Hawk Lower Blade Clamp

[Rockytime]

The bottom clamp on the Hawk 220VS Ultra has a hole big enough to pass a hacksaw blade. Is there a reason for this? Scrolling blades are small. Just wondering. I'm going to make a couple of holders and wondered about the big hole. Also the thumb screw is fine thread. Soft materials like aluminum need coarse threads. Fine threads are used on hard materials. The upper clamp is a coarse thread.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Not sure what you are asking but I never found that holder to be any problems and I have used fine 2/0 jewelers blades and also #12 blades in them. I would not make them, just order a bunch. Not worth the effort in my opinion. Why mess with success. Besides it needs to be large because of the arc of the hole. To center the blade you may need to be off center of the hole so now that hole has shrunk if you are following what I am saying. 

Edited February 4, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Scrappile]

I do not own a Hawk, but I have followed and read about them for years.  Hope to find the perfect deal for me someday.  I have read about the lower clamp and people making their own.  I think Steve Good may sell one or have an article on making the.  I also think Rolf has done something with his.  You might email him and ask. 

I do ask, if you are making some, why out of aluminum?  I hate steel things screwed into aluminum.

[tgiro]

28 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I do not own a Hawk, but I have followed and read about them for years.  Hope to find the perfect deal for me someday.  I have read about the lower clamp and people making their own.  I think Steve Good may sell one or have an article on making the.  I also think Rolf has done something with his.  You might email him and ask. 

I do ask, if you are making some, why out of aluminum?  I hate steel things screwed into aluminum.

Weight - clamps made out of steel (HSS) may be too heavy for the arms on the saw. Might cause extra vibration or damage.

I have some machinist friends who could make steel clamps for my EX-21, because, I'm constantly spreading the bottom clamp from tightening too much. But after we discussed it, we decided against it, because of the weight of the steel.

[Rockytime]

The only reason I would make my own clamps is I've been a hobby machinist for a lot of years and have lots of material, aluminum and leaded steel. I don't like the fine thread in aluminum. Also, not wanting to denigrate Bushton Hawk, they are difficult to order from. Seems nothing is in stock. I had ordered several parts a long time ago. After waiting a month or so and not receiving them I ordered again. I received the parts and then a few weeks later the original order showed up. I never bothered sending the one order back; too much of a hassle. I ordered the articulated blower nozzle kit about a week and a half ago and have not received it yet. I checked on the order status last evening and was informed the the order is waiting fulfillment.  This tells me they do not stock much inventory. Love the Hawks but it tells me they are not quick in taking care of customers. Your experience may vary.

[OCtoolguy]

I know it might be too  much work to try this but why not make the clamp body out of aluminum and then install a steel threaded insert into the aluminum? That would satisfy both problems.

Ray

 

[Rockytime]

I don't think there are inserts that small. A coarse thread works fine in aluminum.

 

octoolguy reacted to a post in a topic Hawk Lower Blade Clamp
11 hours ago

 

[kmmcrafts]

38 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

The only reason I would make my own clamps is I've been a hobby machinist for a lot of years and have lots of material, aluminum and leaded steel. I don't like the fine thread in aluminum. Also, not wanting to denigrate Bushton Hawk, they are difficult to order from. Seems nothing is in stock. I had ordered several parts a long time ago. After waiting a month or so and not receiving them I ordered again. I received the parts and then a few weeks later the original order showed up. I never bothered sending the one order back; too much of a hassle. I ordered the articulated blower nozzle kit about a week and a half ago and have not received it yet. I checked on the order status last evening and was informed the the order is waiting fulfillment.  This tells me they do not stock much inventory. Love the Hawks but it tells me they are not quick in taking care of customers. Your experience may vary.

Had the exact same experience with them on some things I ordered.. which is a big reason as being in business myself.. I will not rely and own just one saw... not only because of Hawk parts being slower to arrive.. not only that.. but this is how most all companies run now days.. they run lean.. ie they don't keep stocked with parts to just sit on the shelves waiting for someone to need one.... No different with me and my business. I make the first clock take pictures.. when the item sells.. I change up my online listing to show it being Made To Order..  and that it may be 14 days before I get it ready to be mailed..

Also, you and I didn't just kick Hawk in the leg by saying that.. because I'm going to say this...

How many other brand of scroll saws do you suppose are out there from 10, 20, 30, years ago still offer parts for your old machine... Think about that.. it may have taken month or so to get your parts.. but you got them... Everything I've ordered for my newer Hawk which by the way is still 20 years old... has arrived within just a few days... SO.. don't shy away from buying a Hawk because of them being slow at getting you parts for a 30 year old machine.. If you're in the business like me.. have a NEW saw.. and or.. a few older saws as a back-up..

Now before the Hegner guys pipe up about their parts being quick... That maybe because they haven't changed the design in 30 years so yeah.. that's a no brainer there that they would have parts for a 30 year old saw, LOL    

[Rockytime]

2 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

Had the exact same experience with them on some things I ordered.. which is a big reason as being in business myself.. I will not rely and own just one saw... not only because of Hawk parts being slower to arrive.. not only that.. but this is how most all companies run now days.. they run lean.. ie they don't keep stocked with parts to just sit on the shelves waiting for someone to need one.... No different with me and my business. I make the first clock take pictures.. when the item sells.. I change up my online listing to show it being Made To Order..  and that it may be 14 days before I get it ready to be mailed..

Also, you and I didn't just kick Hawk in the leg by saying that.. because I'm going to say this...

How many other brand of scroll saws do you suppose are out there from 10, 20, 30, years ago still offer parts for your old machine... Think about that.. it may have taken month or so to get your parts.. but you got them... Everything I've ordered for my newer Hawk which by the way is still 20 years old... has arrived within just a few days... SO.. don't shy away from buying a Hawk because of them being slow at getting you parts for a 30 year old machine.. If you're in the business like me.. have a NEW saw.. and or.. a few older saws as a back-up..

Now before the Hegner guys pipe up about their parts being quick... That maybe because they haven't changed the design in 30 years so yeah.. that's a no brainer there that they would have parts for a 30 year old saw, LOL    

The only other saw I had was a Ryobi. For a while had three Hawks now I have only two. I convinced a friend that he really needed a saw and took the 14" off my hands. I'm sold on the hawk. I can repair everything myself. I'll keep both saws. I do think if I were to find an old Hegner cheap I will be tempted to purchase it.

[OCtoolguy]

13 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

I don't think there are inserts that small. A coarse thread works fine in aluminum.

 

octoolguy reacted to a post in a topic Hawk Lower Blade Clamp
11 hours ago

 

I've seen them in industry. Especially around the electronics fields. I would think they would be ideal for this application. Do a Google search and I'll bet you can find them.

 

[hotshot]

I am excited anytime someone tries something new/cool.  Another friend on this forum who is in the Hawk family made himself and me a set of special clamp knobs that have the rotating tips, yet still fit the original clamps, and they worked in eliminated the twisting of the small blades.  Bushton did not seem interested in helping us out in this regard  (I'm assuming because this issue affects so very few).  So, I envy you folks that have the ability to create and experiment to tweak your tool to your own needs.  Simply Awesome!

On the BM, both clamps use the course thread (or at least the same thread), so that might be an option for you.  For my own use, I would rather the thinner metric threads that are used by the Hegner as I would love to use those clamp knobs.

-------Randy 

Edited February 4, 2018 by hotshot

[amazingkevin]

7 hours ago, octoolguy said:

I know it might be too  much work to try this but why not make the clamp body out of aluminum and then install a steel threaded insert into the aluminum? That would satisfy both problems.

Ray

 

heli coils??

[Rockytime]

It's not worth the effort to mess with heli coils. A coarse thread serves the same purpose.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

hear what you are saying and if it makes you happy make whatever suits your needs. For me I have way too many things to do than to work on something I can purchase relatively cheap. I gave you the answer for the large hole and again if it means anything in your design. Good luck  and show a photo of the finished product.