For years, I have woodwork with various hand tools, a router, and a circular saw. The enjoyment of creating something from nothing more than long boards of wood outweighed the arduous work using less than adequate tools. I, like most hobbyist woodworkers, have other priorities, responsibilities, and far more important financial obligations. I made the best use of the tools at hand to know one day I will own a heavy-duty cabinet saw. I know many others before me have produced incredible furniture using only tools that do not require an outlet. I marvel at those who can and behold their work with great admiration. I am not one of those purists, at least not yet. Perhaps one day I will find the true art of hand woodworking. But for now, I want a table saw.

Having idolized Norm Abrams of The New Yankee Workshop every Saturday morning, I knew I was destined to one day stand proudly next to my very own Delta Unisaw. There was no other way. The saw made the man and I for one will be the envy of all men! I stood proudly in front of the Committee of Four (my family) and declared, "From here on out, we will save for retirement, we will save for college, and we will save for a Unisaw!" Season after seasons went by and our retirement funds grew, our college funds grew, but sadly, the Unisaw fund remained dry.

Then from out of nowhere I happened upon a woodworking forum called the BT3Central. An incredible forum like none other but I will leave this for another article. The members had one thing in common, they all own or are considering owning the same table saw, a Ryobi BT3X. Well, I certainly had my suspicions and doubts. Who are these crazy people? Why are they so passionate about their $300 table saw? And for that matter, why so much passion for a bench saw disguised as a contractor saw? Weeks went by as I scoured through the postings to find an answer. I was incapable of holding any discussion that did not involve the BT3X. So much so, my wife stopped talking to me. For those weeks the BT3Central forum consumed my every thought. Nothing else mattered. In the end, I discovered a table saw fit for the weekend woodworker. I learn that you do not need to spend $1000 for a precision saw. And as much as I still admire Norm, I learn I can be my own Yankee.

I have used the BT3X for a month now and it has exceeded all my expectations. My only regret is that I did not discover it sooner. It is true when they say the table saw is the center of any woodworker's shop. I have reorganized my workshop to better suit my work. Thanks to the folks at BT3Central, I have learned a great deal about table saw usage and safety. Owning a table saw has widened my joy of woodworking and has brought a new dimension to my weekend hobby. On occasion, I still have table saw envy for those who own a "real" table saw but I can now stand tall and proud next to my very own BT3X.

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