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Well--i've had my BT3000 since 1996, but some of the threads lately on shims, belt prices, my want for a riving knife that's easier to remove, 6" of table in front of the blade for ripping, and weary of the lift to move caster system had gotten me thinking. I look at CL every day anyway, so a while back i started watching ads for TS, paying attention to sale e-mails, looking at how to raise funds, yada yada.
Sears had the 21833 at $550, less 15% this weekend, brought the price down to $470. On a whim, i did a coupon search and found a $60 off tool purchase of $300 or more. Hmmm...$410, 5% discount for Sears card it's $389.
I'd looked in person at the 21833 and the Ridgid 4512--really similar. I drove about 40 miles, where there's a Sears and HD close to each other and a HF not far away either (took a 20% off coupon). Stopped at Sears first, in-store deal was $650--sales guy was disinterested. Went to HD--showed them the price of the 21833 in my "cart", the HF coupon, pointed out my volunteer fire jacket, USAF hat, three miniature dark chocolate bars, and a scar from a rotator cuff surgery. Best they would do was 10% off--$449.
The Ridgid has the 3 year warranty/lifetime service versus the C-man at 1 year. But--the C-man version is 15 amp versus the 4512 at 13 amp. It also includes a dado throat plate, a $25 or $30 extra on the 4512--and pretty thin to make. By my thinking that made the Ridgid $480 versus $390--and i had $30 in "reward points" so my cash was $360 (all plus tax).
Bought the 21833 online from the Sears parking lot. I drive a 2002 Mercedes C-230 coupe--i can tell you that the Ridgid box is MUCH SMALLER than the Craftsman box. When i saw the box, i knew that it would be wise to drive over after church tomorrow in LOML's Scion xB--but i'm a man. Got enough of it stuffed in the back to use a ratchet strap and a prayer to make the 40 mile drive home. Was able to pull it out enough to stand the box on end and set it down--no live animals were injured. Got the upside down part assembled tonight, will recruit a few members of the youth group tomorrow to assist with the flipping--and we'll move on from there.
As for the BT3000--once we're sure we've got a keeper, i'll probably put it on CL. I could probably net a little more parting out, but the packing and posting time would eat the pleasure. I will have a set of rails, most of an accessory kit, and a few other odds/ends for sale. Along with a few routers. I intended to raise the money first, but i figure i've got 30 days to get it done!!
It was a hard thing to do, but a can't wait to finish and give it a shot. Hope it was the right call...for sure i'll miss the BT. I won't be missing BTCentral.com, i got no place to go!!
earl
Sears had the 21833 at $550, less 15% this weekend, brought the price down to $470. On a whim, i did a coupon search and found a $60 off tool purchase of $300 or more. Hmmm...$410, 5% discount for Sears card it's $389.
I'd looked in person at the 21833 and the Ridgid 4512--really similar. I drove about 40 miles, where there's a Sears and HD close to each other and a HF not far away either (took a 20% off coupon). Stopped at Sears first, in-store deal was $650--sales guy was disinterested. Went to HD--showed them the price of the 21833 in my "cart", the HF coupon, pointed out my volunteer fire jacket, USAF hat, three miniature dark chocolate bars, and a scar from a rotator cuff surgery. Best they would do was 10% off--$449.
The Ridgid has the 3 year warranty/lifetime service versus the C-man at 1 year. But--the C-man version is 15 amp versus the 4512 at 13 amp. It also includes a dado throat plate, a $25 or $30 extra on the 4512--and pretty thin to make. By my thinking that made the Ridgid $480 versus $390--and i had $30 in "reward points" so my cash was $360 (all plus tax).
Bought the 21833 online from the Sears parking lot. I drive a 2002 Mercedes C-230 coupe--i can tell you that the Ridgid box is MUCH SMALLER than the Craftsman box. When i saw the box, i knew that it would be wise to drive over after church tomorrow in LOML's Scion xB--but i'm a man. Got enough of it stuffed in the back to use a ratchet strap and a prayer to make the 40 mile drive home. Was able to pull it out enough to stand the box on end and set it down--no live animals were injured. Got the upside down part assembled tonight, will recruit a few members of the youth group tomorrow to assist with the flipping--and we'll move on from there.
As for the BT3000--once we're sure we've got a keeper, i'll probably put it on CL. I could probably net a little more parting out, but the packing and posting time would eat the pleasure. I will have a set of rails, most of an accessory kit, and a few other odds/ends for sale. Along with a few routers. I intended to raise the money first, but i figure i've got 30 days to get it done!!
It was a hard thing to do, but a can't wait to finish and give it a shot. Hope it was the right call...for sure i'll miss the BT. I won't be missing BTCentral.com, i got no place to go!!
earl
as far as the newest Ridgid, Meh.
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