Newby looking for advice re BT3100-1

[hrrodz]

Hi folks,

I'm a novice woodworker looking to stock up my modest wood shop with used/refurbished tools. I came across an ad in Craig's list asking $225 for a BT3100-1 with the following description: "Excellent condition Ryobi BT3100-1 10 inch, 4800 RPM table saw system with top quality Ridgid R1090C carbide, 90 teeth, titanium coated saw blade and lots of accessories. 120V 15A. Includes accessories as follows: a Zero Clearance Throat Plate 4070333, Miter Slot Table 4060310, Miter Clamping Kit 4710300, Casters 4010331, Router Mounting Kit. 4950301, and Dustbag 4070300".

Questions is, based on the description, how much is this saw worth?

Thanks in advance.

[LCHIEN]

if it was in mint condition it MIGHT be worth that much, but seems perhaps a bit on the high side. When last sold about 3 years ago, the list price was $300, clearance priced at 250. This one apparently has the so called accessory kit which retailed for $100 but often could be ha for less.
This saw also has a 90-tooth blade which woul be good for crosscutting but not ripping. Wonder if he has the original blade? which was a more general purpose blade.

you might request my FAQ (details below) which will help with a lot of questions about this saw series and the accessories you mention.

Anyway, I think you might have some room to bargain, particularly if the saw shows much signs of use. I think prioces are all over the place nowadays. Depends on the condition and the sellers want to sell and how much the buyer is willing to pay.

[Uncle Cracker]

I'm inclined to agree with Loring that the price might be a bit high for what the saw likely sold for new. And you will most likely still need to pop for a combo blade (or a ripping blade, if you want to be changing blades all the time). I'd probably offer around $150 (the worst he can do is say no), and then haggle a bit if it's really in good shape.

[hrrodz]

LCHIEN & UNCLE C
Thanks for your comments. Very helpful.

[LCHIEN]

funny about this site, we go on and on about the attributes that make us like this saw and then when we see one for sale we go and knock the prices for being too high.

From a user standpoint, even for $225, this saw (in good working condition) will knock the socks off of anything new out there for under $400. In certain circles, it's even a sought-after saw. Fortunately (or not depending if you are buyer or seller) they are not all that rare, Ryobi sold lots of them, that tends to keep prices down.

[Uncle Cracker]

Like the saw or not, I'd feel stupid for paying more for one than I thought it could be had for, particularly if I had not at least tried to haggle a bit first. Most people leave a little wiggle room in their prices, and it's often rewarding to learn how much.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Sometimes a person needs a little patience. When I first found 'bt3central' I got excited about this unique saw.

I looked at one for $250 at local used tool store, but kept my wallet in my pocket. As luck would have it I found a complete BT3000 on CL for $35 with a burned out motor (and I got 2 rip fences and 2 SMT's and 2 accessory tables with it!).

The next day I found a Sears zipcode saw at a pawn shop that was missing the rip fence and the SMT. The motor sounded good and we negotiated a price of $65!

I've since purchased another BT3 (with a bad motor) that included the complete accessory kits (rail extender, extension table and router) for $35 on CL.

Last month I found a good spare motor for $50 on CL, so now I can build a 'Frankensaw'! Plus, I've got a lot of good spares with which to horse trade.

I'm not a patient guy, but patience, in this case, really paid off.