A method for setting or calibrating a machine tool wherein the critical components the machine tool are identified as are the critical devices that are employed to affect their position and each of the possible positions to which each of the critical devices may be set. Possible combinations consisting of one possible position for each of the critical devices are evaluated to identify the possible combinations that adversely effect the output of the machine tool. A method for calibrating an extrusion press and a tooling set for obtaining data to calibrate an extrusion press are also provided.