My "new" BT3000

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  • woodynoob
    Forum Newbie
    • Apr 2013
    • 42

    My "new" BT3000

    Picked it up today for $20. Motor sounds fine and I did a couple wood cuts to test. This is my first table saw, so had some questions...

    It did not come with any fences... I'm guessing that I should probably do something about that. Should I get a rip fence, a miter fence or both?

    What can I expect to pay for each? I see a "rip fence assembly" for sale on eBay for $120. Ouch. Maybe that's a fair price, but having a hard time paying 6x what I paid for the saw itself!

    Any advice would be appreciated...

    --Aaron
  • Knottscott
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2004
    • 3815
    • Rochester, NY.
    • 2008 Shop Fox W1677

    #2
    You'll definitely need a rip fence...maybe someone here will have one at a better price, or maybe you'll find another saw that you can raid parts from and resell the rest to offset the cost.

    If you saw doesn't have miter tracks, you'll want/need the miter fence too....I've seen shop built versions of those before.

    It's also worth investing in a good blade. If you're careful $30 buys a nice blade....Freud Diablo D1040x goes for < $30.
    Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.

    Comment

    • Pappy
      The Full Monte
      • Dec 2002
      • 10453
      • San Marcos, TX, USA.
      • BT3000 (x2)

      #3
      The rip fence is essential. Do not attempt free hand cuts on a table saw. That is nothing short of an invitation to an amputation!

      You didn't say if the SMT is present or not. If it is then look for a miter fence. Properly set up, the SMT with the miter fence can deliver accurate cross cuts.

      The other option is to add miter slots/tracks that allow the use of conventional miter gauges. There is a dual miter slot available that is designed for the BT. There have also been plans posted here for shop built miter track tables by some of the members. Maybe someone will chime it with a link to some of the plans.

      Again, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE SAW UNTIL YOU FIND A RIP FENCE!
      Don, aka Pappy,

      Wise men talk because they have something to say,
      Fools because they have to say something.
      Plato

      Comment

      • LCHIEN
        Internet Fact Checker
        • Dec 2002
        • 20914
        • Katy, TX, USA.
        • BT3000 vintage 1999

        #4
        as pappy says, free hand cuts on a table saw are an absolute no-no saftey wise.
        For rip cuts you need a rip fence, for crosscuts you either need the SMT and a miter fence, or install a miter slot and use a standard miter guide.
        Both the rip fence and SMT/miter fence are available on the used BT3 marketplace, (e.g. eBay, or here in for sale) run around $20-30. Both BT3100 or BT3000 parts will fit your saw.
        Loring in Katy, TX USA
        If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
        BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

        Comment

        • woodynoob
          Forum Newbie
          • Apr 2013
          • 42

          #5
          Thanks for the comments!

          Here is my saw:


          I printed out the owner's manual pages and did an inventory.
          I have the accessory table, but do not have:
          the Rip Fence, Sliding Miter Table, or Miter Fence.

          I'll be ultra careful making my test cuts until I find a rip fence. I'm assuming I need the "Rip Fence Assembly"? There's one on ebay for $120, but based on LCHIEN's message, that is overpriced?

          --Aaron

          Comment

          • KomaToast
            Established Member
            • Aug 2003
            • 182
            • Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

            #6
            I have a rip fence and a SMT and maybe a miter fence.
            PM me.

            That blue stand looks familiar for some reason.
            http://BT3000.com

            http://TinyURL.com/Chene

            Comment

            • Pappy
              The Full Monte
              • Dec 2002
              • 10453
              • San Marcos, TX, USA.
              • BT3000 (x2)

              #7
              Originally posted by KomaToast
              That blue stand looks familiar for some reason.
              Do believe it was posted in 'Bargain Alerts' not too long ago.
              Don, aka Pappy,

              Wise men talk because they have something to say,
              Fools because they have to say something.
              Plato

              Comment

              • durango dude
                Senior Member
                • Mar 2011
                • 934
                • a thousand or so feet above insanity
                • 50s vintage Craftsman Contractor Saw

                #8
                I'll repeat what others said ----

                do NOT attempt any cuts until you have a rip fence or miter.

                Congratulations - welcome to the BT cult.

                Comment

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