Pucman1
Well-known member
I picked up this one from a friend to help clean up! It is a beast
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Here is the vise
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The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Here is the vise
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Jazz1
Well-known member
Does this help?
Yes. There are some vises like yours that don't have a center hole, and used the two lockdowns directly on the outer ring like yours. My C3 is like that as well. The majority have a center hole for a pin that's on the inner ring.
I fit a new assembly on an identical C3 to mine yesterday by taking the center pin out. The outer ring seats on a recess on the bottom of the body of the vise, so you don't need the center pin and the inner ring has the teeth that engage the teeth on the outer ring. I'll measure the base on my C3 to make sure it's the same.
That appears to be the setup used on some C3s, 1780s and some 600S.
If it is, Autopts can get you the same assembly.
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joe.striper
Well-known member
Bought this Reed 4CA this morning at 8am in Newport RI. I never saw one before I bought this one. 6" jawx, 160 lbs.
Tore it down completely and rebuilt it to the last nut. Having an oven for the paint is such a huge timesaver. It is a nice quality vise.
I paid $100 for it.
Tore it down completely and rebuilt it to the last nut. Having an oven for the paint is such a huge timesaver. It is a nice quality vise.
I paid $100 for it.
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vintage nut
Well-known member
Very nice!
It looks a lot lighter than any reed combination vise I've seen though. I'm guessing the A part has something to do with that?
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It looks a lot lighter than any reed combination vise I've seen though. I'm guessing the A part has something to do with that?
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That's a newer reed vise made by Columbian for Reed. Probably like 1980s to present. Also very nice restoration as usual Joe.
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vintage nut
Well-known member
I assumed something like that. I've seen a few older reed combination vises, and they're anything but light.
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So I've been wanting one of these ever since Big Joe told me about them. The problem was there was close to zero chance I was ever going to get one as all of the available ones had been sold. For those of you who know me know that I will put forth a great deal of effort to acquire an item if I really want it.
That said I sent a guy back to the original place where these stands/vises came from and asked him to cover every possibility....I couldn't believe when he sent me these pictures! He found one!!!!
I don't know much about them yet. However, Big Joe does if you have any questions I bet he will know the answer.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Great restoration Joe!
Now I see the resemblance to columbian. I know Wilton was producing or selling columbian vises. Did they drop the columbian line?
Pretty much a clone to the Columbian 206 M2 (save for the jaw shape)....looked at one on Saturday.
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Pretty much a clone to the Columbian 206 M2 (save for the jaw shape)....looked at one on Saturday.
More like a clone to the Columbian 206 M3 which changed from the T-jaws to the more normal jaw inserts like Joe's has. My Columbian Reed 208 also has those normal style jaws.
twertsy
Well-known member
Joe, is there a model number for this one?
A simple way to make up a serviceable bench top from cheaply available salvaged oddments is to find a nearly full size sheet of 1-1/8 or 1-1/4" plywood, and leftover remnants of new hardwood tongue-and-groove flooring wood from new building construction. One must be careful to find 'real' 3/4" floor material, instead of the cheap wretched 'engineered flooring' so popular these days.
Here in California, there is a bit of a fad for Brazilian or Central American imported floor hardwoods, sold under various trade names, which is some really hard, strong material, some of it being very similar in appearance and density to a rosewood, or cocobolo wood. I was able to get a really good deal on some of this stuff, just by watching Craig's list, as the workers on large job sites tend to save 'surplus' materials. It makes an excellent bench top, like hard maple, but even harder/stronger.
Cutting the plywood to the desired dimensions is obvious, and laying the hardwood is just like doing a hardwood floor. When I did one of those, I didn't have the special tooling used by floor workers, so I did the nailing-down by drilling through the tongues at 45 deg. for the nails. (one cannot drive a nail through this stuff without first drilling nearly full diameter for the nail) I glued the hardwood pieces, as well as nailing, with the first (back) edge board face-nailed on the side away from the tongue.
cheers
Carla
twertsy
Well-known member
Ok, here's a pic of a vise that someone sent me today. I've never seen this one before. The dynamic slide is the exact size of a 2x4, the jaws appear to be 5 or 6 inches. Anyone seen this one before?
Joe, info on your National Vise: http://toolarchives.com/node/3394
joe.striper
Well-known member
I agree with all of you that this does look just like a Columbian clone, but as someone who has repaired 6" Columbians before this Reed is different.
The spindle shaft is 1.375" for example. This spindle is the same diameter as my 8" Athol. Bluebolt, what is the spindleshaft diameter on your Columbian?
It is interesting to compare and contrast this model, my older 4c and the 6" Columbians I've worked on in the past .
joe.striper
Well-known member
Therw was so much paint on it I couldnt read a thing on it. Its in my simple green tank now. I'll check it and post pics here.
joe.striper
Well-known member
So I've been wanting one of these ever since Big Joe told me about them. The problem was there was close to zero chance I was ever going to get one as all of the available ones had been sold. For those of you who know me know that I will put forth a great deal of effort to acquire an item if I really want it.
That said I sent a guy back to the original place where these stands/vises came from and asked him to cover every possibility....I couldn't believe when he sent me these pictures! He found one!!!!
I don't know much about them yet. However, Big Joe does if you have any questions I bet he will know the answer.
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I can't believe she had one left. Man am I pissed I missed that one.
vintage nut
Well-known member
That's a great idea! Ipe decking would be hard to beat as well. Often used for high traffic boardwalks, and decks you just want to last forever. About 2-3x as hard as maple.
In a previous job I saw a climber drop a not very small oak branch on an ipe deck. Didn't even scratch it.
I've worked with both Brazilian walnut and Brazilian cherry, and they are very hard and durable.
My favorite bench though is still the traditional solid 2" thick rock maple. They are just a joy to use. Expensive though... A 2'x3' one takes about $100 worth of maple. And that's wholesale account pricing with a commercial supplier.
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Joe, are you comparing the 206 spindle to a 506 or 606? Parts diagram show a different spindle and even the washer for a 206 vs 506/606
twertsy
Well-known member
All, I "think" I've found just about every vise patent from 1876 through 1920. I'm missing only a couple years. If you go to ToolArchives and use the menu on the right, I've organized the "Annual Reports to the Commissioner of Patents" document excerpts in 8 year blocks.
For now they are just screenshots until I can get them digitized individually.
Enjoy! Todd
For now they are just screenshots until I can get them digitized individually.
Enjoy! Todd
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Twertsy: thank you very much for doing all the work you are doing with our old vises and tools. 
i'll get over there more often to help with pictures and comments of vises and tools as i have time. since your system is different (and probably better) than i'm (we're) used to do you have a little tutorial page set up for those of us that want to help so we all don't have to ask the same questions.
thanks again and really cool to have more resources like yours, Gman's, and FMC's to do research on.
Joe: didn't you buy 3 or 4 of those old Parker machine gun looking stands and ship a few off to members? just because you are close to Jersey and maybe are one from birth and because your name is VICEMAN doesn't mean you get to get to own a piece of every vise (vice) ever made in your 4 or 6 state territory or does it? i bet that just burns your rear end when a nice guy from Texas sends his pickers into your area?
ALL: i'm on the search and i think i've found a few more that are coming home this week as maybe a couple are leaving. i'll get the herd reduced some day (I think)?
i'll get over there more often to help with pictures and comments of vises and tools as i have time. since your system is different (and probably better) than i'm (we're) used to do you have a little tutorial page set up for those of us that want to help so we all don't have to ask the same questions.
thanks again and really cool to have more resources like yours, Gman's, and FMC's to do research on.
Joe: didn't you buy 3 or 4 of those old Parker machine gun looking stands and ship a few off to members? just because you are close to Jersey and maybe are one from birth and because your name is VICEMAN doesn't mean you get to get to own a piece of every vise (vice) ever made in your 4 or 6 state territory or does it? i bet that just burns your rear end when a nice guy from Texas sends his pickers into your area?
ALL: i'm on the search and i think i've found a few more that are coming home this week as maybe a couple are leaving. i'll get the herd reduced some day (I think)?
I'm not buying it....you've said you weren't buying any more vises for the last 6 months
joe.striper
Well-known member
Stirring the pot Drivesit? Yeah I do resent it when 'daddy big bucks' comes through MY territory gobbling up MY vises. Its bad enough with Meatsis and Veeps chomping at my heels , but now I have to deal Mr Texas Vise.....Jesus!!! Worst part was I gave him the idea to do it!
SMH
drivesitfar
Well-known member
GMAN: well if i didn't like buying hammers, clamps, cabinets and vintage stuff in general i suppose it would be easier to pass on cool vises even if they are not always cheap cause they are valuable and a great piece of history. at least i'm not buying one, two and three a day like i used to. i wonder if somehow you got my Wilton magnet in an email cause it's been missing BTW.
JOE: VICEMAN I wouldn't be stirring the pot and i'm a bit too far for you to send one of your boys around to get your piece of my action.
nice looking big Reed too. i like the older 4c's better and since you own both now do you like the older ones or the newer ones better?
JOE: VICEMAN I wouldn't be stirring the pot and i'm a bit too far for you to send one of your boys around to get your piece of my action.
nice looking big Reed too. i like the older 4c's better and since you own both now do you like the older ones or the newer ones better?
excelsisba
Well-known member
Alright, here are some better photos. Bluebolt (on the vintage thread) mention he hadn't seen one of these before and that it was probably an earlier Columbian. Seems this thread has more eyes than the vintage side. Anyhow, just seeing if anyone has seen a similar vise like this one. I think I only have seen one other "PAT APLD FOR" in here. Also, most of the spindle handles I've seen on Columbians are cylindrical, not spherical. Anyhow, hoping someone has info on the age. Cheers!
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
EX: while i'm not a huge Columbian vise fan even though they made and still make great vises yours is an old one that is for certain. i'm guessing maybe prior to WWI? do you have a 45 degree angle under the static jaw and can you take a picture of the bottom for us?
if you were closer i'd trade you a nice woodworker's vise for yours and make or have made some jaws for yours. i love the scalloped jaw towers and the round hub on the main screw and the cast for name is simple and old school that i like too.
I think you mentioned that you were missing a sleeve to hold the main screw onto the dynamic jaw and if you to Ace hardware or some full service hardware store to pick up a sleeve with a set screw all you'll have to do is drill a small indent for the set screw to set in and BOB'S YOUR UNCLE.
maybe having some new metal jaws made for that vise might be something you'd like to do and just keep your eyes open for a nice wood vise that are usually pretty reasonably priced.
if you were closer i'd trade you a nice woodworker's vise for yours and make or have made some jaws for yours. i love the scalloped jaw towers and the round hub on the main screw and the cast for name is simple and old school that i like too.
I think you mentioned that you were missing a sleeve to hold the main screw onto the dynamic jaw and if you to Ace hardware or some full service hardware store to pick up a sleeve with a set screw all you'll have to do is drill a small indent for the set screw to set in and BOB'S YOUR UNCLE.
maybe having some new metal jaws made for that vise might be something you'd like to do and just keep your eyes open for a nice wood vise that are usually pretty reasonably priced.
excelsisba
Well-known member
It does have the 45 on the static side. I actually took a photo of it but not the bottom. Here's a few more I took last night. The main screw and vise nut are in excellent shape. The glide right together with no catches or grinding.
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joe.striper
Well-known member
JOE: VICEMAN I wouldn't be stirring the pot and i'm a bit too far for you to send one of your boys around to get your piece of my action.
nice looking big Reed too. i like the older 4c's better and since you own both now do you like the older ones or the newer ones better?
I am not a Columbian fan. I think they cut corners and underbuild their vises. I have to say though that this 6" is very nice and definetly not underbuilt. Having said that, I prefer the older 4c, but I like the 4ca as much as my Wilton C3.
excelsisba
Well-known member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
EX: thanks for the pictures. usually the bases and that 45 degree angle are filled in so Columbian was trying to see what steel they could eliminate even back in the early 1900's cause i think they might have been the first to have hollow jaw towers, but maybe there was another company that patented that idea.
you've got a good investment there that just needs a few parts to work another 100 years.
just to show you what the bottom of a Parker looks like with that 45 degree angle here's a pictures of one of mine i had handy.
you've got a good investment there that just needs a few parts to work another 100 years.
just to show you what the bottom of a Parker looks like with that 45 degree angle here's a pictures of one of mine i had handy.
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![WP_20170407_005[30168].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/526/526086-12936fc3248031118505632814bb120b.jpg)
![WP_20170407_008[30170].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/526/526149-f53e5fa301fb769619ffa46fc1a2f659.jpg)
![WP_20170407_004[30167].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/526/526119-9c9747b3ff7282ea51bb7f59cdda3811.jpg)
excelsisba
Well-known member
Drives Ah yes I see. How much does that weight? I think mine weighs about 35lbs or so.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
EX: since my Parker is a 6.5 inch wide vise it won't compare, but maybe somebody with an old 3.5 inch wide jaw Parker or Athol could say what their's weighs.
like i said even though yours is missing a few pieces it's a good old vise and not a common every day Columbian vise.
good luck
like i said even though yours is missing a few pieces it's a good old vise and not a common every day Columbian vise.
good luck
It looks like you have a very early example, indeed, of the malleable iron vise production at the Columbian works, a fine and desirable little piece of industrial history in its own right. You are quite fortunate to find one in such well-preserved condition. It is well worth some time taken for a really nice restoration/refinishing.
If it were mine........I'd gently media-blast it to remove all the rust and old paint (with fine glass-bead media.......ground walnut shell media, if available, would be better) and try to replicate its original paint finish, which.....reasonably certainly......would have been shop-mixed boiled linseed oil, a Japan drier, and either fine graphite or lamp-black (ultra-fine carbon) as a pigment.
An option might be doing a nicely 'filled and rubbed finish' in a dark green or dark maroon, which were common colours for industrial widgetry in the late 1800's-early 1900's period. If one uses one of those colours, some basic, simple outline striping in a straw or gold colour would be appropriate.
If you do woodworking, making a set of hardwood jaws, lined with sheet-cork or medium hard leather, will follow the common practice of the old-timers who did 'high finish' woodworking, such as piano or organ builders, fancy furniture, gun-stocking, wooden pattern making, etc.
One may see many versions of these jaws in vises like yours, in old photos of various woodworking shops. Whilst its true enough that the various vise makers offered a standard 'coach-makers' type of vise for woodworkers, in practice it would have been quick, cheap, and easy for a woodworker to simply make a set of jaws to adapt a common machinists' vise to hold high finish wooden parts.
In short, you've a nice little piece of 'industrial history', one which, when restored, will be as useful today as it was over a century ago.
cheers
Carla
Bellaireroad
Well-known member
Interesting that reed has gone old school on their new combination vises . This harkens back to the 31/32/33/34 series that preceded the 1c/2c/3c/4c series which preceded this newer series .In fact it is almost a spitting image with the three pipe jaws, tall graceful necks, and bossed out on the dynamic jaw. I have a 32 and it is my favorite vise
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excelsisba
Well-known member
Carla Thanks for the information! I was worried I spent too much because of the rough visual condition and the handle spinning and not moving the dynamic jaw. It was priced $40 at a booth at an antique market and everything in it was 50% off that day. I know more about handplanes which is why I was actually there. And with those, condition is really important otherwise you'll spend way more trying to piece something back together than its worth. I feel ok about my $20 now.