Can This RBI Hawk be updated to top feed? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

keystonecop · 06-09-2009, 08:03 PM

I am asking this for Coyote4. He got a good deal at a garage sale, and would like to convert it so he can be a top feeder. He uses a Dewalt now.

Thought this was the best place to ask. What other information is needed?

Pictures of the saw

keystonecop · 06-09-2009, 11:33 PM

The pictures should now work.. sorry

wood-n-things · 06-09-2009, 11:36 PM

John,
does the top arm lift? if so I think you can already use it as a top feeder. I can't tell by looking at the photos.

Mike Crosa · 06-10-2009, 03:23 AM

I also would say he is good to go.

wood-n-things · 06-10-2009, 03:25 AM

john,
it looks very similar under there as under my dewalt...I went out and looked real close.......I still think he is good to go...

keystonecop · 06-10-2009, 03:26 AM

maybe we are missing something.

from what he tells me it is a major job to change the bottom of the blade.

HELP.. instructions would be good........and I just found out he is leaving for a few days, and then so will I..

CallMeTut · 06-10-2009, 04:55 AM

For those that don't have the rbi here's the story... at least how my saw is.
The hawk has a spring on the back end that lifts the upper arm. I'ts a strong spring and holds the upper arm up nicely. The problem (at least for me) in top feeding is trying to attach the lower blade because it takes two hands; one to clamp the blade and one to hold down the upper arm so the blade will go into the clamp.
If you disconnect the spring that raises the arm, you get A LOT of chatter and stress when a blade breaks, it only took one breaking blade for me to reattach the spring.

I have been playing with placing a hinge connected to a bolt that I can flip over to hold down the upper arm so I can use both hands to clamp a blade... it's a little awkward but works. I also played with using a bungee cord connected to the leg of the saw and I'd pull it up and slip the hook like end over the upper arm to hold it down to connect the blade. The hinge worked better.
If you'd like I'll post pics, but I normally bottom feed. I hear top feeding is better... but... ?

Rolf · 06-10-2009, 01:12 PM

The Hawk G4 has a small plastic arm that swings over the top arm to hold it down when clamping the lower end of the blade. When you flip the front tensioner back it automaticaly releases the upper arm.
I have some pictures at home that I can post (if I remmember)

keystonecop · 06-10-2009, 03:06 PM

The one he has is a V220. Not sure of the year. Has anyone converted a v220 to another type of blade holder?

STEVESSAWSHOP · 06-11-2009, 06:15 AM

The saw is an Rbi Hawk 220vs Pro model built before 1994, it uses a AC volt motor and round blade holder. The picture of the blade holder is not missing parts, looks like it's all there. The only way to use a different blade holder is to install an Ultra bottom arm from the factory. Hawk made different size arms through the years so you would need to size the arm. Total length and the length from the back of the arm to the center of the pivot point. {bolt that goes through the arm and arm supports}. The problem with the round blade holders is to attach the blade without removing the holder. When you look at the holder you will see 2 flat spots. These flat spots are to be used to hold it steady when installing the blade. You place the flat spots into the blade hole on top of the table. Some models came with a slot at the top of the front legs, these where used like a wrench to help with blade installation. You can top feed but it's a little challenging. Use your hold down foot, just rotate the hold down foot over the arm. Not as fast as a G426. Looking at the top pic's you might need to adjust the brass set screw for the front cam lever. Brass set screw adj. is on bottom side of the blade holder BRACKET. If you do not have brass adj. screw the arm will need to be upgraded and rebuilt.
Hope this helps
Steve

06-09-2009, 08:03 PM	#1
keystonecop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 148	Can This RBI Hawk be updated to top feed? I am asking this for Coyote4. He got a good deal at a garage sale, and would like to convert it so he can be a top feeder. He uses a Dewalt now. Thought this was the best place to ask. What other information is needed? Pictures of the saw Last edited by keystonecop; 06-09-2009 at 11:29 PM. Reason: replacing pictures

06-09-2009, 11:33 PM	#2
keystonecop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 148	The pictures should now work The pictures should now work.. sorry

06-09-2009, 11:36 PM	#3
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,294 Blog Entries: 1	John, does the top arm lift? if so I think you can already use it as a top feeder. I can't tell by looking at the photos. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out! Remember.......Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car..

06-10-2009, 03:23 AM	#4
Mike Crosa Land Locked Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,694	I also would say he is good to go. __________________ Mike C. Hawk G4

06-10-2009, 03:25 AM	#5
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,294 Blog Entries: 1	john, it looks very similar under there as under my dewalt...I went out and looked real close.......I still think he is good to go... __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out! Remember.......Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car..

06-10-2009, 03:26 AM	#6
keystonecop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 148	maybe we are missing something. from what he tells me it is a major job to change the bottom of the blade. HELP.. instructions would be good........and I just found out he is leaving for a few days, and then so will I.. __________________ The other John A. Nelson johnsworkshop.com I just follow the lines and make sawdust on a Purple EX-30 and a Yellow DW788 Last edited by keystonecop; 06-10-2009 at 03:29 AM. Reason: new picture

06-10-2009, 04:55 AM	#7
CallMeTut Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Misery (Missouri) Posts: 62	For those that don't have the rbi here's the story... at least how my saw is. The hawk has a spring on the back end that lifts the upper arm. I'ts a strong spring and holds the upper arm up nicely. The problem (at least for me) in top feeding is trying to attach the lower blade because it takes two hands; one to clamp the blade and one to hold down the upper arm so the blade will go into the clamp. If you disconnect the spring that raises the arm, you get A LOT of chatter and stress when a blade breaks, it only took one breaking blade for me to reattach the spring. I have been playing with placing a hinge connected to a bolt that I can flip over to hold down the upper arm so I can use both hands to clamp a blade... it's a little awkward but works. I also played with using a bungee cord connected to the leg of the saw and I'd pull it up and slip the hook like end over the upper arm to hold it down to connect the blade. The hinge worked better. If you'd like I'll post pics, but I normally bottom feed. I hear top feeding is better... but... ? __________________ Tutor --------------------------------- Pattern design tutorial at ScrollsawPortraits.com Come to the darkside... use spirals...

06-10-2009, 01:12 PM	#8
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	The Hawk G4 has a small plastic arm that swings over the top arm to hold it down when clamping the lower end of the blade. When you flip the front tensioner back it automaticaly releases the upper arm. I have some pictures at home that I can post (if I remmember) __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can" Last edited by Rolf; 06-10-2009 at 01:15 PM.

06-10-2009, 03:06 PM	#9
keystonecop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 148	The one he has is a V220. Not sure of the year. Has anyone converted a v220 to another type of blade holder? __________________ The other John A. Nelson johnsworkshop.com I just follow the lines and make sawdust on a Purple EX-30 and a Yellow DW788

06-11-2009, 06:15 AM	#10
STEVESSAWSHOP Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 63	The saw is an Rbi Hawk 220vs Pro model built before 1994, it uses a AC volt motor and round blade holder. The picture of the blade holder is not missing parts, looks like it's all there. The only way to use a different blade holder is to install an Ultra bottom arm from the factory. Hawk made different size arms through the years so you would need to size the arm. Total length and the length from the back of the arm to the center of the pivot point. {bolt that goes through the arm and arm supports}. The problem with the round blade holders is to attach the blade without removing the holder. When you look at the holder you will see 2 flat spots. These flat spots are to be used to hold it steady when installing the blade. You place the flat spots into the blade hole on top of the table. Some models came with a slot at the top of the front legs, these where used like a wrench to help with blade installation. You can top feed but it's a little challenging. Use your hold down foot, just rotate the hold down foot over the arm. Not as fast as a G426. Looking at the top pic's you might need to adjust the brass set screw for the front cam lever. Brass set screw adj. is on bottom side of the blade holder BRACKET. If you do not have brass adj. screw the arm will need to be upgraded and rebuilt. Hope this helps Steve

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