RBI Hawk G4 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Kerux · 09-12-2007, 05:21 AM

If anyone owns a RBI G4, thought you would like to know that they have new blade chucks. The hold down 'fork' for the bottom chuck had broken on mine and I called up to get a replacement. Mark, told me that they redesign that and the blade chucks. So it sent me several of each since I'm still under warrantee.

They got here a few days after I talked with Mark. I really appreciated the speed and reliablity of Hawk right now.

Rolf · 09-12-2007, 01:44 PM

How about a picture of the new one.
A while back I ordered a bunch of new clamps. They sent me new solid aluminum ones whereas the older ones were a multi-piece assembly.
The new ones had a radius on them that interfered with the bottom mounting. I took pictures and sent them to RBI and they sent me some modified clamps and some of the older versions (which I still prefer)
So I wonder what the latest version looks like.

Rivari · 09-12-2007, 05:42 PM

I know the folks at RBI have upgraded the G4 clamps once but is this another change/upgrade?

I love my G4 but those clamps can throw a guy into a fit when trying to use standard (non-flat end) spiral baldes.

Kerux · 09-13-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf

How about a picture of the new one.
A while back I ordered a bunch of new clamps. They sent me new solid aluminum ones whereas the older ones were a multi-piece assembly.
The new ones had a radius on them that interfered with the bottom mounting. I took pictures and sent them to RBI and they sent me some modified clamps and some of the older versions (which I still prefer)
So I wonder what the latest version looks like.

Hope this works for you.

Rolf · 09-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Kerux
Those are great pictures.
I have model #2 which is still my favorite after modifying them with helicoils in the assemby screws for the 2 halves.
I now also have a bunch of the #4 clamps, which won't work on my G$ without modification.
I did a quick drawing of the mod I had to make so that the clamp pivots properly in the bottom clip. RBI sent me a few that they had modified, but I will machine my own.
The image contrast is not so good as I had to do a couple of conversions. But you can see that I had to thin the sides a bit to allow the clamp to pivot in the plastic clip without stressing it.

Jeff · 09-13-2007, 04:39 PM

My G426 came with the #4 clamps when I got it about 2 months ago. The #4 clamps look a lot like the #1 clamps. I like the beefy knobs on the #1 and #2 clamps. That's just one of the things I don't like about the #4 clamps: That little two-pronged knob is hard on the fingers. Rick H. has a vidoe for making a knob tool just for this.

I am interested in the #3 clamp - It looks like it is slotted. I'd like to try them, but I was told when I bought the machine that there was only one clamp type available. I don't like feeding the blade into that tiny hole. Sometimes the blade gets caught on the thumbscrew. To me this is one of those design flaws that a high-end machine shouldn't suffer from. In my opinion, the blade should slide to the back edge of the clamp and then the screw tightened. This is how the clamps are on the 788. You just hold the blade end against the back edge and tighten - gaurantees the blade is aligned with the clamp. It takes some finessing to get the blade aligned at 90 degrees to the clamp with the #4.

Does anyone have experience with the #3 clamps?

Jeff

Rivari · 09-13-2007, 05:14 PM

I received model 2's when I first bought mine 2 years ago. I prefer the handles on the #2's as compared to the #4 handles which I currently use.

Thanks for the pictures, it appears I am playing with the most current clamp available.

Kerux · 09-13-2007, 07:17 PM

Rolf, perhaps you should send your modifcations in to RBI? You never know, they may pay you for it, and we all get a better product.

Rolf · 09-14-2007, 12:54 PM

They are already aware of it as they had modified a couple for me when I sent them pictures of the problem I was having with the new clamps.

09-13-2007, 05:14 PM	#7
Rivari Southern Alaskan Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 865	I received model 2's when I first bought mine 2 years ago. I prefer the handles on the #2's as compared to the #4 handles which I currently use. Thanks for the pictures, it appears I am playing with the most current clamp available. __________________ *Todd* Hawk G4, Dremel 1800 Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

09-14-2007, 12:54 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,809	They are already aware of it as they had modified a couple for me when I sent them pictures of the problem I was having with the new clamps. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

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09-12-2007, 05:21 AM	#1
Kerux Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 42	RBI Hawk G4 If anyone owns a RBI G4, thought you would like to know that they have new blade chucks. The hold down 'fork' for the bottom chuck had broken on mine and I called up to get a replacement. Mark, told me that they redesign that and the blade chucks. So it sent me several of each since I'm still under warrantee. They got here a few days after I talked with Mark. I really appreciated the speed and reliablity of Hawk right now.

09-12-2007, 01:44 PM	#2
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,809	How about a picture of the new one. A while back I ordered a bunch of new clamps. They sent me new solid aluminum ones whereas the older ones were a multi-piece assembly. The new ones had a radius on them that interfered with the bottom mounting. I took pictures and sent them to RBI and they sent me some modified clamps and some of the older versions (which I still prefer) So I wonder what the latest version looks like. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

09-12-2007, 05:42 PM	#3
Rivari Southern Alaskan Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 865	I know the folks at RBI have upgraded the G4 clamps once but is this another change/upgrade? I love my G4 but those clamps can throw a guy into a fit when trying to use standard (non-flat end) spiral baldes. __________________ *Todd* Hawk G4, Dremel 1800 Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

09-13-2007, 04:39 PM	#6
Jeff Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 23	My G426 came with the #4 clamps when I got it about 2 months ago. The #4 clamps look a lot like the #1 clamps. I like the beefy knobs on the #1 and #2 clamps. That's just one of the things I don't like about the #4 clamps: That little two-pronged knob is hard on the fingers. Rick H. has a vidoe for making a knob tool just for this. I am interested in the #3 clamp - It looks like it is slotted. I'd like to try them, but I was told when I bought the machine that there was only one clamp type available. I don't like feeding the blade into that tiny hole. Sometimes the blade gets caught on the thumbscrew. To me this is one of those design flaws that a high-end machine shouldn't suffer from. In my opinion, the blade should slide to the back edge of the clamp and then the screw tightened. This is how the clamps are on the 788. You just hold the blade end against the back edge and tighten - gaurantees the blade is aligned with the clamp. It takes some finessing to get the blade aligned at 90 degrees to the clamp with the #4. Does anyone have experience with the #3 clamps? Jeff

09-13-2007, 07:17 PM	#8
Kerux Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 42	Rolf, perhaps you should send your modifcations in to RBI? You never know, they may pay you for it, and we all get a better product.