Rbi G4 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Don Lyon · 04-27-2006, 06:05 AM

I am new to scroll sawing, but wish to purchase a quality machine. I am considering an RBI G426. Can you provide some advice as to the attributes of this particular saw? Has it worked well for you? Are there any short comings? Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks

Rolf · 04-27-2006, 01:55 PM

There are many discussions on this site and others about what machine is best so I won't go there.
I have the RBI G4 for a year it has a lot of features that appeal to me and my style of cutting.
1. Easy to top and bottom feed the blade
2. Lots of room under the top arm for my fat fingers.
3. Deep throat
4. Minimal vibration
The saw is heavy and big! So I still have my old Delta for club meetings ( I will pick up a small Hegner for our club meetings).

I really like my G4 and do not regret buying it.
I have been scrolling for about 2 years and did the Old and New train in the fretwork gallery with the G4

gmackay · 04-27-2006, 05:29 PM

I also have a RBI Hawk G4 that I have had for about 10 months. I initially had a problem with the blade clamps. The material that the blade clamps was made from was too soft. RBI promptly replaced those clamps and the saw has worked well for me.. I also own a DW788 that I have had for about 9 years. The main difference that I see between these saws is the ability to cut thick wood. The
RBI Hawk G4 is very good at cutting thicker ( greater than 1" wood) than the DW788.

I like both of these saws, but, my old DeWalt seems to be quicker with the blade change for fretwork than the G4.

RBI Hawk G4, DeWalt DW788

bronco · 04-28-2006, 04:59 AM

Don,
For what it is worth, I own a Delta P-20
Features:
1. Heavy duty saw @ 115 lbs.(little vibration)
2. Throat capacity 20"
3. 6 speed adjustable speed control by using a belt, this gives you more power and you wont have to worry about your variable speed controller going out as with other models, and it only takes seconds to change speeds with the belt.
4. Top and bottom feed.
5.table tilts 45 degrees to the right and 15 degrees to the left.
6.Quickset blade holders.
7.oil cups for lubrication you take nothing apart.
8. Can easily cut projects of 1"
9.Good dust blower.
10. price @ 1/2 of a top of the line saw but has a lot of the same features.
This is just my personal opinion so shop around and buy what appeals to your taste.
Bill

Rivari · 04-28-2006, 01:03 PM

I have a G4 that I bought just prior to being deployed to the sandbox. I only had a couple dozen hours on it and it was a pleasure to use. Nearly zero vibration and I could actually listen to my music while sawing. I did experience a little issue as well with the clamps but I attribuute that to my getting use to a new saw. I still have my Dremel 1800 which has its place in the shop for my son when he is ready.

BTW, only 17 more days to go until I am reunited with my saw...oh yeah and the family. It is only two weeks of leave time but I plan to do some sawing as I can.

CanadianScroller · 04-28-2006, 01:51 PM

WOOHOO Rivari!

We miss you buddy.
I am sure glad you get some family! I cannot comprehend what you are going through!
Thanks!

Be safe

heavykevy · 04-28-2006, 03:56 PM

Don,
I too have a G4, I also had problems with the blade clamps, which RBI sent me new clamps. Problem fixed, I had dowel pin fall out of the lower arm and had to have a new lower arm. I had to take the table totally apart to fix it. These are the only 2 problems I have had. On both of these all I did was call Mark at RBI and he sent me the parts no questions asked.I love the saw. With Spring here and Summer coming I have baseball to coach so my scrolling gets cut down quite abit but for the rest of the year I am on it at least 15hrs a week maybe a little more.With this being rated as a commercial saw it should last foreveras long as you maintain it.

Kevin

lonepine · 04-28-2006, 11:45 PM

Don; I have one of the first G4's that came out.I have replaced the top arm, blade holders,which were redesigned because of holding problems, a allen screw and washer that held the motor arm, and the adjustment for blade cut. I have to agree it does cut good on hardwoods,very agressive, it has a lot of power. I also have a DeWalt,that has experienced some problems with the upper arm,and speed control. Despite the G4 problems,they have always remeided the situations I was in. It is running fine now, don't know what I would do without it. My 3 cents worth. Bob

Don Lyon · 04-30-2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivari

I have a G4 that I bought just prior to being deployed to the sandbox. I only had a couple dozen hours on it and it was a pleasure to use. Nearly zero vibration and I could actually listen to my music while sawing. I did experience a little issue as well with the clamps but I attribuute that to my getting use to a new saw. I still have my Dremel 1800 which has its place in the shop for my son when he is ready.

BTW, only 17 more days to go until I am reunited with my saw...oh yeah and the family. It is only two weeks of leave time but I plan to do some sawing as I can.

Thanks for your input on the RBI G4. Also, I take from your comment about "being deployed to the sandbox " that you are serving in Iraq or Afaghanistan. I wish to also thank you for what you are doing to keep our nation free. Too many take our freedom for granted. It is only through the sacrifice of men and women like yourself that we continue to be the most free nation in the world.

04-27-2006, 06:05 AM	#1
Don Lyon Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3	Rbi G4 I am new to scroll sawing, but wish to purchase a quality machine. I am considering an RBI G426. Can you provide some advice as to the attributes of this particular saw? Has it worked well for you? Are there any short comings? Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks

04-27-2006, 01:55 PM	#2
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	Rbi G4 There are many discussions on this site and others about what machine is best so I won't go there. I have the RBI G4 for a year it has a lot of features that appeal to me and my style of cutting. 1. Easy to top and bottom feed the blade 2. Lots of room under the top arm for my fat fingers. 3. Deep throat 4. Minimal vibration The saw is heavy and big! So I still have my old Delta for club meetings ( I will pick up a small Hegner for our club meetings). I really like my G4 and do not regret buying it. I have been scrolling for about 2 years and did the Old and New train in the fretwork gallery with the G4 __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

04-28-2006, 04:59 AM	#4
bronco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 296	Don, For what it is worth, I own a Delta P-20 Features: 1. Heavy duty saw @ 115 lbs.(little vibration) 2. Throat capacity 20" 3. 6 speed adjustable speed control by using a belt, this gives you more power and you wont have to worry about your variable speed controller going out as with other models, and it only takes seconds to change speeds with the belt. 4. Top and bottom feed. 5.table tilts 45 degrees to the right and 15 degrees to the left. 6.Quickset blade holders. 7.oil cups for lubrication you take nothing apart. 8. Can easily cut projects of 1" 9.Good dust blower. 10. price @ 1/2 of a top of the line saw but has a lot of the same features. This is just my personal opinion so shop around and buy what appeals to your taste. Bill __________________ Delta P-20 Last edited by bronco; 04-28-2006 at 05:45 AM.

04-28-2006, 01:03 PM	#5
Rivari Southern Alaskan Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 865	I have a G4 that I bought just prior to being deployed to the sandbox. I only had a couple dozen hours on it and it was a pleasure to use. Nearly zero vibration and I could actually listen to my music while sawing. I did experience a little issue as well with the clamps but I attribuute that to my getting use to a new saw. I still have my Dremel 1800 which has its place in the shop for my son when he is ready. BTW, only 17 more days to go until I am reunited with my saw...oh yeah and the family. It is only two weeks of leave time but I plan to do some sawing as I can. __________________ *Todd* Hawk G4, Dremel 1800 Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

04-28-2006, 01:51 PM	#6
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,937 Blog Entries: 12	WOOHOO Rivari! We miss you buddy. I am sure glad you get some family! I cannot comprehend what you are going through! Thanks! Be safe __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

04-27-2006, 05:29 PM	#3
gmackay Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Posts: 69	I also have a RBI Hawk G4 that I have had for about 10 months. I initially had a problem with the blade clamps. The material that the blade clamps was made from was too soft. RBI promptly replaced those clamps and the saw has worked well for me.. I also own a DW788 that I have had for about 9 years. The main difference that I see between these saws is the ability to cut thick wood. The RBI Hawk G4 is very good at cutting thicker ( greater than 1" wood) than the DW788. I like both of these saws, but, my old DeWalt seems to be quicker with the blade change for fretwork than the G4. RBI Hawk G4, DeWalt DW788

04-28-2006, 03:56 PM	#7
heavykevy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shambaugh, Ia Posts: 103	Don, I too have a G4, I also had problems with the blade clamps, which RBI sent me new clamps. Problem fixed, I had dowel pin fall out of the lower arm and had to have a new lower arm. I had to take the table totally apart to fix it. These are the only 2 problems I have had. On both of these all I did was call Mark at RBI and he sent me the parts no questions asked.I love the saw. With Spring here and Summer coming I have baseball to coach so my scrolling gets cut down quite abit but for the rest of the year I am on it at least 15hrs a week maybe a little more.With this being rated as a commercial saw it should last foreveras long as you maintain it. Kevin __________________ When you hit rock bottom the only answer is to look up

04-28-2006, 11:45 PM	#8
lonepine Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Western,Penn. Posts: 162	Don; I have one of the first G4's that came out.I have replaced the top arm, blade holders,which were redesigned because of holding problems, a allen screw and washer that held the motor arm, and the adjustment for blade cut. I have to agree it does cut good on hardwoods,very agressive, it has a lot of power. I also have a DeWalt,that has experienced some problems with the upper arm,and speed control. Despite the G4 problems,they have always remeided the situations I was in. It is running fine now, don't know what I would do without it. My 3 cents worth. Bob __________________ The provide-ance of God is my inheritance

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