Bts21

[unclecritic]

Hey Guys, new to the forum and after spending a few hours one evening I realized that I wanted a BT3 really bad as I'm about ready to throw my $150 Delta table top into a lake.

But none to be had in my area currently and I have some cabinets in my house that I need to complete and I had a HD $100 gift card so I purchased a BTS21 with the intention of keeping an eye out locally for a BT3 at a decent price.

So far I've only made a few test cuts and am pretty happy with it and the portability cannot be beat. Ive pretty much completed a drop in insert/attatchment for a router table out of MDF. So I think I'll be able to get by for awhile.

I'm figuring on using this for at least 6mos until I find what i'm really looking for. My question for anyone willing to answer is am I going to notice any huge short comings to this saw that is going to frustrate me to no end? I have about 25 days left on the satisfaction guarantee and would like to take advantage of it if necessary.

Thanks.

[LCHIEN]

BTS21 its definately not the same saw as a BT3x by a long shot.

[unclecritic]

Yeah I completely understand that and did when I bought it. It works for what I need it for for now and really cannot wait for a real BT.

[LinuxRandal]

What types of stuff are you doing, and how high is portability on your list?


You can get a current BT at Sears under the 21829 part number (BT on a portable stand). I would also say look at an EZ Smart system if you need more portability.


Otherwise, I think I would prefer to check Craigslist and the local classifieds for a used contractor saw (something like an older Craftsman for $150-$200).

[unclecritic]

I'm mainly just tying up some loose ends on a kitchen remodel and bathroom remodel.

I've decided its not so bad compared to what I was using. The 2 major drawbacks is that there is no easy way to make a zero clearance insert and its just no where near as cool as a bt3x... But I did make a nifty little drop in insert for a router so I dont have to cram my router table into my trunk and built it in such a way as to be able to use the ts rip fence for most applications and a sacrificial fence for the closer cuts

But Im going to keep it to lug around with me and keep my eyes out for a used bt3... the thinking that I dont want to be banging around a nice saw when I have this one that folds up at my disposal... if I cant find one by May when the check from the feds come then ill get the craftsman... but its killing me to have to wait

[Kraw]

googled my way over here. I have the BTS21 (didn't do enough research before I purchased!) and was wondering if you had info on your router insert. I have been thinking about buying a router table, but been reading how it's just as easy to build one.



I didn't really like it at first, was having trouble getting square cuts with the sliding miter table. I finally realized the black plastic end pieces weren't flat with the aluminum part, so I just put some 3/4" MDF on it and it works a lot better now. The more I use it, the more I like it.

Still, I want a contractor saw one day. This one fits well in my garage

thanks!

[unclecritic]

The insert is nothing more than a piecs of 1 1/8" mdf with aluminum angle on the sides and the "table" has a cutout for a plexiglass insert... I drilled holes in both the side of the main table and the wing that were the same size as the head of allen cap screws that are screwed into the sides of the mdf insert... extend the wing out and then line the allen heads up with their holes and then slide the extension wing back in and lock it in place. I can send A pic if you want but you cant laugh at my bargain harbor freight router lol

It works but it was probably more work than it was worth.... but I enjoy doing stuff like that...

When all is said and done, the saw is up forsale now as the project that i had to get done is finished and Im going to get a 21829...and I cant wait....

[Kraw]

Hey, I have plenty of HF tools

I would love a pic

krawdaddy at gmail

thanks!

[Kraw]

to get your 1 1/8", I assume you used multiple sheets of MDF? I was at HD today and they didn't have 1/8" mdf, just hardboard. I would have to use 3/4, the 1/4 and then 1/8. Is that what you did?

also, for the plexiglas, all they carried is 1/4" Didn't seem thick enough to me

[unclecritic]

I actually used a stair tread from lowes I think...it was somethin I had laying around... as for the 1/4" plexi it seems to work fine for me... Im gonna figure out how to do pics here in a second...

[unclecritic]

I hope you can make sense of all this... I actually dont have the saw any more but I do have the insert... if your interested send me a pm...

[Kraw]

thanks! that's perfect!

[Kraw]

thanks for the pictures and info. I think I've finally finished mine. Only took me 3 months

I knew I wouldn't be able to extend my fence all the way over to the bit, so I made an extension box I saw in a magazine somewhere. Has a port for the shop vac and all








One thing I did a little different is I used wood dowels to hold it in place, but cut the table long enough that I could lay it over the edges of the saw (if that makes sense)

[Kraw]

overall, I'm pretty happy with the saw. For what little work I do, it's perfect. Once I have a shop, I'll get a nice cabinet unit, but this one does the trick. I like that I can fold it up and put it out of the way.

[pelligrini]

Looks like that ought to work nicely.

You might consider adding a t-track to the top of the fence for feather boards and such. The router fence I made for my 21829 didn't have one at first. It didn't take me too long before I found the need for one.