R.B.I. hawk scroll saw

I have the same saw and I often sit on bar stool when doing a lot of scrolling. You might try a stool. Otherwise, how about adding a simple platform under the rear legs in order to tilt the saw towards you instead of altering the stand?

-- "Measure twice, cut once, count fingers"

My old Delta has an extra piece on the back leg, with multiple holes. If you can find a stool at a good height you might look at adding a piece of steel angle to the back leg to achieve a tilt. Tilting mine definitely helps. I don’t have to lean into the saw to see my cuts. Saves a little wear on the old spine.

-- One of these hammers oughta fix that...

I’m not a scroller but I’m wondering about one of those hippy kneeling benches?

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

I have wanted to try one of these Bertha! They are really supposed to be great when you have to sit a long time. I notice when I scroll saw, if I have to hunch over too much, I also get a sore back. I have my saw up a little higher and I use a stool like Bill does. If I notice my back getting sore, I make sure my feet are under me and resting on the rungs of the stool. This kind of tilts my hips forward and straightens out my back and I feel more comfortable when working. I also stand some of the time and not stay in the same position too long. Take short breaks every once in a while – even to get a drink of water of walk around the shop for a minute. It really helps a lot I think.

Good luck! :)

Sheila

-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"

On most scroll saws you can loosen the front bolts that attach it to the stand, remove the back bolts, place wood between the saw and stand, use longer bolts to go through the wood spacer, and tighten everything back up to the stand. In some cases, if you rise it too much you’ll also need longer bolts up front.
I have four inches under the back of my Delta saw. I have major back issues and can’t scroll with the saw sitting flat. With the rear of the saw raised, I sometimes scroll for hours at a time with no back issues. I can see my pattern to cut without bending or arching my back.

-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/

thanks jocks,I am going to try Williams idea this sounds like a winner i also dig the chair to that may be in the future,i will keep you posted.

-- steve with Grains Of Passion woodworks

Be sure to let us know.
Do you use a foot switch?
If you’re on a budget like me, sometimes things are hard to get. The cheapest foot switch I have found is at Harbor Freight for $12.99. The problem is, when mine bit the dust last week, and Harbor Freight some forty miles away, I was left without a foot switch, which I have become so accustomed to using that I can’t scroll good without one. I went and got a metal gangbox from home depot, a small switch that switches off and on with a push like my old foot pedal did. I got a box cover, drilled a hole in it to mount the switch, and made my own make-do foot switch.
If you’d like to see it, let me know and I’ll snap some photos of it.

-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/

whoops after going into shop to make the change I find that I cant do it because the r.b.i. is actually part of the base,I mean the moving parts are mounted to the base.so I will have to do it from under the base I guess.yes William I do have a foot switch I got it from r.b.i. when I bought the saw and I love it.I also have the light and magnifiying glass which I use every time I scroll even though I can see just fine I find that when I make a mistake looking thru it,it looks bad but with the naked eye you cant even notice it.when I complete the mod. I will post pics

-- steve with Grains Of Passion woodworks

Judy prefers to stand. I made her a plywood height adjustment , she’s pretty short , to get her to a comfortable height , with a standing mat on top of that yet. She usually puts in around 6 hours a day six days a week standing at her saw.

-- mike & judy western md. www. pvwoodcrafts.com pvwccf1@verizon.net

Steve, I found a couple of pictures of whellchair legs for your saw. I know your not in a whell chair but it looks like the legs are adjustable. I don’t know if you can find a set or not but maybe you can make some. I considered buying these when I bought my saw but decided against it because I ws already spending a small fortune on the saw (I have the same one as you). I wish I had bought it now because I could sit in a chair and work instead of on a stool. Good luck!

-- Paul, North Dakota, USAF Ret.

Bushton Mfg bought out the defunct RBI, and their website indicates that wheelchair leg kits are available if anyone is interested. Heres the link http://www.rbiwoodtools.com/

-- "Measure twice, cut once, count fingers"

HEY jocks heres what i ended up doing simply extended the feet about 3 inches eith some 3/8’’ eyelets I had laying around the shop then added a couple of 3/8’’ couplings and put the feet back on.added a plywood streacher to keep the legs from moving inward and then vibrating,I had some ten pound weights I found in the woods out back so bolted them on as well.WOW what a difference there is no vibration whatsoever and the angle puts the table right in my lap while sitting in a comfortable bar stool w/back rest.couldnt be happier

-- steve with Grains Of Passion woodworks

I have one of those goofy kneeling chairs and although I feel silly kneeling in it, it really does seem to relieve pressure in my back. I think mine was $20 or so.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Great idea steve. May have to do the same for mine. Thanks!!!

-- Paul, North Dakota, USAF Ret.

You can replace all the four foot bolts with all thread carriage bolts (6-8”) and rubber caps on the carriage part of the bolt then use double locknuts to set any height or tilt. This saw is known for hardly any vibration excellent blade tension and the ability to change blades easier.The Hegner doesn’t have any real advantage over this saw other than its price!

-- The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. "Helen Keller"