Hey everyone - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

mdscroller · 10-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Hey everyone ,just joined today really like this site ,very informative. Have been scrolling off and on since 1993,am currently laid off.I have an RBI 220vs pro saw ,I am trying to find a variable speed controller as mine no longer works, have contacted RBI last week have not received response, any info on how to fix this will be greatly appreciated.Also how do you remedy the problem of smaller blades that look like a blur when using. thank you

HAMMER · 10-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Welcome to the site there are many talented and intelagent people on the site and someone will have the answer for you...

As for the varible speed thing check with harbor frieght or northern tool for a reastat to plug the power into this might be a cheep fix.....

Not sure what you mean about the blurr thing....if it is because of the size of hte blade several folks here have a magnifier with a light to help..I tried one once but it confused my eyes....

Good luck and Welcome..

I am sure others will have more direct answers for you just hang in there wed. could be a bit slow at this time of day.

Hammer

STEVESSAWSHOP · 10-07-2009, 08:34 PM

Welcome to the site!! There are alot of experienced scrollers and helpful people here, it's a great forum. When you say you contacted Rbi do you mean Bushton Mfg.? Rbi is no longer in business. The VS speed control - not working at all or the saw changes speeds and speeds up with alot of vibration? Have you ever had the upper arm rebuilt?
The 220vs Pro model used an AC motor (Fasco motor) with a capacitor. Sorry to say but a reastat would not work with this system. What will happen is with a reastat control, is when you put drag on the motor (cutting wood) it will bog down and change speeds, plus the motor will heat up.
Let me know.
Glad to help!!
Steve

mdscroller · 10-09-2009, 02:57 AM

Hey guys thanks for your input, the blur thing happens when using small blades,there seems to be more side to side action when using which makes the blade look blurry, have tried the magnifier, but can only see it with one eye shut ( the effects of old age i guess ) but yes it is still a blur.The upper arm has not been rebuilt, i sent the e-mail to Hawk woodworking tools, not Bushton, when i turn the saw on it does nothing but hum, when i bypassed the switch it ran to fast, the whole thing jumped up and down any help with this problem will be greatly appreciated . Thanks again guys for the welcome.

STEVESSAWSHOP · 10-09-2009, 04:25 PM

Mdscroller,
On that model saw there are few things that can cause blade whip (blur).
Bad or locked-up bearing. ( check arm support, pitnum arm bearings)
Front blade holder bracket wear. (front cam lever)
Saw out of aligment with motor and arm supports.

VS control - It sounds like you have a couple of issues.
1 - The red on and off switch has short.
2 - 16 point magnet and sensor (by shaft of motor) this tells the control how much power to send to the motor. No signal it will send all the power to the motor which increases speed to around 2500 rpm. Way to fast!! Saw was designed to run max speed of around 1700 rpm. Thats the reason the saw walks or jumps across the floor.

Steve

mdscroller · 10-30-2009, 12:15 AM

Hey guys
still no luck with the switch situation with my saw sent jim at Hawk woodworking tools 3 e mails with no reply about my problem im sure there has to be an after market switch for this saw but i cant find it, any help with this will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Brian

ubgoofy2003 · 10-30-2009, 02:03 AM

Hi, Brian, sorry to hear of your problems. I don't know about your Hawk, but, is your blade alignment OK? Lay a ruler or straight edge next to your blade & turn the motor over by hand to see if there is side to side movement & also lay the straight edge behind the blade and turn it over again to check any movement from back to front. Don't know about the blur, except those blades are all small & you are looking at a black blade against a black line, so it is almost impossible not to have a blur. Sure hope you can get the switch taken care of. If you could find a variable speed foot switch, maybe that would help. Good Luck. -----Perk

marshall · 10-30-2009, 03:00 AM

Mdscroller Welcome , I'm sure their is someone here with the right answer...Good Luck.....

STEVESSAWSHOP · 10-30-2009, 04:12 PM

MDSCROLLER,
Did you check on my list from post #5? If there is an aftermarket switch out there I have never found one. The switch you have was custom made for Rbi. The only thing I can tell you is when I worked for Rbi we would send the switch to Combotronics Inc. for repair. They will repair it BUT IT'S NOT CHEAP. So before I would send it off, I would check everthing on that saw that could cause that problem, minus the VS control.
Combotronics Inc. web site
Combotronics Inc, Repair/Rebuild

mdscroller · 11-01-2009, 01:00 AM

Hey guys

Thanks to all of you for your help, i will use all your suggestions and let you know the end result
Thanks again
Brian

10-07-2009, 07:37 PM	#1
mdscroller Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Hey everyone Hey everyone ,just joined today really like this site ,very informative. Have been scrolling off and on since 1993,am currently laid off.I have an RBI 220vs pro saw ,I am trying to find a variable speed controller as mine no longer works, have contacted RBI last week have not received response, any info on how to fix this will be greatly appreciated.Also how do you remedy the problem of smaller blades that look like a blur when using. thank you

10-07-2009, 08:34 PM	#3
STEVESSAWSHOP Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 69	Welcome to the site!! There are alot of experienced scrollers and helpful people here, it's a great forum. When you say you contacted Rbi do you mean Bushton Mfg.? Rbi is no longer in business. The VS speed control - not working at all or the saw changes speeds and speeds up with alot of vibration? Have you ever had the upper arm rebuilt? The 220vs Pro model used an AC motor (Fasco motor) with a capacitor. Sorry to say but a reastat would not work with this system. What will happen is with a reastat control, is when you put drag on the motor (cutting wood) it will bog down and change speeds, plus the motor will heat up. Let me know. Glad to help!! Steve __________________ Rbi Hawk 220 Rbi Hawk 226 Rbi Hawk G426 Dewalt

10-30-2009, 03:00 AM	#8
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,109	Mdscroller Welcome , I'm sure their is someone here with the right answer...Good Luck..... __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

10-30-2009, 04:12 PM	#9
STEVESSAWSHOP Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 69	MDSCROLLER, Did you check on my list from post #5? If there is an aftermarket switch out there I have never found one. The switch you have was custom made for Rbi. The only thing I can tell you is when I worked for Rbi we would send the switch to Combotronics Inc. for repair. They will repair it BUT IT'S NOT CHEAP. So before I would send it off, I would check everthing on that saw that could cause that problem, minus the VS control. Combotronics Inc. web site Combotronics Inc, Repair/Rebuild __________________ Rbi Hawk 220 Rbi Hawk 226 Rbi Hawk G426 Dewalt

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10-07-2009, 07:42 PM	#2
HAMMER Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KATY, TX. (WEST HOUSTON) Posts: 374	Welcome to the site there are many talented and intelagent people on the site and someone will have the answer for you... As for the varible speed thing check with harbor frieght or northern tool for a reastat to plug the power into this might be a cheep fix..... Not sure what you mean about the blurr thing....if it is because of the size of hte blade several folks here have a magnifier with a light to help..I tried one once but it confused my eyes.... Good luck and Welcome.. I am sure others will have more direct answers for you just hang in there wed. could be a bit slow at this time of day. Hammer

10-09-2009, 02:57 AM	#4
mdscroller Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Hey guys thanks for your input, the blur thing happens when using small blades,there seems to be more side to side action when using which makes the blade look blurry, have tried the magnifier, but can only see it with one eye shut ( the effects of old age i guess ) but yes it is still a blur.The upper arm has not been rebuilt, i sent the e-mail to Hawk woodworking tools, not Bushton, when i turn the saw on it does nothing but hum, when i bypassed the switch it ran to fast, the whole thing jumped up and down any help with this problem will be greatly appreciated . Thanks again guys for the welcome.

10-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#5
STEVESSAWSHOP Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 69	Mdscroller, On that model saw there are few things that can cause blade whip (blur). Bad or locked-up bearing. ( check arm support, pitnum arm bearings) Front blade holder bracket wear. (front cam lever) Saw out of aligment with motor and arm supports. VS control - It sounds like you have a couple of issues. 1 - The red on and off switch has short. 2 - 16 point magnet and sensor (by shaft of motor) this tells the control how much power to send to the motor. No signal it will send all the power to the motor which increases speed to around 2500 rpm. Way to fast!! Saw was designed to run max speed of around 1700 rpm. Thats the reason the saw walks or jumps across the floor. Steve __________________ Rbi Hawk 220 Rbi Hawk 226 Rbi Hawk G426 Dewalt

10-30-2009, 12:15 AM	#6
mdscroller Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Hey guys still no luck with the switch situation with my saw sent jim at Hawk woodworking tools 3 e mails with no reply about my problem im sure there has to be an after market switch for this saw but i cant find it, any help with this will be greatly appreciated Thanks Brian

10-30-2009, 02:03 AM	#7
ubgoofy2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 486	Hi, Brian, sorry to hear of your problems. I don't know about your Hawk, but, is your blade alignment OK? Lay a ruler or straight edge next to your blade & turn the motor over by hand to see if there is side to side movement & also lay the straight edge behind the blade and turn it over again to check any movement from back to front. Don't know about the blur, except those blades are all small & you are looking at a black blade against a black line, so it is almost impossible not to have a blur. Sure hope you can get the switch taken care of. If you could find a variable speed foot switch, maybe that would help. Good Luck. -----Perk

11-01-2009, 01:00 AM	#10
mdscroller Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 4	Hey guys Thanks to all of you for your help, i will use all your suggestions and let you know the end result Thanks again Brian