If not BT3100, then what?

[vasiliy]

Finally I desided that I want to buy my first table saw.
Thanks to you guys, I know now that best saw under my budget is BT3100.
I probably called all HD stores in Michigan. It is not a secret anymore, that they sold out completely, with exeption of some damaged floor demos.

eBay is of no help eather. Couple of days ago new BT3100 was sold there fo $334 with delivery charges. I wonder if that was the last new-in-box BT3 saw on the market?!

So guys I tryed to become BT3 owner.

I guess that should justify my question
What table saw whould you guys recommend in place of BT3100?

I guess can buy RYOBI BTS15 for $167, but if I can better quality saw for $300+ I wuld do rather that. Especcialy if that saw can be later upgraded, better fence etc.

Harbor freight sell's contractor saw for $370. Do you think this saw worth extra $200 comparing to BTS15? If yes I'll wait a little for next sale.

Thank you in advance.

[venkatbo]

If you are looking in the $370 range... you may want to checkout this Craftsman model (identical to BT3100 + more, both made by same manufacturer) for $450. With the 10% off days, you can get it for $400...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cegjdghldgfk.0

Best,
/venkat

[Ken Weaver]

I don't know if I would trust the BORGs to know what they have. There's been too many cases of persistent customers (fanatics?) finding them stashed in all kinds of places. In my local store there were two up on the high shelf with the demo marked down to the "standard" $239. Maybe it might pay off to go on a hunt every time you find yourself in the area of a HD, in other words, don't pull the trigger just yet on something else if its the BT3 you're wanting. There still may be a chance.

[maxparot]

The BTS15 isn't in the same class as the BT3x00. Next on my list would be one of the new hybrid saws. What you need will depend on the type of work you want to do and the accuracy that it will require.

[MilDoc]

Forget the BTS15! You will be disappointed!

[Pappy]

I haven't looked at the new Craftsman saws but the Hitachi that Lowe's carries for around $500 looks interesting. If I were in the market, I would look at lot closer at it.

[Knottscott]

Welcome to the forum! It'd be helpful to know your location so others members can keep you informed of bargains in your area. I definitely woudn't go with a smaller saw with a universal direct drive motor if I had a choice, and your budget allows for more. A good used full size contractor saw is often an excellent value if you can find one. I just bought a 1982 Craftsman for $80 that's in beautiful shape...for $150 I could add a Delta T2 fence, sell the old fence for $40 on Ebay and have $190 invested total for a saw that should last decades....I'm likely to sell it for parts b/c I don't need another saw.

I've read some positive comments of owners of the HF saw you mentioned, but as with many saws, expect do to some tweaking in the beginning. It's essentially the same as the older Emerson/Craftsman/Ridgid design as far as I can tell. It often goes on sale for $299...add a 20% off coupon and you might have a bargain. At least HF's return policy is liberal if you decide to return it.

The Craftsman 21289 is made by Ryobi and shares many of the same parts sa the BT3100....it sometimes goes on sale < $400. If you're going to spend in that range, Sears has their entry level full size hybrid 22104 that goes on sale in the $360-$400 range sometimes. It offers an enclosed cabinet, large 27" x 40" surface area with cast iron top and steel wings, and cabinet mounted trunnions, and a quiet internally mounted 1.5hp belt drive induction motor...should make for a nice lifetime saw. All 3 of their hybrid models have received high praise from owners.

[Ken Massingale]

Ridgid TS3650, what else would I say?!! ;-D
ken

[kwgeorge]

When I decided to change out my table saw I had one driving force and that was more surface area! In a shop the size of mine every flat area is a premium and I for better or worse use my table saw top as an assembly area. I wanted more area in front of the blade for jigs and I wanted a full cast iron flat top not stamped steel wings. I chose the Ridgid TS3650 and have not regretted it one bit. The saw has performed flawlessly and I am pretty mean to it. The only thing about it I don’t like is the motor hanging out of the back is a bit inconvenient but I live with it. It is the little things that make it nice like how easy it is to make a ZCTP for it as it does not have some weird two stage lip like others. The fence once setup has been dead accurate ever since and I really have enjoyed using this saw.

Ken

[mater]

Ridgid TS3650, what else would I say?!! ;-D
ken

Ridgid TS3612

[vasiliy]

Thank you for information.

I'll not buy BTS15. And will definetely look at craftsman and ryobi.
Just noticed used in ex condition BT3000 on eBay. May be this is the way to go.

Will see if HF will go on sale too.

And I live in Grand Rapids MI.

[bigsteel15]

Road Trip!!

Thank you for information.

I'll not buy BTS15. And will definetely look at craftsman and ryobi.
Just noticed used in ex condition BT3000 on eBay. May be this is the way to go.

Will see if HF will go on sale too.

And I live in Grand Rapids MI.

If you're not adverse to a nice day trip and really want the BT3, why not make the 3 hour drive to Windsor and pick one up in Canada. They sell for $399 CDN (~350 US). The only problem is the taxes but you may be able to get those back.
I must say if I still lived in Vancouver, I'd be making frequent trips to Bellingham/Seattle to visit the Grizzly/Rockler/HF stores down there.

[Russianwolf]

I was just on the Ryobi Tools site and the BT3100 isn't listed on it any longer at all. I guess the saw really is out of production.

I would look hard at the Sears craftsman clone of the BT. It actuall has a nice router table wing with built in miter slots (I want to get one for my BT). The only down side is that the mobile stand is kinda flimsy in my opinion, but a new base is easy to make.

[bigsteel15]

It actuall has a nice router table wing with built in miter slots (I want to get one for my BT).

Mike, if you can get a part number for the entire accessory let us all know.
As far as I know, you would need to order individual parts from Sears and assemble the thing yourself.

[davidtu]

Based on this thread, you might perhaps be able to buy this fellow's BT3100... no idea where he's located--and he has been advised by most to keep it... but you never know.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=22220