SMT mods for xtended capacity

[poolhound]

I keep meaning to make a panel sled as yet again this morning I am faced with cross cutting a panel to sq it up and I need more than the SMT capacity (even if turned around).

I know various of you have modified your SMT to extend the capacity. What did you do and how much capacity does it yeild?

[LCHIEN]

cover all the ways in the FAQ.

One of the mods is now implemented in the 21829.

[poolhound]

You are right to point me to the FAQ but I had actually read it. I may have worded my post badly but I was trying to gain some first hand expereince from the folks who have done one of these mods (or something else) and can help me decided which one I might choose or to not bother and just get around to buildin a panel sled.

[docrowan]

I have gotten 24" cross cut capacity on 3/4" material by replacing the standard SMT fence with the feather board from the HF safety kit and making sure the blade is only raised about 1 inch above the table. I have to carefully square it up, but I get the full cut without having to build a jig.

[Stytooner]

I was able to get a little over 23" by just drilling another hole in the SMT.
Clamping something to the end may be a better solution than a hole, though. I find the drilled hole works well, because I don't have to search for a dedicated clamp. I did make one of those as well.

[pecker]

If you get a pair of 1" C-clamps (HF has them for about a dollar) you can attach a temporary fence at the edge of the SMT closest to your belly.
The handles of the clamps go on the top side, and your temporary fence can only be about 1/2" thick. Just square it to the blade with a big drafting triangle, or framing square.

You can even make the fence from 3/4" angle aluminum, and this will give nearly a 2ft crosscut ability.

[pecker]

I'd forgotten I had posted a pic of this in an earlier thread. I also used a 8" blade instead of the standard size to gain a little crosscut capacity.

[LarryG]

If you turn the SMT around backwards using this arrangement, so that the add-on fence is at the end farthest away from the operator, does the net usable travel distance relative to the front edge of the blade increase or decrease (or stay the same)?

I ran some experiments in this regard before I retired my BT to a dusty corner of my shop, but I can't recall what my findings were.

[poolhound]

Turning the SMT does get you a little extra.

[LCHIEN]

I was able to get a little over 23" by just drilling another hole in the SMT.
Clamping something to the end may be a better solution than a hole, though. I find the drilled hole works well, because I don't have to search for a dedicated clamp. I did make one of those as well.

Note the Sears 21829 version of the BT3 has these extra set of holes in the SMT table, as it comes from the factory. Can't cut miter angles other than 90 degrees in this position but for 90 degrees gives you a larger capacity than for using the regular A- or B- holes.

[pelligrini]

The back hole of the 21829 does allow for degreed cuts. the table face has another set of numbers for it too. The left end of the fence doesn't have that much of negative travel distance.

I can't remember exactly what capacity the 21829 will get with the fence in back hole.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Note the Sears 21829 version of the BT3 has these extra set of holes in the SMT table, as it comes from the factory. Can't cut miter angles other than 90 degrees in this position but for 90 degrees gives you a larger capacity than for using the regular A- or B- holes.

Loring,
I have this saw and have wondered what these holes are for. I didn't see anything instructive in the manual, so I have to ask - how are these used?

(Edit) - Belay that. Just like the other set, I imagine - didn't see pelligrini's post before I responded.