Question about the Sears 21829

[DonHo]

As many of you have read, after having problems with my blade hight adjustment and the fix, I've been considering the 21829 which should be under $300 tomorrow( Craftsman Club + 10% friends and family ). Are the parts interchangable between the bt3100 and the 21829?

I'm think most of the rails, as I just bought a 1/2 set of black rails and the mounting hardware and would like to use my old rails and the extension if possible. Also would there be a problem with mounting the 21829 on the mobile cabinet I have for my bt3100?

Thanks for your help,
DonHo

[gwyneth]

As best as I can tell (and I've had a 3000 and a 3100, in addition to the 21829) the 21829 isn't just a '3100 clone' it is a 3100. Or a 3200, as some have suggested, because it has plain, non-ribbed black surfaces.

It is certainly made by Ryobi. It comes with some of the stuff Ryobi sold in the accessory kit--for example, the entire routing kit except the mounting plate.

I would be shocked if it didn't fit your mobile cabinet, and all the rails should work, etc.

At under $300 I think you would be miserable for the next year if you didn't buy it.

[LinuxRandal]

Shouldn't be any problem swapping the rails.

I thought the 21829's are just a little bit longer then the regualr bt's and a little bit different shape (like the bt3000 to the bt3100), but even they should align.

You should be able to swap the tops if wanted (flat or not by preference). And anything you don't want (any rail sets, mobile stand, etc), you should be able to sell and offset some of your cost.

[charliex]

I may have a fix for your problem with the blade raise / lower.
1. remove the motor from the mount, split the guides and remove them from the ways.
2. Clean all parts throughly.
3. Using 600 grit wet / dry paper pinched between your thumb and forefinger and with medium pressure, polish each way ( the part where the shims ride.) with about 10 - 15 strokes.
4. Clean throughly and coat with wax. (I use MinWax furniture wax)
5.Reassemble.
I had to do this process twice but it fixed the problem for me. I can now go months without the problem returning and when it does I just clean the ways and re-coat them with wax.
Chas.

[cork58]

On my bt3000 and bt3100 I use "dry" graphite on the shims and have had very good results. I think on the reconstrution of the bt3000 I'll try the wax this time. It is down to the motor again so I will have chance to to do the shim mod and new belts.

Cork