I was at the Habitat Restore today and they had an RB Industries scroll saw.  Says it is a Hawk 220-3  S/N 8021.  It came with a foot switch but is not electronic VS.  It does say it is made in the USA and I got it for $85.00  Is it a good saw?

 

 

 

 

It actually deserves a You Suck. That company has went through a few changes in ownership but is still in business and sell parts for the entire line. I bought a 220 VS Ultra about 2 years ago and paid $200, I felt like I was stealing it. The Hawks are arguably second best to the Hegners, but they are more common (it seems) and still very well made. Congrats! Manuals are available on the RBI web site.

10 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

It actually deserves a You Suck. That company has went through a few changes in ownership but is still in business and sell parts for the entire line. I bought a 220 VS Ultra about 2 years ago and paid $200, I felt like I was stealing it. The Hawks are arguably second best to the Hegners, but they are more common (it seems) and still very well made. Congrats! Manuals are available on the RBI web site.

 

Thanks Fred.  I was hoping for good news.  It looks very well made.

You did very good!  Well built quality machine. Your H4HRS gets some really good items...either I'm not there on the right days or ours just doesn't get stuff like that.

20 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

You did very good!  Well built quality machine. Your H4HRS gets some really good items...either I'm not there on the right days or ours just doesn't get stuff like that.

 

That is the first time ever I saw something that nice.  There was a Shopsmith for $295.00 and a Shopsmith dust collector for $150.00 too.  They were in as good shape as the saw.

 

Dan

Dan if you think its a good deal nothing else matters. And later if you can saw with it again to suit yourself, a winner all the way around...

  You don't even have to show your work until you are ready. 

Some I guess expect perfection the first time they use it. I know some after that didn't happen, it sat there and was never touched again. or else they started using spiral blades. Just don't buy the blades from Home Depot of Lowes for all they carry look like large bandsaw teeth... not good to practice with.

You might start with a number 5 any brand is okay for learning.and you just as well start with a blade that has reverse teeth on the bottom end. It will cause lots of kick backs, more so than all the teeth facing the same direction for the teeth facing up will grab the wood and try to lift it off the table. Once you learn to hold it down on the table at all times, it will be the blade of choice later.This blade is supposed to make the bottom side of the wood with a smooth edge just like the top side. Much harder to control but sooner or later that is what most guys end up using most of the time. Lots of times the blade is installed where the bottom teeth are not cutting where they were designed to cut...either too high or too low in the clamps.

  Sure the spiral blade will cut in all directions where a person does not have to turn the wood to follow a line BUT the edge of the wood will feel and look like a hatchet has been used to do the cutting where as if you use the right blade the edge will not need any sanding for the blade will actually make the wood shine for it will be so slick. 

 Practice practice. Draw the thinnest line you can and go as slow as you need to go but make the line disappear.

  There should be lots of suggestions on how to proceed so pay attention. Spit the chewing gum out of your mouth and turn that durn radio off and no you can't text while running the saw...

  I'm not over joyed with the blade clamps but you might not know any better.

40 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Dan if you think its a good deal nothing else matters. And later if you can saw with it again to suit yourself, a winner all the way around...

  You don't even have to show your work until you are ready. 

Some I guess expect perfection the first time they use it. I know some after that didn't happen, it sat there and was never touched again. or else they started using spiral blades. Just don't buy the blades from Home Depot of Lowes for all they carry look like large bandsaw teeth... not good to practice with.

You might start with a number 5 any brand is okay for learning.and you just as well start with a blade that has reverse teeth on the bottom end. It will cause lots of kick backs, more so than all the teeth facing the same direction for the teeth facing up will grab the wood and try to lift it off the table. Once you learn to hold it down on the table at all times, it will be the blade of choice later.This blade is supposed to make the bottom side of the wood with a smooth edge just like the top side. Much harder to control but sooner or later that is what most guys end up using most of the time. Lots of times the blade is installed where the bottom teeth are not cutting where they were designed to cut...either too high or too low in the clamps.

  Sure the spiral blade will cut in all directions where a person does not have to turn the wood to follow a line BUT the edge of the wood will feel and look like a hatchet has been used to do the cutting where as if you use the right blade the edge will not need any sanding for the blade will actually make the wood shine for it will be so slick. 

 Practice practice. Draw the thinnest line you can and go as slow as you need to go but make the line disappear.

  There should be lots of suggestions on how to proceed so pay attention. Spit the chewing gum out of your mouth and turn that durn radio off and no you can't text while running the saw...

  I'm not over joyed with the blade clamps but you might not know any better.

 

Thanks for the insight Jess.  I have my first project in mind.  My niece is getting married and wants log slices numbered for the table seating numbers.  I have a year to do it so no rush.  First I have to get the logs sliced and dried. 

that's a 400$$ plus saw...

15 hours ago, HandyDan said:

 

That is the first time ever I saw something that nice.  There was a Shopsmith for $295.00 and a Shopsmith dust collector for $150.00 too.  They were in as good shape as the saw.

 

Dan

Probably not a bad price on the SS especially if a later model...pretty fair price on SS Dust collector too...wish it was closer...Ours seems to get some pretty decent smalls...occasionally an old Craftsman RS or TS but they're usually priced way above CL market value. I still like checking in though. Ours (Lafayette, IN) is very nice, but the one in Ft. Wayne, IN was spectacular. One in Muncie, IN in a very old building, but had a lot of good quality items; Bought ceramic tile for daughter/SIL old house for kitchen and bathroom remodel plus grout for a fraction of new. However, YOU DID GOOD, VERY GOOD!

What's interesting to me is to see how much they get for what I donate. I've dropped off quite a bit of stuff over the years and only twice have I seen what I donated on the sales floor. Makes me wonder if the stuff I donate isn't of value (trashed) or it sells so quick I don't see it (possible, since I only get there every other week or so). It's only curiosity that makes me look, but it seems strange not to ever see it on the floor.

  Come on Dan your killin' me. That's two saws in a month. I think I need a tracker device on your truck.

11 minutes ago, DuckSoup said:

  Come on Dan your killin' me. That's two saws in a month. I think I need a tracker device on your truck.

You're the one that went back to work.  You have to be out and about like a retired person should be.  That way you have more time to find and act on a good deal.  But what am I thinking since you went back to work you can afford to buy new.

On 10/1/2016 at 10:11 AM, Grandpadave52 said:

Probably not a bad price on the SS especially if a later model...pretty fair price on SS Dust collector too...wish it was closer...Ours seems to get some pretty decent smalls...occasionally an old Craftsman RS or TS but they're usually priced way above CL market value. I still like checking in though. Ours (Lafayette, IN) is very nice, but the one in Ft. Wayne, IN was spectacular. One in Muncie, IN in a very old building, but had a lot of good quality items; Bought ceramic tile for daughter/SIL old house for kitchen and bathroom remodel plus grout for a fraction of new. However, YOU DID GOOD, VERY GOOD!

GrandpaDave which Goodwill store in Ft.Wayne that is spectacular are you talking about??

I've been to the Goodwill off of 37 and their isn't a whole lot in that one that I would want. 

They probably shuttle some of their items to this store? 

 

HandyDan you got a heck of a good deal!!!!

1 hour ago, LarryS said:

GrandpaDave which Goodwill store in Ft.Wayne that is spectacular are you talking about??

I've been to the Goodwill off of 37 and their isn't a whole lot in that one that I would want. 

Larry, If I wrote Goodwill, I intended Habitat for Humanity Restore...I'd have to look up the exact location, but think it was off either the last or next to last exit on I-69 headed north, then back east a couple of blocks. Seems like it was at the I-69, I-469 split on the North side....assume you come down to US 24, then in?

 

It's been 2-3 years since I was there last...was close late spring for my nephew's wedding but store was closed by then. It's a pretty large building, was well organized and staff was very nice.

 

Ft. Wayne H4HRS

8 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Larry, If I wrote Goodwill, I intended Habitat for Humanity Restore...I'd have to look up the exact location, but think it was off either the last or next to last exit on I-69 headed north, then back east a couple of blocks. Seems like it was at the I-69, I-469 split on the North side....assume you come down to US 24, then in?

 

It's been 2-3 years since I was there last...was close late spring for my nephew's wedding but store was closed by then. It's a pretty large building, was well organized and staff was very nice.

 

Ft. Wayne H4HRS

 

Sounds good. Might have to look that Habitat for Humanity sometime.

Thank you

 

Years ago they was selling at out state fair for $1200.00.

Kevin the 26" model was the one that sold for 1200.00. 

The one Dan has pictured is the smaller model and does take an Allen wrench to lock down the blade. That's okay but just takes longer to lock blade in and out if doing lots of inside sawing...but Dan won't know the difference..

   The tension adjustment lever is in a terrible place but it does saw good and that is what counts the most.

I will double your money Dan if you will ship it free!

   

Shucks, here I am commenting on an old old post....and I keep reminding myself to read and reread the dates. 

41 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Shucks, here I am commenting on an old old post....and I keep reminding myself to read and reread the dates. 

That's why the posts are still here right? What good are they if newbees like me can't post on them?

25 minutes ago, Kevin Beitz said:

That's why the posts are still here right? What good are they if newbees like me can't post on them?

I got stuck on the $1200 price.