Reed 204r open but stuck jaw

[Mamrak76]

I picked up a nice Reed 204r today. It’s in great condition. No welds, cracks, jaws are nice. Only problem is this: I can totally open the dynamic jaw all the way with no resistance. Then I remove the pin (from the bottom) and set screw. I can remove the dovetailed acme nut also. But the Dynamic jaw will not come out. I’ve beat on it several times. If the nut is out, what else is holding the jaw in??? I have reassembled it and ran the jaw around a few times and also sprayed it with Pb but it will not pull out like all the other vises. Am I missing a piece somewhere? I know how to remove the lead screw but it’s attached to nothing so that wouldn’t matter.... any help is appreciated.

Thanks ,

Jordan

 

[davethorik]

Are there hammer marks on the slide? Might need filing/stoning to allow it to slide free.

 

[Mamrak76]

No sir the c channel slide is in good condition. Like I stated. It opens all the way out. Then the lead screw starts to get tight. I will back it off, remove the nut and slide it out. Then the jaw won’t come out anymore from there.

 

[RTM]

I had a similar problem with my 203-1/2, at the end of the stroke, the front jaw would lift Instead of fall off. I took a brass hammer and whacked it a bit (out, not down) and it would drop back to level. Took a couple of repeats to get it out.

I couldn't take my nut out, so it may have been the problem, or jamming of the slide. I did file it afterward.

 

[Mamrak76]

I got it freed up. I had to wire brush the paint off. Once I got it open all was good. Happy I didn’t break anything! Thanks for the help guys

 

[Shiftless]

I got it freed up. I had to wire brush the paint off. Once I got it open all was good. Happy I didn’t break anything! Thanks for the help guys

Glad you got it apart. Reed vises are certainly top shelf tools.
The slide is not supposed to be painted. Remove all the paint and treat the bare metal with Boiled Linseed oil or some commercial high quality rust retardant.