Tuning Up Your Power Tools Part 1: Radial-Arm Saws, Bandsaws, & Mitersaws Technique

You just purchased the woodworking machine of your dreams, unpacked its pieces, and bolted everything together. Now you’re ready to put this latest addition to your shop through its paces. Well, not quite. In testing thousands of power tools, we’ve found only a few that come to us accurately set. Some components cannot be aligned until the tool is assembled, and shipping can knock even a finely tuned machine out of adjustment.

That’s why we always tune up a new tool before using it. We also recheck all of its settings periodically, especially if the machine has been moved or starts turning out inaccurate work. True, tune-up procedures can be tedious, at least until you get the hang of them. But an untuned power tool won’t perform any better than an untuned piano.

NOTE: This item is available as a downloadable PDF. To download, view, and print the technique on your computer, you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here for Step-By-Step Instructions on downloading a pdf. Or, for a few dollars more, the Mail-Direct Technique (a pre-printed, full-color copy) is shipped directly to you via First Class Mail. You should have the Mail-Direct Technique within 7-10 days of ordering. For faster shipment of the Mail-Direct Technique we offer 2-3 day Priority Mail at an additional cost.