New BT3100 Owner here, loving the saw!

[Timmymacnj]

So I'm getting into woodworking on a fairly tight budget. For the last year I've been using a not great Ryobi BTS16 that I picked up on Facebook marketplace for 20 dollars. Not a great saw, but lightweight, and cut fairly square with decent extensions so it was enough for me for a while.

I was browsing marketplace last week, and saw a ryobi saw with a router table extension for 50 bucks. Having never heard of this family of saws, I wasn't really expecting much, would have been happy enough with the performance of my previous saw, and adding the capability of a router table.

I picked it up, and was very very pleasantly surprised. I thought the sliding miter table would be a gimmick I wouldn't like much, dead wrong there, and thought the saw would just be ok but it's fantastic. Probably about 1/3 as loud as my terrible Ryobi one. Looking at different listings now, I didn't realize how lucky I was to be getting a mostly complete one. Has the sliding table and miter fence (with a hold down clamp), rip fence with router table wood faces, different throat sizes, blade guard and riving knife, router dust shielf, and router mounting plate. Pretty much the only thing missing is the router throat inserts, but I'm seeing full sets on ebay so I'll order.

I've been reading through posts and the faq, it's definitely a lot to take in, but I can't remember the last time I've been this happy with a purchase.

[leehljp]

Welcome Timmy, to the Sawdustzone, originally several of the fellows here were on the Ryobi Forum and then the BT3 Central Forum and that changed to Sawdustzone. So we have a history with this saw.

I am getting old, I "think" it used to be the "BT3 Central Forum" before Sawdustzone, but my brain cells have kinda jelled as I approach 80 - in 1 year and 3 days from today.

[LCHIEN]

Hi, Tim,
I'm glad you found your way here. I saw your personal messages on Facebook, but you were asking questions that I thought (1) were better handled in an open forum for other input and leaving a footprint for others,. and (2) because there are a wealth of articles here I can point you to more easily.

You mentioned a problem with the handwheel, I have some experience in that area, if you would care to post a separate question about it with some pictures of what you have left if its broken.

I have used my saw since 1999 - more than 35 years ago. You might find my BT3FAQ handy reading, it is linked in the "signature line" at the bottom of every post I make, including this one.

Loring

[Timmymacnj]

Hi, Tim,
I'm glad you found your way here. I saw your personal messages on Facebook, but you were asking questions that I thought (1) were better handled in an open forum for other input and leaving a footprint for others,. and (2) because there are a wealth of articles here I can point you to more easily.

You mentioned a problem with the handwheel, I have some experience in that area, if you would care to post a separate question about it with some pictures of what you have left if its broken.

I have used my saw since 1999 - more than 35 years ago. You might fin my BT3FAQ handy reading, it is linked in the "signature line" at the bottom of every post I make, including this one.

Loring

Thanks Loring! Before I reached out to you I had already read a few of your posts here and other places/archives and some of your Facebook posts in the woodworking for beginners group, so I could see how much info you had. I think my current repair with the handwheel will hold, but if it doesn't I see some ones on amazon I'll try (I can't post URLs, but the metal ones with 3 set screws look like they should work good). I did have some questions maybe you could point me towards some info on?

1. Is there a repository of any STL files to 3D print accessories for these? I see some 3D printed parts for these, so thought maybe you guys might have some files

2. What do people typically use the dual miter slot accessory for? Mine has it and I wasn't sure. I know most table saws miter slots are used for jigs like crosscut sleds, but wasn't sure if this had an intended purpose, or if it was just general use?

3. The ryobi BT3000 and BT3100 look pretty distinctive and easy to spot on places like marketplace, is that similar with the craftsman? The router table accessory and name (table saw system) seem to be pretty dead giveaways when I'm looking, what's the best way to spot the craftsman? I'm seeing some with the router table accessory but wasn't sure if they made a bunch of others with that option?

[LCHIEN]

Answer to #3

https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...e-saw-by-sight

Answer to #1 - repository of STL 3-D printable files.
We don't have that right now. - There's been discussions of them of course and we can easily set up a section with them if people started uploading them as they were found.
DBHost member and moderator, I know has a tittle experience with 3-D printing and may have better info.

I am actually signed up at my local library to get "initiated" on 3D printing in a week or two and be able to use the library's printer.

Answer to 2: Read the FAQ. I think I have some info there about the dual miter slot.
I think Ryobi offered it as an answer to those who bemoaned the lack of miter slots which are used in many table saw jigs. There is no slots built into the table because unlike traditional saws the BT3 does not have the ability of a classic trunnion to line up the motor/blade with the table and slot. Instead they have the ability to line up the rip fence with the blade. Anyway an add-on slot can be mounted parallel to the blade solving that problem. The SMT is adjusted (once in a lifetime, to me) to slide parallel tot he blades, solving the other alignment problem.
I don't have a miter slot - I built jigs that mount to the SMT which is superior and highly flexible with t-slots all over the miter fence and rip fence..
WHy people like the slot:

• some claim they can't get the SMT to work or just don't like it
• adds surface area to the saw
• increases the SMT minimum distance to the blade. - keeps the miter fence ends from being cut
• allows use of classic table saw jigs when the slot is aligned to the blade. The main classic TS jigs using the slots I think people want to use are the sliding sled and the tenoning jig. Frankly I've made equivalents using the SMT.

[Black walnut]

Timmymacnj be sure to read the last sticky post by user Gmack in the BT3Discussions sub forum.
EDited due to the post already being stuck by our esteeemed Admin Twistol! I should have looked there first.

The other thing to do if you have not already is to pait the red line. Loring coined the phrase. It is a line in the groove in fron t of the blade, inline with the blade. Cross that line with the miter fence and you will "officially join the club" You will learn just how great carbide saws cut aluminum.

[Timmymacnj]

Timmymacnj be sure to read the last sticky post by user Gmack in the BT3Discussions sub forum.
EDited due to the post already being stuck by our esteeemed Admin Twistol! I should have looked there first.

The other thing to do if you have not already is to pait the red line. Loring coined the phrase. It is a line in the groove in fron t of the blade, inline with the blade. Cross that line with the miter fence and you will "officially join the club" You will learn just how great carbide saws cut aluminum.

Thanks! Great tip on the red line. Only thing I like better than complicated solutions are simple common sense ones that are easily missed!