Stumbled upon a Hawk - Page 2

Stumbled upon a Hawk · 11-05-2009, 07:02 PM

I've been following all the scroll saw review/suggestion threads for the last couple of months cause I was toying with getting a starter saw to attempt to make Christmas ornaments from scrap BB and the like. Well I had been scouring CL looking at Delta's and Dremel's in the $40-70 range and happened upon this posting using Craigshelper Saturday night while I was still at work. The listing was put up on the previous Thursday so I was certain it was long gone and the ad hadn't been deleted. There was no pic or model # provided but I sent an email inquiry just in case. Without further ado here is the text of the posting.....

Scroll saw - $75

scroll saw for sale $75.00
Like new condition
retail price $250.00
Hawk Precision
RBI

Imagine my shock when she replied the following morning informing that yes it was still available, it was a Hawk/RBI model 220 VS with foot pedal, was only used 3-4 times, and yes the asking price was $75.

So of course I promptly responded that I wanted the saw and inquired where I could send my BIL (who lived closer) to pick it up from. Phone #'s were exchanged and the deal was completed last night right before I left work at 19:30. My BIL informed that it looked like it was just unboxed and had hardly been used and also came with a light. So now it just has to make the trip from their house to mine before I can start making some scrap!!!

The only pics I have of the actual saw are the crappy cell phone pics I was sent, but I've included a respresentative pic for those who don't know what they look like and I'll get some others once I get it home.

Crappy cell pics.

A random pic I found in an auction posting, starting bid $600!!!

Sorry for the long windedness..............

Brian.

Tarhead · 11-05-2009, 11:02 PM

I'm calling Barn.

Congrats! Very nice saw.

ScottM · 11-06-2009, 07:35 AM

Retail on the 220 was more like $750. Maybe her husband had told her it only cost him $250. That is one sweet machine. I have the big brother 226. Lemme me know when you get it and I will be glad to come over and show you how to adjust and use it. DO NOT use BORG/hardware store blades. Get them here: http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm

CarvedTones · 11-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Scott,

I love the Flying Dutchman blades and agree they are better than most over the counter blades, but is there more than just preference in your warning? I have a bunch of unknown blades that came with my saw, most of which I think are good quality though some have a little rust, and I plan to use them. Anyway, I wondered if your use of caps in the warning means that there is something bad you can do to a saw using less than optimal blades (or if it is just a strong opinion

).

PChristy · 11-06-2009, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by CarvedTones

Scott,

I love the Flying Dutchman blades and agree they are better than most over the counter blades, but is there more than just preference in your warning? I have a bunch of unknown blades that came with my saw, most of which I think are good quality though some have a little rust, and I plan to use them. Anyway, I wondered if your use of caps in the warning means that there is something bad you can do to a saw using less than optimal blades (or if it is just a strong opinion ).

Andy, with my experience in different blades I have found that the FD blades are on the top of my list - If you use the other blades I don't think that you will damage your machine in anyway - unless something REALLY goes haywire - I have found that the BORG and other blades do not cut as well, brake more often and just don't last as long as the FD - I wouldn't throw them away - just use them on certain things like something that you can sand up to the line after you get it cut out - JMTCW

rcflyer23 · 11-06-2009, 09:54 AM

What a deal.. I was reading that another company bought all of the RBI assets and is hoping to bring them back online later this year or next year. They are currently supporting existing units with parts, etc. I still can't believe you got that for $75.

dino drosas · 11-06-2009, 09:58 AM

That deal is right up there with my Festool deal. congratulations on your find!

sawduster · 11-06-2009, 12:09 PM

Ahhh yes ....major SUCKAGE for you, grasshoppah

nice score !!

LeftyTom · 11-06-2009, 05:26 PM

I never see anything like that around my neck of the woods.

farmerbw · 11-09-2009, 01:56 PM

Thanks guys. I'm itching to get this thing home but it's gonna have to wait at least another week.

I'm still surprised that the ad for it lasted 4 whole days and they got no other inquiries besides mine.

When my BIL went to pick it up he talked to the guy that was selling it and unfortunately got a variation of the all too common story these days. The guy got the saw from his father when he bought a new one, he'd used it a time or two and it sat in the workshop gathering dust. He's a building contractor and seeing the same drop in work as a bunch of other folks and told my BIL that he needed the money more than he needed the saw right now. My BIL was prepared to offer him less than asking price, but after seeing the condition of the saw and talking to the dude he said he couldn't bring himself to do it. He said he got the feeling that the dude would have probably taken less though to see someone buy it.

Scott, I was going to go looking for your blade source from other posts and you saved me the hassle. I may take you up on the set up and lesson offer when I get it home. Thanks

This is way more saw than I needed but at that price it was a no brainer!!!

Brian.

ScottM · 11-09-2009, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by CarvedTones

Scott,

I love the Flying Dutchman blades and agree they are better than most over the counter blades, but is there more than just preference in your warning? I have a bunch of unknown blades that came with my saw, most of which I think are good quality though some have a little rust, and I plan to use them. Anyway, I wondered if your use of caps in the warning means that there is something bad you can do to a saw using less than optimal blades (or if it is just a strong opinion ).

Yes, I have had a couple bad experiences with another popular brand. It won't damage the saw but it could turn a newbie off big time.

farmerbw · 11-09-2009, 05:24 PM

Scott, was looking at Mike's workshop blades and was wondering if you could recommend some blades to start out with? Is the 5 blade sampler worth buying? It seems to be pretty expensive unless I'm looking at the prices wrong. I was thinking maybe just some ultra reverse or scroll reverse to start out with and at around 3 bucks per dozen I can afford to mess a few up!!

I'm prob gonna only be starting out on BB and maybe some poplar and cedar scraps.

TIA,
Brian.

sawduster · 11-09-2009, 05:42 PM

I'm not Scott but I would highly recommend the Ultra Reverse blades

Best driving blades out there in my opinion . just be sure to install with the marked side up and you're ready to rock and roll . Easy to follow the line and virtually no sanding on the back when you are done

. Get a #1 #3 and #5 and you'll be loaded for bear on that BB

Mike is also a great person to deal with , with excellent customer service

farmerbw · 11-09-2009, 06:01 PM

Robert, my bruddha sorry. I plum forgot one of our other resident scroll saw artists had commented on this one as well!!

How about spiral blades while I'm placing an order?

TIA,
Brian.

CarvedTones · 11-09-2009, 08:01 PM

I am not Sott, but i will tell you that I probably have used more #5 reverse blades than anything else. I tend to cut hardwood and sometimes go to a #7, but a #5 is what I consider the best compromise - it won't break too easily, will cut up to 4/4 boards and still do reasonable detail. The reason for revese teeth is it gest rid of fuzzies on both sides. If you only do thin stock, you might go smaller.

PChristy · 11-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by farmerbw

Robert, my bruddha sorry. I plum forgot one of our other resident scroll saw artists had commented on this one as well!!

How about spiral blades while I'm placing an order?

TIA,
Brian.

Brian, If you are planning on doing any portrait style cuttings the spirals will do good on them - Don't try to cut anything straight with them - I like to use them because most of my pixs are 12x16 and I have some pretty thin peninsulas - I just don't like to turn those around alot - JMTCW