Here’s a couple of different pics of the Prentiss jewelers vise.
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Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Here’s a couple of different pics of the Prentiss jewelers vise.
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That's not machinery, that's jewelry.
Bill S
alcorelli
Well-known member
Absolutely stunning.
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Josh C
Well-known member
Smitty, gotta say the vise is absolutely jaw dropping, just outstanding without question. Thrilled that it ended up in the hands of a caretaker who throughly appreciates it and it’s rarity. Couldn’t ask for a better foster home when you consider all the playmates it has now!! Nice that worked out for ya. I always like to pass along those desirable pieces that for some reason I am unable to get to or keep an eye on. That one just came at a time when I already had several irons in the fire that I was obligated to see through and I didn’t like the thought of it disappearing and not knowing if it went to a good home or not. You saved me some sleepless nights I am sure ������ Josh
Shiftless
Well-known member
Josh
No matter how much $$$ was involved, Smitty better have already said “I owe you one”. for that favor.
No matter how much $$$ was involved, Smitty better have already said “I owe you one”. for that favor.
Here’s a couple of different pics of the Prentiss jewelers vise.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Once again gorgeous vise you have there. I saw this prentiss sell any idea what that line could be in this picture?
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davethorik
Well-known member
Once again gorgeous vise you have there. I saw this prentiss sell any idea what that line could be in this picture?
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Did you buy that lot on eBay? I watched the auction. Looked like a 2" Rock Island auto locker in there, with the slide busted off
No new vises here lately. But I did pick up this cast iron stand from a WardWell Manufacturing band saw blade sharpener. I had been on the hunt for something like this for a while. Now I just need to get a piece of plate cut for the top and its ready for some paint! Its got a cool 1 inch hole through it near the top. Ill have to get some 1 inch rod to make some hammer hangers or something.
Edit. I was looking on vintage machinery at an old catalog. apparently its 110 lbs. It was optional for some of the bench mounted sharpeners.
Edit. I was looking on vintage machinery at an old catalog. apparently its 110 lbs. It was optional for some of the bench mounted sharpeners.
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Josh, thanks again for the Tip on the vise, I wouldn’t have it if it wasn’t for your info. It’s definitely going to a good home. The only downside is that I’ll never get to see how much it resells for
sqyards
Well-known member
Ok GJ vise guys I asked this in the vise info room but got nothing, I bought littletown vise # 112 had like 20 coats of paint so I didn't notice the slide is bent, so when it's closed 1 side is open, how should I try and straighten it, should I heat it first and whack it or just whack it. Trying not to snap slide off of course, thank you for any advice.
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royce
Well-known member
Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
I also posted the in the "general" section but did not get any responses, so trying it here as well...
I got a nice Reed 204R vise the other day.
Not planning to restore it since it is in good shape and I like the patina.
I took it apart, cleaned it and regreased and oiled it.
When I tried to install it on my bench, I realized that the base and the vise are not aligned.
I.e. if I align the mounting holes of the swivel base so they are the same distance from the front edge of the bench, the vise itself is not 90 degrees relative to this edge once I tighten it with the swivel base handle.
Since the design does not allow any adjustment with the serrated locking plate pulling everything into place, I would have to install the swivel base on an angle to make up for the offset.
Given how well designed Reed vises are, I would be really surprised if they had not taken that into account.
I don't think there is any room for error in assembling base and vise unless I am missing something?
Here's a picture that shows what I am talking about:
The vise is absolutely perpendicular to the edge of the WB but the mounting holes are off by a few degrees.
I also posted the in the "general" section but did not get any responses, so trying it here as well...
I got a nice Reed 204R vise the other day.
Not planning to restore it since it is in good shape and I like the patina.
I took it apart, cleaned it and regreased and oiled it.
When I tried to install it on my bench, I realized that the base and the vise are not aligned.
I.e. if I align the mounting holes of the swivel base so they are the same distance from the front edge of the bench, the vise itself is not 90 degrees relative to this edge once I tighten it with the swivel base handle.
Since the design does not allow any adjustment with the serrated locking plate pulling everything into place, I would have to install the swivel base on an angle to make up for the offset.
Given how well designed Reed vises are, I would be really surprised if they had not taken that into account.
I don't think there is any room for error in assembling base and vise unless I am missing something?
Here's a picture that shows what I am talking about:
The vise is absolutely perpendicular to the edge of the WB but the mounting holes are off by a few degrees.
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
Hmm. Haven't seen this before. Does the vise have its center bolt (the bolt coming up from the bottom of the swivel base that screws into the main body of the vise)? That bolt centers the vise on the swivel base, among other things. Practically, if it doesn't bump your OCD, it should be just as strong being slightly off center.
I also posted the in the "general" section but did not get any responses, so trying it here as well...
I got a nice Reed 204R vise the other day.
Not planning to restore it since it is in good shape and I like the patina.
I took it apart, cleaned it and regreased and oiled it.
When I tried to install it on my bench, I realized that the base and the vise are not aligned.
I.e. if I align the mounting holes of the swivel base so they are the same distance from the front edge of the bench, the vise itself is not 90 degrees relative to this edge once I tighten it with the swivel base handle.
Since the design does not allow any adjustment with the serrated locking plate pulling everything into place, I would have to install the swivel base on an angle to make up for the offset.
Given how well designed Reed vises are, I would be really surprised if they had not taken that into account.
I don't think there is any room for error in assembling base and vise unless I am missing something?
Here's a picture that shows what I am talking about:
The vise is absolutely perpendicular to the edge of the WB but the mounting holes are off by a few degrees.
Hmm. Haven't seen this before. Does the vise have its center bolt (the bolt coming up from the bottom of the swivel base that screws into the main body of the vise)? That bolt centers the vise on the swivel base, among other things. Practically, if it doesn't bump your OCD, it should be just as strong being slightly off center.
WhoWhatNow
Well-known member
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
Take a careful look at the mounting ears on the base. Have one or more been broken off and brazed back on? They do not look positioned properly relative to each other.
I also posted the in the "general" section but did not get any responses, so trying it here as well...
I got a nice Reed 204R vise the other day.
Not planning to restore it since it is in good shape and I like the patina.
I took it apart, cleaned it and regreased and oiled it.
When I tried to install it on my bench, I realized that the base and the vise are not aligned.
I.e. if I align the mounting holes of the swivel base so they are the same distance from the front edge of the bench, the vise itself is not 90 degrees relative to this edge once I tighten it with the swivel base handle.
Since the design does not allow any adjustment with the serrated locking plate pulling everything into place, I would have to install the swivel base on an angle to make up for the offset.
Given how well designed Reed vises are, I would be really surprised if they had not taken that into account.
I don't think there is any room for error in assembling base and vise unless I am missing something?
Here's a picture that shows what I am talking about:
The vise is absolutely perpendicular to the edge of the WB but the mounting holes are off by a few degrees.
Take a careful look at the mounting ears on the base. Have one or more been broken off and brazed back on? They do not look positioned properly relative to each other.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
That’s what it looks like to me too.
The one I’m pointing to here looks to be not only in the wrong position but seems to me a different size and shape compared to the other mounting ears.
That’s what it looks like to me too.
The one I’m pointing to here looks to be not only in the wrong position but seems to me a different size and shape compared to the other mounting ears.
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Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
All perfect, nothing repaired.
The picture is a little skewed since I did not get it perfectly centered from above; that's why the ears look a little off.
All perfect, nothing repaired.
The picture is a little skewed since I did not get it perfectly centered from above; that's why the ears look a little off.
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
Yes, bolt is in, fits perfectly, no wear or tear.
Re. OCD: it actually does bug the heck out of me, especially since I am still trying to figure out whether there is some reassembly issue.
Once I rule this out and can blame Reed for this, I might be able to ignore it
Does the vise have its center bolt (the bolt coming up from the bottom of the swivel base that screws into the main body of the vise)? That bolt centers the vise on the swivel base, among other things. Practically, if it doesn't bump your OCD, it should be just as strong being slightly off center.
Yes, bolt is in, fits perfectly, no wear or tear.
Re. OCD: it actually does bug the heck out of me, especially since I am still trying to figure out whether there is some reassembly issue.
Once I rule this out and can blame Reed for this, I might be able to ignore it
All looking good to me...
Well, maybe I just bite the bullet even though the thought of drilling holes that way into my beautiful 2.5" butcher block top makes me cringe.
Maybe I give Reed a call, it's only 77 years old so they should accept a warranty claim
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Shiftless
Well-known member
I can only think of one way to assemble that vise. Once the center swivel bolt is in it is aligned so you just swivel it around and line it up on your bench top. How can that go wrong?
Is it the angle of your photo shot or lens distortion of some kind? That base doesn’t look symmetrical. The center pivot bolt doesn’t appear to be in the center.
I think we need a shot with the base level and the camera pointing straight down.
You could unbolt the base and lay it flat and shoot straight down.
Something is weird...
.
Is it the angle of your photo shot or lens distortion of some kind? That base doesn’t look symmetrical. The center pivot bolt doesn’t appear to be in the center.
I think we need a shot with the base level and the camera pointing straight down.
You could unbolt the base and lay it flat and shoot straight down.
Something is weird...
.
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Exactly my thought as well, just wanted to make sure...
Like I said, they are considered to be really well designed vises (it is my first Reed), so I am a little surprised that Reed would not have cared about this.
Yes, it is very hard to hold my iPhone straight above without getting some kind of distortion.
As far as I can tell, there is really nothing wrong with base, no repair, holes are symmetrical and bolt is centered.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Then go ahead and bolt that bad boy to your workbench and proceed with whatever other projects you’re working on.
I have several Reeds in my collection and know of quite a few guys who have their choice of many top shelf vises and have a Reed proudly mounted as a user on their workbenches. Have you ever seen a Reed 4C in person? I know of 3 guys who use a 4C as their daily driver.
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All looking good to me...
Well, maybe I just bite the bullet even though the thought of drilling holes that way into my beautiful 2.5" butcher block top makes me cringe.
Maybe I give Reed a call, it's only 77 years old so they should accept a warranty claim
There is a Reed 203 1/2A on ebay that the base looks just like yours
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BENCH-VISE...115881?hash=item1a968f2f69:g:P5YAAOSw0UNen4I~
Look at the pictures
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wrenchguy
Well-known member
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
its made that way so the vertical plane of the fixed jaw can slightly extend beyond the bench your mounting it to.
its made that way so the vertical plane of the fixed jaw can slightly extend beyond the bench your mounting it to.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
first you need to determine what is bent for sure, and where.
If you remove the D jaw and set the jaw face on a flat surface, is the slide perpendicular to that surface? if not then its the D jaw assembly. if it is its with the static jaw.
These are generally Grey cast iron so whacking anything will just break things.
If it is the slide, does a straight edge, show where on the slide it bent? Some slides are still CI and some are steel and you might be able to press the slide straight.
If it happens to be in the static I doubt there is much you can do even with heat.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Have you looked at the toothed part inside that engages the base? Is it factory or did someone cobble it up? Is it less one tooth one way or the other?
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
Not the issue, maybe this picture helps:
Both ears for the bolts are flush with the workbench edge (take my word for it) but the jaws are not parallel to it.
I.e. the swivel base does not allow to lock the vise itself in a straight way. It is off by a few degrees.
And again, anything else that seems weird in the picture is just due to the angle it was taken.
Base is straight, swivel bolt is in the center, mounting holes are correct in relation to each other.
I think it’s simply that Reed did not ensure that the serrated locking mechanism in the swivel base allows for a straight position.
Not the issue, maybe this picture helps:
Both ears for the bolts are flush with the workbench edge (take my word for it) but the jaws are not parallel to it.
I.e. the swivel base does not allow to lock the vise itself in a straight way. It is off by a few degrees.
And again, anything else that seems weird in the picture is just due to the angle it was taken.
Base is straight, swivel bolt is in the center, mounting holes are correct in relation to each other.
I think it’s simply that Reed did not ensure that the serrated locking mechanism in the swivel base allows for a straight position.
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royce
Well-known member
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
For what is worth I have a couple of Reeds that are similar to yours.
It drives me nuts that Reed did not index the swivel lock cogs with the jaw line and feet.
Royce
Not the issue, maybe this picture helps:
Both ears for the bolts are flush with the workbench edge (take my word for it) but the jaws are not parallel to it.
I.e. the swivel base does not allow to lock the vise itself in a straight way. It is off by a few degrees.
And again, anything else that seems weird in the picture is just due to the angle it was taken.
Base is straight, swivel bolt is in the center, mounting holes are correct in relation to each other.
I think it’s simply that Reed did not ensure that the serrated locking mechanism in the swivel base allows for a straight position.
For what is worth I have a couple of Reeds that are similar to yours.
It drives me nuts that Reed did not index the swivel lock cogs with the jaw line and feet.
Royce
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Teeth in the plate itself are perfect too.
Maybe I just got proof that Reed was one of the first US companies to outsource manufacturing to China in 1943 [emoji38]
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Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
I think that answers it.
Disappointing actually, glad I only paid 60 bucks for it
Thanks all for your input!
I think that answers it.
Disappointing actually, glad I only paid 60 bucks for it
Thanks all for your input!
wrenchguy
Well-known member
bull ****!
MrSurly
Well-known member
I think you *may* have proof that wartime production was all about demand/speed/raw material utilization and the quality control that monitored *aesthetics* was disbanded to concentrate on function and production.
I’d be curious to compare prewar examples
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I’d be curious to compare prewar examples
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good point!
mikeswrenches
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2015
- Messages
- 170
Re: Reed R204 swivel base miss aligned?
It’s possible that the guy in the foundry setting the "core" for the swivel lock in the base didn’t put it in the right location. Or maybe it was a Monday morning and he had had a particularly rough weekend :beer.
It’s also possible that there was no setup to rotationally locate the core since it really wasn’t going to affect anything. I’m like you, however, it would offend my eye to not have it located correctly. Things should be located so they are Plumb, Square and Level, even when it’s not really necessary.
Royce's comment is really pertinent, since it lends support to my second argument that placement of that core, rotationally, wasn’t important. If it would have been, the pattern maker would have made a provision on the pattern and in the corebox for some type of locating setup.
I’m going to have to check mine and see if they have the same issue.
I think that answers it.
Disappointing actually, glad I only paid 60 bucks for it
Thanks all for your input!
It’s possible that the guy in the foundry setting the "core" for the swivel lock in the base didn’t put it in the right location. Or maybe it was a Monday morning and he had had a particularly rough weekend :beer.
It’s also possible that there was no setup to rotationally locate the core since it really wasn’t going to affect anything. I’m like you, however, it would offend my eye to not have it located correctly. Things should be located so they are Plumb, Square and Level, even when it’s not really necessary.
Royce's comment is really pertinent, since it lends support to my second argument that placement of that core, rotationally, wasn’t important. If it would have been, the pattern maker would have made a provision on the pattern and in the corebox for some type of locating setup.
I’m going to have to check mine and see if they have the same issue.
ganymede
Well-known member
The base on my 1930's 203 lines up fine but the center of the hub is not on center with the the screw itself .
As i rotate it it looks like it wobbles. Not a big deal I guess.
As i rotate it it looks like it wobbles. Not a big deal I guess.
royce
Well-known member
For me, it is no big deal, just an irritant.
Clamp a bar in the jaws to line it up with the bench top to layout the mounting holes.
Royce
wrenchguy
Well-known member
A chinese wilton?
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Frustrating to discover a major problem at the finish. It’s happened to me.
If I had your problem, I would measure the gap in your jaws for a reference. Clamp the slide in another vise. Heat an area of the slide cherry red, near the dynamic jaw body (or where you can see a bend). Slowly straighten the slide.
After that, reassemble the vise. If you still have a very small gap, add some shims behind your jaw faces to close the gap.
Good luck