More on Vintage Reed Vises

[DCRUTT]

I have been trolling thru many of the old threads regarding restoration of the Reed vises, particularly the 104 and bigger. I greatly appreciate all the posts and work done by gregthor. Among the Reeds I own are (2) 104s, a 314, a 105, and a 106R. I have picked the 106R to be the first for a restoration. As you can see by the photos, the lead screw on the 106R is not original. Someone did a good job getting it to look normal and operable, although the main nut wasn't secured very well and it would take about 5 turns of the handle before the jaws would begin to move. One bit of info I could not find in any of the posts was the thread size of the split-nut that secures the handle/lead screw in the dynamic jaw. Best guess is that it is 2 5/8"-12. My vise has had the split nut replaced with a "filler plug" in the dynamic jaw secured in the same way as the original spit nut would have been. Then there is a retainer collar and set screw over the lead screw securing this assembly. Very similar to the way the older of the Reeds did. This arrangement works well I suppose (securing the main nut will not be a difficult issue to fix) but I would like to at least attempt to bring it back to it's original arrangement.
Just one more thing...I see that the older Reeds used the pin and set screw to secure and take up slack from the rear of the main nut. Why would they have abandoned this technique for the method of just pinning the main nut tight into the stationary jaw casting?
Thanks for all your help!
-David

 

[drivesitfar]

David,
I own a few Reed vises and I really like their "old school" look. I don't have your exact vise so I won't be able to help much with the questions you have so far, but i'll watch the thread and see if I can help later.

also I know most of the guys that are able to help you might also have bad eyes like me and could use bigger pictures and more of them. any chance you can open or have a www.Photobucket.com account to store pictures there and bring over links that will get bigger pictures on your thread? Send me a PM if you need a little help with that or load up a bunch of pictures from all angles of your vise and answers to your questions might get the answers you need to proceed. here are your pictures I saved to Photobucket and posted a link here and you can see a little difference? if you save the originals the pictures will be even bigger.

good luck and welcome to GJ

 

[EOC_Jason]

The only person that could answer your question on the split-nut is someone with an actual 106... (Which there are quite a few here so hopefully they will see this thread).

As for the fancy set-screw setup to keep the main nut tight in place... They probably switched it to the plain old pin design to save money and reduce costs. My older 4C has the set-screw design, but my newer 4C has just the small pin. If yours ever gets slack you can just push the pin out, bend it some, then put it back. My 4C has very little slack, especially considering the size.

You can also try contracting KMScott, he has a bunch of broken vises that he salvaged. Maybe he has some parts you could use? You never know...

 

[KMScott]

DCRUTT
I bought two big Reed's before the Colorado collection. The Reed 106 I have is in excellent condition but missing the nut so I purchased a 206-R for the screw only. I will have to drag these out before getting you any information you need. Maybe post more pictures of what you are looking for or what is missing, the Split Nut?? I am curious to what the split nut looks like. I will look into it this weekend.
Kevin

 

[EOC_Jason]

The split nut / collar / ring on the new style Reed's. It screws in the front of the dynamic jaw to hold the main screw in place. Then you screw in that little set-screw on the side to hold it in place.

 

[KMScott]

Looks like my 206R is built this way, it is to bad the spindle and dynamic jaws is brazed, this is a heavy vise. The 106 might be older and have the collar set / set screw setup. I'll post pic's tomorrow. Thanks Jason

 

[KMScott]

DCRUTT
Check the pictures and see if you can use anything. What the previous owner did was braze up the screw where the split washer went, the nut is missing and close to the same size as yours.The brass acts like a bushing for the set screw to rub on. Seems like this owner lost or broke his split nut like yours. I think the screw is OK if the handle is removed and the brass machined off. The handle is straight and can be used on other vises, I might not want to give it up. I do not know if I can help you. If so then PM me.

Jason the Reed 106 that I bought for $60 without the nut is very clean, the 206R I purchased for $40 has the nut that works perfectly for this vise. This will make a nice heavy vise. The solid jaws are pretty much perfect. Uses the collar with the set screw under neath for the screw. Little weld splatter that will clean up easily. I need to clean this on up. Just to busy making vise parts. I wonder what the original date and color is.

 

[Brad54]

DCRUTT
I bought two big Reed's before the Colorado collection. The Reed 106 I have is in excellent condition but missing the nut so I purchased a 206-R for the screw only. I will have to drag these out before getting you any information you need. Maybe post more pictures of what you are looking for or what is missing, the Split Nut?? I am curious to what the split nut looks like. I will look into it this weekend.
Kevin

If you end up parting out that 206-R, I'd like to get the swivel lock-down nut assembly.

-Brad

 

[DCRUTT]

Thanks for all the pics and feedback. I'd put addition pics of how mine was modified but I have it all in the parts cleaner at work. Kevin, I find it interesting how your PO braced up the screw head. It is sorta like my set up but my PO used the set screw to hold the plug as apposed yours used to retain the lead screw head.
I'd still like to give a shot at making the split-nut if I can find out the thread size. Thanks to all so far!

 

[golovin]

Do you have a main screw that will fit a Reed 206 vise, for sale?

Thanks Don

 

[Razorhunter]

I need an entire swivel assembly that would fit a 406R, if anyone can help. I think an older 4C or 206 swivel assembky would work too. Crossing my fingers guys!

 

[Rscapes]

When my father passed away 3 years ago I was fortunate enough to inherit the contents of his 1200 square foot Workshop. Two of those items in particular for a Columbian d-45 M4 with 4in jaws and appears to be seven and a quarter inch opening. The other was a Reed No 4 1/2 Erie PA USA Pat No 2117008. The Reed has a 1/2 inch round by 3/4 inch tall protrusion on the non movable jaw about 4 in back from the Jaw. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this protrusion was used for? I will definitely be restoring both of these vices as they're in great condition other than paint and surface rust. No cracks, no real dents, no signs of abuse. If anyone can help me answer this question I would really appreciate it thank you very much.

 

[454ragtop]

Rscapes, welcome to the forum. Sounds like your Reed might be a swivel jaw model. Can you post some pics? The pin is tapered, and holds the swivel jaw straight if swiveling is not desired.

 

[Razorhunter]

Rscapes, you actually have a Reed model 404 1/2. The 400 series vises were the rear swivel jaw models, as 454 has stated.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

When my father passed away 3 years ago I was fortunate enough to inherit the contents of his 1200 square foot Workshop. Two of those items in particular for a Columbian d-45 M4 with 4in jaws and appears to be seven and a quarter inch opening. The other was a Reed No 4 1/2 Erie PA USA Pat No 2117008. The Reed has a 1/2 inch round by 3/4 inch tall protrusion on the non movable jaw about 4 in back from the Jaw. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this protrusion was used for? I will definitely be restoring both of these vices as they're in great condition other than paint and surface rust. No cracks, no real dents, no signs of abuse. If anyone can help me answer this question I would really appreciate it thank you very much.

We'd sure love to see pics of your vise Rscapes! Welcome to the forum!