The VISES of Garage Journal

[jakemac]

Does it still have the swivel base ? If so, that adds to the value. Pictures ?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

GUYS

I found a reed 208 with a break out of the back of the slide which ***** MAJORLY..

I don't know what is a fair price to offer the guy. I told him $150 since it's broken. But I feel like he won't take that. I really don't want to pay too much for something with such a bad break in it. It's a shame it had to be broken..

I will try to repair it, but it's never the same. Kind of like a broken bone. It's tough to hide a break on the slide too

Ritz: IMHO…Walk away from it. Broken is broken. It might be OK as a beater vise but not even for $150.00. If I was faced with your situation, I'd wait for a good one.

 

[Fretters]

Ritz: IMHO…Walk away from it. Broken is broken.

I'd second that advice. With a broken slide, that puppy has been abused, so no telling what else is likely knacked or getting there, and whatever you might spend on it is money you could put towards a good one.

 

[Filson]

I'd second that advice. With a broken slide, that puppy has been abused, so no telling what else is likely knacked or getting there, and whatever you might spend on it is money you could put towards a good one.

I'll 3rd the notion to a degree...

Depending on the extent of damage on the rear of the slide (we really need pics here) how much use you'll get out of it really depends. But the thing is - is that it's showing obvious signs of abuse and other issues may be hiding.

As a Reed 208 owner, I understand how exciting it is to lay eyes on one for the first time. But keep your emotions in check, don't get vise-drunk and make an offer your truly comfortable buying a broken vise for.

The odds of getting your money back will be fairly low, depending on what you end up paying for it.

For me, because I already own one, I wouldn't mind paying $100-150 for it, just for the sake of having some spare parts if I ever need them (can't see that I ever will, but hey).

I still think you'd get $150 out of it on Ebay or something, but it's hard to tell without pictures.

Anyway, I guess the point here, is that it's worth what your willing to pay for a vise that won't be able to do everything it was intended to do.

For me - I'd still pay your $150, but that's me.

 

[Outlawmws]

If the chunk that is missing on the Reed 208 is like the Yost I saved the CL ad from a page back, that is not structural, not going to affect it's use a lot, and is repairable.

That said, its still a major detraction, and the price should reflect that condition...

 

[oldldh]

I hate to say it, but that vise is not THE Reed 209...

And, like the man said, a broke 208 is broke...

The question is, "How broke is it???"

Without photos, you're not going to get usable data from the Gurus on the board...

However, if it was THE Reed 209, about a half a dozen folks, would be all over it, broken, or not!!!

 

[ritzblitz]

Yeah I know. Like I said, a broken bone can be repaired but it's never the same. I thought about it for a while and now that I see your posts- I'm gonna pass I think. It's a large portion broken off.

 

[Fretters]

Yeah I know. Like I said, a broken bone can be repaired but it's never the same. I thought about it for a while and now that I see your posts- I'm gonna pass I think. It's a large portion broken off.

Wise choice, I'd say. There are occasions when it can be worthwhile taking a chance, (that Swindens vice I've just fettled, for example. I bought that in the knowledge that it had a problem with the jaws not closing fully. T'was a bit of a ****** to sort, but sortable without being detrimental to functionality or reliability), but you have to weigh it up, and for that type of price for such a glaring problem and any others you might not be able to see, I'd personally pass.

 

[wlisien]

Just bought a Parker vise Model 271 1/2 for $20.00. Was cleaning it up and took a break to do an internet search on Parker and found this post. Great info, but I do have a question. My vise has a small knob on the top behind the jaws. Does anyone know what it is? It appears to come out but I don't want to force it.

Thanks,

Walt

 

[oldldh]

The jaw swivels...

Pull it out and you will see...

 

[jakemac]

The "knob" is a pin that keeps the rear jaw from moving. The vise has a swiveling jaw to allow you to clamp odd shapes in the vise. Pull the pin and you should be able to swivel the back jaw. If it doesn't move, you may need to use penetrating oil to free it. Don't use WD40, it will eventually promote it to rust up again. Use something else like PB Blaster, Corrosion-X, Liquid Wrench, or Kroil. If the jaw still doesn't free up, try taping it with a soft face hammer, NOT a ball pein or sledge.

If you can't get the pin out, remove the dynamic jaw (front) and look underneath to see if you can knock it out from the bottom.

BTW - Welcome to the forum and good snag, great price.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

The jaw swivels...

Pull it out and you will see...

Unless it's seized up. Then with some effort, you can get it working again. It's worth it.

 

[bigcaddy]

Today was such a nice day i decided to finish off a Craftsman vise that i had sitting around the garage.

It came out looking pretty good but it has a not seen before bend in the channel so it will need to be taken apart, straightened and repainted


These model of Craftsmans are somewhat common with the exception of the raised lettering on the side. Similar to the 51xx series that had either a inset badge or the less common raised lettering.

 

[zkling]

That is sharp bigcaddy. What do you use to cleanup the handle and screw eye? Looks like some type of abrasive belt?

 

[loranger]

I finally picked up a "good" Wilton today. Probably payed too much for it, but I really like it and they are pretty hard to come by around my area. I plan on cleaning it up and possibly painting it that light blue Wilton color, but I haven't decided. It will just get used as is for now.



Next to its chinese cousin that it is replacing…..

 

[balane]

Very nice, a C1 is the quintessential vise. You can flip those jaws 180 degrees and it should provide you with brand new looking jaws on the top edge. This is the paint most of us use to get the Wilton look. Verde Green is the color.

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/hammered-spray/

 

[zkling]

Balane have you ever used the Red, Copper or Blue of that? Any tips or tricks? I usually just shoot the quart colors, not much experience with the hammered paints. I'm thinking about doing a vise in that hammered blue.

 

[balane]

Of the ones you listed I used copper and it looked nice. I've also used black and silver, both turned out well. It's easy paint to use and covers small flaws in the metal well. No special tips really, I just use it like any rattle can; shake well and spray. I bake my stuff after the paint sets for a while but that's mostly to minimize down time. I also like the metal to be warm to the touch when I spray.

 

[bigcaddy]

Scotch Brite wheel works wonders for bare metal that needs a shine

 

[balane]

I go through a ton of scotch brite wheels on my die grinder making the machined finished parts of the vise look nice. The really do a job on the smooth sides of a rectangular slide.

 

[autopts]

Today was such a nice day i decided to finish off a Craftsman vise that i had sitting around the garage.

It came out looking pretty good but it has a not seen before bend in the channel so it will need to be taken apart, straightened and repainted


These model of Craftsmans are somewhat common with the exception of the raised lettering on the side. Similar to the 51xx series that had either a inset badge or the less common raised lettering.

hey Mr. bigcaddy. is this the new California fad? Is this like the earing thing that started there?

 

[KMScott]

I like using these 4-1/2" Scotch Brite type Hook and Loop pads. I bought these for grinding down aluminum welds on square tubing but have found they do a nice job on vises to. I fit a set of jaws and used these wheels to dress down the little miss match. The used scotch brite pads work well on the handles because they do not take much material off. Sorry the pic's are not that good.

 

[bigcaddy]

hey Mr. bigcaddy. is this the new California fad?

Which new fad are you speaking of, Mr. Wilton God?

 

[Outlawmws]

The one screw missing in the jaw fad!

 

[autopts]

I like using these 4-1/2" Scotch Brite type Hook and Loop pads. I bought these for grinding down aluminum welds on square tubing but have found they do a nice job on vises to. I fit a set of jaws and used these wheels to dress down the little miss match. The used scotch brite pads work well on the handles because they do not take much material off. Sorry the pic's are not that good.

Kevin, those Parker jaws are frikin awesome!! What size are they? Wow!!

 

[autopts]

Which new fad are you speaking of, Mr. Wilton God?

You worse then a guy with a screw loose! Yours are missing!!

 

[KMScott]

Kevin, those Parker jaws are frikin awesome!! What size are they? Wow!!

Nick
This is my 956 Parker vise that I was pinning the jaws on. 6" wide jaws.

Caddy, I like the tear drop handles on that Red Craftsman, I see you have picked up several nice vises in the last couple of weeks. You are getting that second wing filled up in your Vise Museum. If you need help with screws I could counter bore your jaws for you to accept short head cap screws that are easier to get off. I have using angled head screws like the ones that are original.

 

[mcmlvif100]

Today was such a nice day i decided to finish off a Craftsman vise that i had sitting around the garage.

It came out looking pretty good but it has a not seen before bend in the channel so it will need to be taken apart, straightened and repainted


These model of Craftsmans are somewhat common with the exception of the raised lettering on the side. Similar to the 51xx series that had either a inset badge or the less common raised lettering.

I have the same vise in what appears to be original condition, and likewise, it has a bend in the channel. I bought it because it appeared to be in great condition with original paint, including the red Craftsman lettering. It wasn't until I started to clean it up that I discovered the bow in the slide. In contrast, I have the same vise with the inset badge and despite an apparently tougher life, the slide is still straight. Also noteworthy, the slides have slightly different cross-section shapes. Would be interested in how you deal with the bend. Am thinking that I can put it in a press but haven't tried it yet.

 

[FlyingLow]

Well I went and used a friends 30 ton press this afternoon... took about 8 tons but finally got my vise apart. The top of the slide is corroded but not horrible, wire wheeled it and then draw filed it top and bottom. Fit back together eventually. I don't know for sure what alloy it is but it's definitely not mild steel just based on the filing, tool steel of some sort.

 

[FlyingLow]

Let's try that again

 

[FlyingLow]

Damn, I give up. No idea why they are upside down again. I'm stoked though, now I need some steel for a receiver type mount for my welding table.

 

[Outlawmws]

They are being routed to GJ via Australia or New Zealand...

 

[autopts]

WHO WANTS SOME!!

http://www.ebay.com/cln/playneoljay...35748382_38484&collectionid=71997930010&pos=5

 

[bigcaddy]

WHO WANTS SOME!!

http://www.ebay.com/cln/playneoljay...35748382_38484&collectionid=71997930010&pos=5

It seems as if she couldn't find a vise if her life depended on it

 

[bigcaddy]

You worse then a guy with a screw loose! Yours are missing!!

Oh, I see what you mean. This last round of vises I've picked up have given me the most trouble out of all the previous combined. Almost all the screw on the rock island fought me, I broke 2 impact bits and had to drill out 2. The craftsman got me so mad, I took a torch to it and just melted the darn thing out of the jaw insert and drilled the rest out

The screws are the hardest thing to duplicate since the size/shape are hard to find, let alone make

 

[oldldh]

As one matures, read---gets old, one will find, or not, some missing screws...

In all kinds of strange places...

Like vise jaws...

Door hinges...

Your own gray matter...

All over the damn place...

 

[EOC_Jason]

Anyone see this CL ad?

vise collection all USA older - $10 (Homeworth/Alliance)

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/4376080284.html

Vise collection all older USA vises...
about 25 vises from 1 1/2" clamp on vises to 4 1/2" bench vises.
Wilton, Reed, Littelton, Scout, Craftsman, Columbian and many more.
Some from early 1900's others from 1960's. All in good working order.
Asking $10 to $80 each or all for ????

 

[bigcaddy]

Anyone see this CL ad?

vise collection all USA older - $10 (Homeworth/Alliance)

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/4376080284.html

Vise collection all older USA vises...
about 25 vises from 1 1/2" clamp on vises to 4 1/2" bench vises.
Wilton, Reed, Littelton, Scout, Craftsman, Columbian and many more.
Some from early 1900's others from 1960's. All in good working order.
Asking $10 to $80 each or all for ????

I like the 3rd and 5th vises from the right hand side, 1st photograph. One looks like a Athol and the other has the keystone logo on the dynamic jaw. The rest of them are too small to be paying "up to 80.00"

 

[drivesitfar]

Jason: now that is my kind of one stop shopping Craigs ad. did you notice he only has the small ones on that shelf? i wonder where the big ones are?

BC: i really like the handle and nose piece on the red craftsman you have an you did a heckuva job making it shine. sorry to hear about the screws.

Kevin: you can make a piece of metal shine like the best of them and nice job on those Parker jaws.

LoRanger: An awesome 50's Wilton C1 and it's one of my favorite models. i doubt you paid too much. great investment and just a reminder don't hammer on the anvil on it. use a piece of RR track if you want to beat on something.

Flying Low: congrats on finding the right tool to pull your big vise apart. looks like a beast.

 

[silentpoet]

Really need to restore this, but I could not resist mounting and using this old Cole vise. Got it a couple of weekends back and just today mounted it. The drill press accessory went at the same auction but was not able to get it. Used it already to work on a new loading pin for my homebrew reverse hyperextension bench for my power rack.