What is this?

[JimDantin]

When I bought one of my BT3000 saws, I received a mystery "attachment" with it. The guy selling the saw didn't know what it was -- it came with the saw when HE bought it!

I don't think it's BT3000-related -- but I really don't have a clue. There is a quick-adjust designthat allows the screw to be slid back and forth before engaging the mating nut (upper left dark gray part)



Assembled, the parts fit together nicely and slide on a machined aluminum surface. The pin is tapered and is around 3/4" diameter.



Anyone recognize it? What is it?

Thanks
Jim

[charliex]

My guess is... A work piece hold down for a miter saw, not sure of the brand. The one for my Ridgid saw is very similar. I'm sure someone here will know.

[Rob25]

I did not get that when I got my BT3 in 2001... I dont think that came with the saw... or at least the BT 3000... Not sure what that goes to...

[Richard in Smithville]

I did not get that when I got my BT3 in 2001... I dont think that came with the saw... or at least the BT 3000... Not sure what that goes to...

Didn't come with my 3100 either.

[phi1l]

It looks like one of of six hydrocoptic marzel vanes from the underside of an early turbo encabulator prototype.

[herb fellows]

It looks like one of of six hydrocoptic marzel vanes from the underside of an early turbo encabulator prototype.

Yeah, what he said!

[Alex Franke]

It looks like one of of six hydrocoptic marzel vanes from the underside of an early turbo encabulator prototype.

+1 @phi1l

[LCHIEN]

i think it looks like a clamp for a miter saw, too.

[germdoc]

That's Ridgid orange for sure.

[RayintheUK]

One thing's for sure, Jim - it doesn't belong to the saw!

Ray

[Toolhound]

The threaded piece is a hold down for a Rigid mitersaw. The pin fits into a hole in the bed and the pad pushes material into the fence. The 10" & 12" nonsliding mitersaws on display at Home Depot had them, the slider was different. The flat piece looks like a bed extension that bolts onto the left side of the mitersaw from the underside, with the painted edge continuing the fence, most likely for a 10". The saws on display had a different design on the knob, yours is from an earlier model.

[JimDantin]

OK -- Thanks!

Now I can figure out how to re-purpose it into something useful in MY shop. The quick-release mechanism and nice threaded shaft might end up as part of my new workbench.

Ideas, anyone? We now have a project!

[cwsmith]

It's almost definitely the holddown clamp to a Ridgid miter saw and I'd say it was for one of the older "Gray" models produced before the "Orange" Ridgid tool changeover in 2003.

I have a 10" Ridgid "Orange" CMS and it appears to be identical, right down to the fluting around the screw mechanism. The one exception is that on the newer "Orange" Ridgid CMS is that the handle is dark gray. The older gray-bodied units would have the red-orange handle grip... the same as on my older Ridgid 1550 drill press.

On either side of the CMS bed, there is a hole that receives that lug-like extension. One you place your stock, you use the screw to tighten and hold the stock in place. The black "thumb" lever on top of the mechanism is a quick-release, which allows the screw to be slid forward or back when the release is pressed and held. In it's down (unpressed) position, the release engages the threads, thus allowing the screw to be turned and tightend like a vise.

I hope this helps,

CWS