An Anniversery...

[Jim Frye]

It was this week back in 1993 that I purchased my BT3000 for $550 from Home Base as a birthday present. My only BT3000. It is still running like the day it was made, maybe better. I remember all of the folks on the various woodworking forums that said they were junk and wouldn't last.

I just finished a two year remodeling project of our home. It took me two years since we are watching our grandkids 4 days a week. The projects included new 6 panel oak doors throughout, including all of the closet bifold doors. All new oak trim and casings throughout the house. 3/4" white oak floors were installed in the living room, dining room and upstairs hallway. The stairway was redone in oak with oak railings and ballisters. In addition, the kitchen got redone with new counter tops, granite sink, and faucets. While the BT3000 didn't do all of the cutting, it did an awful lot. What it didn't do was done by my Ryobi 10" compound miter saw.

I have an early production BT3100 in storage and I am not sure when, or if, it will ever be used. I have to go shovel snow now. Take care all.

[Pappy]

I just finished a two year remodeling project of our home. It took me two years since we are watching our grandkids 4 days a week. The projects included new 6 panel oak doors throughout, including all of the closet bifold doors. All new oak trim and casings throughout the house. 3/4" white oak floors were installed in the living room, dining room and upstairs hallway. The stairway was redone in oak with oak railings and ballisters. In addition, the kitchen got redone with new counter tops, granite sink, and faucets. While the BT3000 didn't do all of the cutting, it did an awful lot. What it didn't do was done by my Ryobi 10" compound miter saw.

Not too shabby for a piece of crap, aluminum, TOY saw......

[leehljp]

Congrats. It is great to hear good news like this. My freight from Japan arrived today and I now have 2 and 1/2 BT3x00s.

They work well for me too!

[Pappy]

I bought a display BT3000 when the 3100 came out as a back up/parts saw. Brought it home, fired it up to test it, and put it in storage. Still sitting there waiting to be needed.

[cwsmith]

Jim,

Good to read your post. I don't have nearly the mileage or projects on my fairly new BT3100-1, so it's good to know that with proper care this little beauty will probably serve me for quite a few more years.

I absolutely love this saw and since it's my first table saw, with your post it may well be a possible that it could be my only table saw. It certainly does everything I've asked of it so far.

But I'm beginning to think I'm spoiled... curiosity had me looking at the new Ridgid 4512 a few weeks ago, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to move the "wings". (I don't think the "orange apron" know either, as he just gave me a strange look when I asked.... Guess he never saw a BT!)

Thanks for the post,

CWS

[Black wallnut]

More than a decade later and mine is still going strong. Happy anniversary Jim! How about posting some pics of your latest work.

[Richard in Smithville]

Happy Aniversary! I have been with my 3100 for around five years. The first real project I built was a quilt rack as wedding gift. I remember it slicing through the white ash like a hot knife through butter.

[cork58]

Bought mine about the same time to remodel an auto parts store. Just wore out another pivot pin on the smt. Better get another spare ordered!

[Turaj]

Happy Anniversary Jim Your feedback and those from another Jim was the main reasons why I bought mine back in 1999 (BT3000 was C$699 back then) and I have never regret the decision! Thank you BTW!!! I just wish I had more time to put more mileage on it.

[wardprobst]

Yep, over a decade on the Craftsman version with a spare I picked up off of Craig's list waiting inn the wings. Small gloat- BT3000 in good shape with router kit, bigger Ryobi router hanging under for $100 American. But it doesn't touch the RBI Scroll saw in mint condition for $100 from a customer who made an appointment to tune the piano- wahoo.
DP