# Best method to align spoilboard perfectly? **URL:** \ **Category:** No Judgement\ **Created:** [December 7, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272 "2025-12-07T19:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/1 "2025-12-07T19:20:57Z")
What is the recommended way of getting the spoilboard perfectly aligned with the Maslow? I’m hoping to cut triangular shapes out of rigid foam board and use the edge of the 4x8 foam board as one of the edges of the triangle. This would mean less cutting time. If I have the 4x8 spoilboard perfectly aligned then I can place the foam on top and start the cutting. Or is using the edge unrealistic and I should plan on cutting all three sides within the 4x8 sheet? Even if I go this route I would need the spoilboard pretty close to perfect if I’m to get efficient use of my material. Triangle edge lengths: 46”, 46”, 52” Thanks for any tips! ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/2 "2025-12-07T20:02:54Z")
I have a height adjustable extension (150mm wide) about 30mm from the edge of the spoil board, which I can set to the same height as the work piece. It allows the Maslow to be supported when it goes beyond the work piece so i can cut right to the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/3 "2025-12-07T20:09:15Z")
Thanks for the quick reply and extension suggestion; I’ll difinately need that. But how do you align the maslow work area ( green box ) with your material? ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/4 "2025-12-07T20:44:26Z")
The Bottom Left is defined as blX=0 and blY=0 and Bottom Right as brX=x and brY=0 where x is defined as the right anchor point as found by Find Anchor points. This means the bottom of the spoil board should be parallel with the BL-BR line. If you jog your Maslow down to the bottom left on the spoil board and set the XY home to this position it should let you orient anything you want to cut from this position. To check, jog the Maslow to the right to confirm it stays online across the spoil board. Does this make sense? ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/5 "2025-12-07T20:49:49Z")
Wes wrote: > What is the recommended way of getting the spoilboard perfectly aligned with the Maslow? use the maslow to cut a slot across the bottom of your spoilboard and then put a board in that to align your foam. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/6 "2025-12-07T20:57:51Z")
Thanks; that makes sense. Trying that now… running into other issue. Creating separate posts for those. ---
**Author:** ![wouldchuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/58956e/32.png) [@wouldchuck](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/wouldchuck)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/7 "2025-12-07T22:55:03Z")
@ian_ab how does your height adjuster work? ---
**Author:** ![bar](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bar/32/10_2.png) [@bar](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/bar)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/8 "2025-12-08T18:59:19Z")
We recently added a “Trace Boundary” button to the UI which is really helpful for that. Basically it will move the machine around all of the parts in the currently opened gcode file to check that they will fit on the sheet. The button won’t open until you have a gcode file opened. For cutting triangles out of a sheet you might find that something like a track saw is a really fast and easy way to do that ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/9 "2025-12-08T19:38:39Z")
I was using the track saw.. also was using a heat knife… but it was slow to trace the shapes onto the foam, and labor intensive to do the cuts. This cnc idea was supposed to be the quick efficient thing. It is sounding like getting the exact edges of the boundary synced with the job would not be accurate enough to use the stock edges of the plywood/foam. I guess this isn’t too big of a deal; just have to wait for the extra cutting time to cut the entire shape from inside the material. Trace Boundary will be helpful to make sure I’m within bounds. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/10 "2025-12-08T20:59:30Z")
Wes wrote: > It is sounding like getting the exact edges of the boundary synced with the > job would not be accurate enough to use the stock edges of the plywood/foam. I > guess this isn¢t too big of a deal; just have to wait for the extra cutting > time to cut the entire shape from inside the material. what is wrong with the idea of cutting a reference line and aligning the foam with that line? David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/11 "2025-12-08T22:55:31Z")
Yes; I was planning to try that but it all crashed and I had to recalibrate… I set it up last night and it wasn’t done as of 5 min ago. So I’m gonna try to calibrate again now. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/12 "2025-12-08T23:20:51Z")
Wes wrote: > Yes; I was planning to try that but it all crashed and I had to recalibrate… I > set it up last night and it wasn’t done as of 5 min ago. So I’m gonna try to > calibrate again now. you don’t need to calibrate after a crash, once you get a good set of anchor locations you just need to retract/extend/apply tension. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/13 "2025-12-08T23:27:24Z")
Good to know. If I’ve started a new calibration that hasn’t finished; then it should still be calibrated with previous calibration? Just need to cancel current calibration and R.E.A.T? ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/14 "2025-12-08T23:37:40Z")
ok; cancelled the calibration… now it says this: [MSG:ERR: Center point deviation over 12.000mm, your coordinate system is not accurate, maybe try running calibration again?] Also; is this a “maybe try” or “definitely try because there is no other choice” situation? ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/5/1/519d9bdaf923eacb1216e6de5c57125be3fc414e.png) ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/15 "2025-12-08T23:44:09Z")
Wes wrote: > Good to know. If I¢ve started a new calibration that hasn¢t finished; then it > should still be calibrated with previous calibration? Just need to cancel > current calibration and R.E.A.T? unfortunantly no, each step of calibration saves it’s results before starting the next round of measurements. but if you have a copy of your old maslow.yaml, you can just revert to it. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/16 "2025-12-08T23:55:17Z")
Wes wrote: > Also; is this a “maybe try” or “definitely try because there is no other choice” situation? Unless you have a prior version of the maslow.yaml saved (to give you the results of the last calibration), you will need to re-run calibration. But you’ve been posting here a lot, so it seems that you should have a prior result somewhere. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Nov27th2025](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/nov27th2025/32/29771_2.png) [@Nov27th2025](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Nov27th2025)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/17 "2025-12-09T00:13:28Z")
> [@dlang](#): > > Unless you have a prior version of the maslow.yaml saved (to give you the Forgot to save it ( actually didn’t see how to do it ) … I found how to download it so I will do that after my next good calibration. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/18 "2025-12-09T00:59:59Z")
If you saved or posted your log, the calibration results will be in the log. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![ian\_ab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a587f6/32.png) [@ian\_ab](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ian_ab)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/19 "2025-12-09T02:49:18Z")
> [@wouldchuck](#): > > @ian_ab how does your height adjuster work? ![image000000](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/1/c/1c9e627bdf7218859aa16c0a4824d037eddd0b00.jpeg) ![image000001](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/3X/c/0/c0327ccdc79c870c250804e0429f829556988410.jpeg) Socket wrench to wind bolt which revolves in upper bracket, nut in 3dprinted holder causes extension to rise or lower, until level with the cutting surface ---
**Author:** ![wouldchuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/58956e/32.png) [@wouldchuck](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/wouldchuck)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272/20 "2025-12-09T02:52:43Z")
Cool. Nice set up [Next page](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/best-method-to-align-spoilboard-perfectly/25272.md?page=2)