More BT3100 woes

[adauria]

Seems I can't touch this saw without breaking it...

In preparing the saw to make some crosscuts yesterday I noticed the SMT had some play in it on the tracks, i.e. it would move a little to the left and right if you apply a little pressure.

Well, wanting to square it up I started playing around with some of the eccentric screws on the table. Obviously, I don't know how to use these screws right or just got unlucky because I broke one of the screws into the hex nut. [muted trumpet - Wah waaaah].

Oh well, lesson learned - don't put too much torque on those adjusting screws / nuts on the SMT. I ended up ordering $2 worth of parts for $10 (with shipping) from Ryobi parts. Once it gets here I'll give squaring it up another attempt.

So instead of crosscutting my 2x4s I spend the afternoon cutting plywood and MDF to size. I am building a simple workbench.

-Andrew

[LCHIEN]

from my FAQ:

Avoid the Five Things a newbie often breaks on a BT3:

• The ends of the miter fence, or the miter fence itself get cut if the SMT or miter fence is set too far to the right
• The zero stop on the SMT, its real brittle metal and slamming the miter fence into it will do it.
• The latches on the SMT when they drop it, or unlatched, it falls off as they move the saw around
• The eccentric screws (they’re real brittle) that set the SMT alignment – know how they work before you adjust them
• The belts. If you freeze the blade when starting, the belts will go to protect the motor. This occurs in making ZCTPs, and if the wood closes up around the blade, and if you try to feed too fast.

[adauria]

Thanks! I'm sure I read that in your FAQ!

To be honest, I am not sure I understand how they work. Seems I could adjust with just a screwdriver and avoid a ratchet on the nut. Is that right, or do I need to fix the nut with something when I adjust it.

I should have ordered more than 1 set of these darn things, for what they charge in shipping!

-Andrew

[poolhound]

Thanks! I'm sure I read that in your FAQ!

To be honest, I am not sure I understand how they work. Seems I could adjust with just a screwdriver and avoid a ratchet on the nut. Is that right, or do I need to fix the nut with something when I adjust it.

I should have ordered more than 1 set of these darn things, for what they charge in shipping!

-Andrew

Loosen the nut slightly adjust from underneath with a screwdriver and then snug up the nut again. There is no need to torque them and I guess you already know what happens if you do

For the SMT you first need to get the whole thing parallel to the blade by adjusting the base using the screws that attach it to the rail clamps. pivoting off the front right screw loosen the front left and back screws to adjust it. Then the SMT Fence asjustment is done with just the rear eccentic screws and the front ones are to take out any slop.

[dkerfoot]

There are older descriptions of how to get the SMT square to the blade. If you search for them you will find a couple different methods.

It is far and away the most complicated adjustment needed on the BT3 family. That isn't to say it is super complicated, but it does take a while and is something you want to get exactly right.

[LCHIEN]

i guess the point of the FAQ is that they are brittle and only a small amount of torque is needed and should be used to tighten them. And it gives you a few things to buy to spread out shipping charges if you break something else!

[adauria]

Thanks for the tips guys! I am awaiting the replacement parts so my adjustment project (and any other TS projects) is on hold for a few more days. I'll keep you posted.

-Andrew