Thread: Dawn No.7 Quick Release

Richard,

I think Dawn still sells parts for the non-QR version. If I were you (and you really want to keep the vise) I'd convert the vise to a non-QR version as I think it would be more trouble than it is worth to fully restore it to full QR operation.

If you really, really, really want, I'll take some photos of the internals of the one I've got.

It's funny you know, I have 2 very old vises 1 of which is restored and mounted on the bench. If anyone had asked me I'd have said I had 2 Dawn 7 QR. I just fortified myself and went down to the shed where it is 4deg only to find that I have a Dawn 9 QR on the bench and a Record 52 1/2A QR. The mechanisms look similar but I lay on the floor and photographed the Dawn to see if it similar enough to pull it off the bench and measure it up for you.
photo attached...
Fletty

Thanks Chrisp, I really like to have it QR, I don't think it will be so bad after all it works up to a point, sort of, if you really,really,really want,and it's not to much trouble,
Regards, Richard.

Thanks Fletty, but ARE YOU NUTS 4 degrees, go to bed, yes its the same and very much the way I had it set up, I think it must be the spring that holds the bar tight against the nut then, I'll have a play tomorrow and see what I can do, to improve the set up, thanks,again,
Richard.

Richard,

Strangely enough, I also acquired a Dawn vice secondhand and it too was slipping. Have a look at to see how I (initially) fixed it:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=54301

and particularly post #29 http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...2&postcount=29 . I did take some pictures of the vise being fitted, but I didn't take any while I had it apart.

The sad part is that the bloody thing is slipping again, hence my comment about it probably being more trouble than it is worth, so I will be taking it off the bench again to have another go. This time I'll think I'll check that the rear side of the vise jaw (where the half-nut presses again) is flat and square.

It'll be (at least) next weekend before I remove it again.

You are on the right track though. The outside bit is just a tab of metal as shown in the picture posted by Fletty. The inside bit that is missing is a clock-work type spring. From memory it was fairly sturdy and had about 5 turns.

I have contacted Dawn about 6 months ago and to their credit they still sell parts for these vices. Sorry no contact details but I googled them
BobT

Hi Chrisp, hey nice work bench,I want to make me one of those, I don't think I can do anything until later in the week, I like the idea of the bracket, but if that is not working now,most probably be better to do what you said, make it fixed, I will have another go at it, I don't give up easy, meanwhile I'll get in touch with Dawn and ask them about parts, (Thanks Oldbob13 for that).
Cheers.

Here's the link to thier website
http://www.dawntools.com.au/tools_range.php

Thanks Woodlee, they say on their website they don't deal directly with the public, so I got in touch with Blackwoods today and they checked with Dawn, there seems to be more then one spring for it, one they call a trigger spring which I think that's the one I need, but also they have another spring "kit" as they call it, they gave me a price for them, the trigger spring $10.and a few cents,and the kit about $12.00 so I have them on order, they couldn't tell me if the kit had the trigger spring in it, or if they are 2 separate things Blackwoods where going to check on that, should get them early next week , they are getting them from Melbourne, and it takes about three days to get to Brissy, I found out that if I clamp something of center in the vice that's when it jumps out, I tried to put a spring between the half nut spigot and the vice body and it improved it a little bit, maybe that's where the other spring goes, as long as the clamping is on center there is no problem, I think that the trigger spring should make a difference, I'm hoping anyway, I will make another bracket to hold the release bar a bit tighter to the nut notch as well, we will see
Cheers, Richard.

Richard,

Here are some photos of my Dawn quick release vise. The model number of my vise is a "250" which I guess is a metric version.

The wire used in the spring on the quick release bar is about 2.25mm diameter.

From my understanding of how the vise works, you shouldn't need a great deal of pressure from the spring. I think the spring should only need to lightly hold the nut in place and the design of the thread and nut is such that the half-nut is drawn on to the thread as it is tightened. What I'm trying to say is that if the nut is jumping out, the problem is probably with the thread or the half-nut rather than insufficient spring pressure.

I have found that ensuring that the front end of the half-nut is square so that it doesn't cant the nut away from the screw as the vise is tightened. I found that in my case the nut was touching on the bottom of the "U" first and tilting the nut away from the screw as I tightened it. I refiled it square so that it pulls up evenly into the thread helps.

The thread is quite "sharp" as seems to be designed to almost cut into the nut with use. If you look at the close-up of the thread you'll be able to see serrations in the thread. I don't know if these are designed to grip the nut or to help clean the nut.

It might be worthwhile checking that the internal sheetmetal cover isn't stopping the nut from fully engaging. In my case the top edge of the nut was touching the underside of the cover. I filed the top fingers down a bit to improve the clearance.

I find these vises rather temperamental to get working right. I'd be interested to here the view of others as to whether the screw should be lubricated or not. Part of me things grease will help, but dirt in the grease will stop the nut properly engaging.

The vise is still off the bench at the moment so if you want any other (or better) pictures, or want some dimensions, let me know. If you want me to send you the full pictures, send me a PM with your email address and I'll email the full pictures.

Chris

Hi Chris, thanks heaps for the pics great job, I had a look, and it seems to slip out when I tightened something on the right side of the jaws, but not on center or left side, on closer inspection, I noticed that the nut moves to the left then moves down wards as if the lever where activated, that's why I thought maybe it needed a stronger spring, funny I was sure the spring was a flat spiral type one, I guess I was wrong about that one, I will check as you suggest to make sure the nut engages fully, the threads look OK, not worn or anything, they engage alright, mine doesn't have any covers on it like yours, the screw cover on yours maybe keeping the nut in place, it doesn't look like there is much room for movement there, I should get my spring tomorrow or Tuesday, I'm taking it to work and will have a play with it, while I'm waiting,
thanks again, really appreciated,
Richard

i have a dawn 52 1/2, and I would say that the flat bar itself is the spring. Having said that, I have the mechanism disengaged at the moment, and can't remember why. I must check that more thoroughly. Bill

OK kids, here is where I'm at, I have the springs(not much for $23.00), I fitted the trigger spring and did not fix the problem, so I decided to make a cover for the screw as yours has Chris, and guess what? fixed,happy as Larry!!, I did put the spring on the nut as mentioned before( A couple of times ),sorry about that had a senior moment I guess, then took it off because it was not needed, it seems the crew cover holds the nut in place, it doesn't have the loose play it had before, so it works for me tried it and tried to fault it no problems, there are som pics below, sorry they are not very clear but you get the idea,
cheers , and thank you all for your info and photos and going out of your way to help