The VISES of Garage Journal

[gman007]

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First Reed, just finished the restoration. Holy smokes this thing is heavy!

farrs
Nice vise and restoration job. Looks Great!

Reed experts

Now once again I am confused ! Every time I think I have learned a little bit about vises, something throws a monkeys wrench into my understanding!

I thought all the R series had the oil hole (which this 106 R does) but also that the nose was flat and not "meat ball" round! (and with the split collar which obviously we can not see and I am not sure but I think the R series are taller than older models, is that right?). I did a quick photo search after seeing this 106 R and at least the 106 R that I found sure enough have the meat ball nose!

Is there a pattern this Reed model "madness"? Are there even different versions of R series (eg older R series with meat ball and latter R models with the flat nose?) or only the smaller jaw size R series (like 103 R, 104 R, 203 R, 204 R) have flat nose?

007

 

[drivesitfar]

007: good research project for you and if you need more examples i might have 6 of these 106's to compare and more than a few other Reed vises. i haven't really paid attention to the R on mine so sorry i can't tell you why it's there, but i do have a few Reeds that i'll try to get all in one spot or at least the ones that are not mounted or stuffed behind a few tons of STUFF.

here's a 106 R on a stand i have at my 10x20 storage unit for when i need something cause it's a bit to big to put on a hitch mount. or is it?

5Farrs: great looking vise and is that wood stand built strong enough to keep that big Reed off the floor if you put a transmission in it's jaws? nice work and is that ARREST ME RED that i know one senior vise thread member might have to chime in on?

cheers

 

[gman007]

007: good research project for you and if you need more examples i might have 6 of these 106's to compare and more than a few other Reed vises. i haven't really paid attention to the R on mine so sorry i can't tell you why it's there, but i do have a few Reeds that i'll try to get all in one spot or at least the ones that are not mounted or stuffed behind a few tons of STUFF.

here's a 106 R on a stand i have at my 10x20 storage unit for when i need something cause it's a bit to big to put on a hitch mount. or is it?

cheers

Drives
Thanks for the photos. That is a nice one for sure, and stand looks good too.

To be honest I have for some strange reason a fixation with the flat nose R series. I have only one Reed which is an older 204 with meat ball nose but I rather have a R series Reed with the flat nose.

So far I've had no luck finding one around here- you might recall sometimes back I PMed you with photos of a 404 R that I had found for sale but the dynamic jaw shelf was busted, so I did not get it. I keep looking.

Cheers

007

 

[drivesitfar]

007: well then maybe you'd like a picture of 2 of my favorite Reeds sitting on my 900 pound steel bench. i haven't made a stand yet for my big Reed 4c, but the 2c is one of my main users that i don't ABUSE.

good luck in your search and you'll find one some day if you keep looking and asking. I probably sound like a RECORDING when i show up to buy tools or a machine almost always asking if there is a vise for sale.

some ladies give me a little sideways look wondering what i mean so BEE CAREFUL.

 

[gman007]

007: well then maybe you'd like a picture of 2 of my favorite Reeds sitting on my 900 pound steel bench. i haven't made a stand yet for my big Reed 4c, but the 2c is one of my main users that i don't ABUSE.

good luck in your search and you'll find one some day if you keep looking and asking. I probably sound like a RECORDING when i show up to buy tools or a machine almost always asking if there is a vise for sale.

some ladies give me a little sideways look wondering what i mean so BEE CAREFUL.

Drives
Wow those are really nice. The bench is very impressive too. Thanks for the eye candy
007

 

[Rileysan]

Keizer, OR near Salem. Maybe one of you guys can capitalize on this early Wilton deal on FB marketplace.

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It is long gone this morning, but thanks for posting. Can't get em all!

Brian

 

[trijeff]

farrs
Nice vise and restoration job. Looks Great!

Reed experts

Now once again I am confused ! Every time I think I have learned a little bit about vises, something throws a monkeys wrench into my understanding!

I thought all the R series had the oil hole (which this 106 R does) but also that the nose was flat and not "meat ball" round! (and with the split collar which obviously we can not see and I am not sure but I think the R series are taller than older models, is that right?). I did a quick photo search after seeing this 106 R and at least the 106 R that I found sure enough have the meat ball nose!

Is there a pattern this Reed model "madness"? Are there even different versions of R series (eg older R series with meat ball and latter R models with the flat nose?) or only the smaller jaw size R series (like 103 R, 104 R, 203 R, 204 R) have flat nose?

007

There was a transition period where they were using parts from both old and new styles ... here is a transirion Reed 104.5 R, my first refresh

 

[gman007]

There was a transition period where they were using parts from both old and new styles ... here is a transirion Reed 104.5 R, my first refresh

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[AngryBeaver]

AngryBeaver Isn't the 1750 and 1755 use 3/4 inch tall jaws and the 1760 and 1765 use 1" tall jaws.

yes sir. 3/4" on the 1750 and 1755.

1" on the 1760/1765. at least those are what you sold me.

Didn't mean to mislead into thinking they were the same, I simply meant that the 1750 and 1755 were the same

then the 1760/1765 were the same. (other than 1/2") jaw width between corresponding models

 

[KMScott]

There was a transition period where they were using parts from both old and new styles ... here is a transirion Reed 104.5 R, my first refresh

Jeff, Top notch re-fab you did. Think about buying some of this stuff if you wanted a great finish. These guys know finishes on old castings. A couple steps above the BLO finishes in my opinion.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Jeff, Top notch re-fab you did. Think about buying some of this stuff if you wanted a great finish. These guys know finishes on old castings. A couple steps above the BLO finishes in my opinion.

Thanks for posting pics of this Kevin. I remember you had said you used something other than BLO on that RI 844 but couldn't remember what.

Chris

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[GETRIDAONE]

Another option would be Gilders paste wax. I just finished this old Trojan.

 

[KMScott]

Another option would be Gilders paste wax. I just finished this old Trojan.

That is a nice finish too Get. Gotta get some of that paste wax and give it a try. Ready to finish these four Baby swivel's with custom made Parker bases. I am excited to get these guys done. Got mucho hours in them.

 

[Rileysan]

I'm in the process of moving and this past weekend I came across a vise I had totally forgotten about - an Athol 613 stationary vise.

I may have posted a picture of it when I acquired it this past summer from a swap-meet, but I put it in storage for a rainy day. It never occurred to me when I bought my Athol 623 swivel vise a few weeks ago, that I already had its sister in my possession!

For your viewing pleasure -

Athol 613 (3" jaws) stationary vise ($20 from a swap meet)
Athol 623 (3" jaws) swivel vise ($40 from a pawn shop)

Brian

 

[gman007]

I'm in the process of moving and this past weekend I came across a vise I had totally forgotten about - an Athol 613 stationary vise.

I may have posted a picture of it when I acquired it this past summer from a swap-meet, but I put it in storage for a rainy day. It never occurred to me when I bought my Athol 623 swivel vise a few weeks ago, that I already had its sister in my possession!

For your viewing pleasure -

Athol 613 (3" jaws) stationary vise ($20 from a swap meet)
Athol 623 (3" jaws) swivel vise ($40 from a pawn shop)

Brian

Brian
That is a cute pair but I must say that you know you have reached the height of vise addiction when you have so many that you can no longer keep track of all of them

Fortunately or unfortunately some of us (including yours truly) are nowhere near that point
007

 

[gman007]

That is a nice finish too Get. Gotta get some of that paste wax and give it a try. Ready to finish these four Baby swivel's with custom made Parker bases. I am excited to get these guys done. Got mucho hours in them.

Reverend Scott
It seems that you have now single handedly established a full fledged vise manufacturing facility and will be competing with Reed and Wilton
But yours are of higher quality!
007

 

[BMR24]

Reverend Scott
It seems that you have now single handedly established a full fledged vise manufacturing facility and will be competing with Reed and Wilton
But yours are of higher quality!
007

If I were to buy a new vise, I'd much prefer a Scott. But I'm sure my budget would only allow for the Reed.

 

[drivesitfar]

Riley: i might have done that more times than i can count and i think I found a few vises today i didn't recall buying or owning. not bad at all to own too many ATHOL vises cause they are keepers or good trading stock to let other viseless GJ members enjoy if their need arises.

ALL: I was at my storage unit today doing a little work and thought i'd take a few more pictures for 007's and others to help solve this REED numbering or LETTERING mystery. here's a few of the normal numbered reeds. sorry i cut off the nose on the Reed 104 that is a snub nose.

then there's this SAD YOST (REED look a like) that just might become YARD ART OR MY OUTSIDE USER once i get some welding skills.

notice the old beater YOST # is 705 and it's a 6 inch wide jaw and maybe weighs 120 pounds. go figure cause i don't recall those #'s before. does anybody have a catalog page with YOSTS #'s that are up in the 700's? looks a lot like an old REED doesn't it?

 

[va.grouseman]

Fine looking herd, Drive.

 

[KMScott]

Reverend Scott
It seems that you have now single handedly established a full fledged vise manufacturing facility and will be competing with Reed and Wilton
But yours are of higher quality!
007

That is funny, to be honest all I do is restore vises and have a ball doing it. All the years of building tools/Molds and Dies for company's that look like a piece of art and getting beat to **** by operators then eventually the tool gets thrown on a shelf never being seen or used again makes vise restoration's a kick.

If I were to buy a new vise, I'd much prefer a Scott. But I'm sure my budget would only allow for the Reed.

Oh come on I am not that pricey, I need to start grooming you BMR since you are so close cause I am only good for a few more years of building vise parts and restorations.

 

[drivesitfar]

VA: thanks. i've put the CHAIN GANG and seeing you some day in person on the BUCKET LIST i'm thinking about cause i bet it's a site for a vise lover's eyes that is for certain.

Unruh: i didn't have time to measure my Oswego or Sawyer 150 pound vise that was sitting on the floor of my storage unit, but i bet one similar might have been on your bench that i bought a few years ago that is now on the EAST COAST on another GJ member's bench. it's a beast that is for certain, but your smaller Wilton Tradesman should work well and not a bad vise to own as your user.

 

[BMR24]

Kevin, I'm gonna have to get back up there soon then because I have a lot to learn

 

[454ragtop]

Getting back to the Reeds with or without the "R", pretty sure the "R" refers to the split nut addition/revision. Seems all the "R"'s have the split nut, whether a round or flattened meatball. You can see the lock screw for the split nut in the pics.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

Drives, I think that model # should be 706. I have the swivel base #806

 

[BMR24]

Drives I bet that sad old yost could be made really nice with some time on a mill or surface grinder and some cleverly made custom jaws

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Found another one of these little gems yesterday, my much better half picked it up for me while I was doing my real job. Love that girl.

 

[Unruh]

VA:

Unruh: i didn't have time to measure my Oswego or Sawyer 150 pound vise that was sitting on the floor of my storage unit, but i bet one similar might have been on your bench that i bought a few years ago that is now on the EAST COAST on another GJ member's bench. it's a beast that is for certain, but your smaller Wilton Tradesman should work well and not a bad vise to own as your user.

Yeah, that footprint looks very similar. Thanks for taking the time to look. I'm incredibly happy with my Tradesman.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Found another one of these little gems yesterday, my much better half picked it up for me while I was doing my real job. Love that girl.

Nice addition to your Reed swivel jaw family. I would definitely agree.....they are both keepers!

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[drivesitfar]

454: if the R theory about the split nut is correct then maybe this Reed mystery solved. maybe a few catalog pages will confirm if anybody has a few from the late 30's and early 40's to post that would be great. isn't there a letter A behind the vise model #'s too and what would that stand for?

Get: funny i used to have a brass brush and some SG, but i'm not buying a vise or two per day anymore so i must have taken it out of my Honda Pilot to clean something in my garage or shop. i'll try to brush it off better to see for sure. how many 6 and 8 inch vises do you own now and have you restored them all? any pics to show how your vise family sits now would be great since i recall you getting a beefier shelving unit.

CA: gotta love that girl that really does have good taste in vises and men. sweet looking vise and was there any coaching involved or did she completely find it on her own? WELL DONE!!

Unruh: you're welcome and glad to hear you like your new WILTON and probably the free hammer too.

ALL: speaking of beefier shelving this shelving unit moved yesterday from my storage to home and it might weigh 300-400 pounds. i've had 3000 pounds of weight plates on each shelf in the past so i know it will hold a few pounds of vises. moving it around it didn't want to set on my little dolly and almost flipped on top of me, but i got it almost ready to use after i had a long talk with it. pics of a few vises on it to follow so stay tuned.

 

[trijeff]

Found another one of these little gems yesterday, my much better half picked it up for me while I was doing my real job. Love that girl.

Replaceable jaws nonetheless! Nice one. Hope you do it like last time because that one turned out real classy

 

[TinkTinkForge]

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[PeteA]

Hi I'm in the middle of restoring this Wilton vise , I know it's a lower end Wilton workshop or utility type vise but I've just never seen one where the slide can be removed from the dynamic jaw and I can't find any info online , has anyone seen a similar one?

 

[Htscheg]

PeteA there is no picture showing

 

[PeteA]

I'm in the middle of restoring this Wilton vise , I know it's a lower end Wilton workshop or utility type vise but I've never seen one where the slide can be removed from the dynamic jaw , has anyone seen a similar one?

 

[mgmlvks]

Giving facility tours to new Commissioners today and saw this "never before noticed" vise on back of one of the sewer cleaner trucks. Will get more info later - but truck was new in about 1993 I think.

 

[Shiftless]

T.T.F.:
Very interesting group you have there! nice score

Pete:
That's a new one to me.
At first I thought you had a broken vise, but everything looks so clean. The bolt head recesses and all... I am baffled. Perhaps another member has seen something like this before. I sure haven't.

Drives:
Take it easy with that heavy stuff...We're not as young as we used to be!

 

[rusty65]

Athol no 523 3in jaw 27 pound quick release vise. The knurled knob rotates 90* and another lever locks the knurled knob under spring tension in place letting the nut to drop down keeping the nut from engaging the screw so the jaw may be quickly adjusted. And then by pressing up on the second lever it brings the nut back up and rotates the knurled knob back for the screw to engage and let the vise clamp.


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[trijeff]

Double entendre city, but ya sure got a nice Athol there

 

[Shiftless]

Yes, perhaps an unfortunate name for tool town USA.
I saw an Athol MA road sign that was defaced, probably by local punks, with an R an head of the town name and an E at the end.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rusty: nice looking Athol. i never knew Athol had a quick release vise, but since it was Starrett you'd have to figure they were at the top of new ideas. nice research too and thanks for posting the catalog page with your vise (it is yours?). WELL DONE!!

Shift: 300 pound shelving unit in place and thanks for the heads up. moving heavy items is hard enough at our age, but on a sloping driveway and with small casters involved it could have been a lot worse. check out the GET HEALTHY thread to see what other heavy items i've been lifting while i've put the vise buying on a bit of a hold pattern. here's the link:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298568

it keeps me from thinking i'm 62 and more like i'm 30, but i'm slowing down that is for certain.

ALL: enjoy your Friday and weekend. i'm not buying this one and wondered if anybody else owns a PERFECTION 31 or knows more about it. it looks kinda like an Athol or maybe it was a small company?