BT3000 or craftsman cast iron (113 series?)

[drago29]

Im looking to get a my first TS mainly to work on little projects and furniture for the home. I’m thinking about a used ryobi bt3000 in good condition for $180 or a craftsman cast iron contractor TS (probably the 113 series) with a suspect rip fence my brother-in-law will give to me for free. If I go with the craftsman, I would most likely replace the rip fence. One of the things I liked about the ryobi was the built in router table. Can anyone offer help in the direction should I go?

[JoeyGee]

Welcome!

You will find a wealth of info on both saws here, far more than I can offer you. I would lean towards free (and cast iron), which is always good. If the rip fence is "suspect" I am sure you find PLENTY of free repair advice and being a Craftsman, parts should be fairly easy to come by.

You can add a router table to almost any saw, the BT3000 would just be a tad easier since it's already there.

[jdon]

Not sure what you mean by "113 series". I believe that 113 is the Sears source code for Emerson Electric, and they made all sorts of saws- direct drive, flex drive, etc. I'll assume by cast iron you mean having cast iron wings and belt drive, such as 11329912.

The price for the Sears is right, but it is definitely an inferior saw. I had a similar CI Sears saw years ago, and never could get the wings level. Also, it lacked any dust collection and no riving knife, not to mention a horrendous rip fence and miter slots with lots of slop. I gave it away, got a BT3000, and never regretted the change.

$180 for a "good condition" BT3000 sounds a little on the high side. If you need a saw right away, go with the free Sears, don't put any money into it, and keep looking for a BT3000 or 3100. Sooner or later one should come up at a better price. Sell the Sears on CL, split proceeds with BIL, to help underwrite the upgrade. just my .02 Good luck.

[durango dude]

I'm a former BT3000 owner, and a current Craftsman 103. series cabinet saw owner.

For basic work, the BT3000 is just fine. Just drop the price to about $150.

A rip fence system will run you $300+.

Given that particular set of options, I'd likely go for the BT.

On the Ryobi - check the elevation dial --- make sure you don't have bad shims.

That's the biggest thing to worry about.

[dbaudo1]

I can't comment on the quality of the Craftsman but I've been quite happy with my BT3000 for the past 3 years that I've owned it. I will 1-up Durango's price and say that I would spend at most $125 for a BT3000 that is in good shape. There are about 4 or 5 on Craig's right now in the phoenix area and they range from $75 (which appears to be in good shape) to $375 (which even though they have some accessories....they guy has to be smoking something). There are 2-3 nice ones from the $75 to $160 points which in itself is a big swing. Heck even Stoli on the forums here is trying to sell his BT3000 with the extension and sweet mobile base for $300 which the material and hardware alone would be more than that. Would buy it myself but don't have the extra cash or space.

[dbhost]

$180.00 is high for a BT3000, but it if it is in premium shape then why not? The Cman saw has advantages, belt drive assuming anyway, cast iron top, and some disadvantages, potentially flex or direct drive, and no riving knife...

For what its worth, after having so many problems with a traditional splitter, I wouldn't buy a saw without a riving knife, or at least the ability to retrofit an RK such as a BORK. Just not worth the kickback risk...

[BigguyZ]

I think you can buy a basic T fence for $150 or so. If the wings are webbed, I reccomend just building new ones (MDF and laminate). I think the webbed wings are pretty dangerous, which is why I replaced mine. But the craftsman's are beasts, and if you spend what you would have on the Ryobi to get a better fence and machined pulley's with a link belt, I don't think you can go wrong with the Craftsman.

[dbhost]

I think you can buy a basic T fence for $150 or so. If the wings are webbed, I reccomend just building new ones (MDF and laminate). I think the webbed wings are pretty dangerous, which is why I replaced mine. But the craftsman's are beasts, and if you spend what you would have on the Ryobi to get a better fence and machined pulley's with a link belt, I don't think you can go wrong with the Craftsman.

Depends. He is pretty vague in the model #, we just know it is Emmerson built... Could be a flex drive saw. Not something I would want, and still doesn't have a riving knife...

[drago29]

I'm leaning towards the craftsman now, which appears to be a Craftsman 113.298843 with a belt motor (please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm really new to woodworking). What would you recommend for a replacement fence? I've heard the delta t2 is a good option as well as a vega fence? What decent options are there for around $150.