Why did you buy a BT3100/21829?

[jonmnelson]

From a number of comments I've read, it seems many people bought the BT3100/21829 because of budgetary or space issues; if they had more money and/or space they might have bought a contractor's or a cabinet saw. But I'm wondering whether anyone out there could have bought a larger saw but nevertheless chose the BT3100/21829? If so, what was it that made you choose the BT3100/21829?

[Crash2510]

I choose the bt because the reputation it had on this site. It was also the very best saw for what i could afford

[reddog552]

Luck

I was looking in a local paper "Traders Guide" needed a TS saw one for sale nearby BT300 for $140 Id used one before on a jobsite it was set up bare rip fence only I liked it. when I got to the sellers house I saw the saw for the first time in all its dressings,had the assessory kit and a FREUD dato blade. Talked him down to $120

[Stytooner]

Years ago I needed something fairly portable. That is one that would wheel around in my yard. I was working on hardwood flooring that was reclaimed in my new addition that I had just built. Found a BT3000 at Cummins for maybe $150 IIRC. Found out very quickly that what I had was a diamond in the rough. It met and surpassed my needs then and it continued to do so. I was often amazed at just what it could pull off.

My FIL was amazed as well and wanted the saw. He had a rarely used complete $1500.00 Foley Belsaw Sharp All that he traded to me for the BT and some of my jigs. At that time, I could have easily afforded a more costly tool, but bought a 3100. There is a lot to be said about knowing what you are buying. I have not looked for anything else. It has everything I need. Router table, riving knife, good dust collection, small footprint, versatility, accuracy, it doesn't rust and I can still wheel it around the yard if needed. Maybe one day I might stray, but for now, my TS needs are well met by the 3100.

Oh, my FIL replaced the Cast iron Craftsman saw with the 3000. After using his awhile, he stated that he didn't know a saw could cut so nicely.

[skipwill]

I bought my bt3100 in '02 after stumbling on this site. A lot of great information here...even back then! I need a saw that wouldn't kill my budget and was mobile around my small shop which was (and is) 1/2 of a 2 car garage.

I still like the saw and use it quite a bit, but i do have to admit that I drool over cabinet saws when i get close to them<g>...

Do I really need that Hummer when this Jeep does the job just fine.

Skip
www.ShopFileR.com

[cgallery]

In no particular order and by no means comprehensive: (1) Light weight (bad back). (2) Superior dust collection. (3) Ease of hacking (from a programmer's perspective, it is a great saw--you can easily add and replace components). (4) Large user base for great support. (5) Height--see bad back on #1.

[Scottydont]

Having a small shop space of 10x14 for me it wasn't about budget so much as space.

Accurate,versalitile, light weight, space saving (compared to contractor saws) easy to attach custom jigs or tables, extension rails, sliding miter table, built in router table, and dust collection. Of course this site helped my choice a bit.

[kevincan]

I bought my saw after finding this site. I did not want to buy a bigger saw at the time because I was living in a rental and I did not know if I would have room for a cabinet or contractor saw in the future. I have the Sears 21829. I like that it has the folding stand. I can fold it up and move it out of the way when I am not using it.

If I had to do it again I would buy a BT3100/21829 again.

Kevin

[LinuxRandal]

Technically, my first saw was a Delta Contractors saw, that I used and obtained from a neighbor, after doing a bunch of work for him. He bought it to build some snake cages, and thought he would do more woodworking. We were going to move it to my house, when he found one more project which we knocked out, by then it was late enough, I figured I wouldn't make it down the basement steps with it. So it was left for the weekend. (this was a Tuesday).
He started organizing his garage, as he was going to have the space to work on his old dune buggy (hadn't ran in a few years). Straightend up the tools, and hung some stuff (shelves and a clock). The nail for the clock pierced some electrical wires, and started the insulation on fire that night. Total loss.
I was given a benchtop saw from a friend who knew all the work I had done, and knew the neighbor was underinsured. Only used it a couple of times. (cheap poj)
Then I bought the BT, based on the accuracy I read about, the price (birthday money meant it cost me $0 + gas to pick it up), at cummins tools, and due to the weight (very few neighbors would I use/trust, to enter my shop). While I wish the depth of table was greater (especially in front of the blade), I really don't use it as much as I use my EZ smart, due to the portability. I still look at the cast iron (both the grass is greener thing, and constant bargain watcher (I normally miss them)), but for the times (depth of cut), I need my saw, I couldn't have done any better.

[Sawatzky]

I would have never thought about the BT because of what it looked like in the store (bad display). I knew I could come up with some money but figured I would have to wait a while for a table saw. If figured I needed about 5 or 6 hundred dollars. Then I found this site and read all about the BT. I bought one and have been very happy.

[maxparot]

I bought mine because after looking it over I realized it had some nice features for a very reasonable price. I hadn't realized the price/performance ratio was going to be as good as it was until after using it a few times and getting very clean cuts. I found this site shortly after my purchase which increased the value of the saw by providing a great support system.

[John Hunter]

I had a BT3000 that I bought used, during a project the lift mechanism stripped out and I went to the BORG and picked up the BT3100 since it fit all my accessories and I love the saw. I later repaired the BT3000 and now have both, I leave the 3000 set up for cutting dado's.

[BTC3K]

Happenstance...

I began with this saw because I bought my house one year and decided to own it in every manner so tools became a need. Had used Ryobi tools before and Lowes had the BT on clearance for 260.00...done and have never looked back. I have made great use of it and when time and money come I will get the Rigid TS3650 but still keep my BT3000. I love this saw!!!

[JSUPreston]

Mine was a Christmas gift a few years ago. I picked it out in spite of what I considered to be ugly cosmetics. Reviews were good, and the price was right. It replaced my old 10" benchtop Craftsman that was not very good at all (the cheapest one Sears had when I got it). Unfortunately, life, work and school have kept me out of the shop for the past couple of years. I've done so little in the shop the BT3100 still has the original Chinese blade on it. Hopefully that will change by the summer.

[crokett]

Space and this site. My first shop was a 10x12 converted shed. I was looking a contractor's saws and stumbled on this website. Went and looked at the BT and decided to take a flyer on it.