new guy

[thestinker]

Hello all-

I have had my BT3100 almost 2 yrs and love it, don't get to use it as much as I would like, but love it the same. I have been checking out this site for a couple of weeks now and have learned more in 2 weeks about the saw than in the past 2 yrs on my own. I would like to extend my table with a wide table kit and make my saw set up bigger. I have the saw on a mobile base my shop fox now, and would like to figure out a way to make that base work. Shop fox makes an extension kit for around 5o bucks or so that will accomidate the wide table kit, but I am going to try to figure a way to use what I already have and spend the 50 $ on something else. I have been looking at the mobile saws listed here and mulling this over in my head. Prabably wont get the kit till Dec or even Jan (Christmas gift to myself) and then will figgure out exactly how much rip to the left and right I want. Also, can't decide if I want to use the existing saw stand and build somethig around that, or start from scratch. Also drawers or cubbys for stuff? My garage is about 18 x 20. L shaped bench down one side and half way accross back, with shelves finishing up the back. The only other big item stored is my jet ski and bicycles so getting to big isn't really an issue as long as I can wheel the monster around when its time to use it. So any good ideas you guys have would be greatly appriciated. I am slowly picking up this woodworking hobbie through watching al lot of TV and reading magazines and forums dedicated to woodworking. So I am still very much learing by doing / making mistakes so asvice is always appriciated on my end.

C ya Round
The Stinker

[BobSch]

Welcome to the group, Stinker. Look i the Projects sections for some mobile wide table ideas.

[gmack5]

Welcome Riley,

Congratulations on the acquisition of your BT3100 and welcome to the "family".

One of the first things you need to do, after you get your BT3100 Saw assembled is, following your Owner's Manual, go thru the entire set-up proceedure, step by step, in the sequence laid out in the Manual. Each set up proceedure builds on the preceeding proceedure, so you MUST keep them in sequence.
Usually the Saw is set up properly, right out of the box, but you should still check it as this gets you familiar with all the adjustments on the saw and assures you that everything is as it should be.

Here's some free plans that'll keep you busy for a while. http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/r...ex.php?cat=102

And here's some additional information about your Saw that you may find useful.

Regardless of what you've read or others have told you, NEVER NEVER use any wax or lubricant on your saw that contains Silicone, this includes all automobile waxes and polishes and most spray-on furniture polishes. The reason is simple, most of them contain Silicones and they will make your projects difficult to finish.
Silicones repell liquid, making "fish eyes" in your finishes, this will force you to remove the Silicones from your project and start over. That stuff (Silicone) migrates all over every where, don't ask me how, it just does.
If you put it in one place, eventually it will be all over the
entire saw.

Your best bet is to use a "dry" lubricant, such as Teflon (PTFE), Powdered Graphite, or Candle Wax for the Raising/Lowering and Tilt mechanisms below the table top.

Then use either Johnson's Paste Wax, Minwax's "Finishing Wax" or Butcher's Wax on the working surfaces, table tops (All three of them) and the Rip Fence.

Do NOT Wax the Front and Rear rails or the Miter Fence. As a mater of fact, you may want to glue 220 grit sand-paper to the front face of the Miter Fence, cause you don't WANT things to slide on there.

You might also want to check out the "Articles" section on the www.BT3central.com site. Lots of good maintenance information on your saw and some of the Jigs and Fixtures that BT3Central members and others have designed for it. Located here: http://www.bt3central.com/articles/ The only thing you'll need to access the information is a recent copy of the Adobe Reader (It can be downloaded from the BTcentral site). One of the Articles mentioned is a "Check List", written by Jim Frye. You can find it here: https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...nce-check-list

This list contains all the different areas on your saw that need to be periodically inspected or given some sort of special attention. In other words, a "Preventative Maintanence Check List" or PM. Performing this PM on a monthly basis would be a good idea. One of the other things you'll find there is an on-line copy of the User's Manual in downloadable pdf format (a handy thing to have).

Something you might think about is the use of a set of Draftsman's Triangles instead of the Carpenter's Square that they show in the Owner's Manual for setting up your saw.
An accurate Carpenter's Square is almost a myth!
A good one will cost you quite a bit of money, $40 - $75, or more. I would recommend that you consider using a pair of Draftsman's 30 -60 and 45 degree triangles instead. You'll find they're not near as expensive and are far more accurate than a run-of-the-mill Carpenter's Square. The 30 -60 triangle should have one 12" leg and the other leg would be 9" long. The 45 degree triangle should have at least 8" legs on either side of the 90 degree corner. That way either one can be put up against the side of the Saw Blade without touching the saw teeth.

Just remember, regardless of which measuring instrument you choose to use, check it(them) to be sure they're accurate. When checking the Miter Fence for Square to the Blade with a triangle, use the 12" 30-60, if possible.

One of the other "tricks" that I've discovered is to take a piece of "Wax" paper, fold it several times and rub it in the grooves that the "T" nuts that lock your Rails in place ride in. Makes the Rails move smooth as Butter.

Last, but not least, don't forget to paint the RED line!
It's a line that extends the line-of-sight from the saw blade to the front edge of the table to remind you NOT to let your Miter Fence or your FINGERS get in the way of the saw blade. Just put red paint, nail polish, or what ever, in the grove that extends towards the operator from the front edge of the saw blade.

[monte]

Welcome to the group Riley. There are several posts with pictures on the forum that should help you with ideas for your mobile base.

[Pappy]

Welcome to the Asylum, Riley!

[silverfox]

Welcome to the cult, Riley. Click on the articles and the gallery buttons above to get a ton of ideas and do a search for a ton more.
Mike

[mater]

Welcome to the forum Riley.