Needed: BT3100 Handwheel

[Westex93]

Anybody got one to spare?

[poolhound]

Anybody got one to spare?

I have a spare from a BT3000 not sure if its compatible but can check.

[LCHIEN]

I have a spare from a BT3000 not sure if its compatible but can check.

should fit OK; looks better, and stronger, too.

[RickLab]

should fit OK; looks better, too.

It definitely fits - I put one on my 3100.

[Jim Frye]

get a grip...

The BT3000 handle is indeed metal. Cast aluminum. I reinforced the plastic handle on my BT3100 by filling it with #7 1/2 lead shot and epoxy. It is much stiffer and more heavy. If you didn't strip out the mount, you might be able to repair it with my method.

[LinuxRandal]

Now we have conflicting info on the BT3000 handle.

Since one part from the old Craftsman handle that "exchanges" is gone, what about the new handle from the 315.218290 that is a little more then $10 before shipping?

[Westex93]

Now we have conflicting info on the BT3000 handle.

Meaning others have said it won't fit?

And, yup, I stripped the old handle. I did see where I could get one from Amazon, just thought I'd see if someone here had one.

PM sent, Jon.

[Stytooner]

The handle on the older 3000's may have been metal, but mine was plastic. Albeit heavier duty than the 3100. I too swapped them out before I traded my old saw to my FIL. I knew he wouldn't use his saw nearly as much as I do mine.

[LCHIEN]

Mine BT3000 handwheel is plastic. Circa 2000.

Just a reminder for all BT3 users, everything should operate smoothly. If you ever feel you have to force something, then something is jammed or dirty and needs care. Fix it.
Don't force it and even the plastic parts will last a long time.

[Jim Frye]

I stand corrected!

Mine BT3000 handwheel is plastic. Circa 2000.

Just a reminder for all BT3 users, everything should operate smoothly. If you ever feel you have to force something, then something is jammed or dirty and needs care. Fix it.
Don't force it and even the plastic parts will last a long time.

Wow! I thought they were all metal and only the BT3100 was plastic. Does it look like the original metal one?. Mine is a metal circle with a metal crossbar. My last owners manual for the BT300 is from '96 and I just assumed they were metal until the BT3100 came out. Live and learn.

[LinuxRandal]

Wow! I thought they were all metal and only the BT3100 was plastic. Does it look like the original metal one?. Mine is a metal circle with a metal crossbar. My last owners manual for the BT300 is from '96 and I just assumed they were metal until the BT3100 came out. Live and learn.

This explains it. I found the one I bought off here, years ago, around the time I bought my BT3100. It is a BT3000 metal handle.

I need to see what they use on the current Sears saw (21829).

[LCHIEN]

Wow! I thought they were all metal and only the BT3100 was plastic. Does it look like the original metal one?. Mine is a metal circle with a metal crossbar. My last owners manual for the BT300 is from '96 and I just assumed they were metal until the BT3100 came out. Live and learn.

So I added the tidbit about metal and plastic BT3000 wheels to the FAQ.
Yes, they look very much the same. - black circle with a black crossbar.
I'll post a pic in a bit if you do the same.

L-R, the real question is whether the 21829 handle has the 7/16th dia like the orig BT3's or whether they changed the shaft dia... My guess is that the shaft dia is unchanged.

pic of the (plastic) BT3000 crank BEV/ELEV handle and exploded parts diag of the 21829 handle posted below:

[Jim Frye]

1993 BT3K Handwheel

Sorry for the delay. Had the Grandkids today, and I am just getting caught up. First time I've attached an image to a post on this site, so bear with me if I botch it. The hand wheel on my 1993 saw is die cast aluminum and is slightly hollow on the back side. I can just stick my index finger in the hollow. The white panel behind the wheel is my enlarged shut off switch modification, in case anyone wonders. I think the shaft sizes are the same between the BT3000 and the BT3100. I seem to recall swapping them when I got my early production BT3100 right after announcement because the BT3100 wheel was so flexible and feeble. I tried to get a metal hand wheel and decided to modify the plastic one as I described some time ago here. The modification has held up quite well to limited use. The BT3100 only gets used outside the shop as there is no room for both saws in my 12' x 12' workshop.

[LCHIEN]

oh, yeah, I see the differences now. The plastic handle has more smooth finish and rounded cross-section, and most importantly has filled in the semicircular openings with decals depicting the direction to turn for up and down.

[Westex93]

Just in case anybody still has doubts, the 3000 handle fits great on the BT3100. Thanks, Jon!