The hubby left the miter saw in the locked position and I need to finish a home project this weekend, and I can't reach him out of town. Exactly how do I unlock it so that can start to use it. Thanks

Curious if you got an answer? My Model 36-230 miter saw is locked in doen position and I can't get it unlocked and upright.

If all you are trying to do is get the blade arm up so you can use the saw in the first place: Press down a bit on the entire blade arm and that will allow you to pull the locking pin to the out position -- the pin is on the left side toward the rear, smallish, and shiny silver in color... you should be able to reach out to the pin with the left hand while pressing down with the right hand.

I have been in the same situation in the past, with a mastercraft miter saw to a point of using playing cards to get that nice tight miter joint. placing the cards between the fence and the piece i was trying to miter.Rioby makes mastercraft all thought they are a good saw they have their limits to the precisions of their cuts. good for fences,decks, stuctural framing ect, were a degree two is not a big thing,but when making furniture or interior trim work or picture frames or hobby craft you need to buy a good pro saw like a dewalt or bosh sliding compoud miter saw they may cost more **** their worth the money they are very precise and will last a life time if taken care of .It will be worth the money when you get that perfect cut every time you use it,it will put the JOY and fun back in your projects and not to mention qualaty in your master pieces.

There should be a metal pin on the back left side(tool facing you) near the pivot point. Just pull this in or out to lock/unlock the safety position.

Hello stella....... There is a locking mechanism on the miter saw to lock it on whatever setting you require. loosen that locking mechanism and the saw should move for you. Here is a schematic of the parts so you can see exactly which parts are involved

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Makita-Parts/Saw-Parts/Model-LS1220/1339/0744300/P8100100/00002?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

Joe

Thanks for choosing Fixya!

Hello. Just joined the staff here and found your question, sorry it's taken so long to get a reply. Should the issue still exist, or if any others crop up, here is the link to the manuals for this model.

http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolSupport.aspx?ID=370

1) Before setting the Miter gauge, check that the blade is straight (parallel) with the slide grooves. Lock a board in the miter gauge and place against the front of the blade, and then the back of the blade. Is the distance EXACTLY the same (it won't matter if the miter gauge isn't straight and square). If not, you'll need to loosen the table and rotate the blade holder to square it up.
2) Now Cut a board in half the flip one side over and place the cut back together. If it isn't straight, the resulting board will have a "dog-leg".
3) Adjust the miter-set-screw until the cuts on the trial board yield a board that comes out straight (or use a Framing square to check).

Hello Derrick,

Take a look at the right rear pivot point of the Miter Saw and you should see a shiney metal pin that you can pull out (it's captive so it'll only pull out 3/4" - 1") that releases the saw head lock mechanism. This is designed so it is easier to carry the miter saw around.

If you want to see exactly what I'm talking about, I've attached a link to the Ryobi web site that takes you to the manual for this saw, don't the model number throw you off, as they add some digits for reconditioned units, etc. Take a look at page 11, figure #2 and you'll see the head lock pin I'm referring you to. It's just about the Miter angle scale.

http://www.ryobitools.com/product_manual/file_url/378/TS1342L_329_eng.pdf

Please print out and save an electronci copy of this manual for future reference and use. I have a file folder on my home computer that I've titled "MY TOOLS" and I keep electronic copies for all the manuals for the tools and gear I have. That way, I'll always have one, even if I lose or damage the paper copy.

Hope you find this Very Helpful and best regards!

Make all cuts with molding flat on the table and bevel at 33.8 for ALL cuts ...to cut left inside corner, set miter at 31.6 degrees right. top of molding against the fence left side is finished piece... right inside corner set miter at 31.6 left with bottom of molding against the fence.left side is finished piece...left outside corner same setting, bottom of molding against fence right side is finished piece...right outside corner set miter at 31.6 right with top of molding against fence. right side is finished piece. hope this helps

Push down on the handle . Facing the saw there is a spring loaded pin on the left rear side , right at the pivot point , pull out on it and raise the handle to the up position.