Which used scroll saw outta these two

[mike smith]

I'm thinking the RBI is older @ $200 with stand 

 

What do strollers think of the porter cable?  with stand@ $90

[Scrappile]

I would wait for better options, of those two the Hawk, but it is pretty rough shape.  Looks like it did time sitting out in the elements.  I don't know much about the Porter Cable.  Only what I have heard, and it was not good.  Others with more first hand knowledge than me will chime in.  Just being honest Mike.   

Also would like to say welcome to the village, Glad to have you here.  

Edited December 1, 2023 by Scrappile

[kmmcrafts]

Hey Mike welcome to the village!

If those are the only two options then the Hawk is the one to get.. The Hawk is older.. however they are a saw made more for commercial use so very well built saws. They haven't made the 216VS since probably the late 90's I think.. It will have the round barrel style blade clamps that some people love them and some hate them, LOL.. I had one and I didn't think it was bad but most say they are tricky to use.. The 216 doesn't have up front blade tension release which can be a pain if you do a lot of fret ( interior cuts ) work because to release the blade tension you have to use the lever at the back of the saw.. 

If you can wait it out for a better option that might be best but if you need a saw right now definitely the Hawk is the best option.. good thing is Bushton Manufacturing still supports the parts for these.. they are very well made and you may not need any parts..  

[jerry walters]

I had this exact model which I purchased new in 1997. Didn't use it much as I was still working, but when I retired I used it a lot. Never has an issue with it. I did an upgrade with the blower. The older style like I see is on the one you are looking at was just some fish aquarium tube. Got an upgrade kit from Bushton. I gave the saw to my brother when I upgraded to the Pegas. There was nothing wrong with it, I just wanted a new one. Got the Pegas in December of 2021. As far as releasing the tension on the blade, if your of average height you can reach the release lever standing or sitting in front of the saw. Had no issue with doing that except my left arm is longer than my right (just kidding).

One other thing, I don't remember the serial number, will check and see if I still have the paper work.

Jerry

[mike smith]

Thanks for all the replies. I was told the sell on the hawk was pending so we'll see.

[Scrappile]

One other thought I will throw out there if you are looking for a starter saw, Several on here purchased a Wen.  A few had some trouble but I think Customer service was good.  I know ones that did mighty fine work with one.  But if you like scrolling and decide it is your thing, you will be wanting to up grade in a year or two.  Others will speak up.

[BadBob]

If you can wait for something better, buy the Hawk.

[DRugerH]

If the sale doesn't work out, and you get the call, I'd say get the Hawk.  That can be cleaned up and put into service pretty easily, and fortunately, you can still get parts for it from Bushton.  Plus, they are nice folks to work with.  I would call them rather than order online as they may fabricate a part you may need that is not online. 

Great company, and the saw is made in USA, so two wins, if you ask me

Dan

[TAIrving]

Mike, Welcome to the Village, hope to see you here often.  

My first scroll saw was a Porter Cable.  I was happy when I got it and happy when I got rid of it (about 6 months later).  Now when I go on Marketplace or Craigs List or eBay and search for scroll saws, I see a lot of Porter Cables and almost never see a Hawk or Hegner or Pegas, etc.  And I understand why; it is the number of people wanting to sell the (fill in model here) vs the number of people wanting to buy one of them.  

What I'm trying to say is - don't buy the PC.  

[kmmcrafts]

12 hours ago, mike smith said:

Thanks for all the replies. I was told the sell on the hawk was pending so we'll see.

Are you close to Michigan? I might be considering selling a couple saws after the holidays when I get more time to dust them off etc.. Knowing a general location might be helpful as many of us watch the marketplace and craigslist etc for deals.. I just posed about a Hawk G4 in the "deals section" here in the village.. That saw is the Cadillac of the Hawk saws and it's only $140, LOL..  

[Scrappile]

If you care to share what part of the country you are from there are people on here the watch and maybe they could find some decent saws to look at.  In my part of the country the NW west part of the us there are lots of Hawks, Dewalt  once in a while a Hegner, or Excalibur type saw fro sale.

[mike smith]

Sorry, forum newbie,  I'm see alot of good info on here, is there away to answer each post individually, or do you have to do the quote?

 

I'm in Memphis tn. I did miss out on the hawk, and they guy with the p.c. can't meet me today so I am done with him, + he's about an hr away. Also saw some YouTube videos about the p.c. insert causing grief. 

I did see another hawk on fb market place , it's a model 214 for another $200, also about an hr away.

Here's some pics, what yall think of that price

[kmmcrafts]

The 214 is probably not a great deal.. I don't think they made a variable speed on these is just a single speed.. might be okay for certain type of projects but I think eventually you'd come to a project that you'd like to slow or speed up the motor.. I'd probably keep looking... 

[OCtoolguy]

Hi and welcome. Do yourself a huge favor and slow down. The right saw is out there but just hasn't shown itself yet. If at all possible, stay away from the starter level of saws. If you are looking for a used saw, stick with the DeWalt 788/Delta, a Wen of the new style, Hegner, Hawk or Excalibur/Pegas type. There are things to look for and/or beware of in every saw so you have found the right place to get all the scoop on each and every brand/model. Give us more information on your situation and how you plan to use your saw. Are you just a hobbiest or are you planning on using it in a business situation? There is also a place here in the upper menu where you can get information on most all of the brands and models. 

As for your question regarding how to reply to a post, you can click on the "quote" in any post and then edit it out and post your answer. There are also 3 small dots up in the upper right hand corner that will allow to edit your own post after you post it,  should you need to. The more we get to know you, you'll find that we are a very friendly place to be for this hobby. I found the SSV about 9 years ago as a total newbie and since then I have learned a ton. You will too. 

To edit: If you want to get info on Hawk saws, go to Bushtonmanufacturing.com and for a lot of great info an many other saws, check out scrollsaw.com, especially if you end up with a Dewalt. There are a lot of tips on that saw there. If you should stumble onto an Excalibur, make sure it's not a Chinese saw. Either Canadian or Taiwan are the ones to buy. 

Edited December 2, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[DRugerH]

I would like to put my 2-cents in.  I'd say, go ahead and wait for "The Saw," but in the meantime, if you wanted to get your feet wet, keep your eyes out for an inexpensive used saw.  I have seen and purchased many variable speed scroll saws for $50 or less on CraigsList and OfferUp (I am not a book of faces user) and most have been good.  The best non-Delta I purchased was a Wen VS with a light and blower for $25.  That thing did a surprisingly great job.  The thing even cut out pine wood derby cars quite cleanly.  The boys in my boys club would fight over using either the 2-speed Delta or the Wen.  I would say, buy the used saw to get you going until you find "The Saw," and you can re-sell the used saw for what you paid for it, initially making it a free saw, or keep it as a backup that you may never use (ask me how I know). 

Dan

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by DRugerH

[kywoodmaster]

My son is in Crosville TN and was showing me some saws on market place around his area. I know this would be a little far for you bet there were a couple of looks like new Wen for less that $100.00.

My point is there are good starter saws out there for reasonable money.  Don't rush.

On 12/2/2023 at 12:59 PM, mike smith said:

Sorry, forum newbie,  I'm see alot of good info on here, is there away to answer each post individually, or do you have to do the quote?

 

I'm in Memphis tn. I did miss out on the hawk, and they guy with the p.c. can't meet me today so I am done with him, + he's about an hr away. Also saw some YouTube videos about the p.c. insert causing grief. 

I did see another hawk on fb market place , it's a model 214 for another $200, also about an hr away.

Here's some pics, what yall think of that price

 

[BadBob]

Every once in a while, a saw will turn up within a day's drive. That is such a good deal that it is worth a road trip. I recently picked up an assembled but never used Pegas for sale a day's drive away. For less than half what a new one sells for.

[Scrappile]

12 minutes ago, BadBob said:

Every once in a while, a saw will turn up within a day's drive. That is such a good deal that it is worth a road trip. I recently picked up an assembled but never used Pegas for sale a day's drive away. For less than half what a new one sells for.

WOW!  I should ever be so lucky!

[Jim McDonald]

I once looked at Porter Cable as probably my third saw. The fit and finish were horrible. The inset around the blade opening set short of the table, and many other little things led me buying a refurb Dewalt 788. 

Refurbs are generally great as they have been through an extensive one-on-one quality control as opposed to 1 out of 10 or 25 as is normal with most stuff.

Just my opinion, but after spending 20+years in consumer electronics, if I can save on a refurb, I'm looking hard at the piece.

[BadBob]

22 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

WOW!  I should ever be so lucky!

It was luck. I was looking for something else when I stumbled across it. It wasn't listed as a scroll saw. The seller told me it had been listed for three weeks, an I was only the second person to ask about it.

 

[mike smith]

Once again,  thanks for all the valuable info. I'm more of an rc modeler, the saw I get will be mainly used to cut light ply, maybe some bass wood. But in the past , I've done some intarsia,  some fret work, made little knickknacks and such. My 1st saw was a 16" Dremel, upgraded to a refurbished Dewalt after that. Also had shopsmith mark5 with bandsaw and other attachments  back in the late 90s, but the shopsmith become a model plane holder,  so I sold it  and all my other woodworking stuff early 2000s.

Not really in a big hurry,  got other hobbies,  like golf while it ain't yet too cold, and flying these electric planes.

I see a couple of you guys giving the WEN some praise. Amazon has variable speed WEN starting around $120 

What's the advantage of having a foot pedal?

And thanks again for all the info guys

 

[OCtoolguy]

40 minutes ago, mike smith said:

Once again,  thanks for all the valuable info. I'm more of an rc modeler, the saw I get will be mainly used to cut light ply, maybe some bass wood. But in the past , I've done some intarsia,  some fret work, made little knickknacks and such. My 1st saw was a 16" Dremel, upgraded to a refurbished Dewalt after that. Also had shopsmith mark5 with bandsaw and other attachments  back in the late 90s, but the shopsmith become a model plane holder,  so I sold it  and all my other woodworking stuff early 2000s.

Not really in a big hurry,  got other hobbies,  like golf while it ain't yet too cold, and flying these electric planes.

I see a couple of you guys giving the WEN some praise. Amazon has variable speed WEN starting around $120 

What's the advantage of having a foot pedal?

And thanks again for all the info guys

 

Foot pedals allow you to keep both hands on you work piece both starting and stopping the saw. A dead man switch is the preferred type. Foot down to start, foot up to stop.

As for the Wen, if it were me I'd be looking at the new Wen that is more like the Dewalt but with many additional features. If you are not in a hurry, educate yourself on all the popular brands and watch Marketplace for a deal. Ask us all the questions you have as others will learn from them. 

[mike smith]

36 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

 Ask us all the questions you have as others will learn from them. 

Good idea!

[ChrissyD]

I just bought a 214 for $100. I haven't used it but my 9yo did last night. He broke a few blades but he tries to race through turns & tight areas instead of slowing himself/the wood down so I suspect that is what happened. When 1 of them broke the lower blade holder popped out and flew about 5' from the saw- I saw a post somewhere that said to paint them fluorescent so you could find them when they do this LOL. 

I also bought a 216VS the same day from a different guy, I used that one last night for the first time. I like it - it worked well for me (I'm new to all of this). 

The only thing I don't like about either of these saws is the blade holders but I think they'll just get some getting used to. My 8yo son uses the older Delta 2 speed - that works really good as well and we all like the blade holders- easy to do but maybe not super fast.  

[DRugerH]

Congrats on the two saws!  I came from a 1930's Delta to my Hawk G4, so that blade holder is a dream compared to the Delta, where a third hand would have been great

Dan