My BT3100

[SomeGuyInNZ]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post in, but I thought I'd make my first post a few pictures of my BT3100 set-up.

I've borrowed ideas from 2-3 other people on this forum to make this unit. And this site certainly has been a great resource that really helped me make the decision to buy a BT3100 in the first place - so thank you to everyone for that.

I know there are a few things that I could have done differently if I had access to things like the wide table kit. But I am in New Zealand and our access to accessories and parts is limited. I was honestly surprised that I could even get this saw here! Plus many or the alternate parts are ex-USA and cost a fortune to ship to NZ.

My aim here was to build a mobile saw bench with a router table that was wide enough to rip a full sheet. So it needed to have 1.2m (4ft) to the right of the blade.

This uuit also had may other advantages such as in-built dust collection, plus storage for a small bench-mounted drill press. And of course cupboards and drawers for all the various bits-and-pieces.

Anyway - I hope you like the pictures.

Oh, and as a footnote....in the final week that I was finshing this project I started a new job. With Festool. I'm now surrounded by awesome tools daily, but I still love my saw bench set-up.

[BearPipes-1]

Wow, nice first post, and nice cabinet!

Is that pull-out in the right front for infeed support? Can it be locked into one position or another?

[SomeGuyInNZ]

Yeah, the pull-out is for in-feed support. It isn’t perfect as it is just a series of bolt-heads sliding in an aluminium track. "Gravity" tends to lock it in place, even when pushing an 18mm (3/4") sheet of MDF through the saw. It only pulls out about 900mm (3ft), as it can only extend about the 80% of the depth of the table. But that does add enough in-feed support to take most of the weight.

The plan was to make it possible for me to rip up a sheet by myself. So this support combined with a portable worktable behind the saw as out-feed support makes it all work pretty well.

[Uncle Cracker]

Very nice rig! Looks like you and your BT are set up for the long haul...

[SomeGuyInNZ]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bearpipes - yes the pull-out is in-feed support. It isn't perfect as it only pulls out about 900mm (3ft) sue to the depth of the table itself. And it is just a series of bolt heads sliding in an aluminium track. But it still allows me to rip a full sheet of MDF or Plywood without moving thanks to gravity & friction. And when combined with a portable table for out-feed support it all works fine.

Cracker - yeah, certainly the long haul. It is a tight squeeze in my single garage/workshop, but I've tried to make the most of the space available and it all seems to work nicely so far (it’s been about a month or so)

[rcp612]

Very, very nice work.
I like to see how more than 1 idea can come together and you certainly accomplished that.
That should last a lifetime but,,,,,I didn't see where the trailer hitch mounted.
BTW, welcome to the forums.

[leehljp]

I agree with the others, very nice work and good function too!

[bigstick509]

[pelligrini]

Pretty slick design. How does that fence on t-tracks to the right of the blade work for you?

Is that shopvac in the cabinet hooked up to the saw?

That miter saw stand looks like a good design too.

[Whaler]

That is an awesome cabinet, very nice work.

[poolhound]

Wow thats one awesome workstation and saw table. It must weight a ton especially with extra stuff like the DP. I like the infeed support idea.

I have had my BT for quite a few years now but am just getting around to building my own mobile base, not quite as large as yours. I think thats the largest built in BT I have ever seen.

Welcome to the site its good to see some more regulars from the antipodes. Our Aussie friend had the market captured for a while.

BTW I am amazed nobody asked this already but with a job at Festool whats the staff discount like

[softop41]

newguy,
Welcome to the forum. that certainly looks like it will maximize the footprint nicely.
Very nice.
Jerry

[kevincan]

Looks Great!

It looks like you have room for everything on there. Does the DP have a lift on it or do you have to lift it up to the bench by hand.

[Mr__Bill]

Good execution of a very clever design.

One thing that always fascinates me is that no matter what part of the world you live in, photos of a home workshop look amazingly alike.

Welcome to the best community of woodworkers in the world and you are not just Some Guy in NZ, you are The Guy in NZ.

Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast

[Pappy]

Good Lord, Man! That thing has a footprint bigger than my shop!

Nice cabinet, and welcome to the Asylum!