Beautiful find- RBI Hawk 220vs Ultra

6498 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by roofner, Aug 28, 2019

kp91

Discussion Starter · May 10, 2019

Today is a very good day.

I stumbled across a Craigslist ad for a RBI Hawk scroll saw. This is similar to the saw I had on my wish list forever ago when I first started scrolling, but just couldn't imagine affording. I went back and forth for a full 35 seconds debating if I needed ANOTHER scroll saw, but jumped right on it, and am glad I did. I don't know how old this machine is, I will have to do some serial number research, but if it has 10 hours on it, I would be surprised.

I am owner #3, the first were a retired couple who made toys, but sold it very shortly after they bought it to their neighbor. He had it sitting in his basement for years and never even plugged it in. I picked it up today for $100, and it cuts like a dream. I think it is funny that the 'nicest' of my 3 big scroll saws is now the cheapest.

It's amazing how time doesn't seem to have any impact on well built tools. Even more impressive is that even though the company has a new owner, a quick check of the new RBI tools website shows that tons of spares are still available, which cannot be said for my Delta scroll saws.

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CharleyL

· #2 · May 10, 2019

A great find Doug, but with only 2 saws and 2 eyes I find that I couldn't possibly use a third saw. Is the third going to be a spare, or have you figured out a way to saw with your feet? I found that running only one saw at a time is the best and safest way. :wink::laugh2:

Charley

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Herb Stoops

· #3 · May 10, 2019

Great find Doug,can't pass up a good deal.
Herb

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kp91

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 10, 2019

CharleyL said:
A great find Doug, but with only 2 saws and 2 eyes I find that I couldn't possibly use a third saw. Is the third going to be a spare, or have you figured out a way to saw with your feet? I found that running only one saw at a time is the best and safest way. :wink::laugh2:

Charley

Charley,

I have had 2 delta Q3 saws for a while, one at home and since 2009 one on whichever ship I was regularly assigned to (https://www.routerforums.com/wood-scrolling/17118-one-saw-each-coast.html). Since I don't have a 'regular' ship this year I had to bring it home in January. I think I will put one of the Delta saws in my brother's workshop, since he only has an entry level saw.

I really am afraid to get rid of it, just in case I need parts.

I will probably keep the Hawk and one of the Deltas set up for a while just to see which one I enjoy using more.

PS--- to come completely clean.... I actually own a 4th saw... a 1935 PowrKraft saw that does work, but mainly functions as something really pretty to look at. https://www.routerforums.com/show-n-tell/8287-great-yard-sale-find.html

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CharleyL

· #5 · May 11, 2019

Doug,

My oldest saw is a Delta Q3, and I use it more often when I'm trying to stack cut or cut larger projects, because it's more aggressive than my DeWalt 788, which I tend to use more for the very small work, like the little reindeer that I make to give away at Christmas every year.

I would not hesitate to grab a newer RBI saw, if I got a chance like this at such a good price. I've been watching for a backup DeWalt Type 1 because I've rebuilt mine, putting mostly new bearings in, several times now. I'm kind-of expecting it to disintegrate on me sometime in the near future. I don't have the room to keep old tools that I can't use, because I just don't have shop space for them. My son-in-law ends up with any of my usable power tools that I no longer want. He now has 2 drill presses, a planer, and a table saw that were once in my shop.

Charley

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Herb Stoops

· #6 · May 11, 2019

kp91 said:
Charley,

I have had 2 delta Q3 saws for a while, one at home and since 2009 one on whichever ship I was regularly assigned to (https://www.routerforums.com/wood-scrolling/17118-one-saw-each-coast.html). Since I don't have a 'regular' ship this year I had to bring it home in January. I think I will put one of the Delta saws in my brother's workshop, since he only has an entry level saw.

I really am afraid to get rid of it, just in case I need parts.

I will probably keep the Hawk and one of the Deltas set up for a while just to see which one I enjoy using more.

PS--- to come completely clean.... I actually own a 4th saw... a 1935 PowrKraft saw that does work, but mainly functions as something really pretty to look at. https://www.routerforums.com/show-n-tell/8287-great-yard-sale-find.html

That looked like the Wards jig saw my Dad had only his was green and had a full cast iron boxed arm on it. We had it hooked to an old 1/4hp washing machine motor.
Herb

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Herb Stoops

· #7 · May 11, 2019

kp91 said:
Charley,

I have had 2 delta Q3 saws for a while, one at home and since 2009 one on whichever ship I was regularly assigned to (https://www.routerforums.com/wood-scrolling/17118-one-saw-each-coast.html). Since I don't have a 'regular' ship this year I had to bring it home in January. I think I will put one of the Delta saws in my brother's workshop, since he only has an entry level saw.

I really am afraid to get rid of it, just in case I need parts.

I will probably keep the Hawk and one of the Deltas set up for a while just to see which one I enjoy using more.

PS--- to come completely clean.... I actually own a 4th saw... a 1935 PowrKraft saw that does work, but mainly functions as something really pretty to look at. https://www.routerforums.com/show-n-tell/8287-great-yard-sale-find.html

Doug, do you have the same power aboard ship as ashore,or do you have a converter?
Herb

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kp91

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 11, 2019

Herb Stoops said:
Doug, do you have the same power aboard ship as ashore,or do you have a converter?
Herb

I have access to 110v supply on the ship as well.

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DesertRatTom

· #9 · May 11, 2019

Nice price. That looks like a very solid machine.

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kp91

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 11, 2019

DesertRatTom said:
Nice price. That looks like a very solid machine.

Tom,

The thing is a tank. I like my big deltas because they have so much cast iron in them that they don't vibrate much at all. I was surprised the first time I ever saw one of these run, because the table is aluminum, which is not my preference. However, they run like an iron saw because there is SO MUCH aluminum. The sides aren't cast, they are plate, and everything else from the table is mainly bar stock. The thing is HEAVY. I did a side by side vibration test, and both saws perform very well, but the Hawk VS control is a lot more consistent at very low speeds. They each have one critical RPM range at the lower end, but then both quiet down at the high end.

The Hawk has a little bigger throat depth, but gives back a tiny bit of max cutting depth. I just played with a few pieces of 1/4 inch ply and Red Oak yesterday and it is a dream to use. There are two positions on the lower blade clamp that allows you to do an aggressive cut or a precise cut, and that has been the most fun to play with. The Delta is a very aggressive cut, so some turns aren't as sharp. This little guy can do corners perfectly.

I have to sketch up the lower blade clamp to see if I can't mill some extras next time I go to sea. (truth is, I probably won't save anything by the time I buy the stock and knobs, but it will be a fun project).

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Jeff Speedster929

· #11 · May 17, 2019

Great Find, I have that exact same saw that I bought in the early 90's and have used it off and on in many woodworking projects. Check the motor, the motor was a larger AC type in the older models and then they installed the smaller DC motors which were much better. I will have my Hawk till I die...

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BCR

· #12 · Aug 28, 2019

DesertRatTom said:
Nice price. That looks like a very solid machine.

Other than an Excalibur, these are in the top of the line....
That is one I would have never passed up.:surprise:

Excellent find, let me know if you would like to make some money on it. I would give you what you paid plus half, if you would like to sell now.
Quite serious, but I am sure it is a keeper.:yes4:

Best of luck with it. Again great bargain.

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