25th anniversary w/ my BT3 saw

[LCHIEN]

I just realized that I am now in my 25th year with my BT3000 saw, I think I purchased it new in about January of 2000, its serial number is in late 1999.

I've used it on and off a lot, it's given me a lot of satisfaction. I never really feel like I outgrew it.

[jlhumbert]

25 years? That is just amazing!!

[leehljp]

Congratulations! And what silver tool are you going to buy for celebration? I will have mine for 24 years this fall.

[Slik Geek]

I received my BT-3000 in August, 1996 as a gift. The date code indicates it was manufactured in the ninth week of 1996. I had first used a friend's BT-3000 earlier. I didn't realize that I was coming up on my 28th year with the saw! (Until this thread). I've enjoyed using the saw all these years.

[RangerRick]

I just went down stairs to check my BT3000 receipt. May 14 1992-$529. Great machine, still going strong. I received a couple of drive belts yesterday.

[LCHIEN]

Thirty-two years, wow!
The date of manufacture is encoded on the serial number plate of BT3000s.
There will be a four digit number like 9910 which means the 10th week of 1999. Or the above label 20th week of 2000 (approx May of 2000)
1992 was the first year of production, I think. I'd like to see a photo of your serial number plate. It must be a very early saw.
13A motor? Old 2-button power switch? Open circle elevation handle? These all changed after the first year.
Its a piece of BT3000 history.

[Slik Geek]

My 1996 BT-3000 had the closed elevation handle and the 1st generation two-button power switch (which I have replaced with the 2nd generation version).

[RangerRick]

Here they are, hopefully.

[LCHIEN]

Yeah, wow 6th week of 1992 like February. Looks to be all original. Open handwheel, original switch, 13A motor. A real primordial bt3000!

[tfischer]

I don't get back to this forum much anymore, and I didn't do much woodworking this past year at all (although I'm in the middle of a small project right now).

But this post made me realize I've likely had my saw 20 years now. I purchased it to build some baby furniture for my son, born in late 2004. That son is now a sophomore in college.

I'm so used to this saw that I really hope it lasts for years more. I also have a parking spot for it on its mobile base which allows us to put the cars in the garage, and my garage storage is so "optimized" I'm not sure I'd get another saw in there lol (I wouldn't want to replace it with a small contractor saw...)

But hopefully won't have to worry about that anytime soon

[LCHIEN]

Good to hear from you!

[cwsmith]

I purchased my BT-3100-1 back in 2005, August IIRC. The model was on close out at my local HD and I picked it up, along with the Kit. It was the first table saw purchase, but after reading all the support from the many forum members it was a no-brainer.

Previously I had bought several Ridgid and Ryobi tools when my local HD opened up in 2003, and it was at that time I purchase my floor standing Ridgid drill press and several bench-top Ryobi tools.

My oldest and most used tool at the time was a Craftsman 10-inch Radial Arm Saw which I purchased in 1974. That's still going strong and has been my long-time favorite stationary tool. But the BT is undoubtedly next on the list with regard to power tools.

CWS