I’m going to look at this saw this afternoon. Seems like it is not variable speed, I was surprised. Anyone have this particular model and can give me some feedback on it?? On my small Delta, the variable speed is pretty important. Is it less so on this much better saw? Current owner didn’t see any need for VS.
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
Afternoon Jamie..
The RBI is a very well built (in the U.S.A. by the way) and well thought of scroll saw.
But.. I would be a little leery of no variable speed as delicate action is needed on fret-work and a more aggressive action on thicker hard-woods with many task in between! I personally think that having no variable speed (are you sure?) puts limits on the versatility of the machine and RBI is well thought of in the Scroll World. I know the new G-4 have the variable, but don't know on the 220-3?
If you get a scroll saw, I would suggest you go to some of the scroll sites and do some extensive reading. Regardless of how experienced a WW is.. you step into "another world" with these scroll saw guys and gals as it has a set of "do's.. don'ts and maybe's" that only the experienced can deliver to you.
You might visit the Flying Dutchman's site http://www.mikesworkshop.com and snoop around. Mike sells the tauted Flying Dutchman blades and there are many links there that can lead you to enlighten-ment IMO. And I may add.. enlightment in this arena won't come over-night! :>)
I'm fundamentally a newbie to scrolling, but have Ron Brown who is considered somewhat of a guru nearby to bail me out when I get in over my head and that at the moment is daily. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..
Good luck, ma'lady...
Sarge..
Hi, Sarge, how are ya? I already have a scroll saw -- the small Delta (Shopmaster) and it works pretty darned good, LOL! And I always suggest Mike's Flying Dutchman blades whenver anyone posts about scroll saws -- once you've tried one, you'll never use anything else, right?!
I guess Hawk still sells a 220-3, and it is variable speed. However, there's absolutely nothing (that I can find) in the owner's manual about speed changes. I know at least one member with a newer 220-3 that has 3 speeds (hence the "3"?) by changing the belt around.
I may have to go look at this saw to see if she knows whereof she speaks.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hey Jamie...
"I may have to go look at this saw to see if she knows whereof she speaks".. FG
I definitely would have a look at it and not make a commitment without calling RBI tomorrow when they re-open to get any un-answered questions answered by the source itself. Sounds as though you've found a bargain with intention to step up the quality ladder with the RBI and indeed you would be doing that.
Be careful now.. give a good woman a good scroll saw and good instruction on how to use it and you have the beginnings of prevalent addiction I have detected around this "scroll saw crowd". Catch that community disease and KNOTS could have it's own:
SCROLL-SAW MAMA in the making....
Regards for the occasion...
Sarge.. john t
Edited 9/3/2007 6:46 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
I done bought it, Sarge. See this post. Scroll-sawing is a little too tedious for me to get really sucked into it, but I'll be glad to have a good saw to work with for Christmas ornaments and such. My grandson's really into dragons right now, I was going to pull out some dragon patterns and see if I can make him a clock, or a crystal-ball holder or something. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Evening Jamie...
Enjoy and from what I am guessing you paid knowing you.. I think it will pay for itself with money saved with custom built Xmas presents. I am curious to know if it was VS or not? I haven't had a good look at the RBI's other than the G-74 yet, but an opportunity to pick up a tid-bit of info on any tool doesn't usually go over-looked. :>)
Again.. enjoy as I too think of scrolling as somewhat tedious, but then again I'm not making those intricate designs that I do see come from the dedicated scrollers. They have my full respect for nothing else than patience alone.
Regards...
Sarge..
Edited 9/3/2007 10:46 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Edited 9/3/2007 10:46 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Sarge, to quote from my earlier post:
I paid $250, but that's alot less than the $430 the last one went for on eBay! ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Morning Jamie...
Sorry, I missed the wording in the post (getting old). Ya stole it... I paid $225 for a factory reconditioned DW 788 through a freind that is a customer service rep for DW here at the large CS center. The going price for reco is about $280 I believe.
Best...
Sarge..
That's a great price on the DeWalt, no?? forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yes.... :>)
Off to work we go...
Sarge..
speed on RBI 220 scrollsaw
Hi, I just came home with a used saw I purchased from a private party. I know nothing about these units, but am starting the hobby and they look well made. After a little inspection and being surprised there was no variable speed control, I looked under the unit, the speed is adjustable by removing and rotating the drive pully.It is self explanitory, there is a large and small diamater pully cast as one unit. it must be removed and turned around,I guess I will have to look around and see if I can find an owners manual or a parts breakdown for this saw.I dont know what the speeds will be. but I think I will probably invest in installing a variable speed controller for the motor myself. I dont know if they make them for these saws but I am sure I will be able to come up with something aftermarket at the very least.I am going in for spinal surgery soon, and wanted a hobby for my recouperation, I hope I do as well as all the wonderful things I've seen done in the scrollsaw magazines, wish me luck, and good luck with your speed control
Hi Forestgirl,
Sarge is spot on. Variable speed is important. For doing extremely delicate fretwork I like the control a slower speed gives me. Plus, it's better for cutting soft metals.
Paul
I have a Hawk 220 with variable speed. I would not consider a scroll saw without variable speed. The company has a website and is reponsive to customer's questions. I believe the scroolsaw has been done wrong by poorly done crafts, many with poor designs. A scrollsaw is great for the shop.
I bought the Hawk. It does have variable speed, changed by moving the belt onto a different pulley. She didn't know that, I didn't tell her. Don't know why in the world there's nothing in the owner's manual! Bizarre. (At least when I searched the PDF for "pulley" and "speed" I didn't get any hits)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Gee, Anxious to see which will be more addictive! The Lathe or the Scroll saw ? My bet is Turn,Turn,Turn/ Simon & Garfunkle.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Oh man, I have no doubt at all Bruce -- The Dark Side, spinning, will be far more addictive. I've done enough scroll-sawing to know it holds little enchantment for moi. But simply reading about turning a bowl gets me drooling.
I've gotta start a thread about rehabbing those turning tools that came with the lathe. Really eager to give it a spin, so to speak. ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
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