RBI Hawk 216VS - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

murphyce · 02-06-2008, 04:14 AM

I posted a question a couple of weeks ago about a Penn State scroll saw and got a few great replies. I waited to long on that one and lost my chance to pick it up. Now I might have the opportunity to pick up an RBI Hawk 216VS. I have not seen the saw yet but I've seen pictures and it appears to be in pristine condition. Can you guys help me out with what would be considered a good price for one of these saws? I've never done any scrolling before but I am familiar with RBI's reputation and assume this would be a great scroll saw to start on, I just want to make sure the asking price is reasonable.

Thanks, Eric.

workin for wood · 02-06-2008, 12:43 PM

probably a good thing you lost out on the PSI saw. I always have problems with those people. I'd say anything up to $400 is a great price if the saw is like new and in great order.

murphyce · 02-06-2008, 03:15 PM

Jeff, thanks. The asking price is a bit below $400.

Any idea what RBI was selling these for when they were new? Any others have any pricing guidelines on this saw?

Rolf · 02-06-2008, 05:19 PM

There is one on E-bay with a starting bid of $520.
The owner claims it was $1390 new.
I have never seen the 16" but < $400 sounds like a good deal to me.
I agree with Jeff.

murphyce · 02-06-2008, 06:31 PM

Rolf, thanks. I did see that one on ebay but not until after I posted this. I actually found it through a google search because I didn't come with anything searching ebay (I think a 220VS and a 226 came up searching ebay). I do wonder how accurate that new price is. Looking on RBI's website, they apparently only sell the 220 and G4 now. The 220 price is $1399 and on sale for $999.

This is a picture the seller of the local saw emailed me.

workin for wood · 02-06-2008, 07:31 PM

That's funny they sell the 220 at a grand. I bought my G4 brand new for that same price from RBI. I swear it's a sales gimmick...you over inflate the value then drop the price back to make it look like you save huge money. If you buy new, be sure and barter with them. Had mine shipped free with a couple extra sets of blade holders too.

If you have the money, at $400 or under, I'd jump right on it.

Tor · 02-06-2008, 10:03 PM

That is indeed known to be a good saw. If you do get it, you are likely to be very happy with it, until you want a deeper throat.

Tor

foneman · 02-07-2008, 12:38 AM

I can not tell from your picture if there is a quick release on the front of the top arm. Earlier models did not have that feature. I would definitely want one with the quick release. I sold a 220vs for $350 to give you an idea of what some go for. I bought a used G4 for $600.

John

murphyce · 02-07-2008, 03:41 AM

Well, I picked up the saw for $360 this evening. I just got it unloaded so I haven't had a chance to look through the manual or play with it yet.

I'm in the middle of a stereo cabinet project right now so it may be a while yet before I set out to actually cut anything with it but I'll be sure to post my first results after I make them.

Thanks to all who replied to my questions.

murphyce · 02-07-2008, 03:43 AM

Foneman, I'm not sure about the quick release on the top arm. From what I recall, I think there is just a thumb screw holding the blade at the top so I'm guessing that means no quick release? Is that something I can pick up from RBI or where can I get one?

02-06-2008, 04:14 AM	#1
murphyce Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	RBI Hawk 216VS I posted a question a couple of weeks ago about a Penn State scroll saw and got a few great replies. I waited to long on that one and lost my chance to pick it up. Now I might have the opportunity to pick up an RBI Hawk 216VS. I have not seen the saw yet but I've seen pictures and it appears to be in pristine condition. Can you guys help me out with what would be considered a good price for one of these saws? I've never done any scrolling before but I am familiar with RBI's reputation and assume this would be a great scroll saw to start on, I just want to make sure the asking price is reasonable. Thanks, Eric.

02-06-2008, 12:43 PM	#2
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	probably a good thing you lost out on the PSI saw. I always have problems with those people. I'd say anything up to $400 is a great price if the saw is like new and in great order. __________________ Jeff Powell

02-06-2008, 05:19 PM	#4
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,809	There is one on E-bay with a starting bid of $520. The owner claims it was $1390 new. I have never seen the 16" but < $400 sounds like a good deal to me. I agree with Jeff. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

02-06-2008, 06:31 PM	#5
murphyce Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	Rolf, thanks. I did see that one on ebay but not until after I posted this. I actually found it through a google search because I didn't come with anything searching ebay (I think a 220VS and a 226 came up searching ebay). I do wonder how accurate that new price is. Looking on RBI's website, they apparently only sell the 220 and G4 now. The 220 price is $1399 and on sale for $999. This is a picture the seller of the local saw emailed me. Last edited by murphyce; 02-06-2008 at 06:37 PM.

02-06-2008, 07:31 PM	#6
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	That's funny they sell the 220 at a grand. I bought my G4 brand new for that same price from RBI. I swear it's a sales gimmick...you over inflate the value then drop the price back to make it look like you save huge money. If you buy new, be sure and barter with them. Had mine shipped free with a couple extra sets of blade holders too. If you have the money, at $400 or under, I'd jump right on it. __________________ Jeff Powell

02-06-2008, 03:15 PM	#3
murphyce Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	Jeff, thanks. The asking price is a bit below $400. Any idea what RBI was selling these for when they were new? Any others have any pricing guidelines on this saw?

02-06-2008, 10:03 PM	#7
Tor Mad Marqueteur Join Date: May 2007 Location: The "Green Side" in Hawaii Posts: 1,528	That is indeed known to be a good saw. If you do get it, you are likely to be very happy with it, until you want a deeper throat. 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

02-07-2008, 12:38 AM	#8
foneman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 64	does it have the quick release I can not tell from your picture if there is a quick release on the front of the top arm. Earlier models did not have that feature. I would definitely want one with the quick release. I sold a 220vs for $350 to give you an idea of what some go for. I bought a used G4 for $600. John

02-07-2008, 03:41 AM	#9
murphyce Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	Well, I picked up the saw for $360 this evening. I just got it unloaded so I haven't had a chance to look through the manual or play with it yet. I'm in the middle of a stereo cabinet project right now so it may be a while yet before I set out to actually cut anything with it but I'll be sure to post my first results after I make them. Thanks to all who replied to my questions.

02-07-2008, 03:43 AM	#10
murphyce Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8	Foneman, I'm not sure about the quick release on the top arm. From what I recall, I think there is just a thumb screw holding the blade at the top so I'm guessing that means no quick release? Is that something I can pick up from RBI or where can I get one?

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