New BT3000 Owner

[accolay]

Hello!

I bought a BT3000 a few years ago, (I think from advice from reading this forum after an internet search) for a certain project, but I haven't gotten around to it until now...

I've started putting it together (was partially disassembled from previous owner and for transport in a Honda Civic).

My problem is that I am unable to raise or lower the saw blade. I cannot figure out what it's getting stuck on. I'm wondering if I should just take apart the mechanism to do this, or if there is some easy thing I'm over looking to fix it.

Thanks in advance!

[Black wallnut]

Welcome accolay!
Things to check:

1. riving knife is not touching the back of the opening in the main table
2. anit-kickback pawls are not digging into the throat plate
3. nut at the bottom of the elevation screw is not over tight
4. bevel gears and elevation screw not full of sawdust
5. missing shims
6. stripped elevation threads in locker bracket

Let us know what you find and feel free to add to this thread if you need more help.

[poolhound]

Welcome Accolay,

Does the wheel turn at all and the blade raise/lower some or is everything stuck solid?

[accolay]

Update: Of course it was the shim problem.

I've had time to fix it now (helps that we're in the warm weather months). One shim was missing it's small tabs and was ripped towards the bottom. The other was fine. I debated on how to fix the problem- maybe with the brackets, or upgrade to BT3001 guide holder and shims (about 32$ with shipping) or just make a new shim. I thought try the least invasive and cheapest fix available and went with this gentleman's fix: http://bt3000.com/Shims/ and make my own shim.

The only place I could find stainless steel stock locally in a small amount was in the hobby store. They had K and S Precision Metals http://www.ksmetals.com/29.html #87155 available (a little wider than I needed at 1 inch) at 30 Gauge- I think a little thicker than original stock and I think the 12" strip was about $1.19. I've never worked with metal before in this manner, but didn't find it too difficult to measure, score and bend the stock to make it look similar to the good shim. I used my bench vise and two pieces of angle iron as a metal brake.

Glued the shim in with clear silicone adhesive, cleaned and lubed the surfaces with dry lube I have on hand at the moment- White Lightning Wax Lubricant http://www.whitelightningco.com/products/

Just put it together now and it slides like a dream. Hope it holds up. Just going to figure out how to adjust and figure out how to use a table saw now.

[LCHIEN]

great solution. Glad that fixed it for you.

Do you have the BT3 FAQ?

[accolay]

Do you have the BT3 FAQ?

No I guess I do not. Is this online?

[LCHIEN]

No. Read the bottom of my post very slowly and carefully.


Private Message (PM) me (with your e-mail address) for a copy of the BT3 FAQ current vers 4.13

[beetee3]

Loring, be aware that the new forum software has an option that allows users to not see "signatures".

[LCHIEN]

Loring, be aware that the new forum software has an option that allows users to not see "signatures".

Well, that's just great.

[Black wallnut]

Perhaps hosting it on the site would be a good choice now?