BT3100 @ HD???

**LarryG** · 05-10-2005, 02:22 PM

Yup, that's the one.

Does the HD web site have provisions for in-store pickup? I know Lowe's does this, but didn't think HD did. I could be wrong (frequently am). In an area the size of Chicagoland, you shouldn't have any trouble finding an HD that has a BT3100 in stock.

And by the way, welcome to the forum!

**monte** · 05-10-2005, 02:24 PM

That is the BT3100.

Ryobi
10 In. Aluminum Table Saw
Model 737228523

Cuts nominal 4X4. 15 Amp belt driven motor for smooth efficient cutting. Sliding miter table with 18" fence and oversized scale allows for additional front support, accurate miter setting and smooth miter cuts. Triple axis self-aligning rip fence securely locks square with the blade for precise cuts. Moveable tables and rails allows for working on the left or right of the blades. 36-tooth carbide tipped blade allows for smooth cuts.

Internet/Catalog # 165672
Store SKU# 348281

And welcome to the group Chris.

**SHADOWFOX** · 05-10-2005, 02:46 PM

Thanks, Guys!

I'll pick one up this weekend.. Oh I am so excited.. I have 6 Ragu Spaghetti Sauce jars full of assorted coins that I've built over the year and finally had a chance to cash it in at the bank and I was astounded because the total of all the assorted coins was $500.00 so I'll be picking this up and buying a Hitachi MV12 router at Amazon. I can't wait til' I get to post a project that I've finished.. I'm sure you'll see a lot more post from me asking for help and advice.. This is a wonderful site! Never really thought of buying RYOBI product before because most of my power tools are either Bosch, Ridgid, Dewalt and Makita. But after discovering this site, it turned me 180 deg about Ryobi products.. Also just recently found out that Ryobi and Ridgid are manufactured by the same company: Techtronics, Inc. so that totally change my opinion of Ryobi branded products.. I am no expert but I do value the voice of the customers and users feedback.

Chris d.

**gmack5** · 05-10-2005, 04:56 PM

Welcome Chris,

From a FORMER Chicago resident of 30 some-odd years, now living in Mena, Arkansas. I purchased my BT3000SX (predessor to the BT3100) at a Home Depot while I was living in the DesPlaines area. My daughter, who also owns a BT3000SX, lives in Fox Lake, just north of the Chicago area.

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 take 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 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.

**Ken Weaver** · 05-10-2005, 05:14 PM

Welcome aboard Chris, have fun, make sawdust and be safe!!

**ChrisD** · 05-10-2005, 05:48 PM

Hey, another "Chris D" from Chicagoland!

Welcome to the forum!

**John Hunter** · 05-10-2005, 08:29 PM

Welcome aboard Chris.

**430752** · 05-11-2005, 09:14 AM

Chris-

since you have a *bit* of time, try to scrounge around for a 10% coupon. Maybe a friend has one, maybe you can get one off the internet, some say the post office has them as part of a moving packet. I dunno, but try. The BORG will send one to you if you sign up online and say you're moving, but that takes too long. You can try one off ebay (pay maybe $5 to save $30), but again too long. The BORG also has friends and family weekends where they give coups to employees to pass out, but dunno when the next is. Just a thought to trying to save you some dough.

curt j.
originally from Chicago, now doing time in Jersey.

**DustynLefty** · 05-13-2005, 10:46 AM

And welcome from out east. I've had a BT3000 (the earlier version of the saw you see in Home Depot these days) and have worked it hard. Take your cuts slow, stand to one side of the blade, and have a good time.

Here's a question for Gmack5 - I also lived in the Des Plaines area, and graduated from Maine West High School in 1972. Where you there about then? And best wishes on your move into your new place.

Dusty and Lefty

**SHADOWFOX** · 05-31-2005, 01:25 PM

Just wanted to update everybody.. I bought the BT3100 from HD and finally had the chance to put it together, I turned the unit on and it was running perfectly then the motor just died not sure what happened but called HD and they asked me to bring it in. Showed it to them and they said that they can replace it with a new one. The manager told me that they are out of the BT3100 but they do have a DELTA 36-675 10" Contractor Saw. I told them that as long as I don't have to come up with any more money and as long as the replacement saw is pretty comparable to the BT3100 I am fine with it. I went ahead and took the DELTA 36-675 home with me and put it together and thought that the unit is pretty decent and very heavy.. I hope you guys don't get upset with me for accepting the DELTA saw and I hope you'll still allow me to be a member of this great forum.

Regards,
Chris D.

**bfrikken** · 05-31-2005, 01:48 PM

As far as I have heard, the delta saw is a nice working saw. I tried to find one of these as HD and Lowes were Clearancing them out, and had no luck. Then I happened to find this site and then bought my BT3100. I'd say you made out okay money wise.

**LarryG** · 05-31-2005, 01:51 PM

IINM the 36-675 normally retails for about $500, so monetarily I'd say you did all right. I don't really know anything about that saw beyond the fact it exists, so someone else will have to speak to its merits vs. the BT3100.

A number of the members here own non-Ryobi saws, and I've never noticed anyone making any of them less welcome because of it. As the forum byline says, "It's not just about the saw."

**Mainemarc** · 05-31-2005, 02:04 PM

quote:Originally posted by SHADOWFOX

I hope you guys don't get upset with me for accepting the DELTA saw and I hope you'll still allow me to be a member of this great forum.

Absolutely, Chris. This site is first and foremost about ordinary folks sharing their passion (and sometimes frustration) for woodworking.

As long as you can tolerate our broad range of skills, interests and outlooks (not to mention geographic locations), we'll probably find a way to tolerate you.

They put up with me, don't they? (well, mostly they do......)

Heck, the "Bargain Alerts" and "Finished Projects" forums alone make this place a great site!

PS: Good luck with your Delta. And keep us honest whenever the "BT vs the contractor saw" debate comes up.

BT3100 @ HD???

BT3100 @ HD???

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