Thread: Dawn 7 Wood Vice

Originally Posted by towndog

This has a piece missing which means that not only does that feature not work but the vice itself will not screw and hold. Does anyone know if this lever can be bypassed? I don't really need a quick release. I just want the vice! Thanks for your help.

I'm not exactly sure, I think it can but I'm also thinking the nut maybe striped of its thread. Have you tried ringing Dawn for advice?
Contact Dawn Tools & Vices Pty. Ltd
Otherwise this Forum may not get as many responses as the HANDTOOLS_UNPOWERED Forum where I'd reckon they'll be someone who can help you out, try posting there.

I think it would be easier to replace than bypass. It's a farly simply mechanism so you should be able to improvise something. I love the quick release option. I thought it would be rather unnecessary but soon changed my mind. Mine is a record 52 1/2. I got around 35 about 5 years ago. It's worth oodles more to my mind

I wouldn't be surprised if you found something similar that works at that price if you are in no hurry. Remember that one day you may need to sell or pass it on and these things are likely to be worth a lot more in good nick in the future

A vice needs to be johny on the spot. You don't want one with issues

As the vise won't move in or out when you turn the handle there is a good chance that the half nut is totally missing. I don't think Dawn stock spare parts for their vises, even current ones. If the nut is missing, try to totally disassemble the vice, or at least get the screw shaft out. Then take that to an engineering suppliers like Coventry Fasteners and see if they have an Acme threaded nut with the correct thread. If Coventry (or whoever) don't have, or can't get a suitable nut they may be able to give you a pointer on who stocks or makes them.

Once you find a suitable nut you can either bodge something together to hold the full nut in place, or carefully hacksaw it in half length ways & file it to fit, restoring the quick release function if you make a replacement lever arm.

I also wonder if a modern copy of the Record No.7 from India or Taiwan might not donate the parts to restore the Dawn.