Uh-oh! NOW what?

[Schleeper]

I just disconnected the shop vac from the dust port on my BT3000, and this item (pictured) fell out of the hose. Who said shop vacs lack suction!!

Unless I miss my guess, this is one of those infamous shims I've heard so much about. If that's the case, don't these things run in pairs? There's no sign of its mate anywhere. I'm getting the feeling that I just bit into an apple, only to find half a worm.

OK, so my saw appears to be shimless at the moment, and I'm guessing that's not the ideal operating condition. While I had the foresight to purchase replacements a couple months ago, I have absolutely no idea what to do with them. I'm hoping someone has already written some documentation for this, in which case a quick search of the archives should turn it up. Of course, any and all advice from our esteemed members would be greatly appreciated.

(BTW, the blade lift mechanism is working just fine.)

[JR]

(BTW, the blade lift mechanism is working just fine.)

Not for long! Yep, that's a shim. They don't exactly run in pairs - it's possible for just one to fall out.

Definitely search the articles section. I recall BlackWalnut's advice being particularly helpful.

JR

edit: FWIW - here is the thread from when the same thing happened to me. It has a couple of helpful links. Good luck.

[Uncle Cracker]

Yes, that is a shim. There should be two of them. They hug the static ways of the the slide mechanism, one on either side of the motor. If you only have one, it may be because the full compliment of two made the mechanism too tight (just my guess) or because one was lost earlier. From your photos, it looks like neither has been in its proper place for a while.

[Schleeper]

Making matters worse....

The shims I have "in stock," are the wrong ones. They're flat, and have two holes in them. My saw is one of the old 13A, "made in USA" ones, but the owner's manual goes with the later 15A version. Ordering parts based on the schematic of a different model saw is an adventure. Also, the articles tend to be written for the later BT3000.

[LCHIEN]

yeah both your shims on this side have fallen out

The shims are the bearing surface between the vertical ways and the motor/arbor housing; they travel with the arbor and are kept in place by the bent over ears. In your pic the ears at the right are straightened out - probably when the shim seized to the way from lack of lubrication and slid off the arbor housing.

[Black wallnut]

John, as others have already mentioned yes that is one shim. See my article on shims. Sounds like you only purchased the rear shims, you will need the front ones. The rears are captive by tabs and through bolts. The front are only captive by tabs. It's a fairly quick fix once you have the new shims.

[Schleeper]

Thanks, guys. I just ordered some shims, and should have them by midweek. After reading the articles on shim replacement, it doesn't look like anything I can't handle. However, if I hit a snag you'll probably be able to hear me all the way to Washington and Texas! (Have already alerted LOML that she should be somewhere else that day.)