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So you want to buy a BT3 clone. Been out of production for a while. Shopping on Craigs list or for sale ads is hard
You have to keep an eye out and you have to be used to spotting the appearance giveaway features of the various models... Ryobi BT3000, BT3100, Craftsman 22811 and 21829
There are certain things that clue you in and there are many ads that don't give model numbers and have crappy photos. Search for keywords RYOBI, Precision, System are often used in ad listings and the partial model no. "BT3". The label "Precision Woodcutting System" was used on the front label of every one and no one else I know of labeled their table saw that way.
Classic BT3000
the sliding miter table sliding base is the giveaway; the square stand and the red Ryobi logo and "BT3000" in the lower left, in the black strip that says 10" PRECISION WOODCUTTING SYSTEM in three languages on the right and the red switch and the recognizable closed black elevation handle. Silver rails
the majority of BT3000 looked like the above, there were some very early ones that were slightly cosmetically different in the text 10" PRECISION BENCHTOP WOODCUTTING SYSTEM and open black handle as shown below: Also some with a recalled red and green two-pushbutton power switch.
classic BT3100
splayed gray stand, Red ryobi logo and 10" Table Saw System on the black and bottom and blue trim on the face. The yellow and black elevation handle. The black sliding miter table base.& black rails
Craftsman 22811
Gray trim, splayed base, Craftsman Logo, 10" Table saw System label on bottom, smooth silver open handwheel, silver rails
Craftsman 21829
Prominent Red trim and cabinet, gravity rise base. the sliding Miter table, gray plastic knurled open handwheel, extra long silver rails. (the pic on the right is missing the Sliding Miter Table)
Definitely the sliding miter table and its extended base is the distinguishing trademark visible feature shared by all models of this set of saws.
Last advice... make sure that the saw has these easily detachable and misplace-able but nearly essential parts or get some $$$ off if missing. Items 1-5 on the list cost about $30-50 ea. on eBay when you can get them.
- auxiliary/router table
- sliding miter table
- miter fence with the knob and little orange indicator
- rip fence
- The Blade guard
- the special flat wrenches for changing the blade, the square end is really handy
The last thing, if its a BT3000, make sure the shims are in place, otherwise you have a lot of work in store.
This is the BT3000 with the blade removed looking at the end of the arbor and the bracket that slides the motor assembly up and down to raise the blade. The red shows the tops of the shims they have a little fold over that keeps them in place. You can see them if you raise the blade and peer behind the blade with a flashlight. After you get the saw keep the area clean and paste wax the two vertical ways you see here that they ride on. Wax all three sides of the ways and on both sides of the opening.
There are a few Ryobi models with a sliding table but not true BT3 clones. These have plastic molded bases which makes them easy to spot if you do see the sliding miter table, and they are labeled 10" PORTABLE TABLE SAW. YOU DON'T WANT THESE.
And here is a link to my BT3 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) with tons of useful and key information about this family of saws:
BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions
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