Ridgid TS3650 and BT3100 comparison

[Sawatzky]

Some of you wanted to know my comparison of these to saws since I just stepped up to the Ridgid. In my opinion, the Ridgid will be much better for me as my projects have gotten pretty large (entertainment centers, kitchen cabiniets, built in bookcases, window seats). Here is what I like about the saw:

*I like the cast iron top and the extra room in front of the blade. I never like the ribbed
top of the BT
*I like the quieter motor - it is A LOT quieter
*I like the built in mobile base.
*I like the "feel" of the saw. I guess I just wanted a traditional table saw
*I like the fence - it seems so much beefier than the one on the BT
*I like heavy feel and solid construction of the saw. The BT was solid, but I did not like all
the plastic parts. I especailly like the metal hand wheels
*I like having a miter gauge

Things I miss (or liked about the BT)
*The BT was more expandable - I miss my large table extension
*I actually prefered the right tilt on the BT
*Although I like having a miter guage, the SMT was smoother
*I liked having a riving knife

All in all I am very pleased with the upgrade, and feel like I can grow into the Ridgid more. I also think it will last a lot longer, and I am glad I don't have to fiddlle with adjustments so often. The Ridgid was on sale for $450.00, so for that price I don't think you can go wrong. I really don't think I will miss the BT. It worked great for 3 years for my use, but I am really glad I now have a table saw with a cast iron table and an induction motor.

[sweensdv]

Sawatzky, to improve on the smoothness of the miter gauge on your 3650, trash the OEM miter gauge and get yourself an Incra or some other higher quality after market miter gauge. The difference is night and day. When I replaced the stock Ridgid miter gauge with an Incra 1000SE on my TS I kicked myself for not doing it a lot sooner than I did. The stock miter gauge has far too much slop in it to be accurate.

[pecker]

I had planned to sell off the Ryobi when I got the Ridgid. But there were a few things the BT did better and the resale value is pretty low. So I found a corner to park it in, and I keep a 2x4 sheet of melamine particle board on top of it. It serves a an assembly table, but can be pulled out for use quickly.

And it's real handy to have 2 saws sometimes...if you've ever had one set up for dadoing, then realized you needed to make a rip or crosscut, it's nice not to have to tear down your dado stack.

[dbhost]

I hope you found a good home for the BT. I really like my BTS-21 but would LOVE to upgrade to a Craftsman 21829. Like many other folks, I don't have the space to dedicate to one particular machine. I have to roll out the saw, do my work, roll it back against the wall, and roll out whatever I need to do next. Kind of a cludge, but it works. Unlike a LOT of garages I see turned into workshops, I don't have additional space to the sides of the door openings. My garage is narrow, and shallow...

Given a huge lottery win, I would grab a bigger house with some land, put up the building I want for a shop, and throw in a SawStop cabinet saw... But pipe dreams aside, the BT3xxx is a great saw, I wish I had known about the 21829 when I bought my BTS-21...

[Knottscott]

Enjoy that new saw...thanks for posting your thoughts.

[leehljp]

I bought the Woodhaven miter gauge and fence about 12/13 years ago to use on a BS and an old Sears TS - and have not looked back. I like that gauge. I looked at the Incra many times, but after using the WH, it sure feels great and gives a very beefy feeling.

I used it on my BT yesterday. I use the SMT quite a bit, but for some cuts, the miter gauge just does it better. I get very accurate cuts from my SMT but I also get just as accurate cuts from the woodhaven, and it feels solid too!

[LarryG]

... and if you think Dave suggestion's to replace the stock miter gauge on a ~$500 table saw should not be necessary, know that the one that came with my PM2000 is now stashed in a box somewhere in my shop -- the box that my new Woodhaven miter gauge, as Hank describes, came in. The stock gauge that came with even that saw left a lot to be desired.

I can't compare the Woodhaven to the Incra as I've never used one of those; but I can give the Woodhaven gauge my highest recommendation.

[Knottscott]

... and if you think Dave suggestion's to replace the stock miter gauge on a ~$500 table saw should not be necessary, know that the one that came with my PM2000 is now stashed in a box somewhere in my shop -- the box that my new Woodhaven miter gauge, as Hank describes, came in. The stock gauge that came with even that saw left a lot to be desired.

I can't compare the Woodhaven to the Incra as I've never used one of those; but I can give the Woodhaven gauge my highest recommendation.

The vast majority of stock miter gauges are junk.....kind of ironic in comparison to the steady improvement in rip fences over the years....especially in considering that crosscuts number about half of the most common cuts.

Anyway (rant off), I've got a Woodhaven/Jet, Incra V27, and an Osborne EB3, and like all three for different reasons. The V27 is tough to beat for the price, is accurate, and easy to use, but it's much better off when you add a fence to it...shop made or aftermarket. The Woodhaven/Jet is more ruggedly built than the Incra perhaps even more goof proof in it's angled settings...it too needs a fence, and is more time consuming to change angles on because you have to completely remove the brass set screw. The EB-3 is handy for larger pieces...not as robust as the WH/Jet, but easier to use, includes a good fence, but is larger and more cumbersome to toss on and off the saw for quick cuts.