The VISES of Garage Journal

[Shiftless]

Is anybody familiar with number coding on old Reed vises?
I’m currently working on the vise I rescued from a dumpster last year. It’s a Reed model 31. Fresh from the Simple Green scrub down. Definitely an oldie with the through-the-bench hold down screw.
Are these numbers a date code?

I see a big 196
And a smaller 227 (seen in the second picture)
.
.
Yes, I have the whole set of pipe jaws currently soaking in Evaporust. The 3 original square headed bolts holding them in are still present.
The main screw and handle are sitting on the side away from the photo shoot.

I was able to remove the mounting screw/post (thread size 3/4-10)
I have the bench top mounting plate but don’t have the below the bench cast iron washer or the big cast iron wing nut)
Anybody got those parts?

 

[90roadster]

Finally got around to finishing the resto on this early bullet. Milled the jaw sides and the anvil. 10-45 i believe is one of the earliest, unless someone has earlier month?

 

[bubinga]

I joined just to ask you folks what you think a used Wilton C2 vise is worth? Found one locally. Cosmetically needs a rebuild but mechanically fully functional.

I don't really know, is it an old Bullet? Do you have any pictures?
I never even SEE any of them around here.

 

[rusty65]

Finally got around to finishing the resto on this early bullet. Milled the jaw sides and the anvil. 10-45 i believe is one of the earliest, unless someone has earlier month?

Yours is on the earlier ones but there were older ones then that think patent pending era during ww2. I’ve got a baby bullet with a 3-945 date code and it’s not the oldest either. I’ve heard the earliest date stamp is 1-945 but have not seen the pictures of it to confirm.


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[90roadster]

Yours is on the earlier ones but there were older ones then that think patent pending era during ww2. I’ve got a baby bullet with a 3-945 date code and it’s not the oldest either. I’ve heard the earliest date stamp is 1-945 but have not seen the pictures of it to confirm.


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I knew 45 was the first year stamped, since non of the pat-pen vises had dates stamped. That's an early baby bullet you got

 

[gman007]

Yours is on the earlier ones but there were older ones then that think patent pending era during ww2. I’ve got a baby bullet with a 3-945 date code and it’s not the oldest either. I’ve heard the earliest date stamp is 1-945 but have not seen the pictures of it to confirm.


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I have a patent pending one and it has no date (see photo)

 

[Shiftless]

I joined just to ask you folks what you think a used Wilton C2 vise is worth? Found one locally. Cosmetically needs a rebuild but mechanically fully functional.

Welcome to GJ. I hope you stay around and share your expertise and experiences and not end up like so many fellows who join up only to seek an expert appraisal and then disappear.
We can’t give a very good estimation without several hi res photos from different angles.

I hope you didn’t come here first without even checking eBay. Here is a C2 that seems to be similiar to the one you have. The auction closed yesterday at $405. Shipped big vises is $$$. Maybe the buyer did local pick up.

I hope this helps.

 

[90roadster]

I have a patent pending one and it has no date (see photo)

Does yours have a 3rd hole at the top with a pin that holds the nut housing on? At first I thought it was diy repair but have since seen some other castings with same hole.

 

[gman007]

I joined just to ask you folks what you think a used Wilton C2 vise is worth? Found one locally. Cosmetically needs a rebuild but mechanically fully functional.

Walter
Welcome to GJ.

Notwithstanding the condition of a given vise (which varies a lot), per say there is no standard set price guideline etc. And this is even more so true for locally sold vises. Having said this, if you want to use prices on eBay (cringe ) as a some kind of guideline C2s in good condition seem to be going for $500 and higher plus there is the shipping which considering the weight of C2 is going to be pretty high. Personally I would be pretty darn happy with anything less than say $300 (locally) but that is just me!

Now since you did not provide any photos, it is impossible to tell what shape your prospect is in and value vise what it might be worth.

 

[Shiftless]

90roadster
You do indeed have an early one. I beat you by one month though.
Here is the bottom of my 3HD bullet.

 

[gman007]

Does yours have a 3rd hole at the top with a pin that holds the nut housing on? At first I thought it was diy repair but have since seen some other castings with same hole.

There is no third hole at the top of mine and I do not recall seeing a third hole on other newer models either (at least the ones I have seen personally)

 

[90roadster]

There is no third hole at the top of mine and I do not recall seeing a third hole on other newer models either (at least the ones I have seen personally)

There are few in this thread which have the hole
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86615&highlight=wilton+bullet+history

here is an example:

 

[drivesitfar]

90: a third hole could be an owners modification where maybe the original cast broke from a aggressive removal of a pin holding the vise nut in so new holes were drilled 180 degrees to put pin(s) in vertical instead of horizontal.

Shift: there is a Reed dating thread I think Rusty started you might take a gander at to see if your numbers might be a date or part number.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I don't know much about leg vises and this will be my first opportunity to purchase one. I'm posting this pic prior to purchase to see if any of my fellow vise aficionados see any reason to not pick this one up. I do see it doesn't have a bracket or mount of any sort. Not sure how hard that would be to find something that would work. Price is under $50 and its local to me and not on CL so no worries about tipping anyone off.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

My newest additon to the collection. Rock Island 573. Pretty good shape. We'll see whats hiding under the worlds toughest yellow paint.

 

[va.grouseman]

Chris, can't really tell for sure from the pics but looks to be at least between 4 1/2'' to 6'' jaws, judging from the battery for size reference, and is as you say, missing mounting bracket which you can find on eBay about any day.---Is also missing the opening spring which you can make if you know anything about heating and tempering flat iron.---I'd look for welds or breaks and also how well the jaws meet up, but if none are found, well I'd buy it without a second thought.---For under $50.00, yea I'd buy it.


Good Hunting

 

[Smitty]

I don't know much about leg vises and this will be my first opportunity to purchase one. I'm posting this pic prior to purchase to see if any of my fellow vise aficionados see any reason to not pick this one up. I do see it doesn't have a bracket or mount of any sort. Not sure how hard that would be to find something that would work. Price is under $50 and its local to me and not on CL so no worries about tipping anyone off.

The price is right for the post vise assuming it doesn’t have any major issues. There’s a complete mounting bracket on eBay that’s still in the bid stage. It’s at $42 + shipping. There’s a spring for 15.50 + shipping.

 

[Outlawmws]

It's worth 50 for sure. if you get it ask about any other parts that may be loose where it is at. sometimes 2nd owners/inheritors don't know what they even have...

 

[Shiftless]

I just finished up a Tradesman 1745. It came out of a vintage Jeep restoration shop near the burned out area of Santa Rosa CA. The elderly owner decided to retire at that point and sell his stuff. As I reported earlier, he held on to a nice Parker. Here are some before and after shots. I chose not to polish the anvil area...just cleaned it. That’s Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

 

[va.grouseman]

Good point Outlaw.---You are exactly right on that one.---Experienced that first hand.

 

[va.grouseman]

That turned out great Shift.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Picked up this Craftsman 5160 vise today along with some other goodies posted in the garage sale thread. It wasn't in the guy's auto shop where he had a number of Chinese made tools and other vises. It was rusting out at the edge of his carport. Could it be from the '30s? There appears to be what might be the remains of a Craftsman decal on the top of the "anvil". Or is that something else? I think the vise is going to clean up really nicely. The jaws are in great shape. It closes and opens okay just needs some new lubrication. Is there a piece missing from the base (see the pic)? Anyone have a pic of the decal that was on the vise? I'm going to need advice on how to best try and expose whatever is left of the decal.

 

[Outlawmws]

Guys, I may have just had an epiphany? Tx's pic of this clicked:

For the infamous "who made it" craftsman 519x vises - What does that swivel base look like, and the mating body base, and the swivel lock nuts inside? That may be a detail that was reused? What does it match?

 

[Smitty]

I just finished up a Tradesman 1745. It came out of a vintage Jeep restoration shop near the burned out area of Santa Rosa CA. The elderly owner decided to retire at that point and sell his stuff. As I reported earlier, he held on to a nice Parker. Here are some before and after shots. I chose not to polish the anvil area...just cleaned it. That’s Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

Beautifully done and red is a fitting tribute to those that worked so hard to try and save that area.

 

[Loydski29]

I just finished up a Tradesman 1745. It came out of a vintage Jeep restoration shop near the burned out area of Santa Rosa CA. The elderly owner decided to retire at that point and sell his stuff. As I reported earlier, he held on to a nice Parker. Here are some before and after shots. I chose not to polish the anvil area...just cleaned it. That’s Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

SHIFTGreat work looks very nice!

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks va and Smitty and loydski

Now that you mention it, red IS a good color and a fitting tribute to the brave people who fought to save lives and property. I have met several firemen who were up there that week.
Thanks for bringing that up Smitty, (I didn’t plan it that way.)

 

[WillieBill66]

I have this Supreme MK IV bench vise, was my step fathers and am trying to restore it. My problem is is that 'Supreme' does not show ANY results. I am looking for replacement hardened steel jaws 4" long and a swivel base locking screw. What I have found were too long or just too expensive for replacements, i.e., $50..
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Well, this is my first post so I'll have to post more before I can add links to pics of this vise, LOL

 

[Shiftless]

I have this Supreme MK IV bench vise, was my step fathers and am trying to restore it. My problem is is that 'Supreme' does not show ANY results. I am looking for replacement hardened steel jaws 4" long and a swivel base locking screw. What I have found were too long or just too expensive for replacements, i.e., $50..
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Well, this is my first post so I'll have to post more before I can add links to pics of this vise, LOL

It isn’t too hard to get past 5 posts. Just surf around, find a topic you know something about and put in your 2 cents worth of advice. Or compliment somebody on their nice workbench or garage renovation.

Can we assume you are NOT talking about this Supreme vise?

Is it one of this type? With a name like Supreme MKIV I have suspicions.

 

[bhydro]

Is anybody familiar with number coding on old Reed vises?
I’m currently working on the vise I rescued from a dumpster last year. It’s a Reed model 31. Fresh from the Simple Green scrub down. Definitely an oldie with the through-the-bench hold down screw.
Are these numbers a date code?

I see a big 196
And a smaller 227 (seen in the second picture)
.
.
Yes, I have the whole set of pipe jaws currently soaking in Evaporust. The 3 original square headed bolts holding them in are still present.
The main screw and handle are sitting on the side away from the photo shoot.

I was able to remove the mounting screw/post (thread size 3/4-10)
I have the bench top mounting plate but don’t have the below the bench cast iron washer or the big cast iron wing nut)
Anybody got those parts?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/273638724237

 

[Shiftless]

Saw these for the Reed 31.

Thanks!
I sent that seller a PM.

 

[wrenchguy]

my 5197

 

[Outlawmws]

WG, can you take a pic of it with the base off; same angle?

 

[Shiftless]

I think Outlaw is trying to draw a parallel with REED vises.
Here is the bottom of my yet to be restored Reed 204

BTW, that swivel hex measures 1 3/4 inches across. That’s bigger than my biggest socket.
Reed doesn’t fool around...this is only a 4 inch vise. The handle is a foot long and 5/8”

 

[wrenchguy]

WG, can you take a pic of it with the base off; same angle?

tomorrow.

 

[Smitty]

I think Outlaw is trying to draw a parallel with REED vises.
Here is the bottom of my yet to be restored Reed 204

Kind of reminds me of the Kilroy was here face when you position it like that.

 

[rusty65]

Picked up this Craftsman 5160 vise today along with some other goodies posted in the garage sale thread. It wasn't in the guy's auto shop where he had a number of Chinese made tools and other vises. It was rusting out at the edge of his carport. Could it be from the '30s? There appears to be what might be the remains of a Craftsman decal on the top of the "anvil". Or is that something else? I think the vise is going to clean up really nicely. The jaws are in great shape. It closes and opens okay just needs some new lubrication. Is there a piece missing from the base (see the pic)? Anyone have a pic of the decal that was on the vise? I'm going to need advice on how to best try and expose whatever is left of the decal.

I’m sorry to say I’m thinking that the last picture of the base there is a piece missing and a crack going down the side of it. Also the decal remains are probably something someone added long ago before got its patina.


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[va.grouseman]

I think Outlaw is trying to draw a parallel with REED vises.
Here is the bottom of my yet to be restored Reed 204

Just looks like a scared little man with big ears, a big nose, and a knot on his head.---He thinks the bad man with the baseball bat is going to give him a matching set.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty I’m glad you noticed. I did that on purpose.


If anybody want to compare another Craftsman, here is the bottom of my 5176.
If I had to guess, I’d say that Wilton built this one. There is an external horseshoe holding the main screw just like the bullet vises and the Wilton mechanics’. I did not think Reed ever did that, did they?

There are 2 extra holes present. Evidently a previous owner decided to bypass the hold down and go directly to a couple of big wood screws through the swivel base and right down into his bench.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I’m sorry to say I’m thinking that the last picture of the base there is a piece missing and a crack going down the side of it. Also the decal remains are probably something someone added long ago before got its patina.


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r65: I took a close look at that pic and I think you are right. I'll hope that the vise will still be okay to use. Lucky I didn't give much for it.

 

[kenc184]

Still waiting for a fair priced Reed 3C to turn up so in the meanwhile thought I'd pick up a pipe vise. Is there a heirarchy of quality makes? The Reeds look pretty good (no surprise), the Armstrong 233 units look decent. Looking for something to handle up to at least 2-1/2".

Any advice on makes/models?