When to scribe

[Trigrl09]

How big of gap is acceptable with 5" by 3/4" baseboard (Arts and Crafts NO 1/4 round)

Currently we have about 1/8th - 1/6th. Should we scribe this?

I am not sure how to post pictures on this site but there is one here.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...814319448.html

[James Eggert]

How do you measure 1/6"? Did you mean 3/16"?

[Joe Adams]

Just keep this in mind -

A 1/16" gap doesn't sound big but it sure looks big.

[dlhunter]

First off, I think the size of the baseboard is irrelevant. 3" or 12", an 1/8th inch gap is still an 1/8th inch gap.
As to whether to scribe or not I guess it depends on the expectations of the client, how you bid the job and how you want others to view your craftsmanship. If you are asking because the client has pointed out the big gaps then you failed to offer them a scribe or shoe molding option and you probably need to do one of the two. If you are asking because it looks bad to you then it probably isn't acceptable and you have to decide how to handle it.
I don't think I've ever installed base where it sat tight to the flooring 100% so I always go over the options with the client pre bid.

[rustbucket]

When you spend a few grand on having new trim installed in your house, a 1/8" gap looks like something you can slip a phone book through.

[Jerry M]

If you're running base with no shoe, you're scribing, in my book (unless you've got carpet, of course). In a log cabin, 1/8" might look good. In a house with a highly refined interior, not so much.

I'd rather scribe it and be proud of it than leave it and make a couple extra dollars on work I'm not so proud of. But that's just me.

[Hickorywind1]

When to scribe?
When you think you need to.....
Or to paraphrase a movie line i like,
"When there is doubt, there is no doubt".