New BT3100 quality

[kayakee]

Hi

I'm a new BT3100-1 owner and happy working with this saw bench.

When I set-up the bench from the box last week-end, I had 2 issues.

First, when I tight the bolts attaching the saw to the work stand, one of the bolt break.
I was so surprised. This bolt is probably a poor quality bolt as the china bolt.

Second, when at was at the alignment of the Sliding miter table, I was not able to adjust it correctly until I found that the problem came from the brand new blade. The blade was simply warped. During the time I tried to fix the issue, I receive help from a bt3100 forum user and discover that his original blade was Made in Italy (The Freud blade). Looking at my blade, it is write Made in China.

Is the new lower price of the bt3100 is due in reducing the quality of the product?

[sacherjj]

I have the BT3100-1, purchased late in 2005. My blade was Made in Italy and cut very well. It isn't quite as nice as the Woodworker II, but nice.

[Ken Weaver]

Next time I'm in the BORG I'll have a look at the blade on the display model. Haven't heard that they've changed their blade but its an interesting question. The bolts on the stand don't need much torque so if you muscled it, it very easily have done that. Not necessarily a quality issue. Stand bolts are easy to find a replacement for.

[LCHIEN]

that would be a shame if they substituted a poorer quality blade for the Freud Italian-made blade. Maybe the product of relentless price slashing to a $250 price point. When I got my BT3000 in 1999 I paid $400. Some buyers in the mid-90's paid $600.
I guess the low price has sold many of these saws, judging from the chorus of people rejoicing at the price drops and rebates, but still, you can't slash too much and still have the same product.

[Larry David]

I just checked my brand new saw...It has a made in China blade!! So far it seems to cut well.

I'm going to HD today to look at their display model. However, the saw on display has been there for many, many months and may have the Freud blade and is probably not representative as to what is currently being packaged by Ryobi.

[Knottscott]

I just checked my brand new saw...It has a made in China blade!! So far it seems to cut well.

I'm going to HD today to look at their display model. However, the saw on display has been there for many, many months and may have the Freud blade and is probably not representative as to what is currently being packaged by Ryobi.

If the HD's display model has the Italian made blade, it'd be worth a try asking if you can swap since that's not the blade that you expected. The Freud blades are pretty nice.

[Russianwolf]

So that jacks the price back up to $300. $250 for the saw and $50 for the "correct" blade. It's still a bargain of a saw IMO.

[LarryG]

So that jacks the price back up to $300. $250 for the saw and $50 for the "correct" blade.

Or $321 total ... that's $250 for the saw, plus $71 for a Forrest Woodworker II Thin-Kerf ($81 less the $10 discount for a $75 purchase under the current round of promotions at amazon.com).

[Sawatzky]

I also have the BT3100-1 and the blade does say "made in china." I was surprised because I too thought it was a Freud blade. Maybe that is why I never thought it cut as well as everyone claimed the stock blade cut. Interesting!

[kayakee]

Yes Sawatzky, it will be interresting to see what this post will grow related to this situation.

As mentionned, I'm satisfied with my bt3100-1 and I read so many great comment for this saw. However, it seem that the blade is now made in china. Do other parts are now made by them?. It is very hard to known since I don't have an older model to compare. and it is also nice to compare an apple with an apple specially if we have a problem. So if some part of this product are now different, well....

[maxparot]

Yes Sawatzky, it will be interresting to see what this post will grow related to this situation.

As mentionned, I'm satisfied with my bt3100-1 and I read so many great comment for this saw. However, it seem that the blade is now made in china. Do other parts are now made by them?. It is very hard to known since I don't have an older model to compare. and it is also nice to compare an apple with an apple specially if we have a problem. So if some part of this product are now different, well....

I would think that Ryobi just found a cheaper deal on blades and decided to increase the profit margin. Or maybe that is why the price dropped $50.

[evgenyb]

My BT3100-1 has "made in China" as well. I'm a new to WW, so I consider the cut as good. Now if anybody can compare these blades - it might be actually close to the original, can it be?

[LarryG]

China, or Taiwan?

I presume you mean it literally says, "Made In China"? And is this on the saw itself, or just the blade?

The serial number plate on my BT3100-1, which I bought circa May 2004, says "Made In Taiwan." [ERRONEOUS STATEMENT DELETED HERE] when speaking of tools many people (myself included) consider "China" to mean mainland China and often highly dubious quality, whereas the stuff from Taiwan is generally quite good.

I don't recall ever seeing a country of origin on the blade itself. I'll look tonight.

[evgenyb]

I mean the blade, because I noticed that when I was assembled it. Don't know about the saw itself, but can look back home tonight.

[WY]

i purchased my saw in early 2004 which was made in taiwan and it has a made in china blade so i dont think the price reduction necessarily reflects a recent change in cost of manufacturing. the only other blades i have to compare it to are a couple of dewalt blades i purchased from home depot. the stock blade performs just as well if not better than the dewalt ones. dont know if that means the quality is good or bad but i havent had any problems; could be that i don't know any better. with tools being made in various parts of the world, i don't think made in china automatically equates to poor quality.