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I have been enjoying my BT3100 for a little over a year. The only thing I have done to it is paint the red line. I have the stock rails and the accessory kit. Tell me this please: what is the set-up for the best use of what I have? I have the miter slot table and my router is in a router table so I don't need to mount it on the saw. I don't do any big projects, don't have a big shop. Also, what jigs or other additions should I make to get some more utility from the saw? Thanks for any input.
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Gordon -
setup, jigs, and modifications all are dependent on what you do with the saw.
I make alot of chess board and have started making small boxes. so I have a setup and jigs that help me with that but also allow me to do other things. The sky is the limit, so without more info on what you regularly do and what you are interested in doing, we can't give much direction.Mike
Lakota's Dad
If at first you don't succeed, deny you were trying in the first place. -
Well, just whatever strikes my fancy. I have a mini lathe and like to do some small turnings. 10" BS that I want to try some boxes on. Scroll saw projects. Does the miter slot table have enough purpose to warrant mounting it?GordonComment
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The only thing I use it for is a table extender to the right of the blade. I also have a miter slot table for the left side, but I never install it. Don't put it on unless you think you need it. Don't build a jig until you need it. Think about and then do your projects and you'll discover what you will need. Then go to the articles section and chances are someone has already figured out how to build it.Originally posted by gdog
HTHKen Weaver
Clemson, SC
"A mistake is absolute proof that someone tried to do something!Comment
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I find myself needing to build jigs for some reason or other with almost every project, but the most important thing I've built for my saw is a pair of featherboards. They're safer than working by hand and I get better cuts when I use them. I need to add a tall fence so I can use one featherboard as a holddown and I need to build myself something so I can place the featherboard that holds stock against the blade further to the left for wider cuts than the miter slot or the SMT currently allow.Comment
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That's great advice from Ken (as usual!) - jigs need to be made where actually needed, rather than as projects in their own right, otherwise you become a slave to them instead of them being a useful accessory. A couple of examples may clarify these ramblings:Originally posted by Ken Weaver
I was asked to make a table which was to have tapered legs. OK - time to knock up a tapering jig for the saw. I've used it several times since, but didn't feel the need for it before the table request.
My friend wanted a custom design for a TV corner - the only specification was for a louvered panel. Right - time to make a louvre jig.
The only jig I made in advance was nothing to do with the saw - it was a 1" on-center router jig for putting adjustable shelf holes in cabinet carcasses.
HTH
Ray.Did I offend you? Click here.Comment
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