Thread: Dawn 250mm Wood Vice

For some insight into the Sidchrome bckground, see here. The link mentions the new site in West Heidelberg (Vic). I worked about 50m from that site for about 5 years a while ago and it had signage for Dawn and Sidchrome at the time that I started in the area, but Sidchrome had been sold to Stanley prior to that. Ramset in Aus was part of the the same family business as well. At one stage there was a John Siddons as a Victorian Senator, also from the family.

Interesting??? I just had a look at the little label. It says DAWN on top, then a picture of a vice and then Sidchrome Product underneath. I wonder how old this vice is?

Thanks for that Malb. I wonder if Dawn was a spin off company of Sidchrome they used to promote a line of vices? I've googled but can't find any info on it???

Looks like I didn't look hard enough. It's right here in black and white - Literally!

So it looks like my vice was made somewhere between 1973 and 1991 given that that was the time that Dawn was owned by Siddons Ramset Limited. There is a good chance that it is older than I am and it is really good condition. It is at least 19 years old. They don't make them like they use to.

G'day Wazzbat.

I was National Distribution Manager for Stanley back in the early 90's.

Dawn have been around for many years - 50's or before I would guess - know my Dawn Carpenters vice dates back that far or beyond. Siddons or Sidchrome bought them out but largely the Dawn products changed very little as they were cast at a separate location and some rationalization of the manufacturing was done in West Heidelberg but not a lot.

Stanley then bought Sidchrome and the names all lived on for a while but slowly the products faded away to varying degrees or were replaced with alternate suppliers.

Not sure what level of local manufacture is left if any. Stanley's Proto range was destined to replace the aging Sidchrome facility and product and Korea and Taiwan were seen as the manufacturing places of the future. Think the branding was retained however to some degree.

They were all great pieces of kit though - don't get me wrong. Mind you there is still an element of the dont make 'em like they used to.

FWIW I'd hang on to the Dawn Vice. They are big and robust but you'd be glad of that when you really need it.

Jamie

Thanks Barnesy.

I have decided to hang on to the vice now. I am making up some spacers for it to fit to my new bench. I might have to post up some pices of the finished product. My Father in Law saw my bench the other day and now he wants me to build him one too. He doesn't really care what it costs either! At least now I will have a bench to use!