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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Mullumbimby NSW
    Posts
    180

    Default Sloppy Dawn Bench Vice

    I've picked up a Dawn No. 9 on an old workbench. The vice has timber pads but the outer jaw has a lot of lateral play (4-6mm) and even more vertical play (8mm+). The screw sometimes pops or slips while tightening as well. Mostly the racking when only using part of the jaw makes it a problem. I could make tapered pads or use small inserts to offset this, but I'm wondering whether its worth pulling it off the bench to try to fix it. An underbench inspection does not fill me with confidence that much can be done as I don't see where tightening or adjustments can be made. Anyway, I wonder if anyone has any bright ideas about how i might get this old workhorse into better shape. Thanks.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Canberra ACT
    Posts
    111

    Default

    I recently tarted up an old dawn for my bench. Cleaning the sawdust out of the quick release did wonders for it, it no longer "skips" when tightening. You may be able to shim the holes for the guides, although mine worked fine once I got rid of the surface rust and applied some wax to the guides. IT is not a lot of work to pull it apart, you've got nothing to lose.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,096

    Default

    The screw sometimes pops or slips while tightening as well.
    the spring holding the screw into the lock position is unservicable, not holding the block under the screw into position
    Cheers,
    Clinton

    "Use your third eye" - Watson

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinton_findlay/

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Mainland N.Z.
    Posts
    877

    Default

    Both the state of the half-nut (probably needs cleaning) and spring tension can be issues. The spring tension is adjustable. I'd just take the vise off the bench and give it a bit of "TLC with CRC".
    We don't know how lucky we are......

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Willunga, Australia
    Posts
    735

    Default

    I inherited an old Dawn HD vice but it was way beyond any use. It was just too worn on every surface. It is going down for scrap I'm afraid. Sometimes you simply have to say a fond farewell.

    John

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Mullumbimby NSW
    Posts
    180

    Default

    Thanks everyone for your thoughts and tips. I think I'll pull it apart and at least clean it for one last try before relegating it to the scrap heap. As it happens this year's Tools and Shop issue of Fine Woodworking arrived today with an article on restoring old vices, but there is not much advice on my problem, rather the focus is on solid cleanup and lubricate, with a sentiment similar to Yanis about some being beyond use. Cheers, Charlie

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