New Hawk BM-226 Just Ordered

[kmmcrafts]

Just placed my order for a BM-226 with all the options.. fully loaded.. even has air conditioning.. probably should have ordered heater instead .. shop's pretty frosty right now at 34F..  .. After the new year.. I'll be having some saws for sale.. gotta thin out the scroll saw herd.. Will be selling a DW-788.. possibly a lightly used EX-21 with pegas upgraded clamps.. maybe.. big maybe.. the old Hawk 220VS.... Definitely keeping my Hawk 226 Ultra..  If anyone here might have any interest you might wanna let me know.. But.. before I sell any of these.. I'll be waiting to make sure the new Hawk is here and set up and tuned.. and running good.. Will also be selling some sanders and many other tools I just don't use.. I would keep them all but really have only been able to run two scroll saws at a time and the others get mad because I'm not using them...   and I need to make room for the CNC router and the laser machine I just bought..  as they'll require a large portion of my woodworking shop..  I'll have a whole lot of new toys to play with in the new year..  The CNC was back ordered and may be Feb or so before I get it.. but the laser is supposed to ship on the 3rd.. Just ordered the Hawk this morning so have no idea on that yet..  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Very nice. Do give us an honest report after you set up and run for awhile. I too need to unload my Dewalt and Hegner. I do not use them hardly any more. I also have a full size shaper I need to take apart and get out of the shop. That thing is a beast that I used only a few times. They make routers and router tables that can do just the same jobs. My furniture making days are well behind me. Have a few other things I need to sell. 

Just curious though why an upgraded Hawk?? You have 2 already. What more could you want from them?? I thought the Hawk was not aggressive enough for you. That saw will not do any more than what the 226 does now. If you get into playing around with moving the blade holder front and back, let us know how that goes. If you are buying for top feeding there are better options. Should be an interesting report being you have both versions and scrolled on both. 

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Very nice. Do give us an honest report after you set up and run for awhile. I too need to unload my Dewalt and Hegner. I do not use them hardly any more. I also have a full size shaper I need to take apart and get out of the shop. That thing is a beast that I used only a few times. They make routers and router tables that can do just the same jobs. My furniture making days are well behind me. Have a few other things I need to sell. 

Just curious though why an upgraded Hawk?? You have 2 already. What more could you want from them?? I thought the Hawk was not aggressive enough for you. That saw will not do any more than what the 226 does now. If you get into playing around with moving the blade holder front and back, let us know how that goes. If you are buying for top feeding there are better options. Should be an interesting report being you have both versions and scrolled on both. 

I went with the Hawk because it is the best made tool I have seen.. with the features and goodies offered in the price range of high end saws.. I don't like the smaller table of the Hegner.. DeWalts last about a week.. and Excaliburs are really no differently made ( mechanical wise ) than a DeWalt.. so I see no real advantage to keeping it around... some may be offended because they love their Excalibur and DeWalts.. I like using them.. but longevity just isn't there for a production type setting.. I do think Hengers are great saws.. looked at a few.. parts aren't cheap.. it would mean learning the in's and outs of using it... all over again.. took me a good amount of time.. fussing with blade configurations etc to get to a point where I actually like using the Hawks not really wanting to do that again with Hegner.. In part also my reason for going with a brand new one is that it has the variable blade adjustment.. my 226 Ultra only has the two position blade holder and the aggressive position is too much.. and the less aggressive not enough..   these two positions the way the saw is designed is quite a big blade movement from the one slot to the next.. I feel if one could be set in the middle of these two position the saw would be perfect.. The older 220 with the round clamps.. cuts almost perfect for my style cutting... but is well worn and needs plenty of repairs to be a production worker saw.. With the new saw this is variable so I should be able to get it dialed in to where I like.. even though I've kind of grown use to the slower pace cutting and being able to maneuver the tight corners better.....  The 226 Ultra is making some squeaking noises from the motor area.. the old 220 needs the arms machined and new wedges.. I intend to fix whatever is going on with the 226 Ultra and maybe later on I'll send the arms in for the 220.. meanwhile.. I want to have a dependable saw so my reason for going with a new one.. work on the issues with the older ones.. sell off the others..  I'm a bottom feeder so that wasn't the issue.. just more about buying a quality saw that'll be dependable for a couple years hopefully without having to do anything to it.. The 226 Ultra was brand new when I bought it two years ago.. but I've found that from sitting for 20 years the grease in the bearings had dried up and got hard.. I've had to replace about every bearing in the thing.. but did't do the big bearing in that block on the end of the motor or the one just inside the motor... I'm thinking this is where the squeaking is coming from.. saw still works flawlessly but stopped using it before I damage the motor or something else..      

[rjweb]

Yes congratulations on your new tools, will be anxious to see how you rate the new saw, because Iggy seem to have a lot of problems with his, have a great holiday and happy new year, RJ 

[OCtoolguy]

I'll be following along too Kevin. Just curious at this point.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

I went with the Hawk because it is the best made tool I have seen.. with the features and goodies offered in the price range of high end saws.. I don't like the smaller table of the Hegner.. DeWalts last about a week.. and Excaliburs are really no differently made ( mechanical wise ) than a DeWalt.. so I see no real advantage to keeping it around... some may be offended because they love their Excalibur and DeWalts.. I like using them.. but longevity just isn't there for a production type setting.. I do think Hengers are great saws.. looked at a few.. parts aren't cheap.. it would mean learning the in's and outs of using it... all over again.. took me a good amount of time.. fussing with blade configurations etc to get to a point where I actually like using the Hawks not really wanting to do that again with Hegner.. In part also my reason for going with a brand new one is that it has the variable blade adjustment.. my 226 Ultra only has the two position blade holder and the aggressive position is too much.. and the less aggressive not enough..   these two positions the way the saw is designed is quite a big blade movement from the one slot to the next.. I feel if one could be set in the middle of these two position the saw would be perfect.. The older 220 with the round clamps.. cuts almost perfect for my style cutting... but is well worn and needs plenty of repairs to be a production worker saw.. With the new saw this is variable so I should be able to get it dialed in to where I like.. even though I've kind of grown use to the slower pace cutting and being able to maneuver the tight corners better.....  The 226 Ultra is making some squeaking noises from the motor area.. the old 220 needs the arms machined and new wedges.. I intend to fix whatever is going on with the 226 Ultra and maybe later on I'll send the arms in for the 220.. meanwhile.. I want to have a dependable saw so my reason for going with a new one.. work on the issues with the older ones.. sell off the others..  I'm a bottom feeder so that wasn't the issue.. just more about buying a quality saw that'll be dependable for a couple years hopefully without having to do anything to it.. The 226 Ultra was brand new when I bought it two years ago.. but I've found that from sitting for 20 years the grease in the bearings had dried up and got hard.. I've had to replace about every bearing in the thing.. but did't do the big bearing in that block on the end of the motor or the one just inside the motor... I'm thinking this is where the squeaking is coming from.. saw still works flawlessly but stopped using it before I damage the motor or something else..      

Oh I agree you are buying a quality saw and reputation of them does precede them. Can you get a lemon, well sure that is anything that has mechanical movement. The other thing is the size you chose. You have a 226 and now you have 2. I bought the first Hawk as a 226 but bought the 220 because most my cutting is not needed for the larger saw. If I occasionally do I still have the 226. What I found is the 220 more compact and less noisy. I understand your thinking and wish you good luck. Happy sawing. 

[JimErn]

Good luck, I'll be watching too for your reviews.

This is kind of like new truck fever, it better not be too contagious [smile]

Jim

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Oh I agree you are buying a quality saw and reputation of them does precede them. Can you get a lemon, well sure that is anything that has mechanical movement. The other thing is the size you chose. You have a 226 and now you have 2. I bought the first Hawk as a 226 but bought the 220 because most my cutting is not needed for the larger saw. If I occasionally do I still have the 226. What I found is the 220 more compact and less noisy. I understand your thinking and wish you good luck. Happy sawing. 

LOL, I have had the 20" and the 26 in my shopping cart on and off contemplating what one to buy for 4-5 days now... Yeah the smaller 20" is more than enough for the projects I do.. and.. I do have the 226 Ultra.. My thought was really at some point I may have a need to just keep one saw if I keep buying other tools and filling my shop up.... The newest one and the one with the variable blade adjustment just made more sense to buy and keep if I were to sell off the others at some point.. and my thinking was.. I have the cash now.. and at some point I decide to let the other two Hawks go and buy another new one.. it will be easier to come up with the $200  less later than right now while I have the funds too... maybe.. LOL

If.. I end up really liking the BM series.. it's very possible I'll sell my Ultra and the 220 and make another purchase for the 20" saw next year..

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I guess there is logic in there somewhere. Good luck. 

[NC Scroller]

To bad you are so far away.  I have a VS 226 Ultra I would give you a super deal on.

[hotshot]

I ran out of room, and though I love my tools, had to destash the Hawk BM26 and Dw788.  I tried to love the Hawk, it just wasn't happening for me, and definitely not suitable to my primary type of work.  The Ex and King are my primary and I have the Hegner for making puzzle boxes and such.  I could have saved you a ton on a Hawk BM26

I really have mixed feelings about Bushton the company,  and there are more than a few things about the BM model that drove me nuts.  Working with Bushton was a mixed experience for sure.  There were design decisions that made me shake my head, and after I spent some time on the saw to get used to the mechanics, it still was not a great user experience for me.  For me personally, there was no magic.  For others, it seems this saw is nothing but awesome, but different strokes for different folks.

Each saw has it's fans and it's critics, so I'm hoping your experience with it is great.  Which laser did you get?

Edited December 24, 2018 by hotshot

[kmmcrafts]

I love all my tools as well.. and I'll likely have a hard time letting some of the stuff go.. maybe I won't... If the BM series is anything like the older Hawks are I'm sure I'll be very happy with it.. I've found some really good deals local on Hawks, and a couple Hegners and I have a reason to buy new..  I love the Excalibur saw it cuts nice and can fine tune the blade to where I like to cut.. My biggest complaint is the blade being so close to the end of the table.. but that is a minor thing and I could build a new extended table top if I wished to.. I think all the hype on the Excalibur that everyone loves them so much was kind of a let down on expectations for me... I first had many issues with the upper clamping system.. the upgrade to the Pegas clamps is a must in my opinion and actually made the saw usable for me.. That said.. many claim I had a defective clamp.. maybe.. still a pretty poor design for a clamp on a pricey saw.. I call it a glorified DeWalt because the only real advantage is the tilting head ( if one does angle cuts which I don't do ).. the other advantage is the blade being adjustable... for cutting aggression... pretty pricey feature to buy over the DeWalt... and the down fall for me is the blade is right at the end of the table.. 

Just goes to show that everyone has a different opinion of their tools and the expectations are different.. I think had I not had the Hawk before the Excalibur.. I'd be much more impressed... 

The laser I bought is just a small toy that I've always wanted to mess with and not anything pricey.. One of the cheap eBay Chinese 40W Co2 lasers.. There is a lot one can do with those things with some mods.. I've researched those for a couple years.. and made extra money this year so figured I buy some tools to play around with that I otherwise wouldn't do.. such as the Hawk and the CNC.. 

The CNC is a Next Wave HD4.. There are reviews about them and the only downfall I've seen is the plastic supports can have some flex as it's not as rigid... If I have a ssue with that I figured I'd make my own supports out of aluminum.. 

[Rolf]

Kevin I too am looking to hear how you make out with the new Hawk. You being a bit of a tool junkie.  

What CNC did you buy with, I am assuming, a laser head also.?

[kmmcrafts]

48 minutes ago, Rolf said:

Kevin I too am looking to hear how you make out with the new Hawk. You being a bit of a tool junkie.  

What CNC did you buy with, I am assuming, a laser head also.?

Rolf, This is the one I ordered.. I bought it local and they was running a special for free upgrade to the water cooled spindle.. I Also added the touch plate feature.. I didn't go with the laser module for the CNC.. thought about it but the power is really limited for the money.. So I went with one of the cheap 40W co2 lasers from eBay then purchased a custom air assist nozzle .. set up right with some tuning and upgraded mirrors the laser will cut through 1/4" wood.. The trick to these not getting burnt edges is.. tuning them.. You can get good edges with these without the burnt edges.. IF one can tune it to run properly.. Also can cut 1/2" acrylic supposedly, LOL but there is quite a learning curve on these and most don't tune them to run efficiently.. they just set up and get them to cut.. not worrying about the edges etc.. I got both machines just as toys and to learn from them.. not really expecting to run production with them at this time.. 

CNC - https://www.rockler.com/cnc-shark-hd4

Laser- https://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-USB-12X8-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Red/153151531963?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 Air Assist-https://www.ebay.com/itm/18mm-Laser-Head-w-Air-Assisted-Ideal-for-K40-Machine/142995089380?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

I've been following this guy on Youtube for quite some time.. He worked with laser machines cutting metal at his job.. and when retired he bought a cheap Chinese laser similar to what I got and he is quite smart about them.. does a lot of testing with them etc..Real interesting to watch his laser videos for sure.. I think I've watched all of them at least two or three times..   I've had a interest for these lasers for a few years.. and decided to spring for one and do some playing myself.. Certainly not a toy to play with if you don't have some common knowledge about them, LOL.. I've always been amazed that they are even allowed to sell some of these open bed ones..  

https://www.youtube.com/user/SarbarMultimedia/videos 

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Rolf, This is the one I ordered.. I bought it local and they was running a special for free upgrade to the water cooled spindle.. I Also added the touch plate feature.. I didn't go with the laser module for the CNC.. thought about it but the power is really limited for the money.. So I went with one of the cheap 40W co2 lasers from eBay then purchased a custom air assist nozzle .. set up right with some tuning and upgraded mirrors the laser will cut through 1/4" wood.. The trick to these not getting burnt edges is.. tuning them.. You can get good edges with these without the burnt edges.. IF one can tune it to run properly.. Also can cut 1/2" acrylic supposedly, LOL but there is quite a learning curve on these and most don't tune them to run efficiently.. they just set up and get them to cut.. not worrying about the edges etc.. I got both machines just as toys and to learn from them.. not really expecting to run production with them at this time.. 

CNC - https://www.rockler.com/cnc-shark-hd4

Laser- https://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-USB-12X8-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Red/153151531963?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 Air Assist-https://www.ebay.com/itm/18mm-Laser-Head-w-Air-Assisted-Ideal-for-K40-Machine/142995089380?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

I've been following this guy on Youtube for quite some time.. He worked with laser machines cutting metal at his job.. and when retired he bought a cheap Chinese laser similar to what I got and he is quite smart about them.. does a lot of testing with them etc..Real interesting to watch his laser videos for sure.. I think I've watched all of them at least two or three times..   I've had a interest for these lasers for a few years.. and decided to spring for one and do some playing myself.. Certainly not a toy to play with if you don't have some common knowledge about them, LOL.. I've always been amazed that they are even allowed to sell some of these open bed ones..  

https://www.youtube.com/user/SarbarMultimedia/videos 

Kevin, I just went to check out the youtube link. It seems he has a bazillion videos. Are they all laser-related or if not, how do you sort out the ones that would be on laser machines? I know nothing so I don't have a clue what videos are pertinent.

 

[kmmcrafts]

2 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

Kevin, I just went to check out the youtube link. It seems he has a bazillion videos. Are they all laser-related or if not, how do you sort out the ones that would be on laser machines? I know nothing so I don't have a clue what videos are pertinent.

 

This is a good place to start.. they play for me in sequence so I just bookmark my last one I watch and go from there... too many for me to watch all in one sitting.. LOL

  

[OCtoolguy]

6 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

This is a good place to start.. they play for me in sequence so I just bookmark my last one I watch and go from there... too many for me to watch all in one sitting.. LOL

  

Thanks Kevin. I knew there had to be a better way.

 

[OCtoolguy]

21 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

This is a good place to start.. they play for me in sequence so I just bookmark my last one I watch and go from there... too many for me to watch all in one sitting.. LOL

  

As a matter of curiosity, how does your laser machine differ from the one in this video? Price/power/capability etc.

 

21 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

This is a good place to start.. they play for me in sequence so I just bookmark my last one I watch and go from there... too many for me to watch all in one sitting.. LOL

  

Thanks Kevin. I knew there had to be a better way.

 

[kmmcrafts]

3 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

As a matter of curiosity, how does your laser machine differ from the one in this video? Price/power/capability etc.

 

Thanks Kevin. I knew there had to be a better way.

 

The one he has is advertised as a 50watt.. however it actually only has a 40 watt tube.. so power is same as what I bought.. These  Chinese laser builders will say they are 50-60 watt but only a 40 watt tube.. and just rate it overclocked.. and running them at full power shortens the life of the tube dramatically..

 His has a larger work bed, has adjustable bed height and a rotary attachment to work with round stock.. All of these are capable with mine other than the larger work bed.. I can stack things under the work table on mine to raise the piece up or whatever.. His is from the same company I believe but the more $$.. I'm on a few laser groups and there are a bunch of guys running these cheap lasers like I got for their business's..   and seem to have great luck with them.. 

[OCtoolguy]

6 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

The one he has is advertised as a 50watt.. however it actually only has a 40 watt tube.. so power is same as what I bought.. These  Chinese laser builders will say they are 50-60 watt but only a 40 watt tube.. and just rate it overclocked.. and running them at full power shortens the life of the tube dramatically..

 His has a larger work bed, has adjustable bed height and a rotary attachment to work with round stock.. All of these are capable with mine other than the larger work bed.. I can stack things under the work table on mine to raise the piece up or whatever.. His is from the same company I believe but the more $$.. I'm on a few laser groups and there are a bunch of guys running these cheap lasers like I got for their business's..   and seem to have great luck with them.. 

I got an advertisement from Woodcraft store today and they are selling what I think is the CNC machine like yours on a $500 discount. It sure sounds like the one you have ordered. If you want, I can scan and send you the ad.

 

[kmmcrafts]

8 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

I got an advertisement from Woodcraft store today and they are selling what I think is the CNC machine like yours on a $500 discount. It sure sounds like the one you have ordered. If you want, I can scan and send you the ad.

 

Yeah they are going to be running a big sale at the new year.. so is axiom brand... axiom is offering a tool box with the stand or something like that.. The $500 discount doesn't come with the water cooled spindle.. I'm in pretty good with the guys at the store where I got mine.. the one guy told me about all the upcoming deals and wanted to know if I wanted to wait.. at that time I was looking at the smaller $1600 one which will be right around $1000 starting the new year.. but the one I got is much bigger work table and the free water cooled spindle is a $700 value.. so I bought that one instead of waiting.. plus.. I was looking for a tax write off for this years taxes LOL..

[Woodmaster1]

Sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun with the new toys. If I had room and extra cash I might take a look at you tools for sale. I am close enough to you, just can't walk around my shop without hitting something. My wife would question my sanity if I bought more tools.

 

 

 

 

 

[kmmcrafts]

25 minutes ago, Woodmaster1 said:

Sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun with the new toys. If I had room and extra cash I might take a look at you tools for sale. I am close enough to you, just can't walk around my shop without hitting something. My wife would question my sanity if I bought more tools.

 

 

 

 

 

Wife tried to have me committed several years ago and found it only made it worst, LOL so then we built another shop.. LOL..  

[Rolf]

A 40 watt laser is not trivial, and focus is very important. I used to cut silicon wafers at my job. We flowed Nitrogen through the nozzle to keep the oxygen out while cutting. The oxygen and laser heat changed the material characteristics. I wonder if nitrogen would eliminate the burning on wood. 

Anyway you made some good choices on the CNC also, with the addition of the touch plate and water cooled spindle.

 

Excellent videos especially the parts about the laser safety.  

 

Edited December 28, 2018 by Rolf

[kmmcrafts]

Well... The laser wasn't supposed to be here until Monday... but it showed up today... I wasn't ready for it just yet.. gotta figure out where the thing's going to be parked at.. Probably won't really mess with it much at all until spring.. I'm really in need of ( work before play at this moment )  because.. I need to build back some of my inventory.. took a hard hit this year.. I'm really looking forward to my new Hawk though.. but as for the laser and the CNC.. they may not even get set up until summer...