# VCarve - Offset Allowance Cheat Sheet
**URL:** https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207
**Category:** Vectric
**Created:** [July 18, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207 "2022-07-18T17:37:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/1 "2022-07-18T17:37:02Z")
I created a cheat sheet detailing how profile and pocket toolpaths behave when allowance offsets (both positive and negative) are applied (a concept I have to relearn every time I need to use it). Thought I would share in case anyone else struggles like I do, trying to remember whether they need a negative or positive offset. 🙂
Joe
[Offset Allowance.pdf](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/uploads/short-url/rZHkkA3v4KktRwvJvKT0vCNmMwE.pdf) (445.1 KB)
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### Author:  [@Buddy](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Buddy)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/2 "2022-07-18T20:15:33Z")
Really useful, I can never remember
So thoughtful of you
Thanks
Dave
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/3 "2022-07-18T20:35:02Z")
Dave
Happy to hear I’m not the only one who has trouble remembering this!
Joe
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### Author:  [@UltrafoxStudio](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/UltrafoxStudio)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/4 "2022-07-18T23:40:51Z")
Nicely done. Very useful
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### Author:  [@TRock](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/TRock)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/5 "2022-07-18T23:54:51Z")
Wow, I was just trying to figure this out. Thank you. I am just 4-weeks in and suddenly it’s beginning to click. But this is a great help thanks. Tom
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/6 "2022-07-18T23:59:24Z")
You’re very welcome Tom! Enjoy your Onefinity! Joe
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### Author:  [@Woodchips](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Woodchips)
#### Post date: [July 20, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/7 "2022-07-20T16:55:53Z")
I am new to the cnc world and have had my machine for a short period of time. Thank you for sharing this as it certainly will help me going forward
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### Author:  [@Alphonse](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Alphonse)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2022, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/8 "2022-07-29T03:15:02Z")
Thanks @JoeT. I printed the cheat sheet for my notebook. It’s very well done and illustrative of how to set up the offsets in the proper direction.
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### Author:  [@tKC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/tKC)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/9 "2023-11-16T18:03:14Z")
Sorry to Rehash an old thread, but trying to keep topics together 🙂 What’s a typical Pocket allowance people are using for a Wider Gap when slotting pieces together? The pieces I’m using are 1/8" thick, I was guessing (-.005) might be a good amount to ensure they fit together smoothly but just curious what others were using.
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/11 "2023-11-17T14:47:07Z")
For inlays, I use .003" offset allowance as a starting point.
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### Author:  [@tKC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/tKC)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2023, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/12 "2023-11-17T15:14:52Z")
Well The the 1/8" pieces I’m using are slotted at 1/16" depth just to hold the other in place for accurate placement before gluing and would be straight and perpendicular to eachother.
@AndyP Just curious does that 0.1mm allow just enough room for the box lid to lightly spin without much friction?
@JoeT Thanks for your input, I plan to do inlays that was one of the reasons for getting a CNC, and would have eventually asked that question. You stated that .003 is a “starting” point, how many times do you do the carve and find out the .003" isn’t enough and have to re do it all? or has that never been an issue?
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/14 "2023-11-17T15:56:51Z")
I typically prototype new inlay designs on scrap wood to make sure everything works as I planned. I can make any offset adjustments based on my prototype, but usually an offset .002" or .003" works just fine. I want the smallest offset possible to reduce glue line visibility, but not so small that assembly/glue-up becomes a pain. I find .002"/.003" offsets are a good compromise. I have tried .001", which look great, but can be a challenge to assemble. Here are some pics of inlays using the offsets I mentioned.
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### Author:  [@brdone](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/brdone)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/15 "2024-12-11T15:17:20Z")
You My Friend are a Saint!!!
I struggle with this everytime and like you had to relearn it…it doesn’t seem intuitive…
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### Author:  [@meb](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/meb)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/16 "2024-12-14T18:54:00Z")
Thanks @JoeT for taking the time to put this together. I will sure refer other people to this post.
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### Author:  [@AndyP](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/AndyP)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/17 "2024-12-14T20:42:41Z")
I am unsure if I was answering the correct post; it was confusing, so I deleted my posts. Sorry.
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### Author:  [@Kirkha](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Kirkha)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/18 "2025-01-31T23:13:13Z")
I have this on my desktop now for reference! Thank you!
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### Author:  [@bryan](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/bryan)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/19 "2025-05-23T00:40:03Z")
Can i post this image publicly on a reddit and facebook page? Its the best image to explain settings i have found. Everyone needs this image.
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/20 "2025-07-28T04:01:59Z")
Absolutely - share with anyone who can make use of it. Joe
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### Author:  [@WmBAnderson](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/WmBAnderson)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/21 "2025-07-29T20:49:35Z")
JoeT, This is great! THANK YOU.
May I share with my MakerSpace group? (Protohaven in Pittsburgh).
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### Author:  [@JoeT](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/JoeT)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/vcarve-offset-allowance-cheat-sheet/14207/22 "2025-07-29T21:03:34Z")
Yes, you can share it with your group.
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