Reed 705 Vise?

[MFortie]

Looking to buy a new vise for general auto, off-road toys, and other generalized work. Don’t really need anything I can pound the snot out of something on - at least I haven’t yet. I have a press and SWAG press brake setup to bend stuff. My biggest need at the moment is holding my Fedhill flare tool for the new fuel & brake lines on my ‘67 Chevelle.

I have an older Craftsman mounted on a wooden bench (stationary) that’s OK, but I’m looking to step up. And where it’s at I can’t flare full length lines easily.

I’m going to buy new; not really interested scouring Fleabay, CL, etc.

What’s the consensus on a Reed 705 mid-line? I see them for less than $400.

I can swing the cost of a Wilton, and was considering a C0 or C1. I plan to mount the vise on my Strong Hand Rhino cart so I can move it to wherever I need to work, like outside to flare those lines…

 

[jeepinerdeep]

No feedback on the Reed, I did look at them. I'm looking at this Wilton tradesman special edition for just a touch more....

https://www.trick-tools.com/28806A-Wilton-1755-Tradesman-Vise-5-1/2-inch-with-Hammer-15801

 

[Shiftless]

A Wilton C1 is my daily driver vise. I recommend it highly.

 

[MFortie]

No feedback on the Reed, I did look at them. I'm looking at this Wilton tradesman special edition for just a touch more....

https://www.trick-tools.com/28806A-Wilton-1755-Tradesman-Vise-5-1/2-inch-with-Hammer-15801

I saw that as well. Think the Reed is made in the USA compared to that Wilton. Not certain though…

The Wilton C series are USA, but command lots of $$$. The C1 might be a bit big for where I plan to mount one.

 

[Shiftless]

If you are looking for a new vise and don’t want to go all in for a new Wilton, you might consider a Doyle from Harbor Freight. Lots of guys say it’s pretty good for the money. I like second hand USA vises but to each his own.
You can find good used vises on CL and FBMP but you have to enjoy the thrill of the hunt,

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I saw that as well. Think the Reed is made in the USA compared to that Wilton. Not certain though…

The Wilton C series are USA, but command lots of $$$. The C1 might be a bit big for where I plan to mount one.

For some reason I was thinking the Reed was imported as well but now that I look, I don't have any evidence.

I thought about the C series as well, but they are so chunky I felt like it eliminated any jaw overhang for clamping things vertical.

 

[IndyGarage]

I’m going to buy new; not really interested scouring Fleabay, CL, etc.

Never understood this. You can have a better vise than almost anything you can buy today for a fraction of the cost with a little searching on craigslist, and a couple hours to wire brush and paint it.

The iron is millions of years old in either one, whether cast in a factory yesterday or 75 years ago.

 

[Nessism]

For reasons that escape me, I've been on the lookout for a nice older USA made vice, that I could restore and enjoy. Problem is, used sellers want a LOT of money for a 50 year old hunk of iron these days. A new china made vice is quite a bit cheaper.

A few years back, thanks to a killer deal as found on slickdeals.net, I picked up a china made Wilton 745, and it's a fantastic product. As goes with Apple phones, etc, as long as proper oversight is provided, china made products are not to be feared.

That said, I'd be more than happy to pay the price that Reed is asking for one of these vices, assuming that they are still made in USA. A used Wilton bullet will cost just as much as a new Reed. So why not?

 

[MFortie]

Never understood this. You can have a better vise than almost anything you can buy today for a fraction of the cost with a little searching on craigslist, and a couple hours to wire brush and paint it.

The iron is millions of years old in either one, whether cast in a factory yesterday or 75 years ago.

Well, SOMEONE has to provide vises for future generations!

The reality is what I’ve seen locally isn’t all that great. I don’t enjoy driving around in S. California to search stuff out and I’m looking to make use of a new vise in the near future.

If I was collecting or just wanting to add another vise, I might wait until something nice came down the line.

And I can afford to buy new - be it a new Wilton USA vise or even a Fireball (but I don’t need one that big.). I value my time more than the cost of a new tool.

But everyone’s means and needs are different…

 

[Nessism]

Ah, yes, Fireball! They sell plans for a "midsize" vice, which translates to something like 75 lbs, which I'm going to buy. My welding skills need to improve before I can build something like this, but it just looks like a fun project.

 

[IndyGarage]

I just looked on my local Craigslist, and I must admit they are asking crazy prices for good used vises. You used to be able to find them for 50-75 now they seem to be 200 and up.

 

[paulsomlo]

I saw that as well. Think the Reed is made in the USA compared to that Wilton. Not certain though…

The Wilton C series are USA, but command lots of $$$. The C1 might be a bit big for where I plan to mount one.

Nope - the Reed is not USA. If you can afford a new Wilton Bullet, go for it, I doubt you'd regret it.

 

[paulsomlo]

You might take a look at this: https://www.equipmentsalesandsurplus.com/product_p/sur-28806.htm

It's a Wilton Tradesman 1755 for $395, free shipping, appears to be cosmetic blem. I don't know anything about the seller, but if they're legit, that's a deal.

 

[MFortie]

You might take a look at this: https://www.equipmentsalesandsurplus.com/product_p/sur-28806.htm

It's a Wilton Tradesman 1755 for $395, free shipping, appears to be cosmetic blem. I don't know anything about the seller, but if they're legit, that's a deal.

While the website looks legit (and the vise a great deal), their FB reviews give me doubt. Maybe too good to be true?

Missed that ‘imported’ line on the Reed. I’m checking on that Morgan but think I’ll pull the trigger on a Wilton C0.

Didn’t mention it before, but I have $500 in Visa gift cards from a client that basically halves the price of a Wilton…

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have a Wilton C1 vise and have been pretty happy with it.

 

[Steve_P]

First, look at the vise destruction tests on YouTube- I think both Torque Test Channel and Project Farm did them. You'll see that pretty much any current import vise will endure 10X more than any sane individual will demand from it. So then it's down to cost, size, machining quality, etc.

The Yost ADI are extremely nice for the $, and very well made; I have several. There is no reason to look for a used vise IMO, unless you can't buy what you want new, or you want a project. I looked for a used Wilton in my location for over a year on CL and it was all beat up junk at ridiculous prices; I gave up and bought new.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

You might take a look at this: https://www.equipmentsalesandsurplus.com/product_p/sur-28806.htm

It's a Wilton Tradesman 1755 for $395, free shipping, appears to be cosmetic blem. I don't know anything about the seller, but if they're legit, that's a deal.

That direct link will still work but it's gone from the specials page because......I ordered it.

While the website looks legit (and the vise a great deal), their FB reviews give me doubt. Maybe too good to be true?

Missed that ‘imported’ line on the Reed. I’m checking on that Morgan but think I’ll pull the trigger on a Wilton C0.

Didn’t mention it before, but I have $500 in Visa gift cards from a client that basically halves the price of a Wilton…

If you are going C series, I'm giving the Tradesman deal a shot. I ordered Paypal just in case.

 

[MFortie]

That direct link will still work but it's gone from the specials page because......I ordered it.

If you are going C series, I'm giving the Tradesman deal a shot. I ordered Paypal just in case.

Let us know how it turns out. Great deal if it’s legit.

I’m not an overly trusting soul when it comes to ‘net purchases. I got a hinky feeling after reading some ‘reviews’ on their FB page. Hope I was wrong!

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Let us know how it turns out. Great deal if it’s legit.

I’m not an overly trusting soul when it comes to ‘net purchases. I got a hinky feeling after reading some ‘reviews’ on their FB page. Hope I was wrong!

Ah, I see that now. I think that just means they got spammed with reviews. WA to PA ground should take a while, so I'll report back.

 

[Nessism]

As much as I hesitate to say it, the Harbor Freight Doyle 6" seems to be the best value going. It's 68 lbs, so it's got some serious beef. Ductile iron. $229, less if you can find a coupon. The reviews I've seen have suggest it's very decent.

Doyle vice = Daytona floor jack???

 

[deezil]

The Doyle 6.5 and 4.5 are both beefy and worth getting especially if you hate to beat on your vintage vises.. I just bought another 6.5 and a 4.5 this weekend when they had the 25% off on them. $172 for 70lb 6.5" and $92 for the 45lb 4.5" vises. My fathers getting the other 6.5 and I'm going to use the 4.5 in my garage.

 

[Consistently Lubed]

I’m going to buy new; not really interested scouring Fleabay, CL, etc.

Got to be honest man, there are so many great American made vices on FBMP that you can get for the same price as a new foreign one. They will last you your whole life and are built like a brick **** house. Good piece of history too.

It bet it would take you one hour of searching.

 

[Nessism]

The Doyle 6.5 and 4.5 are both beefy and worth getting especially if you hate to beat on your vintage vises.. I just bought another 6.5 and a 4.5 this weekend when they had the 25% off on them. $172 for 70lb 6.5" and $92 for the 45lb 4.5" vises. My fathers getting the other 6.5 and I'm going to use the 4.5 in my garage.

Just bought one with the 25% off coupon.

Can't see paying $400+ for a beat up 50 year old vice out of the used market.

 

[Nessism]

Got to be honest man, there are so many great American made vices on FBMP that you can get for the same price as a new foreign one. They will last you your whole life and are built like a brick **** house. Good piece of history too.

It bet it would take you one hour of searching.

I've been watching eBay, craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, etc, for months, and it's frustrating as hell trying to find something that isn't beat to ****, and less than $400.

As an aside, there is a Fireball Tools video where he beat the **** out of both a Morgan and a Wilton, and frankly, they didn't hold up all that great. Yes, yes, torture tests are abusive and not real, but it does speak to how good the materials are.

And where I work we have old vices all over the place, and all of them are pretty sloppy and loose. Functional, for sure, but for $400 on the used market?

 

[Consistently Lubed]

I've been watching eBay, craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, etc, for months, and it's frustrating as hell trying to find something that isn't beat to ****, and less than $400.

As an aside, there is a Fireball Tools video where he beat the **** out of both a Morgan and a Wilton, and frankly, they didn't hold up all that great. Yes, yes, torture tests are abusive and not real, but it does speak to how good the materials are.

And where I work we have old vices all over the place, and all of them are pretty sloppy and loose. Functional, for sure, but for $400 on the used market?

Yea that’s understandable. I’ve seen that video too. Just found this Colombian near me for 45. If you’re interested I’m sure you could get it mailed to you and pay under 120.

 

[deezil]

The last few years have been slim pickens for decent vintage vises around here for me. I collected and restored them like crazy for several years. Mostly old Yost, Columbian and Athols from defunct machine shops around the Greater STL area. Then sometime a few years back worn cracked and beat up vintage vises started commanding huge money. Now they just sit stagnant on FB MP for ridiculous amounts of money. Folks even think worn out import Wiltons are worth 95% of what a new one can be had for. Occasionally I find something vintage for a far price but last year it only happened one time and it involved Brazing to get it back into working condition. I'm sure fair prices are out there but they are dwindling. The above Doyle vises are a decent and so far Proven alternative. The Yost 460hd and the 480hd are fantastic as well. I do not have any experience with the non hd yost lineup. But they seem to get decent reviews.

The Sata line of bench vises are legit as well. They have a very nice heavy industrial quality set of 4,6 and 8" vises.

If you need to get a smaller jawed heavy duty bench vise of fantastic quality the Yost 203 and 204 sold on Amazon are well worth it. I've used a Yost 204 Daily for 30 years at the shop I work at. It a 50lb not soblittle little monster with a 6.5" opening! They are made in Tiwan now but still have the same specs as the old versions. All ductile iron and the 204 is over 50lbs. We bought a few of the 204's when they dropped to $110 shipped around November. They are $148 now They are just as nice and heavy as my old one. I treated my old one to a cleanup and repaint last fall. I'll try to post a pic.

 

[Nessism]

Yea that’s understandable. I’ve seen that video too. Just found this Colombian near me for 45. If you’re interested I’m sure you could get it mailed to you and pay under 120.

Thanks for your offer. Since ordering the Doyle, I'm not in "need" for another vice at the moment. I do appreciate the thought, though.

 

[paulsomlo]

That direct link will still work but it's gone from the specials page because......I ordered it.

If you are going C series, I'm giving the Tradesman deal a shot. I ordered Paypal just in case.

It looks like they're out of stock now - apparently, there weren't too many of them.

 

[wrenchr]

Buy the doyle but keep an eye out for your holy grail vise and be ready to pounce. I went years with a china craftsman on my bench and one day stopped at a yard sale and on the ground sat a 5 inch wilton bullet vise. I paid $80.00 for it. I gave my craftsman vise to my cousin and mounted the big ole Wilton on my bench where it still sits. Been around 10 years now.

 

[IndyGarage]

I usually find 2-3 good old vises a year. I found a 6 inch Wilton a few months ago, fixed it up and put it on my bench. It weighs over 200 lbs. I've used it a few times, but it's honestly too big. I think the sweet spot for a home shop vise is 4 to 4 1/2 inches.

 

[Steve_P]

People that live in the rust belt think that their great vintage USA vise deals are available everywhere - they're just not. The entire US wasn't making, and supporting manufacturing car parts, etc, 30+ years ago. Areas in the south were primarily textiles- socks, shirts, towels.... and had nearly no heavy industry like machine and fabrication shops. I'm sure I could find more commercial sewing machines deals than vise deals in my area; 30+ years ago that was the industry here. And this myth that vintage cast iron is somehow magical is just not true. Many of the same people that preach this also trust their lives to Chinese jack stands, but somehow an import vise is garbage; they're just not. I have a ~50 year old Columbian Craftsman vise and it's fine. But my Yost ADIs are 10X nicer as far as having a geared base, 1% of the slop in the dynamic jaw, etc. The ADI is probably stronger also, despite the lighter weight, since they're made from a much stronger material.

If the screw will break before the casting does, and it takes a 3' long pipe, or extension, to break the screw, then it's strong enough; and most of the import vises meet this criterion.

 

[tool_scrounge]

What is odd is Southern California has a lot of quality used vises forsale. Over The last year I posted 10 vises I saw on FBM and Craigslist in the Hot Deals section that were well priced and I did not buy myself. Now Wilton combination vises are less common, but I still saw C1‘s with nice welded stands in the $3/lb range.

 

[RTM]

What is odd is Southern California has a lot of quality used vises forsale. Over The last year I posted 10 vises I saw on FBM and Craigslist in the Hot Deals section that were well priced and I did not buy myself. Now Wilton combination vises are less common, but I still saw C1‘s with nice welded stands in the $3/lb range.

let’s not interrupt with reality here.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is something from the San Diego Craigslist.
This guy might have a few left.
In the front I see a very collectible Craftsman Industrial quality sold of course by Sears.
It is a member of the very desireable 519x family. Looks to me like maybe a 5196 or maybe a 5195. They were made by Rock Island back in the late 40’s or early 50’s.
Sure, it’s rusty but a few hours of work and a can of spray paint and it will be a great user and something that you can sell anytime for big money. It is quite well built and Highly collectible in the vintage vise world.
In the back I see a good sized Wilton bullet.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/for/d/ramona-vise-vises-usa-made/7697787226.html

 

[jeepinerdeep]

It looks like they're out of stock now - apparently, there weren't too many of them.

Thank you. It was a great deal and good company.

 

[MFortie]

Congrats!

I ended up pulling the trigger on a Heuer 140mm. Liked what I saw on the destructo vids. I'll keep my eyes open and probably add a used C1 down the road...

Is there a cure for the vise virus?

 

[paulsomlo]

Thank you. It was a great deal and good company.

So, does it appear to be a cosmetic blem?

 

[paulsomlo]

Congrats!

I ended up pulling the trigger on a Heuer 140mm. Liked what I saw on the destructo vids. I'll keep my eyes open and probably add a used C1 down the road...

Is there a cure for the vise virus?

That should get'er done - post up a review when you get it in.

Yes there's a cure - you'll either run out of money, or space.

 

[Nessism]

Thank you. It was a great deal and good company.

Sorry for the sacrilege, but that Wilton looks very similar to the HF Doyle 6" I just received. It's a beast. Heavier than the 1755 Wilton. Almost no play in the dynamic jaw or screw. I'm please.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

So, does it appear to be a cosmetic blem?

Not that I can tell. The orginal Wilton blue box was to war and back, but the vise is good. It was very well packed in what was left of the blue box, then hard foam then another outer box with heavy taping. It was sold as "surplus". Maybe a floor model, maybe open box, who knows.