Replies

1. 
   webby | Apr 14, 2008 02:28am | #1

   If I were you I would forget about the craftsman and the ridgid and get a bosch. Amazon has/had the older bosch 4000 for 329.00 I think that included shipping.

   You could always part out the craftsman later.

   Webby 

    

2. 
   webby | Apr 14, 2008 02:33am | #2

   Yup, just checked.  They still have it, the 329.00 includes shipping.

   I am tempted to get another to leave with a dado in it but I don't have that much space.

   Webby 

    

1. 
   PeteToo | Apr 14, 2008 05:01am | #5

   Thanks Webby,

   But I can go as much as maybe $800 (which knocks out the really good saws that most here have) and the Ridgid, at $550 and 275 pounds (not to mention the 36" ripping capacity and long, stable fence) looks better than the Bosch to me.   Am I wrong?

   I Have given up on the Craftsman though now that I've gotten into it and tried and failed to find a *reasonable* way to get that motor assembly out.  They didn't make this thing to be easily repaired or even to be repaired with difficulty.

   Pete

1. 
   webby | Apr 14, 2008 03:15pm | #7

   Well my suggestion was made because I thought you still wanted a portable saw. I was not familiar with the Ridgid model and looked it up. I saw it was a larger model. Sorry for the confusion.

   I have had really good service from the Bosch and that is a good deal.Webby 

    

3. 
   WoodRivWW | Apr 14, 2008 04:13am | #3

   Have you checked out the site http://www.bt3central.com/?

   This site is dedicated to the BT3X00 table saws. Those folks could probably give you some useful information.

1. 
   kenshep | Apr 14, 2008 04:51am | #4

   I echo the link recommendation.  Guys there part out their saws all the time so buy or sell there.  He may get a reasonable replacement.  His issue is common based on my recollection of the postings there.  Me thinks it's the dreaded 'shims' issue.

   I have had my Bt3k since 93 or so.  Darn thing won't break.

   ken 

2. 
   PeteToo | Apr 14, 2008 05:11am | #6

   Thanks Wood,

   I'll register with them and look things over but I've pretty much decided to retire the Craftsman/BT3K.  See my comment above to Webby.

   NOW I'd like to hear arguments pro and con about the Ridgid TS3650 vs. the Bosch - which I almost bought just before I saw that BT3K sliding table.  That was about seven or eight years ago, I think.

   I've searched "hybrid" here and noted ForrestGirl's and other's thoughts about those saws but even the lower cost ones are pretty much out of my reach. 

   Pete

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 14, 2008 07:32pm | #8

   Pete, with an $800 budget your are in good shape to buy a used cabinet saw, such as a Unisaw.  Have you visited Craig's List and searched your New York area???forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   rsaunders | Apr 14, 2008 08:19pm | #9

   I went to the Ithaca Craigslist when I saw his post and was shocked at the dearth of tools of any kind listed."There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
   -- Daniel Webster

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 14, 2008 08:47pm | #10

   True, there aren't many, but (a) that's today, not tomorrow and (b) that's just Ithaca, not any surrounding areas.  If I had $800 and wanted a new saw, I'd rather spend it on a used cabinet saw than a new job-site saw (unless portability was paramount).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   rsaunders | Apr 14, 2008 09:14pm | #11

   A weeks worth of tool ads took up less than a page! I think you are right , he is going to have to look farther afield for a used one. With an $800 budget I wouldn't settle for less than a cabinet saw either."There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
   -- Daniel Webster

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 14, 2008 11:32pm | #12

   Hidden in one of those ads was a General table saw, but didn't say what kind.  At an auction, so caution is in order, but I've found some excellent tools at auctions.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   rsaunders | Apr 14, 2008 11:43pm | #13

   Good eye! I missed that one!"There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
   -- Daniel Webster

5. 
   PeteToo | Apr 15, 2008 01:54am | #14

   Okay okay!  Darn you guys and your wonderful advice!

   Dear Forestgirl,

   And others.

   "Portability" isn't critical but I have a very small shop (unless I eliminate one of the workbenches and maybe even then) so *MOVABILITY" IS critical.  (Movability was arguing hard against a real cabinet saw, darn it.)  The lift cum caster set under the Ridgid 3650 was an important feature for me.  So was the $550 (plus 8 1/2% tax - New York, ya know) price.

   Now, compound those with my general impatience - the old Craftsman is unusable and I want to get on with my projects - and I hope you will allow my less-than-ideal remedy.  I had to drive an hour each way to get it - the local HD didn't have one and wasn't forthcoming about when they would - so I got it this afternoon in Auburn, NY.

   With the help of a friend all the pieces are now here in the basement.  I won't be back to this forum tonight, I am sure.

   Thank you all for your truly excellent and thoughtful advice.  Now, if you'll wish me some luck...... ?

   Pete

6. 
   forestgirl | Apr 15, 2008 07:21am | #15

   Good Luck, Pete!   ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

7. 
   PeteToo | Apr 17, 2008 05:48am | #16

   Thank you, Lovely Lady,

   And thank you for the wisdom you so generously cast upon us.

   It (the Ridgid TS3650) is up, tuned, tweaked and running but I haven't had time to put it to work yet - I have too many "retirement" activities (they're gonna work me to death or almost there!).  I may post a picture or two if I can ever get the shop sufficiently cleaned up.

   (Who am I kidding?)

   Pete

8. 
   forestgirl | Apr 17, 2008 06:19pm | #20

   Congrats, Pete, both on the saw and on your retirement!!  You deserve all the parties they want to give you, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   Getch | Apr 17, 2008 04:12pm | #17

   Yup, my bt3000 is laid up essentially. The fence broke. It is the potmetal piece that holds the tension rod so you can lock the fence in place.

   I used JB weld to once and it held for about 6 months but I had to be very gentle with it. It now sits idle since I was able to find an old Rockwell in great shape for only $200. Much happier now.

   I will likely either part out that saw or use it just for dadoing.

    

1. 
   PeteToo | Apr 17, 2008 04:34pm | #18

   Hi Getch,

   You haven't filled out your profile (!) so I don't know where you are.

   Seeing as we're all friends here, and even if you're half way around the world from me,  I would offer to send you my "old" fence which served me well - only needing the occasional tap on the far end to free up the latch so it would engage. 

   Pete

1. 
   Getch | Apr 17, 2008 05:15pm | #19

   Very generous offer Pete, Thanks!

   I just updated my profile. I'm in New Gloucester, Maine.

   All in all, the bt3000 served me very well too. I've had it for at least 5-6 years of pretty consistant useage. The handle section snapped again just last spring and until I got the Rockwell, I'd be clamping a straight white oak "fence" to the rails to rip anything.

   Very pleased with the rockwell, that cuts thru stuff like "buttah"!

2. 
   PeteToo | Apr 19, 2008 04:34am | #21

   By the way Getch (IF you're still watching this discussion):

   I made two inserts for my Craftsman-cum-BT3000 to expand the working surface out to the full width of the rails.  Might you be interested?

   Here are two pictures - please ignore the stuff on the saw's table - that show the inserts in place.  The left one has an adjustment to make the miter slot parallel to the blade.  Both inserts are double thicknesses of MDF, unfinished but "grooved" to match the stock table sections.

   Pete

   
1. 
   Getch | Apr 29, 2008 04:33pm | #22

   "I made two inserts for my Craftsman-cum-BT3000 to expand the working surface out to the full width of the rails.  Might you be interested?"

   Hi Pete,

   Are you selling these? That is a pretty good idea for the saw. Right now mine just sits under my wood storage shelves gathering books, tools, car parts, dust....

    

1. 
   PeteToo | Apr 29, 2008 10:26pm | #23

   Am I selling those??

   Gosh yes!  The saw is useless to me as it is now so any or all of it is for sale.

   I posted a listing in the BT3 Central forum five days ago:

   http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=38018

   But I've had only one response but he was after a new arbor bearing and decided that what I had wouldn't do for him.  Frankly, I am almost at the point where I will let most if not all of this stuff go for the cost of shipping it - but it would pain me not to benefit at all when the sliding tables themselves are bringing fifty bucks and up. 

   Got any friends who need some of this??

   Anyone here???

   Pete

1. 
   Domer | Apr 29, 2008 11:23pm | #24

   I looked at the Rigid site for reviews (Not the Home Depot)on their table saw. The general consensus is that it a pretty good saw with a decent fence. The one drawback is that it wobbles front to back. I happened to see a Rigid guy at Home Depot and asked him about it. He admitted that it is true but easily fixed by attaching either a piece of plywood or sheet metal between the front and back legs. I have a small shop and all of my tools are on wheels and that makes the build in portability of the Rigid even more attractive. Rigid's lifetime warranty is pretty attractive as well.However, I would also probably look for a used cabinet saw as well. Domer

2. 
   PeteToo | Apr 29, 2008 11:34pm | #25

   Domer,

   I don't know why the Ridgid saw should wobble in any direction!  Mine (TS3650) does not and is as solid as can be.  I'd venture a guess that the one(s?) you saw wasn't put together properly - OR, you were looking at the TS2400 which doesn't begin to compare to the 3650, especially as pertains to its "base" (or stand).

   If you can afford it and have room for a cabinet saw, then go for it - but the TS3650 is as close as I'll get and I am very(!) satisfied with it.  Further, I would rather buy new and have some warranty back-up than to buy someone else's problems.

   Pete

3. 
   Domer | Apr 30, 2008 12:01am | #26

   The Rigid guy that I talked to and the blog on the Rigid site said that there is some wobble front to back and all the ones I have seen in the store have had it. Many people on the Rigid blog said that it didn't bother them. It sounds like yours does not. And the Rigid warranty is pretty attractive. I have a 10 year old Delta Contractors saw that I am pretty happy with.However, I bought the Rigid for my sister-in-law as a birthday present. I picked the Rigid because it had good reviews and she lives in an area where there are not any repair sites so the Rigid warranty is even more important to her.I guess like a lot of guys, I dream of bigge, better, more expensive tools. Most of the blogs I read and talking to other woodworkers, they tell me that cabinet saws are better. Long story short, I probably should not have put the opinion about choosing the cabinet saw at the end because I have never used one. Thanks for correcting me.

5. 
   JJ_yom | Jun 14, 2020 10:36pm | #27

   It's a 2020 June 14th I just purchase a bt3000 , but didn't come with the rip fence somebody can help me?