Compatibility/Interchangeability 3000/3100

[kopplaw]

I have an 8/98 vintage BT3000 that I bought new in 2000. Worked fine for four years, then the motor and belts died on Saturday while I was ripping a pressure treated 2x6. Rather than buying a new motor and belts, I found a person selling a used BT3100 (including motor, belts, housing, and blade guard, but not including wings, rails, fence or stand). I figured that I could either swap out the motor and belts, or just move my stand/rails/fence/stand to the new 3100. Now I have doubts. Can anyone let me know the compatibility of the two saws? I don't know the vintage of the BT3100. Thanks.

[Turaj]

I am no expert in BT3100 (I have an older BT3000) but my understanding is that you can use your rails and rip fence on either machine! I say it is much (much) easier to put the rails on 3100 than trying to change the motor assembly on the old one! You just have to live with silver rail and black top

I am sure others can give you better and more complete answers

[LCHIEN]

I have an 8/98 vintage BT3000 that I bought new in 2000. Worked fine for four years, then the motor and belts died on Saturday while I was ripping a pressure treated 2x6. Rather than buying a new motor and belts, I found a person selling a used BT3100 (including motor, belts, housing, and blade guard, but not including wings, rails, fence or stand). I figured that I could either swap out the motor and belts, or just move my stand/rails/fence/stand to the new 3100. Now I have doubts. Can anyone let me know the compatibility of the two saws? I don't know the vintage of the BT3100. Thanks.

You should be able to do it either way,
as Turaj suggested, moving the external parts might be simpler/easier but result in a cosmetically mixed look.

The motor and belts can be removed and reinstaled - it's done, but you are probably looking at a couple of hours work for that and some learning curve as the belt installation can be a PITA (I've heard)

If you do move the tables, fence and the rails, you will also have to spend some time aligning the SMT and rip fence to the new saw which will doubtless have a slightly different alignment of the motor to the housing as they all do,


You may wish to look at the BT3 FAQ I authored -
there's a permanent link in the first post on BT3Central under the Forum Topic "Getting Started"

[kopplaw]

Thank you much

Thank you very much for the peace of mind. Unless there is some obvious benefit to keeping the old housing, I will move the rails, fence and rest to the new saw. Thanks again.