Recent content by DonH

Can you post some pictures?

I wouldn't file on the face of the jaws, they are forged in to place and impossible to replace without milling out the jaws completely and having a new set made. Maybe remove the dynamic side, put it in a press and try to tweak it a few thousandths?

I used paint stripper.

My understanding is the date on the sides should be the manufacture date. There are other numbers stamped in different places, I suppose inspection stamps. My 1918 vise does not have numbers under the dynamic side like yours does.

After looking at my 1918 3 1/"2 Reed it appears as though the rear mounting flange had been broken off at one time and welded back on. There was no nut retainer pin, instead the nut was held loosely by the weld. The original hole must have been welded over. I had to grind some of the weld behind...

Yes, thank you! Your picture of the bottom shows what I think is the pin hole where the retainer pin goes that keeps the nut in its dovetail. Did you drive that pin out to take it apart? Typically the pin is driven in from the bottom and then bent in towards the nut to hold the nut tight.

I see a 120 on the static side. I'm going with January, 1920. Pretty cool. Can you tack a picture of the bottom of the vise and the back looking inside where the nut is? My 103 1/2 made in 1918 doesn't seem to have a hole where a pin would hold the nut in place.

Did you find any date numbers on the static side? They should be opposite the company name. I had to use a magnifying glass and a bright light to find mine. From your picture I'm seeing a 0120. I don't think they used a 0 for months January through September, just the single digit.

Mine was apparently repainted gray but I did find a bit of red on the base.

I inherited my Grandad's old vise about 40 years ago and for the last 35 years it has been used in my basement work shop. The vise is a 103 1/2 Reed. It is old and tired but still works (kinda like me). I can remember this vise on Grandad's workbench as far back as the late 60's. The date on...

New swivel wedge completed. I found the manufactured date which is 741 so July of 1941. All parts are cleaned up and ready for paint. Anyone know what the original color was?

Yea that's what I figured so I made the wedge yesterday. Just need to drill it out, insert and weld the stud.

I picked up a Reed 215 "Filers" vise. I found it listed in a 1931 catalog, it weighs 93 pounds and has 5" wide jaws. It is in great shape except for one of the swivel locks is broken. Anyone have an idea on where I could buy one?