kmmcrafts

It'll definitely pass the nickle test.. it's a lot smoother than my 226 Ultra and the Ultra is smoother than the old 220VS.. I haven't done any tuning or anything to it yet short of just putting the legs on it.. There is a harmonic imbalance where it picks up some shakes.. right before about half speed.. which all my Hawks have this... the new one seems smoother in that shaky position too.. but probably not by much.. I think I might get the vibration app on my phone just to see where all the saws I have stand.. Aside from that Harmonic imbalance I'd say they're a little smoother running than my Excalibur.. but.. the EX is smoother throughout the whole spectrum than the Hawks.. The EX isn't as smooth as my DeWalt even.. but many say it's smoother than the DeWalt.. Though I do need to work on the EX some more now that I got everything running right.. so not a fair call on that yet.. EX is smooth.. but.. I've had a lot of issues with the EX.. and some things on the saw was loose when I got it straight out of the box.. so I'm thinking the workers at the factory are letting some skip by QC.. Just read yesterday about the same sort of issues with a Pegas brand that a guy just got.. it was on a FB group.. he called Bear Wood and they went through the whole saw with him over the phone.. So that being said... Maybe I should give BW more credit than I do... They left me with a sour spot by holding out on mailing my order for 3 weeks.. and have read some of the same things from others... But it looks like they do try to work with issues if one has some.. and that's a good thing this day and age..

Sorry to hear about the back injury.. that is one of the worst things to deal with... many live daily with back pain.. Hope you get to feeling much better and can get out and make some sawdust. Makes sense cost wise in your case to not make custom packing.. Maybe the same case as for Bushton.. I agree about the signatures... would be nice to see fingerprint stuff but then that'd be hacked in some way too.. they already have readers for phones etc.. now I've heard of eye reader things, LOL

They did hollow out the arm, maybe the angle of the saw didn’t show that too well. They also hollowed out that back side of the connecting rod from motor to lower arm. Some more detailed pictures that hopefully can see the arm etc. Maybe once I get the saw back into the work area I’ll do a video of the two saws and show comparisons etc. shop is a mess right now as my son is redesigning his bedroom and we have all his old desk dressers etc scattered about. Lol Note the bracket I was talking about earlier.. plastic instead of machined aluminum like the older saws... Not sure this is critical but.. still cheapened up from the old style Hawk... Maybe Rolf will chime in on this.. I know the G4 has the arm protrude the angle mechanism.. I'm wondering if this piece is plastic on those.. Not sure if this is visible to you all but the lower blade clamp here.. and they have a ( assuming ) spring steel retainer to hold it in place.. better design than the plastic piece on the earlier saws. Same set up on the upper clamp.. has the spring steel clip to hold the clamp in place.. This design somewhat makes it so you really do not need to remove the clamps to change blades.. Time will tell once I use the saw what I think about this set up.. I bought the accessory tray.... I know this is the same design that they've had for years.. I'm uncertain how I feel about this piece.. It's only held on with one bolt and it sort of rest on the saws platform at the back for stability.. I'd think two bolts would make it much more sturdy.. the table is heavy steel.. Not that one should be putting heavy stuff on this anyway.... but the design makes it somewhat wimpy so you cannot put any weight on it.. Maybe designed this way on purpose so you don't set on it. Those plastic tubes... not impressed with those at all... very thin cheap made tubes.. they are supposed to fit in the slots where the rubber grommets are.. not quite sure how.. you about smash the tubes just trying to get them in.. may try some soapy water to make them slide on the grommets and see if that helps..

JT, Yes there was stickers on the box.. but that said the placement of the stickers basically marked the top side of the box.. with no arrows pointed "UP" so they could have been interpreted differently... and the driver could have thought the box was supposed to stand on end.. I'll mention this to Bushton when I call.. I'm going to let them know about not having to sign for the package.. as I'm quite certain that is a paid add-on and they shouldn't be paying if the drivers aren't doing it. While on this topic.. not sure ow many of you have experienced this... but... Many times in signing these electronic devices the things are quirky and the signature doesn't look like your handwriting.. the driver or whoever almost always says.. oh thats okay it just needs a mark on there to show you signed.. I don't like this.. simply because in this case.. the driver could have.. and probably did sign it himself.. "Only needs a mark to be accepted".. his word against mine about being signed... My bank has these same stupid electronic signing things.. Just something to think about.. Probably should start another post about this.. so more might see it.. But really.. how good is your signature if the electronic thing is not very accurate in showing your signature.. anybody can put a mark on it and say it was signed.. I'll update with some pictures of the bearing, and clamp area and a couple other observations shortly..

My initial thoughts on this saw.. without having cut on it yet... Overall I've only run it enough to just see that it runs.. I haven't done any tuning due to the fact that I usually do all the adjusting in the spot where the saw will be parked at.. and I don't have that spot ready for the saw.. Anyway running it though the speeds it's much quieter and smoother than either of my other Hawks throughout the speed range.. There is one area that has some vibration ( which my other two Hawks also have ) which seems to be just before the halfway mark on the speed dial.. Couple things stand out to me as being somewhat cheap made.. or maybe poorly designed compared to the older Hawks.. Both are probably not anything to really be worrisome about as far as the function of the saw goes.. First is the front mounting bracket where the angle adjustment mechanism is.. This is made from what appears to be plastic.. The old saws are made and machined from aluminum.. This bracket being made with the plastic piece seems to have some slight flex to it if your really pushing on one side or the other of the table.. I'm not certain the plastic piece is flexing but the clamp portion allows some movement.. The same sort of case with the older Hawk too so like I said.. not sure the plastic piece is any concern... I just sort of expected it would have been machined aluminum as the old Hawks are.. The back side of the locking mechanism is kind of just a small piece of steel to pinch the thing to tighten it. ( I'll try posting some photos tomorrow of this and she the difference between the two Hawks ) .. Second, More of a cosmetic thing but also a bit concerning for long term over the years.. probably a petty thing but I'm old school and I've experienced this with other newer machinery.. The model / serial number tag is more less a sticker.. When I unboxed my saw I noticed this tag was already somewhat peeling off.. I'll likely add some glue to this to stick it back down as I don't want that coming off and getting lost.. While I did take a photo of it so at least I have the model and serial number should something happen to it..Just easily removed for a thieve.. I'll likely not be cutting on this saw until next week.. I have a somewhat busy weekend coming up.. though I may get out there to mess with it some. but won't really get a good run on it until next week

Well, I'm not sure how UPS handles this kind of thing... BUT.. my experience with mailing U.S. Mail.. If I ship something and require that there be a signature.. I have to pay for this.. Believe it's like nearly $3.00... If Bushton is paying a extra fee for signature confirmation and the drivers aren't doing it.. That's not very cool.. what's the point of paying extra for the service? I'm thinking about contacting Bushton about this.. Even though I half wonder if they even care anyway.. but then.. they care enough to pay for the service and they are getting cheated on it..

Well try to make this short.. My tracking number shows delivery was to be today by end of day.. I signed up on UPS to send me updates on my phone last night got a confirmation text to reply to so they know they got the right number.. did that and never another text, email or phone call.. I have to pick up my son everyday at school.. been nice if I could have known via phone call or something so I could be here when they came.. My daughter was home so she could have signed.. They left the thing on my porch never knocked.. or anything.. Bushton said that I'd need to sign for it.. nope they just left it here.. standing on end too.. I was fired up when I come up the road to see the huge box standing on end.. I had a feeling they'd do that.. I wondered if I missed him because as I topped the hill getting to turn on my road I seen him up the road.. I did manage to get it to the shop and put it together.. Everything seems good.. I'm amazed at how much smoother and quieter it runs compared to either of my older Hawks.. Couple things I'm not supper impressed with that I'll get into more details about later.. I wanted to video the unboxing etc. but didn't have a way to hold the phone / camera.. so I took several pictures.. I'll be editing this post shortly with pictures.. The pictures are on my phone and I didn't want to type all this on that little phone screen.. so I'll just edit in a few with pictures.. Hold tight. pictures in a min. This is how how UPS left my saw for me. Here is some pictures of opening the box. And unpacking it. I didn't want to damage the box or packaging in case I needed to send it back.. so I pulled it up on one end of the box and then got it to a point where I could just tip the box up and slide it out of the box.. quite easy to do by myself this way rather than lifting it up out of the box.. Tilting it this way it was resting on the front part of the board that it's mounted to.. I'll show some more photos of this in a few.. They have these torx head screws holding it to the wood shipping crate.. good thing I have torx screw drivers.. Many people I know do not have these type of tools. maybe they are just old fashion.. but I'd have thought that it'd be better to use Philips head screws so you don't have to go buy tools just to get it out of the packaging LOL Tilted it on its side and used the packing foam to protect the table while I mount the legs My dog.. he had to make sure nothing was here that might jump out and bite me.. He walked away and said everything was good to go... nothing harmful The foot switch and the accessory table in this box.. I wanted the table.. contemplated not getting it but I find I'm always setting stuff on the saw tables of the saw next to the one I'm using.. then when I need to use the one next to me I have to clean off all the blades and pliers etc to use it.. hoping this will help.. if so I may make or order more of these for my other saws.. The Hawks table came with these spots that I thought was grease.. and may be grease but it's not coming off on my finger so I don't know. also was some spots on it like a small circle s if they had stuff setting on the table.. first thought was a soft drink can or something but was quite a lot smaller than the cans we have here in Michigan anyway, LOL.. I wasn't impressed with the professionalism of getting it that way.. but they will ( I'm sure) come off with a waxing of the table etc..

The tilt on the Pegas or like saws is not the same tilt you get with a Hawk... Just sayin.. Hawks tilt set up is not ideal for doing detail work.. The Hawk actually tilts the blade at an angle.. the Pegas and like saws will do more of a rocking motion.. I think you'll find you can make it just as aggressive as the DW and still make the puzzles correctly.. If your Pegas is like the Excalibur.. the blade speed is much less than the DW too.. EX is 1500 SPM and DW 1700 or 1750?

I buy some of my supplies from them..

Oh Boy... Not being able to saw really is a bad thing.. I was there 2-3 years ago as I ripped my calf muscle in half.. wasn't able to get out to the shop for a long time 8-12 weeks I think it was.. I sure hope you heal quick and get back to enjoying life very soon..

I do create part of the patterns sometimes.. mostly look for coloring pages etc to get a drawing to start with.. then just edit from there.. sometimes I purchase DXF files for CNC's and edit them to be a clock.. Other times I have to ask our wonderful designers here to make a pattern if I cannot find something I can work with myself..

I think the problem they're having with shipping is probably mostly on them.. They can blame UPS all they want but if it's not packaged good is it UPS fault? Come on now.. this is a 103# box.. I'm really curious how the packaging is going to be.. since I do a lot of shipping I know this all too well and.. I not only experienced in shipping stuff for my business.. but I worked 12 years in a shipping receiving at a local business.. If you don't package it like they're going to use the package as a football to play a game in the shipping warehouse.. then it's probably going to get damaged.. I don't know these days how UPS and FedEx handle claims.. but U.S. mail can and will refuse to payout on a claim if it's poorly packaged.. I'm excited to get the saw.. but also kinda bummed too because I only wanted a NEW back-up saw for the last couple years that I would like.. The DeWalt was taking crap and needed rebuilt.. but not time to do it.. then I run across the 2 Hawks.. Then the Excalibur.. My Excalibur was brand spanking new but a piece of work from day one with issues.. So.. since I really liked the Hawks my plan was to buy the new one, sell the DeWalt, Excalibur, older Hawk and keep the 226 Ultra as it was also new when I got it.. and just have the two Hawks.. Now... finally the Excalibur is running awesome.. and now also finally the Hawk is on the way.. On one hand I'm excited.. on the other I finally got what I needed with the Excalibur.. I had my mind set to cancel out the order on the Hawk by the end of the week simply because I don't really need it.. Then they called.. I could have still canceled but I also am just too curious about the saw.. so I went ahead with it.. Not supper impressed at all the way they run things.. No kind of incentive for the 3+ month wait on the saw.. not one call from them about the issue.. always me calling them.. Then they say to open and inspect it for damage before signing for the package.. Did mention they are working to try different packaging methods etc so they obviously have claims problems.. They really could use some professional business training.. LOL UPS will stop paying claims out if they continue to have some issues with package claims.. All in all I do think they seem to be trying to better themselves.. and as for me.. I love the "old" Hawks that I know and I hope I can love this new saw just as much.. but time will tell... Hate to see a top quality saw leave the markets but if they can't run the place then... Anyway we'll see how the saw preforms and whether the wait was worth it.. or if I would do this all over again..

Dang! Nice saw.. and they even gave you a pack of Pegas blades... My Excalibur only came with one blade, LOL.. I think you'll love the saw.. even if it doesn't run as fast as a DeWalt.

I'll see if I can message it to you after a while.. It's a PDF so not sure how they work doing uploads etc..

I'd send you a picture but every time I try to get a picture of myself the camera lens breaks..

I like a smooth table.. But I don't care if it's shiny.. Too shiny might scar me if I happen to see myself in the table..

Congrats.. hope it turns out to be a great saw for you.. Hey, I have a real good idea where that could go since you're short on space..... Looks like a pretty nice saw.. I'll message you later with some info on tuning that Bushton sent me.. Not sure why they don't have this in their manuals.. but if you take it apart it's great info on re-aliening the saw..

Cut this on the Excalibur from Cherry.. cut with #3 Pegas MGT blade and a #0/2 New Spiral from Flying Dutchman for the veining.. Hope he likes this gift from his wife..

Yeah... I've been there done that one Ray.. though I did get through my project because it was 3/4 I was working with and as just making a ha radio call sign for my friend.. But I swore I'd never cut that stuff again... but yeah, you guessed it.. I've done it a few more times now for certain custom orders.. but I was being paid well for it sooo.. LOL Gotta say though.. I've done my share of those exotic hard woods that seems like you're cutting steel plate... and the fir cuts nice compared to that stuff.. LOL

I'm thinking you'll love that Pegas.. I'm really starting to like the Excalibur I bought now that I'm finally getting the thing to run right.. Hoping the Pegas runs great for you all that bought them.. and that nobody has any issues like I've had with my Excalibur.. Hoping Pegas has some strict quality control.. Knowing what I know now about the Excalibur saws and the Pegas.. I would have probably went with one of those instead of the Hawk..

My tracking number shows it should be here Thursday.. I'm guessing since I never see them out in my area ( boonies ) until after 2PM it won't be until later in the day..

I guess my question was misunderstood... A customer from my website bought this clock ( photo below ) from me and said they wanted to take the clock insert I put in it out and they plan to replace it with a insert with an alarm.. They was going to put it on a night stand next to their bed and use it for their alarm clock.. Problem is.. they do not make a insert with a 1-3/8" mounting hole.. I was willing to modify my design some... BUT.. I'm not going all out modifying it to make a 2.5" + clock in it so they can have an alarm without adding a to the price.. They was determined to find a clock.. and kept showing me clocks that'd work.. yet they are showing me big clocks.. LOL.. I was asking if anyone knew of a small insert that has a alarm feature.. not a chime.. as that's be waking them up every hour.. LOL I might have finally got through the customers head that not all clocks mount in the same size hole.. Now my issue is they aren't responding to me about whether they still want their order or not.. as I cannot make it as an alarm clock like they wanted... yet they need it by Friday for a anniversary gift, LOL..

Yeah, I've never had much luck with UPS.. or Fedex for that matter.. Shipped a lot of bigger stuff Greyhound really cheap.. without much issue.. Too bad USPS has a limit of 70 pounds.. I know they all have insurance claims but I've shipped a lot with USPS with very little issues.. Now saying that I just jinxed myself, LOL

Yeah, that could be something to do with it.. I did know about adjusting the motor. but I didn't do that until after it was mounted to the stand.. and it does run quite smooth now.. and that could be the tuning or the EX stand or both..

My Excalibur vibrated pretty good out of the box unclamped / or unbolted.. I had a cheap Harbor Freight metal tool stand but the footprint was too small.. I took a piece of leftover 1" flooring from when my loft was built in my shop and bolted that to the stand and then bolted the saw to that.. still more vibration than the DeWalt had unbolted etc.. but was usable that way.. The actual EX stand was much better.. that said though.. I had the EX mounted off center on that HF stand with the flooring on it as I wanted a little sort of side table area.. and I think that was why it still had vibration.. I don't really care for the EX stand because it has a wide stance and also too wide to straddle and it's awkward to sit at.. now where for my legs to go.. suppose the designer may not of had legs, LOL .. I may build me a stand as I cannot get real comfortable sitting for very long at the EX.. ( another reason I haven't used it too much. ) The stand is just a odd height and my stool works well with the Hawks or the DeWalt.. I have a slight tilt on the Hawks toward me.. and the DeWalt which is the most comfortable one to sit at for long periods is tilted as far as it'll tilt.. 4 inch? I think.. I tried tilting the Hawks but doing so creates some vibration.. Hawks ( at least mine ) are very fussy about being level or they vibrate.. I'm not sure how this will work out for you with moving it to a different area.. I have the radio on a shelf behind my Hawk and once in a while either I or one of the kids will bump into the saw trying to get to the radio.. if it gets bumped I know right away.. It's not a huge amount of vibration.. maybe none at all as I only notice it buy it sounding funny.. a little louder than normal.. so I kinda move it as I run it to find it's home again, LOL I think Les moves his around but mounted to the stand but he has wheels on the stand.. he doesn't have much issues from what I gathered from reading a topic about it..