Materials and dimensions

Setting clearances

How joint, slot and lid clearances work, which defaults the templates use, and how to adjust them when parts fit too tight or too loose.

Updated 2026-10-24 1 min read

A clearance is a deliberate small gap so parts can slide together. Thickness and kerf decide the actual size of a cut; clearance decides how snug the fit is.

Where clearances live

Select a component and look at its options:

Option Applies to Effect
Joint fit clearance Finger joints Widens each notch by this amount
Divider slot clearance Organizer dividers Slot width = thickness + clearance
Lid clearance Removable cap lid Fixed at 0.3 mm per side between lip and walls; shown in the assumptions

Adjusting fit

  1. Cut one test corner or one slot with a divider offcut.
  2. Too tight — first check the measured thickness; then increase the clearance by 0.05–0.1 mm.
  3. Too loose — check thickness and kerf compensation; then reduce the clearance.

Change one thing at a time, and write down what worked for each material.

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