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Last week I responded to an Ad for an older BT3000. From the pictures and descriptions it appeared to be from 93 or 94 (with a 13A motor). The price was right and I figured I could use it for parts. When I got there (I was the third caller but the first two did not show up after making an appointment with him 
) he insisted in plugging it and turning the saw on to show me that it works. I tried raising the blade but it was very hard but again, I was only looking for parts and did not really care if everything worked! He added the original stand with castors and brand new router / jigsaw kit (they were not in the pictures and he had not mentioned them before 
).
He told me that the saw was in his storage for couple of years and after seeing cob webs inside the saw I think it was there for a lot more!!! The first thing that I noticed when putting the saw in my car was that the saw had a 15A motor and was made in USA in 1995 (XXX 9538)! So, I decided to take a look inside and see if I can fix the blade raising problem. Here are three pictures from the inside:
Note that the picture for the Top and motor was taken after initial cleaning with the shop vac
No wonder why I couldn't move the blade! The saw dust was compacted and hardened in most cavities and all the gears!! Used a utility knife and a long screwdriver to essentially pry the saw dust. Here are couple of pictures after cleaning:
Cleaned and lubed everything else (the blade looks almost brand new) and the bade moves up and down very easily
. I then started adjusting the saw. The Rip fence was bang on but had a hard time with the SMT until I found out that it is missing part of the slides. Apparently, someone had taken one of the lower slides and use it with the other eccentric screw . I managed to get it working but the table does not slide smoothly! (I am missing a lower and an upper slide). The only other issues are cosmetics:
As you can see the Miter Fence has lost it plastic end (I may or may not replace it). Also the Accessory table has some discolouration!! The switch is under recall and I have already talked to Ryobi and a new one is on its way.
So here are couple of questions: 1) Any idea what has caused the discolouration and is there anything to do about it? 2) Anyone has made their own slides? M & D has them for 75 and 88 cents but there is $12 shipping and that only gets it to my friend in Wisconsin (I will try to see if Sears in Canada has them). 3) For those of you who use the Router Kit, how do you like it? Any issue with it?
) he insisted in plugging it and turning the saw on to show me that it works. I tried raising the blade but it was very hard but again, I was only looking for parts and did not really care if everything worked! He added the original stand with castors and brand new router / jigsaw kit (they were not in the pictures and he had not mentioned them before ).He told me that the saw was in his storage for couple of years and after seeing cob webs inside the saw I think it was there for a lot more!!! The first thing that I noticed when putting the saw in my car was that the saw had a 15A motor and was made in USA in 1995 (XXX 9538)! So, I decided to take a look inside and see if I can fix the blade raising problem. Here are three pictures from the inside:
Note that the picture for the Top and motor was taken after initial cleaning with the shop vac
No wonder why I couldn't move the blade! The saw dust was compacted and hardened in most cavities and all the gears!! Used a utility knife and a long screwdriver to essentially pry the saw dust. Here are couple of pictures after cleaning:Cleaned and lubed everything else (the blade looks almost brand new) and the bade moves up and down very easily
. I then started adjusting the saw. The Rip fence was bang on but had a hard time with the SMT until I found out that it is missing part of the slides. Apparently, someone had taken one of the lower slides and use it with the other eccentric screw . I managed to get it working but the table does not slide smoothly! (I am missing a lower and an upper slide). The only other issues are cosmetics:As you can see the Miter Fence has lost it plastic end (I may or may not replace it). Also the Accessory table has some discolouration!! The switch is under recall and I have already talked to Ryobi and a new one is on its way.
So here are couple of questions: 1) Any idea what has caused the discolouration and is there anything to do about it? 2) Anyone has made their own slides? M & D has them for 75 and 88 cents but there is $12 shipping and that only gets it to my friend in Wisconsin (I will try to see if Sears in Canada has them). 3) For those of you who use the Router Kit, how do you like it? Any issue with it?
Turaj (in Toronto) 
Loring in Katy, TX USA
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