Don't Flatten Your CNC Wasteboard Without Watching This!

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In this video, I show you how to program a pocket toolpath in Vectric to flatten your wasteboard Using the Onefinity CNC Apprentice. If you’re looking to learn about Vectric tool path design, setup tips, tooling, or beginner-friendly CNC advice, this walkthrough will help you get started.

She’ll cover:

• Tool path programming

• Bit geometry

• Wasteboard flattening on the Apprentice CNC

• Tips for using a PC with RealTime CNC software instead of HMI

• The need for a SuckIt dust boot for flattening

FILES:

Apprentice Flattening.zip (10.8 KB)

:small_blue_diamond: PRODUCTS & TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO

:hammer_and_wrench: Machine:

Onefinity CNC Apprentice

:cyclone: Bits & Tooling:

1" Flattening Bit

65mm Spindle

:brain: Design Software:

Vectric

:wood: Materials:

Lowe’s 3/4" MDF – https://shoplowes.me/3Q2N2o0

T-Track & All Apprentice Set-Up Tools – Oak Hill Millworks's Amazon Page

How to Flatten Your Wasteboard on the Onefinity Apprentice CNC Router (Step-by-Step Guide)

Flattening your wasteboard is one of the most important first steps when setting up your CNC. It ensures your cutting surface is perfectly level relative to your machine, which leads to better accuracy and cleaner results.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to flatten your wasteboard on the Onefinity Apprentice, from designing the toolpath to running the job. While this is a guide for the Apprentice, the steps are the same for any Hobby CNC router, including our Gen 2 Elite series, Elite Series, Original Series, and Pro series!

Getting Started

For this walkthrough, we’re using:

  • A PC (touchscreen laptop) running the Redline real-time CNC software
  • Vectric software for toolpath design

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Good to know:You can also run this setup on a Mac. The real-time CNC software is available for Mac, and if your design software isn’t, you can use something like Parallels to run Windows-based programs.

Step 1: Create Your Wasteboard Design in Vectric

Start by setting up your job dimensions:

  • Set your wasteboard size (example used here):

    • Width: 16.25"
    • Height: 16.5"

  • Z zero: Material surface

  • XY origin: Front left corner

Next:

  1. Draw a rectangle matching your wasteboard size
  2. Use the Align Selected Objects tool (F10) to center it on your material

At this point, your geometry is ready for toolpath creation.

Step 2: Create the Surfacing Toolpath

Go to the Toolpath tab and create a Pocket Toolpath.

Recommended starting settings:

  • Start Depth: 0
  • Cut Depth: ~0.0625" (start shallow)
  • Tool: 1" surfacing bit (3 flute)
  • Feed Rate: ~200 IPM (conservative start)
  • Plunge Rate: 50% of feed
  • Toolpath Strategy: Raster (back-and-forth)

:light_bulb: Tip: Always start conservative—you can increase speed later.

Step 3: Avoid Uncut Corners (Important!)

Here’s a key concept many users miss:

Your toolpath boundary acts like a “fence.” The bit cannot cross it.

That means:

  • The bit rounds corners
  • Material may be left behind in edges

The Fix:

Create a larger rectangle than your wasteboard (e.g., 16.75" x 16.75") and use that for your toolpath.

This allows:

  • The bit to fully clear edges
  • No ridges or leftover corners
  • A perfectly flat surface

Step 4: Preview and Save the Toolpath

Before cutting:

  1. Run a toolpath preview
  2. Confirm:
  • Full surface coverage
  • No missed edges

Then:

  • Save as .NGC (G-code)
  • Use the Onefinity Redline post-processor

:warning: Important:Do NOT use your Vectric (.CRV) file to run the machine. You must use the .NGC file.

Step 5: Load and Prepare the Machine

In the Redline CNC interface:

  1. Home the machine
  2. Open your saved NGC file
  3. Install your surfacing bit
  4. Zero X, Y, and Z

:light_bulb: Pro tip:A V-bit or sharp tool is best for precise zeroing, but many users use what’s already installed for convenience.

Step 6: Run the Job (and Adjust if Needed)

Start the job and monitor closely.

What to Watch For:

  • If the bit digs in too aggressively → Stop immediately

  • This usually means:

    • Your cut depth is too deep
    • Or your wasteboard has a high spot

Quick Fix:

  • Reduce depth of cut
  • Or split into multiple shallow passes
  • Re-run the job

:light_bulb: Example adjustment:Instead of one deep pass → use two lighter passes

Step 7: Dust Management (Don’t Skip This)

Flattening creates a LOT of dust.

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Highly recommended:

  • Use your Suckit dust boot
  • Keep electronics (like laptops) protected

Otherwise… your setup will look like a sawdust explosion hit it :sweat_smile:

Step 8: Final Result

Once complete:

  • Your wasteboard will be perfectly flat
  • Your machine is now calibrated to its own cutting plane
  • You’re ready for accurate cutting across the full surface

Bonus Tip: Mapping Your Cutting Area

A helpful trick used in this process:

  • Jog the bit around the machine’s max travel
  • Mark the boundaries with pencil
  • Use that to position slots, fixtures, or wasteboard layout

Final Thoughts

Flattening your wasteboard is simple—but doing it correctly makes a huge difference in your CNC results.

Key takeaways:

  • Always oversize your toolpath boundary
  • Start with shallow cuts
  • Preview everything before running
  • Keep dust under control

If you want to follow along exactly, the file used in this tutorial was shared on the forum.

Hope this helps—and happy cutting!

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