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  1. #1
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    Dec 2007
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    Default Dawn 4” Filer Refurb.



    As I understand it this is an earlier model, The later model as shown in the 1967 Cat. has hardened inset jaws.

    It isn’t featured in the 1969 and onwards Catalogues.

    Someone I talk to in NSW has had both versions.

    The jaws on mine have some inclusions on the front jaw face and are a bit rough and unequal on to. Someone has been brazing in it at some point and maybe a bit of weld on top edge of the jaws.

    I’d like to have these cleaned up on a mill at some point.



    Despite the beating both the handles have copped the vise seems overall in really good condition regardless of its age and the movement is quite tight with no noticeable slop.



    A bit of heat from the Oxy and I should be able to improve the handles.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  2. #2
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    Default

    Inside of the front jaws as mentioned earlier.


    The underside of the body and the jaw have a 2 & 3 stamped in them.



    I haven’t figured out how two take the vice apart yet the jaw doesn’t wind all the way out it hits a stop or something I’m yet to discover.


    Plan is to completely strip the vice down and give it a Birthday.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  3. #3
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    Default

    A photo my friend in NSW just sent me of his with ground and hardened jaws.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  4. #4
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    Jul 2016
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    Default

    Id be tempted to mill both jaws out to fit hardened inserts like that top photo, itd get rid of most of that abuse and brazing too.

    Good score though!

  5. #5
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    I don’t have access to the equipment to do that but I think it will be my long term plan.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
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    71
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    Default

    Hi Dale,

    That is one nice looking vice. I imagine you have another vice and if so the filer vice could be left to fulfill its intended purpose. I have had my Record vice for close to twenty years and I don't think I have ever used it while filing without aluminium angles covering the original steel jaws.

    What about a pair of solid aluminium jaws rather than hardened steel ?

    Bob.

  7. #7
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    Default

    I have plenty of vises & vices Bob.
    I do most of my work in a Blacksmiths leg vice, I have an old crusty engineering vice for the welding bench, and a nice 4 1/2’SP Dawn engineering vice on my workbench. This was acquired for its intended purpose and will be used mostly for filing steel. Although a set of aluminium soft jaws won’t mar the work I was worried about getting steel filings imbedded and that causing marks.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  8. #8
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    Look straight handles, just like magic!


    Even better




    Light red? Not quite original 🤫
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Dean,

    I see you found the split pin

    Sneaky way of stopping people taking them apart !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  10. #10
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    Yep and it’s pretty tight in there, I also surprisingly discovered I don’t own a pair of needle nose pliers.
    Although it wasn’t the split pin that was causing me issues with dismantling the vice earlier. That was a ding on the end of the front jaw slide stopping it from winding all the way out. A little draw filing remediesd the situation.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    12

    Default DAWN FILER VICE - locking mech pics

    Hi
    I also have a Dawn filer in need of refurb.
    Mine has the base but that is all no other parts to lock the vice to the base.
    Been trying to figure out what the locking parts look like but have found no pics.
    This is an old thread but woudl you perhaps have a picture or rough sketch of how the base locking mechanism works?
    Thanks a bunch

  12. #12
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sheraton View Post
    Hi
    I also have a Dawn filer in need of refurb.
    Mine has the base but that is all no other parts to lock the vice to the base.
    Been trying to figure out what the locking parts look like but have found no pics.
    This is an old thread but woudl you perhaps have a picture or rough sketch of how the base locking mechanism works?
    Thanks a bunch
    ‘If you look at the photos in post #8. You will see all the parts. The nut is obvious with the sliding T handle. The bolts are shown in the grey tub.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    12

    Default Dawn Filer

    Oh yeah I see. Much simpler than I imagined. Thanks a bunch for letting me know. Cheers

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