Who is still using thier BT3 ?????

[tropicaffair]

Still using my 6 year old BT3100, set up with a second BT3100 I bought from Vingh +/- 1-1/2 years ago. They're still set up as a temporary frankensaw, until I find the time to build a proper cabinet for the whole assembly. Granted my RAS really only serves as a crosscut station these days.

[smorris]

Still using my 3100 and no plans to upgrade anytime soon. It does everything I need it to do.

[aluminumfury]

I've been using mine since 02.I don't have any plans to upgrade.
It's all decked out and jigged just the way I want it.

I have had upgrade fever a couple of times in the past,but when it came down to it,I ended up keeping the Bt.

I have bought tons of parts cheap from folks who upgraded,so I figgure I could keep it going for a long time.The best thing was putting it on a Bosch gravity rise stand.
Being able to wheel it out and work under the shade of the giant maple tree in my yard is something that you can't put a price tag on.

[TheRic]

My first and only table saw is my BT3100.

[Thom2]

A little background. I grew up around tools, my grandfather was machinist in the Navy and had a very capable little shop that he made some amazing things in. My Dad was a mechanic and bodyman as were several of his brothers. My dream ever since I was a kid was to have a capable shop.

Until this week I'd been running a BT3000 with no real plans on upgrading as it pretty well handled all the putzin' that I do. The saw has performed virtually flawlessly for me in the years that I've had it and was quite capable for what the saw cost new.

Back when I bought the BT, the only really affordable power tool names that I knew were B&D, Skil, Craftsman etc. I actually saw my first BT in a Sears catalog and was intrigued by what it appeared to be capable of. I couldn't afford it at the time tho' ($499 at Sears) so I continued to research a little and found the tool corral at HD, looked over the Ridgid's pretty hard and found a familiar looking saw with a different name at $100 less than the Sears.

At the time the BT was $399 and the Ridgid was within $150 difference. I was in a rental with a 1 car garage and while I eyed up the Ridgid pretty seriously, the BT won out strictly because of it being such a capable machine in such a small space. The riving knife was another determining factor in my purchase as I'd suffered a pretty nasty kickback when I was 15, that feeling has never left me.

On Sunday, I brought home a 22124 thanks to the kindness of Jeff Schronce in making me a very good deal that I could even sell to my wife. I've barely had a chance to turn this thing on yet, let alone cut wood. As forward as I'm looking to settling into the new rig, I just can't help but think about some of the things I'm gonna miss on the BT.

I've now got a very capable shop, but probably never would have got here if it weren't for the BT. Not only did it serve my needs for the shop, but it's also the reason that I found this forum which has taught me SO much and allowed me the opportunity to make some VERY GOOD friends that I never would have met otherwise.

Geeze ... I never realized how much that stupid little saw meant to me until I typed all this out ... I think I'm gonna go cry now

[rja]

I bought my BT3100 a little over 3 years ago. I still love this saw and feel it is the best for the money. Only lack of availability of parts many years down the road will part this saw from my shop.

[ExYankee]

Still use mine. The original BT3100 bought in 2004, and the second added to make a Frankensaw in 2005. But I have to admit when I was down at Woodcraft not long ago and looked at the SawStop I about had a toolgasm when I tried out the elevation wheel. and something about the sweet curve of her riving knife....

[Thom2]

... I about had a toolgasm ...

I'm sitting here laughing hysterically for some reason ....

this is definately a word that Loring needs to add to the FAQ

[atgcpaul]

I went to a Grizzly 1023SLX last summer after 3 years with the BT3100. I do
prefer the big cabinet saw but for the money and where I was when I began,
the BT3100 was great. I especially miss the router table insert. I gave the saw
to my dad this year and hopefully he'll be able to put it to good use.

Paul

[HarmsWay]

Still my primary saw after almost 9 years. The only thing I wish it had was more table in front of the blade and if it really bugged me I'd do something about that. I did drag out the 300lb bandsaw last week to cut some small project pieces but normally I do everything on the BT3000.

Bob

[DustyandLefty]

old faithful

Still using my BT3000 after 7 or 8 years. I'd burned up a cheap $99 Delta and a cheap $99 Ryobi, so paid the extra for the BT3 back when it was a lot of expense. Then Lowes clearanced out their wide table kits, so I added the wide table to the right. Then Cummins had the microfeed adjuster on sale, so I added that. Then I built a "mobile" base for the whole thing. Then I added a long outfeed table off the back based on pictures I saw here on the BT3Central website. I figure I will never switch as long as I live in my current house, as I picked up a BT3100 motor and body and rails (and original Freud blade) for spare parts when HD got rid of their display last year.

But I'm still using my original Ryobi 10" planer and my little Ryobi benchtop jointer (anyone else have one?) too, so I'm kind of stuck in the 1990s.

Still Dusty and Lefty

[MikeMcCoy]

I never had one but found this site when I was having a problem with a BTS something or other and found the site so friendly, I just stuck around.

[L. D. Jeffries]

Had mine abour five years and am still using it. If it EVER goes south on me I will go to the "dark side" with a Rigid brand. But till then, use it, love it, and brag it up to one and all!

[Sawatzky]

I have had mine for a little over 2 years and it works great. I have used it to build some VERY big projects. I have been thinking about upgrading, but after I continue to use the saw I am reminded that it is a great saw capable of much of the same things as bigger more expensive saws. Plus, I alreday have a BT that is paid for. A new saw would cost me at least $600.00. I think that for now I'll keep my money and continue to use my very accurate saw!

[oldninefingers]

It is still my primary home saw

I was just curious of how many of the veteran woodworkers on this sight still use the BT3 as a primary saw. I just read about many switching to the so called (dark side) for various reasons.

Although I have a Rigid Portable I drag all over the country for work.
It is a BT3000 I bought way back in the nineties.
My shop at home is small and the saw is serving me well, I see no reason to change until it dies.
I have made my wife and kids a lot of nice stuff on it, and now I am making my grandkids stuff on it. When it dies I will use the back hoe and give it a proper burial, complete with monument.