Hawk 226VS- upper blade clamp not holding blades - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

crisw · 01-01-2008, 08:39 PM

I just purchased a Hawk 226 VS at an estate sale- whee!

It's a lovely machine, but I am having one problem, and I am not sure if it's user error or not. My blades keep slipping out of the upper blade holder. I am following the blade change and tensioning routine from the manual and video, and the blade tension is not excessive. The blades pop out as soon as I start up the machine, without even exerting any pressure. I am using #5 and #7 blades; nothing very thin. The blade that was in the machine when I got it worked just fine, and I was able to install a #5 blade when I got home and it was fine- it was after I changed out this blade that I started having problems- I have tried at least a dozen times and cannot get the blade to stay in.

The upper blade holder on the Hawk swings back and forth a bit; I am not certain if there is a certain position/angle it needs to be in for proper blade insertion. Also, as the machine is 6 years old, I do not know if the blade clamp wears out and could need to be replaced. I've tried roughing up the blade with sandpaper; that didn't help.

Any ideas? I'll try calling Hawk tomorrow; I wanted to play with my new toy today, though

earlinjax · 01-01-2008, 10:16 PM

What I have found to make the most difference is to be sure the blade goes all the way up to the blade stop in the upper holder. It's in the manual but I kind of glossed over that until I had a bunch of blade slips. You still may have one slip but putting the blade all the way to the back and all the way up works the best for me.

Earl

crisw · 01-01-2008, 10:26 PM

I've been doing that (in fact, one of the problems I'm having is making sure I don't bow the blade out pressing it against the stop!)

crisw · 01-01-2008, 11:02 PM

I gave it a few more tries- cleaned out the blade holder with mineral spirits and compressed air, tried different blades, used a flashlight to check the blade is indeed against the blade stop...and it's still pulling out. Arghhh.

foneman · 01-01-2008, 11:42 PM

Your upper blade holder has a setscrew on the left side opposite the hand screw you tighten. You may try either removing it and roughing up the end, or turning it in further so it contacts the blade more. I would try turning it in a half turn first. If that does not work, then try the other.

Good Luck!
John

Tor · 01-02-2008, 05:21 AM

Screws can round at the ends, although I believe this is more a problem with operable screws than the fixed ones. I think John's suggestions are the way I would go with it, aside from calling Hawk.

Tor

Rolf · 01-02-2008, 03:11 PM

Crisw,
What Blade holder does you machine have?
If you have the older type G4 there are a couple of things to look at.(the one on the right)
If they have been over tightened the the two screws that hold the clamp assembly together strip out you can actually see the clamp split as you tighten it. I put heli coils in mine to fix them.
Also in these clamps the blade really needs to be in the center and perpendicular to the clamp NOT ANGLED to get maximum grip.
The other clamp a solid aluminum block should still have the blade centered in it.
Also watch your tension go to the RBI Web site and check out their video on tensioning.

Brandy · 01-02-2008, 05:41 PM

Crisw, I just bought the new G4 and had the same problem you are having. Having been used to a Dremmel, I had inadvertantly "assumed" a couple of things. I am sure Hawk would walk you through your problem very quickly, as they did me. They are wonderful folks up there. In my case, I had the wrong instruction manual for my machine so I will take only half responsibility for my ways, lol. Happy New Year (~..~) and keep us posted.

crisw · 01-06-2008, 05:42 PM

Thanks, all.

I've been playing phone tag with Hawk; hopefully we will talk soon!

I have a 226, not a G4, so it has the older solid aluminum blade holders. I am not sure what a "heli coil" is, though!

I did watch the tensioning videos and I think I am doing that right, but once the blade slips, of course the tension is lost!

I'll try turning the setscrew.

FireRob · 01-07-2008, 05:38 AM

Keep us updated on the progress.

Robert

01-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#1
crisw Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Hawk 226VS- upper blade clamp not holding blades I just purchased a Hawk 226 VS at an estate sale- whee! It's a lovely machine, but I am having one problem, and I am not sure if it's user error or not. My blades keep slipping out of the upper blade holder. I am following the blade change and tensioning routine from the manual and video, and the blade tension is not excessive. The blades pop out as soon as I start up the machine, without even exerting any pressure. I am using #5 and #7 blades; nothing very thin. The blade that was in the machine when I got it worked just fine, and I was able to install a #5 blade when I got home and it was fine- it was after I changed out this blade that I started having problems- I have tried at least a dozen times and cannot get the blade to stay in. The upper blade holder on the Hawk swings back and forth a bit; I am not certain if there is a certain position/angle it needs to be in for proper blade insertion. Also, as the machine is 6 years old, I do not know if the blade clamp wears out and could need to be replaced. I've tried roughing up the blade with sandpaper; that didn't help. Any ideas? I'll try calling Hawk tomorrow; I wanted to play with my new toy today, though Last edited by crisw; 01-06-2008 at 05:43 PM.

01-02-2008, 05:21 AM	#6
Tor Mad Marqueteur Join Date: May 2007 Location: The "Green Side" in Hawaii Posts: 1,528	Screws can round at the ends, although I believe this is more a problem with operable screws than the fixed ones. I think John's suggestions are the way I would go with it, aside from calling Hawk. Tor __________________ I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. - Thomas Jefferson Garden Island Marqueteur http://www.fineartmarquetry.com

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01-01-2008, 10:16 PM	#2
earlinjax Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 558	What I have found to make the most difference is to be sure the blade goes all the way up to the blade stop in the upper holder. It's in the manual but I kind of glossed over that until I had a bunch of blade slips. You still may have one slip but putting the blade all the way to the back and all the way up works the best for me. Earl

01-01-2008, 10:26 PM	#3
crisw Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	I've been doing that (in fact, one of the problems I'm having is making sure I don't bow the blade out pressing it against the stop!)

01-01-2008, 11:02 PM	#4
crisw Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	I gave it a few more tries- cleaned out the blade holder with mineral spirits and compressed air, tried different blades, used a flashlight to check the blade is indeed against the blade stop...and it's still pulling out. Arghhh.

01-01-2008, 11:42 PM	#5
foneman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 64	Your upper blade holder has a setscrew on the left side opposite the hand screw you tighten. You may try either removing it and roughing up the end, or turning it in further so it contacts the blade more. I would try turning it in a half turn first. If that does not work, then try the other. Good Luck! John

01-02-2008, 05:41 PM	#8
Brandy Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 41	Crisw, I just bought the new G4 and had the same problem you are having. Having been used to a Dremmel, I had inadvertantly "assumed" a couple of things. I am sure Hawk would walk you through your problem very quickly, as they did me. They are wonderful folks up there. In my case, I had the wrong instruction manual for my machine so I will take only half responsibility for my ways, lol. Happy New Year (~..~) and keep us posted.

01-06-2008, 05:42 PM	#9
crisw Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Thanks, all. I've been playing phone tag with Hawk; hopefully we will talk soon! I have a 226, not a G4, so it has the older solid aluminum blade holders. I am not sure what a "heli coil" is, though! I did watch the tensioning videos and I think I am doing that right, but once the blade slips, of course the tension is lost! I'll try turning the setscrew.

01-07-2008, 05:38 AM	#10
FireRob Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Weatherford, TX Posts: 14	Keep us updated on the progress. Robert