Any how to videos?

[ChrisAllen357]

So i just bought a 10 year old bt3000 and I'm trying to figure this thing out. I'm looking at the blade enclosure to get the blade changed and its pretty tight in there. I don't even see enough clearance to get the bolt off. I'm new to this site and haven't found a way to search posts. Thank you!

[tfischer]

Make sure you raise the blade raised up all the way before attempting to change it.

Just an aside - your saw is definitely older than 10 years old. The BT3100 (the last of the series) was discontinued in 2006. You said you have the BT3000, which I believe was discontinued around 2001 or 2002. So unless your saw is from the last couple years, it dates from the 90s.

Here's a link to a video which might be helpful. It's about the 3100 but enough info should be common:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbTZv7xnqAY

[Pappy]

The manual recommends tilting the arbor to 45 degrees to change the blade but I have never had any need to do that with the blade raised all the way up. It is tight but the arbor nut can be removed and replaced with a little care.

[cwsmith]

Did you get the original flat-steel wrenches when you bought the saw? If so, raise the blade as high as possible, place one of the flat wrenches on the right-side of the blade to hold the arbor shaft; it has 'flat' to accept the wrench. There is a notch in the table to hold that wrench in place, thus locking the arbor in place.

Then use whatever wrench you prefer (I like an open-end, box wrench) to loosen and remove the arbor nut.

CWS

[capncarl]

And no one has said.... make sure the saw is unplugged? It still makes my skin crawl every time I change a blade and remember I haven't unplugged the saw. After about 45 years of using a power saw I've about learned though!

[ChrisAllen357]

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone, and thank you for the safety tips! I did not get the flat wrenches with it, in fact I think he took out the set screws that adjust the throat plate too. He said he hadn't used it in 10 years, so I'm thinking I need to go in and clean and lube it before to much use. I tried to cut some 3/4" plywood and it seemed to struggle with it.

[LCHIEN]

Hi Chris, you might find my FAQ (frequently asked questions) on the BT3 series saws very helpful. I think the link in my signature should work, if not let me know.

There's sections in there about common issues with the wrenches, on changing blades, and on hard cutting problems. 3/4 plywood should be a piece of cake.

[tfischer]

If it's struggling with 3/4" ply I'd suspect either a very dull blade or a rip fence that's badly adjusted. As Loring said the saw should barely know that 3/4" ply is there.

[phrog]

I don't know about this saw, but on my saw the arbor nut uses a left-handed thread. This may be helpful to know if you haven't changed the blade before. However, someone who has a BT3000 should confirm this to be the case here.

[tfischer]

Yes I think that's true of all table saws, so the force of being used doesn't turn them loose

[eccentrictinkerer]

Hi Chris, you might find my FAQ (frequently asked questions) on the BT3 series saws very helpful. I think the link in my signature should work, if not let me know.

There's sections in there about common issues with the wrenches, on changing blades, and on hard cutting problems. 3/4 plywood should be a piece of cake.

+1 on Loring's FAQ !

His document is crazy good!

[LCHIEN]

Thanks, I appreciate that!