Broke the fence on my BT3100 - now what?!?

[milanuk]

Just as I was working on doing some overdue 'tune-up' on my BT3100, and adding the dual miter slots that I've had sitting around collecting dust for a couple years... I took the fence off and instead of sitting it in the hooks on the side of the saw (actually, there was a good reason for that - it'd still have been whacking me in the knees for what I was working on) I set it across the bed of my jointer. I no more than turned away and I heard it crash to the floor.

As I turned back, I saw a black piece that looked an awful lot like the far end latch on the fence go skittering across the floor I hurried over to pick it up, and saw that it was the *whole* black end of the fence, completely sheared off . Cussing silently, I went back over to pick up the rest of the fence which looked like it was still all in one piece - until I picked it up. Then the whole head, handle, and op rod fell out of the body - the casting that held the head on was similarly sheared off.

So now what. It's been a nice little saw, but frankly, I've been getting tired of not having some mass and real miter slots and a full-sized table top. On the one hand... while I don't think the fence is in any way repairable, I was looking at a Craftsman 21829 in the store today and it sure looks like the same fence - would getting a replacement fence through Sears be a viable option? Any other ideas/options? I have a GCSS (EZ-guide) setup, but my saw (PC 347) doesn't have enough depth for anything much thicker than maybe 1". Otherwise I'm off to shop for a replacement table saw.

TIA,

Monte

[dbhost]

The 21829 uses the same fence.

There are frequently fences for sale on Ebay, and in the members classifieds here. And no you can't have mine...

[pelligrini]

The Sears option would probably be the most expensive.

There's a used one on ebay right now.

[milanuk]

Just found a whole BT3100 for $100 listed on the local Craigslist... just have to see if they still have it.

I'll check ebay also....

I know I see stuff listed here on a semi-frequent/regular basis... the problem is that I was supposed to start on a new bedframe (part of a bedroom set) for the spare bedroom (gets used a lot with college age kids plus relatives dropping by) ***TODAY***. So now I'm already behind, pissed off, and having to spend time looking for replacement parts/ waiting on auctions to run their course - or for someone to put another one up for parts. Better than no option at all, but still frustrating.

Thanks,

Monte

[Uncle Cracker]

You can make an emergency fence from a piece of 2X4 and a couple of clamps. You just have to square it to the blade every time you move it, but it could get you through a job in an emergency.

[LCHIEN]

look in the classifieds here, look for people parting out saws. Look abck 2 months or so
DSellinger had a fence for sale, $40, a few weeks ago, saw no takers yet. May be others.

[poolhound]

Monte,

I have various odds and ends of parts including fence bits. If you can tell me whats broken and what you need I will try and find the box I keep them all in and see if I have what you need.

Either post here or PM me.

[Eagan]

BT 3100 fence on ebay

Auction ends in 7 hours

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ryobi-BT3100-BT3...3A2|240%3A1318

[milanuk]

Yep... take a close look at the current winning bidder

[cgallery]

Many of the fence parts are still available for order. I purchased a replacement rear black thingy because I broke my first. Then about six months or so ago I ordered another just to have as a spare.

[milanuk]

Well, I won that ebay auction - $22 + S&H, should have it in a couple days (seller is about 6-8hrs south of here). I'd been steeling myself for the cost of a new full-sized saw, and I may still go that route at some point - the BT is just a bit light for my preference, but it does do a good job within its limitations, and was *way* ahead of its time.

Thanks,

Monte

[Uncle Cracker]

Well, I won that ebay auction - $22 + S&H, should have it in a couple days (seller is about 6-8hrs south of here). I'd been steeling myself for the cost of a new full-sized saw, and I may still go that route at some point - the BT is just a bit light for my preference, but it does do a good job within its limitations, and was *way* ahead of its time.

Glad you got the part you needed. Even if you do step up to a heavier saw in the future, you'd be surprised how handy it is to keep the BT and set it up as a dedicated dado machine.

[milanuk]

I'd have to get a better dado set for that to be true... my SD206 has never given what I consider to be smooth flat dados, and now it has a nick in one of the teeth on an outside plate. Been using the router table and/or hand-held router w/ guide for that job since discovering that. I probably should 'fix' the problem, when I get 'round to it

[LCHIEN]

I'd have to get a better dado set for that to be true... my SD206 has never given what I consider to be smooth flat dados, and now it has a nick in one of the teeth on an outside plate. Been using the router table and/or hand-held router w/ guide for that job since discovering that. I probably should 'fix' the problem, when I get 'round to it

That's funny,my Freud dados have always given me beautiful dados on the BT3.

One chipped tooth on a dado blade shouldn't be noticable, I would think.