In the Industrial Design Department's shop at school, most of us had the luxury of a shop tech whose job it was to keep the machines tuned up. We didn't have to worry about installing fresh blades or making sure the blades were tracking properly. But if you're now striking out on your own and kitting out your own shop, you'll find this video on how to properly set up a bandsaw incredibly useful.

Here Alex Snodgrass, who runs "bandsaw clinics" at the popular traveling Woodworking Shows, demonstrates what to do and more importantly, explains why. The don't-center-the-blade-on-the-top-wheel tip alone makes this video worth the watch, and he also shows us that nifty F.A.S.T. tool for absurdly precise resawing/veneer-cutting set-ups.

And yes, he's demonstrating on the Wood Whisperer's fancy Powermatic that has precise adjustability. But even if you're working with a Craigslist find, understanding the principles Snodgrass demonstrates should still help you wring better performance out of your machine.