BT 3000 - Deal or No Deal

[hrrodz]

The owner of this BT3K is asking $200.oo for this saw. What do you think? Thanks in advance

[Black wallnut]

I'd say no deal! I see plenty wrong by quick glance. He's got the SMT fence mounted backwards which makes me wonder if he lost the pivot. The top of the SMT fence looks like it has been milled out for some reason. The SMT Fence has been cut through. The pivot pin in the rip fence has been replaced by a bolt. Stock blade guard and riving knife is missing. Still has the early recalled power switch. The elevation and bevel wheel handle is broke. I wonder what the rip fence looks like under the sacraficial covering.

It would be worth reading Jim Frye's article about buying a used BT3K, follow link in announcement in the BT3xx section. If it runs I'd consider $75.00 tops but only after very close inspection of the main issue areas of the saw. Shims, elevation shaft, rip fence, and entire SMT.

[Pappy]

I would also want to know the motor amps. A lot of the BT3000's are still going strong, but not many are the early 13 amp motors.

A lot of issues with the saw, as Mark pointed out. Any one or even two of them could be explained. Combined, they indicate abuse of the saw.

[Uncle Cracker]

Mehhh... That thar BT's been rode hard and put away wet... May still have a lotta life left in 'er, but not worth risking a coupla Benjamins, plus the cost of restoration. It does have a nice blade, but not well-suited for ripping. The top track on the rip fence looks like it's for bearing buddies, which could add value if they're included.

[LCHIEN]

old switch is replaceable for free at Ryobi customer service, BUT, if that switch is on there then the saw dates to 1993 (first year of production) or so and there's a very good chance it only has the 13A motor which was also standard in the first year of production, too.
BW has a keen eye, caught a few issues I missed. I did note the broken handle. The SMT backwards is a storage option and not critical but the miter fence looks very funny- modified and myabe some no so original condition parts.

A late model BT3000 would be more desirable. The name plate has a four-digit code which is the date of manufacture. 9932 would be 1999 week 32. They were made up until about 2001. BT3100 from 2001 to 2006.