Another fence problem/question

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  • Salty
    Senior Member
    • Feb 2006
    • 690
    • Akron, Ohio

    Another fence problem/question

    While reading a recent thread on the rear fence hold-down on the BT3000, I got to looking at my BT3100 and discovered a problem.
    When the fence is locked down, I can move the rear of the fence vertically about 1/32" or so. Apparently the hook engages into the slot but it does not pull up to wedge against the bottom of the slot. I assume this adjustment is made with the screw sticking out the back at the top of the hook arm.
    Odd thing is, I had never noticed this before and I do not recall that it was part of the setup and adjustment....as he looks for his manual and wonders if he is mistaken.....
    Anyway, I moved the saw back to the basement workshop from the garage because now that we have these huge trash and recycling containers, there isn't enough room for the saw in the garage.
    I'll try adjusting it tomorrow. It was also in need of some lube as it was sort of growling when the handle was pushed down. This was because the cam pushing against the rubber was very dry. I used some of that non-silicone stuff and it works good now.
    Here is the way the hook engages. Not quite right is it?
    Last edited by Salty; 11-23-2008, 11:10 AM.
    Why doesn't the word 'planing' show up in my computer spell check?
  • gmack5
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2002
    • 1973
    • Quapaw, Oklahoma, USA.
    • Ryobi BT3000SX & BT3100

    #2
    Welcome Salty,

    Congratulations on the acquisition of your BT3100 and welcome to the "family".

    One of the first things you need to do, after you get your BT3100 Saw assembled is, following your Owner's Manual, go thru the entire set-up proceedure, step by step, in the sequence laid out in the Manual.

    Each set up proceedure builds on the preceeding one, so you MUST keep them in sequence.

    Usually the Saw is set up properly, right out of the box, but you should still check it as this gets you familiar with all the adjustments on the saw and assures you that everything is as it should be.

    Something you might think about is the use of a set of Draftsman's Triangles instead of the Carpenter's Square that they show in the Owner's Manual for setting up your saw.

    An accurate Carpenter's Square is almost a myth!

    A good one will cost you quite a bit of money, $40 - $75, or more.

    I would recommend that you consider using a pair of Draftsman's 30 -60 and 45 degree triangles instead. You'll find they're not near as expensive and are far more accurate than a run-of-the-mill Carpenter's Square.

    The 30 -60 triangle should have one 12" leg and the other leg would be 9" long. The 45 degree triangle should have at least 8" legs on either side of the 90 degree corner. That way either one can be put up against the side of the Saw Blade without touching the saw teeth.

    When checking the Miter Fence for Square to the Blade with a triangle, use the 12" 30-60, if possible.

    Just remember, regardless of which measuring instrument you choose to use, check it(them) to be sure they're accurate.

    Here's some free plans that'll keep you busy for a while. http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/r...ex.php?cat=102

    And here's some additional information about your Saw that you may find useful.
    Regardless of what you've read or others have told you, NEVER NEVER use any wax or lubricant on your saw that contains Silicone, this includes all automobile waxes and polishes and most spray-on furniture polishes.
    The reason is simple, most of them contain Silicones and they will make your projects difficult, if not impossible, to finish.

    Silicones repell liquid, making "fish eyes" in your finishes, this will force you to remove the Silicones from your project and start over. That stuff (Silicone) migrates all over every where, don't ask me how, it just does.
    If you put it in one place, eventually it will be all over the
    entire saw.
    Your best bet is to use a "dry" lubricant, such as Teflon (PTFE), Powdered Graphite, or Candle Wax for the Raising/Lowering and Tilt mechanisms below the table top.

    Then use either Johnson's Paste Wax, Minwax's "Finishing Wax" or Butcher's Wax on the working surfaces, table tops (All three of them) and the Rip Fence.

    Do NOT Wax the Front and Rear rails or the Miter Fence. As a mater of fact, you may want to glue 220 grit sand-paper to the front face of the Miter Fence, cause you don't WANT things to slide on there.

    You might also want to check out the "Articles" section on the www.BT3central.com site. Lots of good maintenance information on your saw and some of the Jigs and Fixtures that BT3Central members and others have designed for it. Located here: http://www.bt3central.com/articles/

    The only thing you'll need to access the information is a recent copy of the Adobe Reader (It can be downloaded from the BTcentral site).

    One of the Articles mentioned is a "Check List", written by Jim Frye. You can find it here: https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...nce-check-list
    This list contains all the different areas on your saw that need to be periodically inspected or given some sort of special attention. In other words, a "Preventative Maintanence Check List" or PM. Performing this PM on a monthly basis would be a good idea.

    One of the other things you'll find there is an on-line copy of the User's Manual in downloadable pdf format (a handy thing to have).

    One of the other "tricks" that I've discovered is to take a piece of "Wax" paper, fold it several times and rub it in the grooves that the "T" nuts that lock your Rails in place ride in. Makes the Rails move smooth as Butter.

    Last, but not least, don't forget to paint the RED line!
    It's a line that extends the line-of-sight from the saw blade to the front edge of the table to remind you NOT to let your Miter Fence or your FINGERS get in the way of the saw blade. Just put red paint, nail polish, or what ever, in the grove that extends towards the operator from the front edge of the saw blade.
    Stop thinking why you can't and Start thinking how you CAN!
    Remember, SUCCESS comes in CANS!
    George

    Comment

    • Salty
      Senior Member
      • Feb 2006
      • 690
      • Akron, Ohio

      #3
      Hold it, hold on there...I say hold on there son!
      It's not a problem after all.

      Gee thanks Gmack, but I've been around here for half a year now and have established status.

      Anyway, it was an error on my part.
      While I had my head down level with the table looking at the hook, I was not fully engaging the lever. It's that last little bit that pushes on the rod, that pushes on the hook and wedges it in there. After fully depressing the handle the back of the fence is absolutly solid.
      Maybe it was that senior moment thing again! I hate that!
      Why doesn't the word 'planing' show up in my computer spell check?

      Comment

      • gmack5
        Veteran Member
        • Dec 2002
        • 1973
        • Quapaw, Oklahoma, USA.
        • Ryobi BT3000SX & BT3100

        #4
        Originally posted by Salty
        Gee thanks Gmack, but I've been around here for half a year now and have established status.
        Salty, I didn't mean to "insult" you or your status.
        The post was meant as more of a "refresher" type thingie.
        Sorry if you took it wrong, or I posted it improperly.
        Stop thinking why you can't and Start thinking how you CAN!
        Remember, SUCCESS comes in CANS!
        George

        Comment

        • Salty
          Senior Member
          • Feb 2006
          • 690
          • Akron, Ohio

          #5
          No harm and no foul Gmack. And I did go back and review some of those articles. Never hurts to refresh the old noodle.
          Why doesn't the word 'planing' show up in my computer spell check?

          Comment

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