How Can You Tell

[Scrappile]

I see a lot of Hawk scroll saws on Cragslist.  But I never have been able to figure out how to tell which ones are the Ultra.  This one is listed as a Hawk Ultra, so what is different about it that would tell you/me it is really an Ultra?  Looks like the thousand other Hawks I have looked at.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/d/portland-hawk-ultra-scroll-saw/7662498276.html

Edited September 13, 2023 by Scrappile

[OCtoolguy]

Paul, I think it's the blade clamp design that makes the difference. If I'm not mistaken, the clamps for the older ones are the round barrel design clamp and the Ultra use the newer rectangular block that has a pin in it that you place into a hole on the upper are support for blade installation. When they are mounted in the lower arm, there are two positions that they can be mounted in to give you some adjustment for aggression. Kevin will know any other particulars.

Edit: That one pictured is an ultra. If you look very closely at the upper arm support, you can see two tiny holes on the side of the arm. 

Edited September 14, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[Scrappile]

Nothing show in the pictures to show me the clamp. I thought I read somewhere that the bottom clamp was also moved or something so it was more accessible(?).

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, Scrappile said:

Nothing show in the pictures to show me the clamp. I thought I read somewhere that the bottom clamp was also moved or something so it was more accessible(?).

On their newest saws the front support was re-designed and moved so that the lower blade clamp could be accessed from the front. Not on the 226 Ultra though. Still behind the support. 

Edited September 14, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[kmmcrafts]

Yeah,Dang near every Hawk I see for sale the pictures are crap. Over the years I've learned that the upper clamps are different between the very old, old, and somewhat old saws, LOL.. so sometimes I can tell what it is by the upper clamp.. Holes in the accessory arm will indicate either a Ultra, G4, or the new BM series.. as the holes are used to hold the blade chuck to change blades. The old saws with the round blade chucks will usually have a slot in the top of the saw stand where the chuck goes into to hold it for blade changing, LOL.. The Tension lever is different on the G4 saws but I think most of the other saws have the same ol lever handle. 

The one shown is definitely a Ultra based on the holes in the accessory arm and the style of upper clamp is too old for a G4 or BM style.. Also the style of logo and stickers on it tells me it's newer than my 1998.. I'd guess this saw to be in the 2000 model year or newer. The G4 came about in 2005 I believe so it's older than a 05 but newer than 98 for sure.. probably 2000 - 2003-4. 

[preprius]

http://www.bushtonmanufacturing.com/WebsitePages/Scroll-Saw-Manuals.html

Bushton used to have a pdf of serial numbers and year.  I cant find the web page now. 

[Scrappile]

13 hours ago, preprius said:

http://www.bushtonmanufacturing.com/WebsitePages/Scroll-Saw-Manuals.html

Bushton used to have a pdf of serial numbers and year.  I cant find the web page now. 

Yep, I knew they use to, I went looking for it and could not find it either.  

[OCtoolguy]

I found the page you are referring to. They list the serial number range for the manual needed. But I've not seen any dates of manufacture between them. 

[kmmcrafts]

I always wondered why they do not have a basic page with serial number info... I also always wondered how many phone calls they take every year with people asking " what year is this saw " etc... I see this question asked several times a year.. It only makes sense that people would use a web page rather than having to take time to answer a phone just to answer what year a said saw is.. Even if it was just a picture of a paper with the listed serial numbers and date ranges. They obviously have that info because they'll tell you when you call them. 

Edited September 15, 2023 by kmmcrafts

[old sarge]

Good evening.  At approx the 4:45 mark, there is some discussion about differences.  I hope it helps.