Festool PD561287 User Manual

Before adjusting the saw, you first need to measure 

whether it is accurately calibrated to begin with. If you 
attempt to exceed the factory calibration threshold, you 

may end up actually making the saw less accurate. 

1. 

Number the sides of the scrap piece of wood from 1 to 

4, starting with the best edge.  

► 

If you cut the wood on the left side of the blade (as 

shown in this example), then number the sides in a 

clockwise direction (as shown below). 

► 

If you cut the wood on the right side of the blade, 

then number the sides in a counterclockwise 

direction. 

Supplemental User’s Manual 

25 

2. 

On the #1 side, which will eventually become the final 

calibration offcut, label it “Left” and “Right” as shown. 

Do this regardless whether the cut is made on the left 

or right side of the sawblade. 

3. 

Place the scrap on the saw with the number “1” 

against the fence. 

 

WARNING! This procedure involves cutting small 
workpieces. To reduce the risk of injury, always 

clamp the workpiece to the saw.  

4. 

Cut approximately 1/4-inch off the board, so that there 

is at least a 1/8-inch offcut. This offcut ensures that 

the sawblade will be stable because there is wood on 
both sides of the blade during the entire cut. 

 

5. 

Rotate the board with side #2 against the fence and 

repeat the same cut. Note that the side previously cut 

is now against the fence for each of the four cuts 
described below. 

6. 

Rotate the board to side #3 against the fence and 

repeat the same cut. 

7. 

Rotate the board to side #4 against the fence, but this 
time, make the cut a little wider, so that the offcut is 

large enough to handle without breaking it 

(approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide). 

8. 

Discard the first three offcuts, but the fourth offcut is 

the calibration offcut. 

9. 

Measure the length of the fourth offcut. The accuracy 
of this measurement is not critical, so a standard tape 

measure or ruler will suffice. 

10. 

Measure the width of the fourth offcut at both ends (as 

labeled “Right” and “Left”). These two measurements 
are critical, so use the best method you can.  

 

The equation for calculating the error is shown below, 

however, the electronic version of this manual also 

contains a built-in calculator. To use the calculator, enter 
your measurements (in either mm or inches) in the boxes 

and click on the “Calc Error” button. The calculated error 

(angle) is displayed to the right of the button. 

⎥

⎦

⎤

⎢

⎣

⎡

−

×

=

sin

4

1

 

Width Left   

Width Right 

 

Length  

 

If the answer is a negative number (Right side wider than 

Left side), then your saw is cutting too much to the left of 

center. If the answer is a positive number, your saw is 
cutting too much to the right of center. 

1. 

With the miter handle out of the way, loosen only the 

middle screw on the miter gauge, and then move the 
miter handle back to zero. 

2. 

Engage the miter lock by pressing down on the lock 

handle (see page 12). This locks the miter gauge to 
the miter handle, and prevents the gauge from moving 

until you are ready to move it. 

3. 

Loosen the remaining two screws on the miter gauge, 
and gently tap sideways on the miter handle to move 

the gauge as needed. 

4. 

Retighten all three screws. 

5. 

Repeat the calibration procedure to verify the results.