BTS15 vs BT3100

[Merk]

Getting back into a little WW'ing and shopping for a new saw. Back when I had a BTK, it was a fun saw, but now I'm on a disability pension spells a tight budget.
So I'm looking at the spec's of these two saws and the "guts" seem the same. 1500amp motor, etc
The top is different on the BTS, quite a bit and it's $120.00 bucks cheeper here in Canada than the BT3100.

Question is the performance and quality the same?? $120 is quite a difference in price. Does anyone know of any big differences??

Thanks

[scorrpio]

It appears that BTS15 is a direct drive, not a belt-drive, which often results in increased vibration and loss of precision. There is a reason why Ryobi calls BTS15 a 'portable table saw', and BT3100 a 'Precision woodcutting table saw'
Front/rear rails on BTS15 are fixed, not sliding like on BT3100, drastically reducing its capacity. Sliding miter table can be mounted in only one position on BTS15.

[JonBoy]

I had the exact same thinking you have and bought the BST-15(first table saw), and a couple weeks later the BT3100 went on sale for not much more than I payed for the BST so I took it back and got the BT3100. At that point I was fairly happy with the BST however after getting the BT3100 together I was AMAZED how much better it was. Im sure the BST would cut 2x4's in half all day if thats what you need it for but if your looking to do more I would try and wait till you have the money for the BT3100. The looks in a picture makes it seem like just a little better saw but in fact it is 100% better in every way.

[Merk]

Ah! Now I see why the difference in price and look. Didn't see both on display in HD up here in Canada, only the BT3100.
As I'm reading back posts to update myself on the "new to me" BT3100. I'm glad to see Ryobi did fix the shims.
I think the new version is more improved than just that, I'll have a closer look next time I'm in HD.
BTW, Up here the BT3100 is $399. regular price, but still much cheeper than a little bigger saw (any brand). I don't need bigger just good accuracy.

Thanks very much

[Legal Eagle]

Bt3k & Bts15

Has anyone ever "married" them? I could see leaving a moulding head on one.....Dave

[eezlock]

BTS15 vs. BT3100....

Merck, I don't think there is any real comparison between the two saws,
even though they are made by the same company.

The Bts 15 is a relatively light weight saw, more suited to the jobsite type of use, hauled around from job to job and not a stationary set up. Whereas
the Bt3100 is better suited to a shop environment where it's accuracy,
and overall performance are the main attributes when it is set up left that way and not bounced all over creation and expected to perform to it's best.

As far as price...you get what you pay for here....accuray,dependabilty
come with a price, no question about that. If all you are wanting is a hobby type saw...then by all means get the BT15 or Bt20...It will do most things
fairly well...but not to the same level as the Bt3100 will do.

I saw on e -bay last night that there was a BT#3000 (showed it complete)
but not on original stand for $200.00 not a bad price, owner said he had used it very little and the pictures looked that way also. Might want to check
into and see, especially if money is a little tight. Another thing, if after a while
you decide to quit using the Bt3100, you could part it out and recoup most of your investment,with the Bt15 or Bt20 ....i doubt that!
My thoughts here....hope this helps.......eezlock

[LarryG]

Note that the original inquiry in this thread is almost a year old ...

[greybeard851]

No More BT3x00 ?????

Hi,

I used to have a BT3000 a number of years ago and loved it but I had to get rid of it for health reasons. Now I am looking to pick up where I left off, and have learned that the BT3000 was replaced by the BT3100. Now it seems, from what I've read, that the BT3100 is no more also.

Am I correct in understanding that the BT3100 was replaced by the Craftsman 21829? It looks almost identical, but I've only seen it on the web. Thursday I will go to a nearby Sears to have a closer look. It is selling for $449.99. Yesterday it was on sale for $399.99. ;(

Any input yea or nay on this belief would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Grey

[jseklund]

Grey,
The 21829 is the Craftsman version of the BT3100. It is the same saw, made by the same company, with different colors and a few minor differences I believe- but I haven't looked into it myself extensively.

The Craftsman model is a little more expensive- but you get the accessories with it. With the Ryobi branded model, you have to pay $100 for the accessories seperately (although the kits are now on clearance/sale for between $40 and $80).

Hope this helps.

[LCHIEN]

Hi,

I used to have a BT3000 a number of years ago and loved it but I had to get rid of it for health reasons. Now I am looking to pick up where I left off, and have learned that the BT3000 was replaced by the BT3100. Now it seems, from what I've read, that the BT3100 is no more also.

Am I correct in understanding that the BT3100 was replaced by the Craftsman 21829? It looks almost identical, but I've only seen it on the web. Thursday I will go to a nearby Sears to have a closer look. It is selling for $449.99. Yesterday it was on sale for $399.99. ;(

Any input yea or nay on this belief would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Grey

The 28129 Craftsman is the BT3100 with minor cosmetic and accessory details.
Same basic motor, belt drive, housing, SMT and rail system.
They added the router kit, a folding/rolling base, and changed the auxilairy table to take routers directly instead of with the mtg plate, and added miter slots to the aux table that only work with the router, due to alignment issues. A cheap 36T blade instead of the old Italian Freud blade.

people report they like the base and the ability to mount a router w/o an additional kit,
as you noticed they go on sale often for $399, the premium over the $299 BT3100 apprently for the aforementioned features.

[greybeard851]

Craftsman 21829 vs BT3100

Thanks, Guys,

I appreciate the rapid responses. I guess the next thing is to trot over to the Sears store and eyeball the display model [...and perhaps drool a bit. Actually, I do that anyway ]

After that I need to see if I can scrounge up the $450.00 [plus tax ]

Thanks again,

Grey

[LCHIEN]

Thanks, Guys,

I appreciate the rapid responses. I guess the next thing is to trot over to the Sears store and eyeball the display model [...and perhaps drool a bit. Actually, I do that anyway ]

After that I need to see if I can scrounge up the $450.00 [plus tax ]

Thanks again,

Grey

Who said, never pay list price?
Its frequently on sale for $399; wait for a sale or a 10% coupon, or even bargain/haggle with the manager. Tell them you just missed the sale price, want the saw, but at the lower price. They know it has just been or will go on sale and they are NOT anxious for you to wait and possibly change your mind.