In article ,
"Swingman" wrote:

A story stick, properly made and carefully wielded, will generally result in
a more accurate reproduction, with fewer errors and less waste, than a tape
measure.

When I stick a 10-foot slab of whatever countertop material between
walls, I create a slip-stick-story-stick-template. *S*
I also use that templating system on vertical surfaces, like for
full-height back splashes (does a wonderful job at locating electrical
outlets and non-level windowsills).
Upon further reflection, my templates are story-sticks... sorta.
I write all kinds of notes on them too.

r