot, set the box on that side and then level from there. One reason why I build ladder bases for my boxes, the leveling is super easy.

 

[firehawkmph]

When I do kitchen or bath cabinet installs, I draw a level line where the top edge of the cabinet should go. I first use my inexpensive craftsmen laser on a tripod to find the highest spot on the floor in the area where the cabinet will sit. That determines the height of my level line. Next take a 24" level and set it on each waterline and the waste line, one at a time. Put the edge of the level right over the center of the pipe and adjust the level till it reads plumb. Make a pencil mark on the level line and mark it as to which pipe it refers to, hot, cold, waste, etc. now just transfer the marks by measuring from the corner to each mark. Then measure down from the level line to the center of each pipe, write the measurement next to each Mark on the wall. Now measure down from the marks you made on the cabinet, keeping them plumb to the marks on the top edge of the cabinet. Drill your three holes with a hole saw slightly bigger than each pipe. I usually use 1" hole saws for the 1/2" copper waterlines, 2-3" for the waste line. Take your time measuring and you shouldn't have any problems.
Mike Hawkins:smile:

 

[carpdad]

If you can, make a dry run with the actual vanity. Remember to measure from the ref line set by the vanity, not the countertop. Been there.
Make the pipe holes bigger. 1/2-3/4" bigger is fine since the escuchons (split) can cover them.

 

[FullSwing]

Simplify; mark a line on the wall where your cabinet begins, measure over from the line to the center of your pipe and make a mark on the back of your cabinet. Next measure off of the floor the height to the center of your pipe and mark on the back of the cabinet, where your two marks intercept this will be the center of your pilot hole, drill the pilot hole from the back but make sure to use the hole saw from inside of the cabinet pushing outwards so blow out wont be seen. When mounting the cabinets screw them all together before pushing them into place so its one big cabinet, push it against the wall and place shims underneath if there are any spots not touching the ground, no need to level, if your foundation is sinking thats a whole nother issue. Make hole saw holes bigger than the pipe so you have a bit of play later on you can always add an escutcheon plate if the hole bothers you. Good luck!

 

[FullSwing]

Simpler option would be to just cut out a big section of the cabinet to accomodate all pipes making 1 big square opening. Alot of times plumbing under sinks isnt very attractive to begin with and you might not care how good it looks under there since it is never seen, at the end of the day its upto the owner.