Bt3100 Gone?

[Ken Weaver]

My neighbor who works for Ryobi told me sometime ago that a "3200" was in the works. I'll ask him later today if its on the way. He manages their facilities in the upstate so he may have heard something new. I do know from one of the Ryobi engineers down the street that they are very aware of this forum (as well as the one they host) so they know the following that the BT has. I'll see what I can find out.

[lcm1947]

I'm a firm believer in all things are for the best but even I'm hard pressed to see the good in this. No, it won't be the same. All is lost and we all may as well just give up and die. Just kidding of course. I find it hard to believe that a company would discontinue an item that sells. I bet they're going to come out with a replacement. Maybe a little more expensive but no company is just going to allow their sells to suffer by dropping an item not if it's selling. Never the less I hate to see it. It's an awful good little saw to just stop production on. I really don't know if I'd had gotten into woodworking if it hadn't of been for Ryobi. I really don't. I bought the bench top band saw, drill press and TS at all one time and that's what hooked me being able to get all the major tools for around $500.00.

[Raymonator]

Before taking my 3100 back for a refund, I decided to go out and take another look at what I could buy to replace it. What I found out was, there was really "nothing" out there for the kind of money I paid for the 3100. Yes there were sturdier cast iron conventional table saws that we've all grown accustom to, but were much more expensive. Then there is of course the Craftsman replica of the 3100 for about $250 Cad dollars more although the accessory kit is included. With that said, "if" parts were to be a problem, the Craftsman would probably have the same problem as their saw parts are probably supplied by Ryobi, so nothing gained by purchasing one of those. So, my conclusion was to not buy anything and just simply keep my 3100 and take my chances. As some of you have pointed out, even if the saw were to last me only 10 years, it would only have cost me $40.00 a year to have a pretty unique saw. I understand that a hobbiest has to love the instrument he works with in order to appreciate it and what he can do. I don't know the 3100 as I've never worked with one, but I also haven't worked with the more expensive conventional table saws either. In other words, I think I can learn to love the 3100 and will gain confidence with it the more I use it. Once I have it set up and aligned properly, I will start by building simple things that I know I can handle, which will allow me to get familiar of the "feel" of the Ryobi. Just thought I'd share this with any of you who are interested. I hope to learn as much as possible on this forum. (another reason to keep the 3100) I want to apologize in advance for any stupid questions I may ask down the road. For starters, here's an example. I'm wondering if I should invest in the accessory kit, mainly just to get the ZC throat plates and dado throat plate. I have the casters that HD gave me the other day, but they didn't come with the shims for the 3100's stand legs. I'm getting an old Craftsman router in a couple of weeks, but don't know if it would fit the table so, not sure if I should by the accessory kit for it either. The dust bag and miter clamp down, I can live without. Can one or any of these accessories be purchased seperately if so, where ? The HD I went to were clueless.
Anyway, hopefully down the road, I will in return be able to help some other confused newbie like myself. Thanks to all for your advice and the pm's.

[Ken Weaver]

Ray -
Your rational is right on as far as I'm concerned. As to your questions, the accesory kit is a matter of taste - I was given one, but I wouldn't have paid for it. You can get much better ZCTPs from Jeff's T-nuts, including a way to make your own dado version. The casters are worthless, get a HTC mobile base or one of the knockoffs at Woodcraft, they work much better. The miter slot table is useful to make the table wider, but again, some 2-by scrap can be made into a handy extension addition. I've never used the miter slots. I tried the router on the table but didn't like it, and made the jump to a dedicated table. The most useful item was the miter fence clamp, but that can be easily made with t-nuts and some scrap. So if you collect anything from the kit for free - good on ya - but IMHO its not worth buying.

[cwsmith]

Ray,

I think you made a good decision. You looked around and saw what the competition costs and you reasoned the whole thing out to your satisfaction. Good job, and I'm with you.

I had been considering the purchase of a table saw for a couple of years now and finally decided on the BT3100. Reputation, Price, quality, and versatility were the key factors and this forum was the decision maker for me. I just purchased it this past Christmas, and it's still in the box, waiting for me to finish my new shop. (Of course, with the new (actually old, 1887) home, the wife's many projects takes the priority, but the shop will happen soon!) But, regardless of the BT3100's marketing future, I'm still happy that I made my purchase when I did.

Regarding adding some mobility to the BT3100, a few posters have added the Ridgid "Herc-U-Lift Plus" with very satisfactory results. Here in the U.S., that sells for $29 at Home Depot. I have one and will install it when I put everything together. The posts here on this forum, make it look fairly easy.

CWS

[gmack5]

I'm wondering if I should invest in the accessory kit, mainly just to get the ZC throat plates and dado throat plate.

There isn't anything in the Accessory Kit (worth while) that can't be built by an enterprising DIYer for a lot less money and probably better quality to boot! Most of the worth while items are in the "Articles" section of this site, most of them designed and produced by Rod Kirby and others.

[gsmittle]

So, are we just gonna sit idly by while they tank our beloved saw, the heart of the shop, the soul of our woodworking existence? NO! When the the going gets tough, the tough get going! Lets march on Ryobi's HQ with pitchforks, featherboards and used saw blades. Lets convince them to change their erring ways, or we burn it down!!!!

or something like that?

curt j.

Wow, I just had a flash of the scene in Animal House when Bluto is getting the guys fired up: "Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No!!!"

"The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

"Be quiet, he's on a roll."

Email to Ryobi is on the way....

g.

[scorrpio]

Ray - I am sure LCHIEN posted in good humor and did not intend it to sound like pity or anything.

Get that saw out of the box, set it up, and start using it. The faster you get to it, the faster you can start appreciating the new saw. Mine sat in a box in the basement for a couple weeks due to me being busy with other things, and kept me wondering about weather it was a right purchase. Those doubts went away when I took it out and started using it. I used a 'real' saw (one of those 600lb Powermatics) at a shop I had access to where I previously lived, and those 600lbs of steel and a huge table do make a difference, in particular when cutting large pieces - but once you add some extra outfeed support, BT holds its own real well.

Accessories - don't bother. I bought miter fence clamp on ebay for $15, and use it constantly, but everything else is of not much use. ZCTP/dado plates can be easily shop-made. Bag is a joke - you want the saw hooked up to a vac or a DC unit. Mobile base... many seem to prefer to build their own, making it wide and heavy in order t give the BT a 'cabinet saw feel'. Router mounting kit - if you have shop space, a separate router table is better. Miter slot table: so far did not need the slots, clamping my jigs to the sliding table. Slots do add versatility, but if I decide to get them, I can always order some 3075 extrusions from 80/20.

[mschrank]

If the BT3 does go away due to lack of sales the only thing that I could blame it on is thier marketing strategy. Who in thier right mind would give HD an exclusive on something like that? The BT3 needs to be sold by retailers that know what it is, how it works and what it can do. The saw won't sell itself covered in dust and improperly assembled with no one that has a clue about it's features.
Sorry, had to rant.

What he said. I posted a mini-rant just last week about Ryobi/Home Depot exclusivity...don't like it and I think only HD benefits.

[Raymonator]

scorrpio~ Thanks and you are absolutely right, as soon as I have the time, I'll get that bad boy out of the box and start tinkering with it. Right now, I'm still at the "reading the manual" stage" which I've reread a couple of times so far, just to get familiar with the terminology etc.
As far as LCHIEN's post, nothing to worry about, it was I who probably read the negative into his post, as I recall I was having a rather bad day and was probably feeling more negative than usual, therefore, I realize now he wasn't trying to be rude, but rather just calling a spade a spade, which is the way I usually communicate as well. No hard feelings I can assure you (or him)
Nuf said, time to start thinking of some of the projects I want to do once I get the saw set up. Thanks for the advice, and if anybody has some ZCTP's for sale as well as the Miter Clamp they're not using, let me know I'm a buyer.

[lcm1947]

I think what Loring said is correct. We really don't know anything until it happens so why worry. For the record I personally enjoyed this topic and don't think it's a waste of 31 posts. Heck some of my topics were a lot less interesting then this one. I also actually have to agree with Ray. If I was in his shoes I too would at least think about what to do upon hearing the news. Ray, I do think you did the right thing however in deciding to keep the saw and would be amazed if you have any regrets and like some pointed out you can always piece it out and probably get every cent of your money back if and when - if when ever comes. And Loring don't be calling me an old hen or whatever you called us.

[Raymonator]

Thanks ICM, I feel good now having decided to keep it, mind is made up and no sense looking back even if it was a bad decision (which I sincerely doubt now). I do know the BT will take some getting use to, then again, what can I really compare it to other than my old 50 year old Craftsmaster TS. I feel with the new BT, and the new desire in working with wood as a hobby, it'll be a fresh start.
The main thing that worries me most is the ability to learn all these wood working projects. I am a very visual-hands on type of person, and unfortunately I don't "read" instructions well, therefore pictures or eyeballing someone doing something is the best way for me to learn, otherwise, I do a lot of head scratching and a lot of trial and error. Eventually if the latter happens too often, patience runs out and I give up trying. Knowing this, I will start on small projects, as my goal is to relieve stress while working with wood....not add more. Hopefully as I gain confidence, that confidence will urge me to explore more challenging projects I know I can handle and that I will be proud to say I made. Thanks for the encouragement.

[lcm1947]

You sound like me Ray. I too don't do well when reading stuff. I much prefer pictures and doing it. As far as worrying about catching on you will, heck it wasn't that long ago that I started this woodworking hobby but in that year I've built all my tables and work bench's, a cabinet and my current router table not to mention several jigs that make life so much easier. You really can't screw much up when building stuff for the shop, well not so bad as I can't live with it but I'm learning for when the day comes that I tackle an indoor project like my wife's makeup desk or dresser. I will say that I owe it all to this forum and the more then helpful, smart and all around neat members. Great bunch even Loring who really is one of most helpful and nice guys around. One of my favorite guys actually. Just kidding around about you Loring. But really you won't regret keeping the saw. She'll do everything that you need especially for a weekend hobbyist. The main thing is take your time and think twice before doing anything no matter how straight and simple it seems. That's how people lose fingers or worst. It's the guys that aren't' scared or should I say respectful of the tools that get hurt. Us scared ones don't do anything that doesn't seem safe. If it don't feel right figure out another way to do it. I always approach the saw and think Ok, how is it going to bite me this time, so I'm not fast but I've still got all my fingers so far too. Hope this doesn't come off like a know it all cause I'm not I just feel like talking tonight. Have fun and be seeing you around Ray.

[Raymonator]

Great advice Mac and I'll keep all of it in mind once I get the saw set up. I've got to read up on what a 'jig' is. DOH !!! I think I'll be subscribing to a good wood working magazine (with pictures lol) so that I can learn all about this stuff. Thanks again.

[lcm1947]

Ray a jig is a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positioning relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly. OK, I just had to write that. In simpler terms anything that helps you work on a project. There are tons of different types and you'll be building them sooner or later. Course you could buy them too. I bet now that you know the term you'll be seeing it all the time from books, sites or darn near every place woodworking is discussed or mentioned. Yes, enjoy and be seeing you around.