Hello, new member here, two questions, one for LCHIEN specifically

[steveg]

Hello all --

I'm new to the forum, and now the owner of my first table saw -- a Craftsman 315.228110. I bought this saw used at a garage sale, and it appears to be in very, very good condition; looks to have been barely used. Once I found out that this saw is basically the Ryobi BT3000, and did some digging on the internet, I found this forum! What a wealth of info this site has proven to be. I have many questions, regarding the set-up of this saw, and hope to become a knowledgeable user of the saw, but will continue to read for awhile all the information available here. After 4 years of wood shop in high school (20 years ago), I haven't used a table saw since -- but have maintained a love of woodworking, and have dabbled a bit since then. I have alot of catching up to do!

In any case, I do have a couple of questions at this point:

1. In trying to get used to what accessories are out there for this saw, the dual-slot miter table seems to me like it might be a useful addition -- thoughts?

2. LCHIEN -- on the forums, I saw links to a BT3x "FAQ" that you had posted long ago. The links, of course, no longer work, but I found it on the "internet archive/wayback machine." Any chance you would/could re-post that somewhere, or send a copy to me?

Thanks!

Steve

[Ed62]

Welcome to the site. I'm not Loring, but just send him a PM, asking for the FAQ. It is a wealth of information.

Ed

[Mr__Bill]

Loring will only e-mail it to you so include your e-mail address in the PM.

Bill

[twistsol]

Welcome aboard! I'm pretty much convinced the sum of all human knowledge is represented here.

As to your questions, I have the miter slot table installed on my machine, It came free when I purchased the saw. I haven't used it for anything other than securing a feather board yet. I'm sure you'll get other opinions.

I think the micro adjuster and the wide table kit are probably the most useful accessories you can get for the saw.

Definitely PM Loring for the FAQ. I got it after using the BT3000 for over 10 years and still learned quite a bit.

[bigstick509]

[LCHIEN]

go to the private message forums at http://www.bt3central.com/private.php
and leave me a message with your e-mail addy.

among around 100 other topics the accessories for the saw are discussed in some detail.

[Pappy]

WElcome to the Asylum, Steve! A weath of information here.

As to the dual miter slots, I use them guide the runners on jigs.

[steveg]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

twistsol -- I think you may be right, from what I can tell, about "the sum of all human knowledge" being here on this forum! Can you tell me a bit more about the "wide table kit," or where I can find a picture of it?

A couple of other questions:

In the years of taking wood shop back in high school, I never used any "jigs," or feather boards, or anything. All the cuts we made were simply by hand, using a push stick. So I am certainly not a "sophisticated" user. Like I said, I have alot of catching up to do!

For years, I've wanted to buy a table saw, to start making some small pieces of furniture, etc. But what pushed me over the edge and got me to finally buy is a theater/media room project I'm working on right now in our home. It was a completely unfinished space, and I'm currently finishing the drywall stage, so the trim carpentry comes next. I know I'll be ripping 8' pieces of 3/4" oak, and I'm wondering if purchasing two of these Craftsman roller stands shown here might be a possible way to infeed/outfeed these oak boards for this project.

Finally, can anyone recommend a thread, or internet link, or anything which they feel is the best way to go about squaring up the blade, rip fence, and miter fence? I have found some information on the forum about this, and from this infomration I think I understand that this saw is somewhat unique in terms of squaring it -- is this correct? I was curious to know if anyone has an opinion as to what they feel is the best way to go about this.

Thanks!

Steve

[pelligrini]

Can you tell me a bit more about the "wide table kit," or where I can find a picture of it?

The wide table kit is a rail extension package consisting of front and back rails, 4 connector plates, stamped t-nuts and bolts. There's also a leg kit for supporting the rail extensions. Sears still offers the leg kit, and the previously mentioned micro-adjuster.

I've got a set of half rails (full size rails cut in half) on my 21829. I also have a couple of leg kits and a set of extension rails that I will connect on occasion. The half-rails give me about all the rail width I usually need. I couldn't leave a full size extension on mine anyways and still move it in and out of my shed.

You can see the extensions and table legs in this post: http://www.bt3central.com/showpost.p...92&postcount=7

[steveg]

Pelligrini --

That's quite a customization job you did there on your saw. Very nice!

I presume that is useful for cutting large sheets (plywood, etc.), or for cross-cutting longer boards? A question -- where do you get the "table-top" portion of the kit? You said it comes with rails, connector plates, and nuts/bolts...

Steve