Post Drill

G'day everyone,
New member & first post. I have a Dawn Model 611 Post Drill which I am trying to get working & the only problem I have left is with the Thread Screw being seized with rust (see photo). Can anyone give me some clues on freeing these parts up - they have been soaking in Kerosene for about a month but no luck yet.
Thankyou
RonAttachment 318940

Hi iRonsforge,

I don't know if this will work have you could try coke cola.
Some people say it remove rust. I do not know how long
you would soak it in coke cola for let me know how you get on.


Graham.

Thanks for the reply Graham - will get some Coke tomorrow & will let you know the results.
Cheers
Ron

Acetone and ATF (auto transmision fluid) makes a great penetrating oil. The acetone allows it to wick into the threads. You mix about 10% acetone to how ever much ATF you use.

Welcome to the forum!
I have one of these drill too.
Given that you have allowed to to soak this long already, I think some heat is needed now (the Kero may help:U ).
Heat up the nut with a gas torch (or on a gas cooker flame) and see if you can appliy force while it is heating up. The idea is to have some diferrential expansion of the nut and the screw happening to 'crack' the rust layer.
What you need, I guess, is to break the bond. The moment you have any movement, apply the force back and forth to ensure you move some of the rust particles. The let it cool enough to get some penetrating oil in the thread without burning it and let it soak in for a few hours - from hot.
The try wriggling it back and forth a little further and reapply penetrating oil. Keep doing that every few hours - or days - until you can unscrew it completely.
Then of course thoroughly clean (wire brush) both parts and screw them back together fully a few times with some lubricating oil to remove any residual rust particles and hoigh spots.
Good luck!

I'd try electrolysis if it were me.

ron

Thanks for the replies fellas. I will let you know what happens - I haven't been in the shed for a couple of days due to the rotten weather. Maybe tomorrow.
Cheers
Ron

There are a few posts on here about restoring dawn 611
Try head and the ATF mix, electrolysis can work but won't clean through paint or grease and dirt buildup etc.

I do all my cleaning up of old tools in plain cheap white vinegar, drill a couple of small holes in the nut area { is that doesn't bother you} to allow for penetration of the fluid, heat the nut as others have said. You can also heat the vinegar up to speed up the reaction.

G'day everyone.
The thread Screw is free & undamaged! A friend ( a metalworker/welder) came around and looked at the siezed thread screw. He advised soaking with Inox, Heating, & applying force to get some movement. After a couple of days this worked & the pieces came apart this morning - rust & hardened grease was the problem. The rust is now being treated with electrolysis.
Thanks again for the advice given - I will file it all for future reference.
Cheers
Ron

Good News!!

Don't forget to post some before and after photos of the drill.

Thanks DESEL74,
I will put before and after photos up when it's all back together. It won't look much different to when i brought it home as I am not doing a restoration but getting it functional & to look like it has been in my Forge all it's life.

Cheers
Ron

Good to hear you got it freed up.

Drill is back together, mounted & working. Before & after photos attached. It doesn't look much different but it works which is what I wanted!

Attachment 319727Attachment 319728Attachment 319729Attachment 319730Attachment 319731

Cheers
Ron