Hawk G4 Scroll Saw

[DME72]

i started on a dewalt 788. bought a like new BM20 and almost gave up on it. it cut really well and all, i just really struggled with the blade holders. thought about selling the saw but glad i did not. used the saw some more and started to get used to it more. still struggled with the blade clamps because i am heavy handed. would bend or hockey stick the end of the blades. looked for new 1/4-20  blade clamps but could not find any. the 788 uses metric thread on the blade clamps. so i got tired of bending blades, i like to do fretwork and fine scale stuff. ordered what i need from mcmaster-carr and made my own set of thumb screws with the rotating tips like the 788 has. yes i had to buy about $25-30 dollars in stuff. they work well.i made a set for a  member on here, and he said they worked pretty good.easy to make for me, but i have a small metal lathe plus other tooling. any how the BM series are good saws,bit of a supply problem right now but a good saw. kevin you said the nose stroke adjustment is plastic on your saw? my saw is almost 5 years old and mine is machined aluminum. you are talking about the bottom blade adjustment for tilting the blade for more/less agressive cutting?

doug

[kmmcrafts]

13 minutes ago, DME72 said:

i started on a dewalt 788. bought a like new BM20 and almost gave up on it. it cut really well and all, i just really struggled with the blade holders. thought about selling the saw but glad i did not. used the saw some more and started to get used to it more. still struggled with the blade clamps because i am heavy handed. would bend or hockey stick the end of the blades. looked for new 1/4-20  blade clamps but could not find any. the 788 uses metric thread on the blade clamps. so i got tired of bending blades, i like to do fretwork and fine scale stuff. ordered what i need from mcmaster-carr and made my own set of thumb screws with the rotating tips like the 788 has. yes i had to buy about $25-30 dollars in stuff. they work well.i made a set for a  member on here, and he said they worked pretty good.easy to make for me, but i have a small metal lathe plus other tooling. any how the BM series are good saws,bit of a supply problem right now but a good saw. kevin you said the nose stroke adjustment is plastic on your saw? my saw is almost 5 years old and mine is machined aluminum. you are talking about the bottom blade adjustment for tilting the blade for more/less agressive cutting?

doug

No the table tilt bracket mount is what i was referring too.. Only plastic on the saw besides the switch and speed dial knob, LOL It's definitely a well made saw.. Not trying to knock it.. just feel it's not as heavy / robust of a saw.. as the older saws..  But the things they did to "lighten it up" is actually probably an improvement.. No doubt the saw will be around longer than I am.. and probably the older ones too.. I should have plenty of years left since I'm only 51...LOL      

 

Edit:  Forgot about the other plastic such as the blower hose etc. LOL.. If I don't correct it someone will call my out on it, LOL

Edited April 15, 2020 by kmmcrafts

[DME72]

kevin, had not seen that it was plastic. probably because i hardly ever tilt the table..i wish bushton would get on board with making scroll saws again! i find it funny that people want to spend $1200-1400 on a scroll saw and they dont have one to sell them. thinking about buying a backup saw,but like most people i am out of space with all my other tools. i see alot of hawk saws on FB marketplace and craigslist. some look like good deals and others are so overpriced it is funny.i think bushton could make the BM20 saw at about $800-900 and do some real marketing and product support and listen to what people are saying they could have a good chunk of the upper end scroll saw market. and made in the USA! they are good saws,bit of a learning curve from a 788, but worth it.

doug

[kmmcrafts]

18 minutes ago, DME72 said:

kevin, had not seen that it was plastic. probably because i hardly ever tilt the table..i wish bushton would get on board with making scroll saws again! i find it funny that people want to spend $1200-1400 on a scroll saw and they dont have one to sell them. thinking about buying a backup saw,but like most people i am out of space with all my other tools. i see alot of hawk saws on FB marketplace and craigslist. some look like good deals and others are so overpriced it is funny.i think bushton could make the BM20 saw at about $800-900 and do some real marketing and product support and listen to what people are saying they could have a good chunk of the upper end scroll saw market. and made in the USA! they are good saws,bit of a learning curve from a 788, but worth it.

doug

G4's were plastic too.. so it's not a new thing from BM.. the G4 is basically the same saw as the new BM saws..

[OCtoolguy]

I started with a used Dewalt type 1. It had a tubular stand. I don't like standing so a built a 3 legged low profile stand. I went all through the saw and packed the bearings with synthetic grease. It ran very smoothly. Great saw. I found a steal deal on a used Hegner multimax 18 with all the latest stuff on it. I liked it but it had a speed problem that I couldn't figure out so I sold it. Then I found the first Excalibur Ex21. Stole it too. I love that saw. Anyway I sold the Dewalt and thought I was done but there is something inside of me that makes me keep an eye open for a good deal. There had been so much positive feedback on the Hawks that I started watching for one. Once again a deal too good to pass up came my way. So I bought a 226VS Ultra that was bought new in 2001, used for about 20 hours and then it just sat until the guy decided it had to go. I brought it home and basically just waxed it and buffed the table. But, once again, I hate standing up at my saw. I have been watching for a deal on an old Hawk with the chair legs that I can swap out. Otherwise, I'm going to sell it. Then all of a sudden out of the blue about 3 months ago an Ex16 popped close enough to make it worth buying. It's also in like new condition and is one of the green saws built before the Chinese takeover. My Ex21 was built in Canada in 2010 and the Ex16 was built in 2013 in Taiwan. I love those 2 saws and will never part with them. I'm going to build a stand for the 16 just like my 21 and both will have their own onboard dust control systems. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

 

[DME72]

ray, that 226vs ultra is a great saw. so are the excalibur saws. dewalt had a great thing going UNTIL they went to china. newer saws are not that great. my type 1 is still growing strong.repacked all the bearings a few years ago, my main saw is my BM20. since i dont make large pieces i think a 26 inch saw would be a waste for me. although if a deal came along i might be tempted to buy it!

[OCtoolguy]

1 minute ago, DME72 said:

ray, that 226vs ultra is a great saw. so are the excalibur saws. dewalt had a great thing going UNTIL they went to china. newer saws are not that great. my type 1 is still growing strong.repacked all the bearings a few years ago, my main saw is my BM20. since i dont make large pieces i think a 26 inch saw would be a waste for me. although if a deal came along i might be tempted to buy it!

I gave $250 for my 226. It's in mint condition and the only reason I am selling it is because I have VERY limited space. 9 x 13 shop. But, if I go ahead and do an enclosure on my driveway, I will be able to move my bandsaw outside and put a cover over it. Then, I'll make a stand for the 226 and keep it. I'll force myself to learn how to use it. Right now though, it's just almost impossible for me to not sit at my Ex21. I am in love with it. I really didn't need the Ex16 but I just could not pass it up.

 

[Oldmansbike]

Ray if you decide to sell the 226 would you ship it to Iowa. I'm looking for another one but there isn't any around here. I would pay for shipping and your time to ship it. PM me if you would be willing to do that. Thanks Dale.

[kmmcrafts]

@octoolguy I think maybe Ray is planning a move.. so he may be wanting/needing to sell off some un-needed things.. might be a great deal for you both provided you can work out a deal.. shipping isn't going to be cheap.. I believe the 226 Ultras weigh 100 - 110 pounds.. If you both have a greyhound bus station close by or a fastenal company.. you might get a decent shipping price.. Otherwise the size and weight will be pricey though UPS or Fedex..

[OCtoolguy]

21 hours ago, Oldmansbike said:

Ray if you decide to sell the 226 would you ship it to Iowa. I'm looking for another one but there isn't any around here. I would pay for shipping and your time to ship it. PM me if you would be willing to do that. Thanks Dale.

Well, here's where I'm at on the saw. I got it out of my shop today and detailed it. I posted it on C/L and FB Marketplace. I am asking $550. Just waiting to see what happens now. I have no idea how to crate a saw for shipment but it can be done. We are going to be heading to Tennessee once I get a car to pull behind our motor home. We have no timetable at this time but if things were to come together, I might be able to drop it off on our way East. If you're not in a hurry it's a way we might be able to work something out. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

 

Edited June 9, 2020 by octoolguy

[Oldmansbike]

Thanks for getting back to me but at 550 plus shipping I would have to much money in it. Keep me posted if you come this way. I live in southeast Iowa close to the Missouri border and the Mississippi river. I'm not in any hurry my 226 is still running okay. Thanks. Dale

.

 

[OCtoolguy]

10 hours ago, Oldmansbike said:

Thanks for getting back to me but at 550 plus shipping I would have to much money in it. Keep me posted if you come this way. I live in southeast Iowa close to the Missouri border and the Mississippi river. I'm not in any hurry my 226 is still running okay. Thanks. Dale

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Where are you from I-40? I will probably be coming that way. If everything was to come together with a tow car and all, we might be able to get out of here by Labor Day or thereabouts. If not, it will be next Spring. If you had to pay for crating and shipping, I agree, that would be too much but if I could deliver it, now you're in the ball park.

 

 

[Oldmansbike]

I 40 is way south of here down in Arkansas. I don't think I would be interested at 550 anyways. Thanks for your time Ray and good luck on your move. Dale