Dilema

[Raymonator]

This is almost embarrassing, but as some of you know, last weekend I purchased a new BT3100 table saw. It's still in the box in my garage. Yesterday, I heard rumor that Ryobi may stop producing the BT3100 due to lack of sales etc. I really don't want a saw that I may have a hard time getting parts for in 10 years. My gut feeling is to take the BT3100 back and start searching for another brand of saw. I know those of you who have been using the BT3*** saws have very impressed with them, but for me, buying something that will no longer be availabe gives me a bad tasted in my mouth. My question to all who read this is, what would you do ? Take it back and start looking for another table saw?
Or keep it, and take my chances ?

[JTimmons]

I don't think you should worry in the least bit. I am sure there will always be replacement parts available. Besides, what else are you going to get? There isn't a whole lot out there that compares in the price range.

[jziegler]

I wouldn't worry too much about parts. It seems like there are always woodworkers who decide for one reason or another that they would like to switch to another saw. So, there are lots of saws that get parted out. The parts from a parted out saw are frequently priced very resaonably. There are also good sources for equivalent or even upgrade parts out there (T-nuts.com, the Shark Guard, plus see the discussion on the arbor spacers). Or, wait until the saw goes on clearance really cheaply and buy one or two extras for parts.

-Jim

[maxparot]

I'd keep it. Ryobi is responsible for servicing warranties on their equipment for 3 years. That means that parts will be available for at least that long. If you use your saw a reasonable amount you'd get enough work done with it to cover the price. Furthur with the numbers sold and popularity of the saw I'd think used parts and aftermarket replacement parts would become available

[Tundra_Man]

Even if the saw dies after 10 years and the replacement parts aren't available, you still got 10 years of use for a sub-$300 saw. I don't think your worries are justified.

That works out to less than $30 a year. If you're like most of us, you spend several times that every year on sodas. I think you'd still be ahead of the game.

This is also assuming that the rumor is true. I've yet to see it confirmed with anything more substantial than someone's "reliable source."

[scorrpio]

I bought a used Craftsman radial arm saw on ebay - it is a model from late 80's, long discontinued. However, looking up its info, I found out that there was a recall issued back in 1992, to replace the blade guard with a safer model. I called the number, and got a new table+guard kit (free) within 2 weeks.

My uncle gave me an ancient Rockwell circular saw he found in the attic of a house he recently bought. It was caked with grime and dust, blade retainer bolt head totally stripped out, and lower blade guard swinging freely (spring gone). I googled for the model number, and found a place where every single part of 25+ year old saw could be ordered. Had new spring, and retaining bolt/washer in a week.

The point? If I could find parts for tools from 20+ years ago, I am sure you got nothing to worry about with your BT. I would take it out of the box, set it up, get it through its paces, make sure everything is there, and properly functional. Cause if you have a bad unit - happens now and then - you want to be able to exchange it before exchange period runs out. (And before Ryobui stops shipping new units to stores.)

[JTimmons]

To add to scorrpio's point, maybe this will ease your mind more, this is a site dedicated to old woodworking machines that people are still finding parts for.

http://www.owwm.com/

Here's a cabinet saw from 1885.

http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=1003

I don't think you have anything to worry about, you'll get plenty of use out of it before parts become hard to find.