RBI Hawk

I've heard good and bad about RBI equipment and service. But I just wanted you all to know that in the past 3 weeks I've had a few problems with my G4. One is that the hold down lever broke, I called up and Mark sent out a new one right away (free, under warranty still) and in a few days had the new one and running.

Then last night, I noticed something strange about just getting the upper arm to come down under the hold down lever. Like I had to force it under (which ain't good). I went through the manual and could not find a reason. (I think if they put the parts in front of me I could put a G4 together. Ha.) Anyway, I called up Hawk, left a message for Mark and in an hour he called me back and we got the problem fixed. Turns out that the over head arm that holds the blower, hold down bar and lever has some looseness in it and every once in awhile it needs re-adjusting. Took me less than a minute to adjust and I'm scrolling away.

Just wanted to point out that I've had nothing but good experience with the RBI machine and service.

[workin for wood]

I have never been able to get the arm to go under the hold down lever...it baffles me..although I guess I have no need for it anyhow. What did you do about it? I had lots of bad luck in the beginning with my hawk , but service-wise it has all been great. Been quite some time now since I had a mechanical problem..so I guess now I jinxed myself and it will break on me while I start my next intarsia in a week or two.

Jeff,

The Red extension arm that holds the blower nossle... in the back are a could of hex screws. Loosen them up and the arm can move up or down. Put it where you like it and tighten up the screws.

[heavykevy]

I had the same problem with my upper arm several weeks ago. I couldn't see any thing wrong.I started the saw back up and it was fine and hasn't done it since. If it does it again I'll know what to look for.
Thanks

Kevin

[Rivari]

The only thing I know for certain that needs periodic maintenace/checking is the torsion screw under the upper arm just behing your upper clamp. That little screw sets the tension and mine has fallen out a few times during sawing. I cured mine with a tad of anti-sieze to keep it from rattling out.

Other than that, Viva La G4!

[lucky788scroller]

I got a thing in the mail today, the hawks are on sale if anyone is in the market for one! Dale

[Rolf]

Jeff,
As you go with bigger blades and therfore more tension you are pulling the back of the top arm up higher raising the front. So I would move the blower support arm up a bit as suggested by Grizz.
I noticed that when I went from using mostly 2/0 blades to the #9 blades.

[knothead]

Hey Rolf, how did your bloodwood cutting go?

[Rolf]

I havn't had much cutting time, but I ordered an assortment of polar blades to play with.