Thread: Dawn QR vs standard vice.

I have an el cheepo QR vice and have to admit the QR is not worth the time it saves. I have learned to live with mine by holding back the QR catch while I tighten the vice. It gets me by but I would have saved money as well as hastle getting a strait screw vice. One of those things where simple is better.

Originally Posted by Woodin

Hi All

I'm about to get my hands on a used Dawn 175 quick release vice but I'm a bit hesitant as I was recently informed that the the QR version is not as robust as the standard ones (non-QR). Issues with the jaws slipping when being tighten and more moving parts, more prone to malfunctions.

Is this true or simply nonsence? I want to believe that this is only happening to the el-cheapo brands but not on the Dawn. Any advice would be good.

Woodin

Hi Woodin,

I have a Dawn vice, a 52 1/2. Not sure how that compares to the 175, but mine is really a great piece of kit. I recessed one jaw into the top of my bench when I built it and I wouldn't be without it.

I know the Dawn vices are not cheap, but as my old Dad always said to me "buy the best you can afford". That philosophy has served me well.

Regards,

Anthony

I used a dawn QR vice as a apprentice + three years afterwood 7 years, it was bought for me by my boss to go on my new bench, I used it all day every day. Things were a lot more hands on back then, so it got a workout, nothing ever went wrong with it during the 7 years. I persnonaly own one and it too has never given trouble.

I've got 3 that came out of school woodshops a 8 and 2/225 (I think - bit late to go and check) - rock solid and no probs at all - if the young of the tribe can't destroy them they're pretty tough

Neil