nickp Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 So I broke down and picked up an RBI 220...first scroll saw...seller has had it for 5 years, bought it from original owner and thinks it's about 12 years old or so. Now to disassemble, clean all the nooks n crannies, lube 'er up and let 'er rip... Are there any distinguishing characteristics that would help to age it...? Thanks in advance... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 minute ago, nickp said: So I broke down and picked up an RBI 220...first scroll saw...seller has had it for 5 years, bought it from original owner and thinks it's about 12 years old or so. Now to disassemble, clean all the nooks n crannies, lube 'er up and let 'er rip... Are there any distinguishing characteristics that would help to age it...? Thanks in advance... Look up you serial number on Bushton's site. They have a pretty good listing of them in the manuals section. If you post a picture of your saw, we can determine what you should look for. The number one thing is the motor. If it has a Fasco motor, you may have problems with it down the road. The style of lower blade clamp is another thing. Also, check at the rear where the tensioning is done, look at the "V" notch in the upper arm. See if it has any undue wear. There should also be a nylon washer between the tensioning knob and the "V" wedge that goes into the notch of the upper arm. In the front of saw, it should have a tension lever and upper clamp piece. Make sure that is lubricated well. You can download a manual for it if you didn't get one. Best of luck with your new toy. nickp and Woodrush 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickp Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 13 minutes ago, octoolguy said: Look up you serial number on Bushton's site. They have a pretty good listing of them in the manuals section. If you post a picture of your saw, we can determine what you should look for. The number one thing is the motor. If it has a Fasco motor, you may have problems with it down the road. The style of lower blade clamp is another thing. Also, check at the rear where the tensioning is done, look at the "V" notch in the upper arm. See if it has any undue wear. There should also be a nylon washer between the tensioning knob and the "V" wedge that goes into the notch of the upper arm. In the front of saw, it should have a tension lever and upper clamp piece. Make sure that is lubricated well. You can download a manual for it if you didn't get one. Best of luck with your new toy. Thank you for the well wishes... Motor...Dayton DC Motor...8U186 V-notch...zero wear, yes nylon washer Front tension lever...yes Serial Number 30935...looked at Bushton site...Hawk 220VS ULTRA Serial:26350-????? Not sure if that means it's an Ultra...sticker says Model 220 VS Both arms, rear brackets are thick aluminum, table is aluminum... Will add pics soonest... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DME72 Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) this is from another forum i go on,the dayton motors were used from 94-96. the guy who gave that info was a former RBI employee.they are really good saws and parts are still available. they sometimes take awhile to get from bushton.best if you call and talk to someone. congrats on your first saw.bushton manufacturing now uses MET motors and controls. doug Edited May 23, 2020 by DME72 nickp and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmansbike Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 I've had mine for 24 years 226vs. Bought it brand new in 96. It's been a good saw and its had a lot of use. The notch is starting to show some wear. The only thing I have had to replace on it was the spring that holds the arm up. I would like to get a new Hawk but am a little leery of Bushton and their customer service right now. OCtoolguy and nickp 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrampaJim Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 You may have dodged a bullet. In my talks to Bushton, the only problems they seem to have is machines with motors from Fasco. A Dayton motor will be great. Enjoy! OCtoolguy and nickp 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Congrats on the new saw! God Bless! Spirithorse nickp and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, nickp said: Thank you for the well wishes... Motor...Dayton DC Motor...8U186 V-notch...zero wear, yes nylon washer Front tension lever...yes Serial Number 30935...looked at Bushton site...Hawk 220VS ULTRA Serial:26350-????? Not sure if that means it's an Ultra...sticker says Model 220 VS Both arms, rear brackets are thick aluminum, table is aluminum... Will add pics soonest... Congrats on the new to you Hawk.. If you have this round style lower blade holder then the saw would ( I believe ) be a 1994 -5 saw If you have this style clamp.. then you have a 1996 or newer Hawk Ultra .. It's my understanding the the Ultra was born in 1996 and they ran with them until the G4 saws came out in 2005 Edited May 24, 2020 by kmmcrafts OCtoolguy and nickp 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickp Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 14 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said: Congrats on the new to you Hawk.. If you have this round style lower blade holder then the saw would ( I believe ) be a 1994 -5 saw If you have this style clamp.. then you have a 1996 or newer Hawk Ultra .. It's my understanding the the Ultra was born in 1996 and they ran with them until the G4 saws came out in 2005 I have the square one so I guess it's an Ultra...thanks for this OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickp Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Thank you all for the well wishes...reading different threads on this site really gave me insight that would have taken much longer. You guys are great ! I'm glad I joined (Thanks to Charley that pointed me here)... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveww1 Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Enjoy your new saw. Now you can get some wood from Dave at D&D in Saylorsburg. I also buy Baltic birch plywood from Rugby in Blakeslee. OCtoolguy and nickp 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 8 hours ago, nickp said: I have the square one so I guess it's an Ultra...thanks for this In My opinion you got the best saw Hawk made, LOL... I have a 1993 220VS with the round clamps and the Fasco (SP) motor that they say can have issues.. It's a decent saw and I've not had any issues with it.. I also have a 1998 226 Ultra.. and it's a awesome saw.. I wanted a new style so in 2019 I bought a brand new BM-26.. I like that one better than the old 1993 but it's a tough call as to whether I like it better or not then my Ultra.. All are great saws.. Have fun with your new saw and hope to see you posting some project photos etc.. nickp, Scrollmate57, GrampaJim and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Erickson Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 Kevin: Just for your info, I have a 1995 226vs, serial number 3756. It is an Ultra. Has the T shaped lower clamp, and the black front lever tensioner. It has a Leeson 1.3a, 90v DC motor. Buston's manual says it should be a 2.1a motor, but it isn't. The Pro series (at least some of them) look to have had the 1.3a DC motors. If I'm properly informed, the Fasco motors were AC, right? I also have a question, and I'm sure you know the answer. When a Hawk is said to have the "hollow" upper arm, what exactly does that mean? Were certain size machines the only ones with "hollow" arms? I've seen photos of different Hawks, and there appears to have been several different upper arm designs. Thanks for your wisdom. Jim kmmcrafts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 17 minutes ago, Jim Erickson said: Kevin: Just for your info, I have a 1995 226vs, serial number 3756. It is an Ultra. Has the T shaped lower clamp, and the black front lever tensioner. It has a Leeson 1.3a, 90v DC motor. Buston's manual says it should be a 2.1a motor, but it isn't. The Pro series (at least some of them) look to have had the 1.3a DC motors. If I'm properly informed, the Fasco motors were AC, right? I also have a question, and I'm sure you know the answer. When a Hawk is said to have the "hollow" upper arm, what exactly does that mean? Were certain size machines the only ones with "hollow" arms? I've seen photos of different Hawks, and there appears to have been several different upper arm designs. Thanks for your wisdom. Jim Hawk did do several different arm configurations.. They first did the hollowed out arms to lighten up the saw and hopefully not have vibration from doing this.. They found out it weaken the arms though.. This is a photo from google.. the arms are hollowed out in several locations throughout the length of the arm.. The new saws are hollowed out on both sides but not with holes going clear through the arm but more of a I beam shape ( second photo taken from Bushton's website shows the I beam style. ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Erickson Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 Thanks Kevin. Now I know what's being refered to when "hollow" is mentioned. The new style looks like what they should have begun with. I beams are stiff but light. Jim kmmcrafts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 When all is said and done you have a wonderful saw. Congratulation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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