Datum Line

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 10:23 am

I'm currently fitting a kitchen and working out the datum line. I've found the highest point in the room (5.1 x 2.4m) and marked 870mm. However, there's a deviation of 20mm at some points. I've read elsewhere to mark the datum line in the middle i.e. 860mm so there's only a deviation of plus or minus 10mm. This is so there's not a large gap on the kickboard.

Whats your opinion on this?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:39 am

The focal point will always be the worktop. The kickboard is usually black, in the shadow of the carcase overhang, and is largely invisible. I would pick a point that gives you a gradual gradient for the ground line cut so it is a fairly easy straight cut. I was tempted to buy a cheap laser level in Aldi but did not in the end. I just looked on Amazon and there is a cheap generic type for £22 hmmmmm.

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:41 am

I have a laser level mate. Just wondered if I should work from 870mm or not

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:52 am

I thought you would have, did you track the floor to see the rises and falls? As I said it is really only making the scribe easier if you can get an idea of the board to ground line. I am sure 870mm will be fine. I usually mess up scribes

DWD

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:14 pm

I've only ever fitted 2 kitchens, and then I had to get a man in for the worktops, 860/70/80 depending on worktop thickness is about right.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:18 pm

I've encountered another problem that I hope you can help me with. I've set my datum line to 875mm from the floor at the highest point in the room (+5mm for vinyl floor). The problem is that the lowest point I've realised is lower than I initially thought so with the cabinet in place at the lowest point the gap at the plinth is 170mm. The kickboards are 150mm which will leave a gap of 20mm. This would be too great I reckon so I have two choices.

1. Either buy or make from MDF a 170mm plinth. I don't think I can buy a plinth that wide. I'm also cautious about having the cabinet feet too high so I'd use little wooden blocks instead to increase the cabinet height.

2. My preferred choice and easiest is to reduce the height at the highest point to 855mm. I'm 6'2" and the worktop might be a bit low for me but feel it's my only option.

I know the standard height when setting cabinets is 870mm but what height have you ever reduced it to?

What would you do?

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:19 pm

wine~o wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:14 pm I've only ever fitted 2 kitchens, and then I had to get a man in for the worktops

No need to mate. I bought one of those square edge worktops so don't need to cut a masons mitre. Just square it up and use the locking bolts underneath.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:50 pm

Argyll wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:19 pm I bought one of those square edge worktops so don't need to cut a masons mitre. Just square it up and use the locking bolts underneath.

Great if all the walls are all square to each other.

Argyll wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:18 pm Either buy or make from MDF a 170mm plinth.

Plenty of options available if you look around for 170mm plinths (not B & Q though)

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:58 pm

Doddle Wine O. Just lay the worktops over each other and mark from underneath. Then cut with a track saw. That's the theory anyway

I've considered looking at other plinths but maybe a different shade of white. Maybe not though. I'll have a look later.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 5:30 pm

Argyll wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:58 pm Doddle Wine O. Just lay the worktops over each other and mark from underneath. Then cut with a track saw.

And that's why I "get a man in", If I did it myself and fecked up then it's down to me, get a man in. it's down to him... yes it'll cost me £££'s to get the man in, but I only need to get it wrong once to equal that equation.

Bob225 · Post by **Bob225** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:22 pm

Living in old houses most of my life, level and true doesn't always look right

screw the units together and level them as a group

fin · Post by **fin** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:11 pm

type of sub floor is it mate?

also i mostly fit howdens. their spec is 890mm from ffl to the top of the cabinet.

if its a concrete floor lose some of the difference with a smoothing compound.

if its a timb er floor then i guess a happy medium is best.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:05 am

fin wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:11 pm type of sub floor is it mate?

also i mostly fit howdens. their spec is 890mm from ffl to the top of the cabinet.

if its a concrete floor lose some of the difference with a smoothing compound.

if its a timb er floor then i guess a happy medium is best.

Fin it's a concrete floor but its a big kitchen (5x2.4m) I really can't be arsed messing around with flooring compound. I might just drop it at the highest point to 855mm and live with it.

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:41 pm

All depends how far away from the plinths you will be to see any gaps. If galley style kitchen 20mm at top would be fine as wouldnt see. Tbf i wpuld want any less than 10mm gap between unit and plinth to get something in there to pull off. Otherwise you need a suction cup. If howdens spec is 890 what are their units fin 720mm high? What are their plinths 160mm?

fin · Post by **fin** » Sun Oct 22, 2023 12:32 pm

cabs are 720 and plinths are er,,,,,,,, 165mm i think....