found four saws on craigslist. Opinions?

[martzy]

Hi all. Haven't been on much this summer. Been catching up on inventory.

My old Dremel is showing signs that it is ready to be retired. I found four saws while searching craigslist. I need some opinions on advantages, disadvantages, potential problems, and how old you think these machines might be.

1. Dewalt 788 (probably type II). Looks nice. wants $400. no stand. I know we've debated the dewalt problem time and time again but is it still worth looking at?

2. RBI Hawk model 220 vs. painted grey if that means anything about possible age. wants $300. stand included. what would be the throat depth on this saw?

3. Hagner multimax 18. has the year 1997 listed under the name. Year it was bought maybe. stand, magnifying glass, and footswitch included. no price listed. I'm assuming the 18 means and 18 inch throat depth. not much of an improvement over a 16 inch.

4. RBI 216. Painted red if that helps with age. wants 125. says he is getting a bigger one. is this also just a 16 inch throat depth? Doesn't look to be variable speed so I think this one may be out.

Thanks.

[hotshot]

I wouldn't touch the Dewalt for $400. You might see if the owner would come way down.

The rest of the saws are bottom feed, if that is not a problem for you, both the Multimax 18 and RBI are solid brands. I would say Hegner (with support from advanced machinery) might be a little more on solid footing than the folks at Bushton mfg. However, the 220 vs does give you the big table and a lot of people still use that saw.

Shopping for these are a lot of fun. But if you don't see what you want, be patient and the right tool will surface eventually.

----Randy

[Janette]

You can buy a NEW DeWalt these days for that w/no stand if you find a sale.

[Berone]

Where are you located, Keith? I'm trying to get myself inspired to sell my less than one year old Delta 40-690. A buddy says I should keep it for my son to use, but he's 3 1/2 now and I think I would start him on a smaller saw when he's ready.

[Plaquerd]

Keith
I'm not going to suggest buying any of the saws. I would suggest finding out the condition of any saw before you buy it though. Condition is very important and people tend to have differing opinions as to what, "like new", "good", and "needs work" are. Buying sight unseen can lead to problems. Just my opinion.

[Hawaiilad]

Keith, this is a question you will no doubt find many answers to. Myself, I have an use two different Hegners and love the saws. I have had the Dewalt (not good luck for me), and I think that price is a bit much for a used one, bought a RBI, but because of a wooden floor issue, the saw was not good for me. I agree with Dave, that you should give each of them a drive to see how they preform for you. What price is on the Hegner?

[Rolf]

The only one Iwould go with on that list is the Hegner. Both of the Hawks are old. The only used Hawk I would buy is the G4 or the new ultra's. They are top feeders.

[martzy]

Thanks for the opinions. All the saws are within driving distance and I was planning on taking a pattern or two to try them out if it was something I was seriously looking into. The Hegner was $200 or $300 if I remember right. I want something better than what I have but price is an issue. I'd love to have an EX but I don't know if my Dremel can hold out that long.

Berone, I'm in Western Pennsylvania.

[JimInMA]

I don't have experience with any of the saw brands except RBI, so that's all I'll comment on.

Since nobody seemed to mention it, the RBI saws have the throat depth in the number scheme. Just drop the front number. For example a 220 will have a 20 inch throat depth, 216 will be 16 inches, etc etc.

And the grey color probably isn't paint, rather brushed aluminum with a clear (if any?) finish.

If it is so old it doesn't have the front end quick tension release, I'd keep looking. But a quick look at the 220VS listed shows it has that (amazing I can figure out what you're looking at on craigslist while being several states away....kinda creepy too). And avoid the ones that have the older "round" lower blade holder, but I don't think that one does. Take it for a test saw, bring a few blades to change in to see how that goes. You can always choose to keep looking.

[martzy]

Yeah Jim you kind of creeped me out a little there. LOL