BT3 Vs. Delta TS350

[zootroy]

I'm shopping for a table saw under $500.00. I will be using it for light construction and finishing work around the house, and I'm hoping to start some basic woodworking projects (bookshelves, end tables, etc.) I'm trying to decide between the BT3100 and the Delta TS350. I'd probably pick up the $100.00 accessory package for the router table and miter slide. The Delta looks sturdy and I like the cast iron. Any diff between the belt drive (BT3100) and direct drive (Delta).
I wasn't able to see the BT3100 at its best at the HD. It was in parts. The fence was missing and the ryobis that did have fences had the handles broken off.

I will either go for the delta ($375) + a seperate router table (~100) for a total of ~475, or the BT3100 ($300) + package ($100) for a total of ~400.

Any thoughts (as unbiased as possible on this site) will be appreciated.

Thanks
J

[dlminehart]

A couple times a year the accessory package for the BT3100 is thrown in for free. Or you can pick up just the parts you want, less expensively, by checking the Ads thread of this forum. I got the whole kit for $30 on eBay.

The belt drive makes the BT3100 more smooth-running, and therefore more accurate, than a comparable direct drive saw, even when some extra weight (iron) is thrown in. (Now, if you combine a belt drive with iron, you'll probably do even better.)

The fence on the BT3100 is better than most of the low-end models. The BT3100 will saw through a 2x4 on edge (3-1/2"), and comes with a much better blade than most other budget saws. Add $30 or more for a comparable blade for the Delta. The BT3100 has a riving knife to minimize possibility of kickback; the knife raises and lowers with the blade.

The BT3100 has very good dust collection; just attach a vacuum to the connector on the back of the saw and you'll collect most of the sawdust, since the blade itself is surrounded by a shroud that gathers the dust. The Delta will probably require some aftermarket dust collection shroud for the bottom part of the saw.

You'll find other reasons listed on this site why, until you spend twice the amount, you can't come up with a better saw than the BT3100 for the purposes you mention. Now, if it were solely for daily on-site carpentry work via pickup, or for full-time cabinet work, or other uses, there would be other saws leading the charts.

Lord knows why the samples at HD are always so poorly presented. I've never seen a Ryobi person in the store, so that may be part of it.

[germdoc]

I came across a used Delta direct drive saw for sale and did some research on it. What I read was not favorable. If you like iron there are plenty of relatively cheap options (i.e., $550-900) in belt-driven saws (Ridgid, new Delta hybrid, Craftsman hybrid, etc.).

The key features of the BT3 are its versatility and portability. The light weight is a benefit for my purposes, and I think for most WWers making furniture and other crafts. The sliding miter table is a real boon--the miter with most cheap saws is worthless and it would cost $150-200 to upgrade to a decent alternative. Throw in better dust collection, a good OEM sawblade, and there's really no comparison for under $500.

[vaking]

The short answer:
BT3100 is taylored for hobbyist woodworker. For the weekend warrior it will give the most bang for the buck - more precision, more versatility, more flexibility, etc. Its disadvantage - not a heavy duty motor and construction, somewhat more delicate. It will not withstand the abuse of full time construction work, you will be better off using thin kerf blades on it rather than full kerf and so on.

[Tom Miller]

For those of you with the accessory kit, is it worth $100?

I guess I wouldn't spring for it first thing, anyway.

Back in the day, I purchased the router kit and returned it within days. The only thing in there that was useful (very necessary, actually) was the clamp that holds the acc. table to the back rail. So I made one.

Regards,
Tom

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by Tom Miller

For those of you with the accessory kit, is it worth $100?

I guess I wouldn't spring for it first thing, anyway.

Back in the day, I purchased the router kit and returned it within days. The only thing in there that was useful (very necessary, actually) was the clamp that holds the acc. table to the back rail. So I made one.

Regards,
Tom

That's another question answered in the FAQ.

[vaking]

If you have a spare $100 get a wide table kit instead. That is really usefull provided you have space. The best part from accessory kit for me was a 90 degree elbow for dust bag connection (not the bag itself). I am using router mounting plate and miter slot table but I would have made them myself had I not gotten them for free.

[zootroy]

Thanks for all of the great feedback.
I think that I'll buy the BT3100 this weekend. I'll hold off on the accessories until I have more info.
One of the deciding factors is the fast feedback on this forum. This gives me confidence that if I do have a problem with this saw, I'll be able to get quick reliable help. Ryobi should be very thankful for the free marketing that this sight provides.

Thanks again
J

BTW you guys have some entertaining quotes in your signatures.

[Knottscott]

If you like iron, IMO the TS350 is not a great example. Even though it has a quiet induction motor, it is direct drive, smallish and has a fairly short max blade height. I've read that it's difficult to impossible to adjust the blade alignment, but am not sure this is the case...not good if true. At least the TS300 is belt drive even though it only sports steel wings and has a universal motor.

The BT has some nice features for the price if you opt to go that route, but if you do decide to go with something heavier, the new Craftsman 22104 hybrid/cabinet saw was on sale recently for $400...I wouldn't pay full retail for it, but at $400 it's got some advantages and is getting raves. Lowes has had the Jet full size contractor saw clearance priced (708301?)...price varies from store to store but many report < $400....tried and true workhorse. These are both excellent full size saws.

Building your own router wing is fairly easy project and a good way to save some $.

[Wood_workur]

I was comparing the two saws also, and I settled on the Ryobi because when I saw the Delta, the tables were horribly machined, and the fence wasn't good. the rails com in two pieces, and the fence flexed about AN INCH at the back (The Ryobi barley moved when I hit it with my fist [boy did that hurt]). Also, the delta dosen't have the SMT, which is a really nice feature to have. Plus, now there is a $50 mail in rebate on the Ryobi, and with a 10% off cupon, the saw is about $220 before tax, plus $90 for the asseory kit, brins it to $310, which is a great price for this highly accurate saw. If you are worried about the weight of the saw, the you could put a piece of plywood in the base, and put a couple bags of gravel on the plywood to add weight.

[Knottscott]

quote:Originally posted by Wood_workur

...and the fence flexed about AN INCH at the back

That sort of movement suggests a gross assembly, operator, or adjustment error. While that fence is no Biesemeyer, it's plenty functional when adjusted. You guys all know not to judge some things by the display model right?