Craftsman 21829 vs. Used BT3100 ; Any advantages to the BT3100?

[Gator95]

After considering my garage layout and tablesaw needs, it looks like a BT3100/CM 21829 would fit both nicely.

CM 21829 was on sale for $320 a few weeks ago (online buy 3, get 20% off), and I can keep using my neighbors JWTS-10 until the CM 21829 comes back up for sale again.

I've seen lightly used BT3100's come up for sale locally for around $250, usually including the accessory kit with router mounting plate, clamp, dustbag, etc...

A used BT3100 would be $80-100 cheaper, but I like idea of the folding stand on the CM 21829 and would prefer to buy new since this would be my first TS.

I was wondering if there were advantages/capabilities that the BT3100 would have over the CM21829 that I should consider before moving on the next big sale at Sears.

Thanks,

Mike

[LCHIEN]

the differences in the 21829 and BT3100 are detailed in my BT3 FAQ article.

[LinuxRandal]

If you like the stand, and are patient, I would wait for the new one for that little of difference.

If you were going to build a stand for it, and found one for $175 or less, I would consider the BT, but $250 sounds high to me, for not knowing how someone treated it.

Get the FAQ's from emailing Loring, that is a good place to start. And I read about some minor issue with the 21829's flat top, but I think it was corrected.

[JR]

They're pretty much the same saw, in all meaningful aspects, such as motor, internals, fence, etc. Obviously the stands are different. The CM comes with the router kit, where it was optional on the BT.

The only real difference I've seen mentioned is the way a router actually mounts to the accessory table. The BT used a sub-plate, which was mounted to the router, then mounted to the accy table. The CM has standoffs on the bottom of the accy table, intending that the router mount directly. It appears these standoffs are pimple on the a$$ of progress if your router is not a CM branded unit. There have been a couple of recent threads on this topic.

I share your preference to buy new. If the CM 21829 had been the only choice when I bought my BT3000, I'd probably have gone for it. Now, several years downstream, I'd probably regret having the CM's fold-up base. This site has plenty of examples of cabinet-mounted BTs, where the owners were looking for something extra.

When I first started out I thought that my shop's versatility, the ability to put things away and take them out when needed for a variety of homeowner tasks, was important. Now I'm much more commited to a woodworking setup. My tools are still on mobile bases, but are always setup, ready to do battle. I move them only a few inches as necessary to set up the cut in my small shop.

Have fun deciding!

JR

[pelligrini]

One thing about a new one, It will come with a warantee.

[unknown poster]

Yea but a Craftsman warranty means you have to deal with Sears service, which is probably worse than no warranty.

My 21829 table is still not flat, the aux table is curved and the SMT is not square to the blade or coplaner to the table. I've tried messing with it I but can't get it right. I'm going to try adjusting it one more time, after that it will probably go back to Sears as soon as I have time to load it in the truck and haul it back there. A Rigid 2400 will probably take it's place against the wall in the garage, the 2400 is an inferior piece at a higher price but the top is a simpler arrangement that can more easily be made flat.

[DLHarrison]

Yea but a Craftsman warranty means you have to deal with Sears service, which is probably worse than no warranty.

My 21829 table is still not flat, the aux table is curved and the SMT is not square to the blade or coplaner to the table. I've tried messing with it I but can't get it right. I'm going to try adjusting it one more time, after that it will probably go back to Sears as soon as I have time to load it in the truck and haul it back there. A Rigid 2400 will probably take it's place against the wall in the garage, the 2400 is an inferior piece at a higher price but the top is a simpler arrangement that can more easily be made flat.

Ridgid TS2400 inferior? How is it inferior?

[JimD]

It is very easy to mount the BT3100 on a wooden base with locking castors (if you want mobility). You can put a drawer in the base for storage of blades, push-sticks, etc..

Jim

[unknown poster]

Ridgid TS2400 inferior? How is it inferior?

Direct drive, much shorter rip capacity, no good built-in crosscut device (the miter gauge is not great and would need a fence to be very usable), no accessory market. The rip capacity is the biggest thing for me, with a BT series saw I can get extended rails and build a really big saw from a small saw. I really want my 21829 to work, but it's not looking likely.

[jonmnelson]

I have no experience with a BT3100, just the Craftsman 21829, but I can tell you the 21829 is a great saw. The mobile base works very well and allows the saw to be folded up and stored when not in use. To me this is a significant advantage since the saw takes up a fair amount of floor space when open. If you have a small shop, the folding stand is a big deal.

I chose to buy new, rather than used, because I wasn't experienced enough to really know whether I'd be getting a good deal on a used saw. I know some older BT's had issues with shims and power switches. You'd want to make sure you weren't getting one that had either problem. I never had to make use of the warranty, but it's nice to have, and in my experience Sears is pretty good about standing behind their products.

I'd buy the 21829.