The VISES of Garage Journal

PghJKB · Mar 22, 2014

CudaChick1968 said:
thundermug, the handle is 9 1/4" long (including the knob ends) and the knobs are about 7/8" the best I can tell. It doesn't look like the knob ends come off -- I couldn't unscrew them and didn't see any indication that they aren't part of the handle ... but I'm probably wrong.

I was successful in finding another Reed 103 1/2 R on CraigsList for sale -- more than I paid and not in nearly as nice of shape -- but can't find out much about what it originally looked like. What color(s) is it supposed to be?

CudaChick

With all respect to Outlaw, your Reed may have originally been gray. :beer:

Last summer I found a Reed 104 1/2 at an Estate Sale under the set of wooden steps that lead down to the basement. When I went to check out, the widow was genuinely surprised to see it, and asked where I found it. She remarked that her husband must have snuck it in and hid it. (They had moved into this house in 1951). I figure the previous owner left it behind, also after hiding it under the steps.

Check out the paint, it is light gray. I have also included a Craftsman 5180, which is a Reed made 3 1/2 inch jaw, identical to yours. I believe the Craftsman was originally medium to dark blue - as listed in the Sears Hand Tool catalog.

The vise is pretty pristine, IMHO no discernible use - check out the jaws, 60+ years of Western PA basement moisture took a something of a toll. This one is due for a full restoration and I intend to use "Walker Turner" gray paint on it. Not quite Reed gray, but I got a lot of WT gray on my hands after restoring a WT Drill Press.

JKB

Mark in Indiana · Mar 22, 2014

Hello Vise Friends,

Just picked up a C-Man 5 1/2" T-jaw for $30.00 this morning. I needed an easy one for my vise work schedule 'cause the 2 vises that I'm currently working on are more of a challenge than I anticipated. This one will be a quick restore and find a good home for.

My wife was even impressed with this one in it's condition. :rocker:

AndrewH · Mar 22, 2014

So, I'm not entirely sure why but I have a serious urge to buy a Wilton Bullet, preferably 4" jaws or larger. Has anyone seen one for sale in decent shape? Or does anyone have one they'd like to part with? I just love the design / looks but unfortunately they seem to rarely be put up for sale in my area.

Thanks,
Andrew

Mark in Indiana · Mar 22, 2014

^^^ Hey Andrew,

You will be paying a premium price for it. There are plenty of quality vises that will do the job. Unless you REALLY want one I'd go for a Charles Parker with a swivel base, Reed, or even an Craftsman.
Now keep in mind, You can get the Wilton that you want, but you will have to be patient and diligent in your search.

wrenchguy · Mar 22, 2014

Craptain said:
I really like the Dunlap. It has a big useful sort of look to it. 1st one I have seen.

Older Dunlap, looks like a nice original 1.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/tls/4378193081.html

thundermug · Mar 22, 2014

Thanks Cuda. Some day I'll have enough time to put the correct size handle on my vise. I figure there is a good reason Reed designed it to have a specific handle length.

steelkilt · Mar 22, 2014

My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

wrenchguy · Mar 22, 2014

steelkilt said:
My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

nice.

drivesitfar · Mar 22, 2014

steelkilt said:
My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

awesome looking Parker. i'm betting the original handle had to be in decent shape because the vise looks like it's in new condition. did you have Ritz make you a new handle so you could put the speed screw in the center and lock the handle in the middle position?

nice work and great work on the handle Ritz.

JKB: great way to show off two great vises and i have several nice Reed vises and i don't think any of them have the points left on the criss crossed jaws like yours does so i'll have to check closer with my readers. it looks like that might not have been used yet. is that little Craftsman a 3 inch or is it smaller?

EOC_Jason · Mar 22, 2014

CudaChick1968 said:
I was successful in finding another Reed 103 1/2 R on CraigsList for sale -- more than I paid and not in nearly as nice of shape -- but can't find out much about what it originally looked like. What color(s) is it supposed to be?

Most of the ones that I've seen that you *know* are the original color are the "machine tool gray"...

I've seen a handful also satin black, but I don't know if black paint was just cheap back in the day or if that is how they came...

Honestly, go BOLD... A nice bright color really helps it pop... It's something you should be proud of, not something you want to hide away in a corner.

Someone did an AWESOME job on a 3C not too long ago that was a nice dark metallic blue... it was a true work of art!

t4runner · Mar 22, 2014

steelkilt said:
My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

Nice Parker.

steelkilt · Mar 22, 2014

Drive: Yup, I had him make 2 for me. The other is 974? Can't remember, it's almost competed, few more weeks. It's funny, everybody (I have a large household) tries the speed handle "flick"! I think the record is 5 complete revolutions! This 984 is shimmed-up very well (I do NOT like slack, runout, lash or anything otherwise less than fully functioning tight! The nut is in very proper relation to the screw as well as immobile due to a horizontal situated set screw (ala Reed style). My father had only "speeders" in the basement and garage when I was a kid. I thought ALL vises had speed handles when I was younger, it wasn't until I got older...

FlyingLow · Mar 22, 2014

drivesitfar said:
Flying Low: here's a similar vise to yours that has been painted and restored. also another similar one with the little hardy in the hole. that anvil is really not meant to be pounded on as you probably already know.

Thanks for those pictures. When i disassembled the vise and cleaned it last night i was surprised at how "hollow" the under side of that anvil area is and understand why you said that. I need to find some white paint for the lettering...

Made a new handle for the green beast this morning, nothing fancy on a lathe but i think it suits the vise. Just got some 3/4" 4140 and some DOM tubing welded on. Had some leather around so made some washers for it. I'll post pictures in a minute.

PghJKB · Mar 22, 2014

drivesitfar said:
awesome looking Parker. i'm betting the original handle had to be in decent shape because the vise looks like it's in new condition. did you have Ritz make you a new handle so you could put the speed screw in the center and lock the handle in the middle position?

nice work and great work on the handle Ritz.

JKB: great way to show off two great vises and i have several nice Reed vises and i don't think any of them have the points left on the criss crossed jaws like yours does so i'll have to check closer with my readers. it looks like that might not have been used yet. is that little Craftsman a 3 inch or is it smaller?

Drivesitfar
My Craftsman 5180 is a 3 1/2 inch jaw model. It was covered with leaf debris and spider webs when I found it on the bottom of a set of shelves partially obscured by the open door from the house to the garage. I could not tell what I had until I cleaned off a good deal of the debris - check out the image of what it looked like after I got it home, after 90% of the **** was gone.

Also including a shot of the rear end, showing what I believe is the original blue paint. According to the Craftsman catalog images Outlaw posted, the 1941 and 1942 list their vises as "blue enamel finish".

Oh yea, the jaws on this guy are almost in as good of shape as the Reed 104 1/2.

JKB

FlyingLow · Mar 22, 2014

Pictures

mcmlvif100 · Mar 22, 2014

AndrewH said:
So, I'm not entirely sure why but I have a serious urge to buy a Wilton Bullet, preferably 4" jaws or larger. Has anyone seen one for sale in decent shape? Or does anyone have one they'd like to part with? I just love the design / looks but unfortunately they seem to rarely be put up for sale in my area.

Thanks,
Andrew

Not affiliated with this vise or the owner. Might be a little too far North of you but looks like a decent Wilton C1 and steel workbench for someone in central MI area.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/4384774996.html

Metal Work Bench with Wilton Bullet Vise - $175 (Blanchard)

Solid workbench with attached Wilton C1 4.5" "Bullet" type vise. Originally from a local Ford dealership that closed in the 80's and has been used and stored indoors since. Vise is very solid and moves easily. Great addition for a garage, shop or polebarn. Work table has a slight dip to it but is still very use-able. $175 Firm. Email or call (989) 289-2011 for more information

AndrewH · Mar 22, 2014

Mark in Indiana said:
^^^ Hey Andrew,

You will be paying a premium price for it. There are plenty of quality vises that will do the job. Unless you REALLY want one I'd go for a Charles Parker with a swivel base, Reed, or even an Craftsman.
Now keep in mind, You can get the Wilton that you want, but you will have to be patient and diligent in your search.

I've actually already got a Parker 973 and Morgan 140. I posted them a couple pages back. I realize Wilton's for whatever reason command a premium price and I'm okay with that, as long as the price matches the condition and size I'll be happy.

Andrew

Sunbimmer · Mar 22, 2014

steelkilt said:
My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

Looks great :thumbup:

zkling · Mar 22, 2014

Prentiss lovers, please avert your eyes. I picked up this very sad prentiss No. 53 (4") today in hopes of welding table use. The back side of the slide has a chunk missing, the handle was bent like a banana, the entire body has been brazed back together at one point in time. The first thread in the nut is ripped and someone used the top of the slide as an anvil. I think that about covers it :spit:

The good; the screw is in good shape, the jaw faces are decent (all things considered), it closes and holds pressure, AND it was $5. Pics are after a quick wire wheeling and putting the handle in a press to straighten it out. I figured at worst it would make a good anchor. Any advice? :dunno:

jakemac · Mar 22, 2014

I believe that the US Constitution dictates that the proper action is to formally retire it in a burning pyre with full military honors.

......................... no, wait ................ that's the Flag. :headscrat

Outlawmws · Mar 22, 2014

ZK, Is that handle the right one? Seems pretty sloppy to me...

zkling · Mar 22, 2014

Outlawmws said:
ZK, Is that handle the right one? Seems pretty sloppy to me...

I have no idea sir. I've seen some vises have a large clearance between the eye hole and the handle, although most don't. :dunno:

Hopefully one of the experts will chime in.

antolod · Mar 22, 2014

I've wanted a baby bullet ever since I saw one posted in this thread. The other day, I saw one for auction "as is" on ebay. According to the description on the auction, the jaw wouldn't move. I figured I'd try my luck and place a bid. Well I won the auction and after a couple of hours cleaning it up I have my fully functional baby bullet on a power arm base.

Here it is, holding the nut for my Parker 79X that I got in May of 2011 and still haven't gotten around to restoring.

Sitting on a 6-1/2" bullet on one of the benches at work.

Durka · Mar 22, 2014

mcmlvif100 , geez, that's way to close to ignore. Thanks! Anyone want the table?

Durka · Mar 22, 2014

D@mn, -this thread is HUGE!!

mcmlvif100 · Mar 22, 2014

Appears to be my day to be a "vise enabler". Again, not affiliated with the vise or the owner.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/4387116931.html

COMMERICIAL RAILROAD VISE - $325 (GREENFIELD)

COMMERICIAL SIZE VISE, JAWS MEASURE 7", WILL OPEN TO APPROX. 15" SAFELY. TOTAL LENGTH OF VISE CLOSED IS 30", 12" TALL, BASE IS 10 1/2" ACROSS. VERY LARGE & HEAVY 150 PLUS POUNDS. MANUFACTURED IN ERIE PA. BY HOLLAND CO. $325.00 CALL OR TEXT 317-498-2584

AndrewH · Mar 22, 2014

mcmlvif100 said:
Appears to be my day to be a "vise enabler". Again, not affiliated with the vise or the owner.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/4387116931.html

COMMERICIAL RAILROAD VISE - $325 (GREENFIELD)

COMMERICIAL SIZE VISE, JAWS MEASURE 7", WILL OPEN TO APPROX. 15" SAFELY. TOTAL LENGTH OF VISE CLOSED IS 30", 12" TALL, BASE IS 10 1/2" ACROSS. VERY LARGE & HEAVY 150 PLUS POUNDS. MANUFACTURED IN ERIE PA. BY HOLLAND CO. $325.00 CALL OR TEXT 317-498-2584

Damn, that is one big *** vise! However it seems to me the price is a bit steep. I personally wouldn't pay much more than $1 - $1.50 a pound, which in this case from his info would be $150 - $225.

WhoWhatNow · Mar 22, 2014

I picked up two vises this week from two separate auctions. The first is a Reed 105. The PO had a set of wooden jaws on it which may explain why the vise is in such nice shape. There are almost no hammer marks on the slide or main body.
The second is a Parker 2X. Jaws measure 4-1/4" wide. The jaws on this one are also in great shape. I think it is an an older one based on the numbering and the design.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536111.703563.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536132.730763.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536147.074565.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536161.635678.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536196.110824.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536213.880186.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395536230.794364.jpg

ffast65 · Mar 22, 2014

nice buys. If that 7" one were around a $100, I would go get it and sell my 506 columbian

bigcaddy · Mar 22, 2014

zkling said:
Prentiss lovers, please avert your eyes. I picked up this very sad prentiss No. 53 (4") today in hopes of welding table use. The back side of the slide has a chunk missing, the handle was bent like a banana, the entire body has been brazed back together at one point in time. The first thread in the nut is ripped and someone used the top of the slide as an anvil. I think that about covers it

The good; the screw is in good shape, the jaw faces are decent (all things considered), it closes and holds pressure, AND it was $5. Pics are after a quick wire wheeling and putting the handle in a press to straighten it out. I figured at worst it would make a good anchor. Any advice?

Charter a boat to the Mariana's Trench and drop it in the water?

Outlawmws · Mar 22, 2014

AndrewH said:
Damn, that is one big *** vise! However it seems to me the price is a bit steep. I personally wouldn't pay much more than $1 - $1.50 a pound, which in this case from his info would be $150 - $225.

I'd say that his guestimate of the vise's weight is VERY conservative and it probably weighs 200 or more.

As far as $$ per lb. You can't price vises that way at all, if you ever could. Anything over 4.5" jaws or so gets a premium, and the more its over, the more the premium. 7" vises and up are RARE. Even 5-6" vises aren't common. People are apparently paying 30-40- bucks for 10-13 lb homeowner's exposed screw vises. (I have no idea why, its a $5-$10 vise to me...)

But even playing your game, its easily a $300 vise, AND it doesn't appear to be thrashed to death. I'd say offer 300, but be prepared to pay the full amount.

oldldh · Mar 22, 2014

What Outlaw said!!!

The bigger they are the more the price per pound curve goes up!!!

ritzblitz · Mar 22, 2014

steelkilt said:
My first vise pic. I hope you guys like them. Super special thanks to ritzblitz for allowing me to continually harass him for making the handle and ends to my exact tolerances. (ok, I'm picky) seriously, he's a real champ for helping me out and charging me a very fair price! Also, inspector house on Ebay for the finger savers and also allowing me to pick his brain on his incredible detail on his vises, another great guy to "ask allot of questions"! Thanks again

Thanks for the kind words Tom, I can't wait to see how your other Parker turns out- this one is excellent.

CudaChick1968 · Mar 22, 2014

Craptain said:
It's gonna make you proud.

Oh, looking at the last pic I guess it already made you proud. And protective.

Thanks Craptain! I don't see the point of working on anything if I can't be proud of it afterwards, so I guess my own stuff isn't going to be any different. Though I do quite a bit for Billy's cars and projects ("Hey babe, what color are you doing next?"), I really can't remember the last time I coated something for myself. I'm swamped still and will probably have to wait til the summer before I can even begin to play with it, but I'm pretty excited about the prospect. I just have it sitting on the end of my workbench so I can gaze at it once in awhile and think about fabulous things to do with it. LOL

As far as the sticker goes, it just added to my others. Check out the little yellow and black one ...

Outlawmws said:
... Cuda Chick, Most of the older (Pre WWII) vises were satin black. (Boring!)

Boring indeed!!! If it ends up black, it's going to have some eye-catching accents -- and probably some time on my buffer -- that can't be denied.

PghJKB said:
CudaChick

With all respect to Outlaw, your Reed may have originally been gray.

Last summer I found a Reed 104 1/2 at an Estate Sale under the set of wooden steps that lead down to the basement. When I went to check out, the widow was genuinely surprised to see it, and asked where I found it. She remarked that her husband must have snuck it in and hid it. (They had moved into this house in 1951). I figure the previous owner left it behind, also after hiding it under the steps.

Check out the paint, it is light gray. I have also included a Craftsman 5180, which is a Reed made 3 1/2 inch jaw, identical to yours. I believe the Craftsman was originally medium to dark blue - as listed in the Sears Hand Tool catalog.

The vise is pretty pristine, IMHO no discernible use - check out the jaws, 60+ years of Western PA basement moisture took a something of a toll. This one is due for a full restoration and I intend to use "Walker Turner" gray paint on it. Not quite Reed gray, but I got a lot of WT gray on my hands after restoring a WT Drill Press.

JKB

Wow, that looks just as clean as mine does! The jaws are just like that with clean cross hatching ...

... and I can't believe this thing is as old as it's supposed to be. If it was used then it wasn't often, or harshly. I want your handle though

-- only one end of mine looks as good as yours and I seriously doubt if mine's gonna buff out. LMAO

thundermug said:
Thanks Cuda. Some day I'll have enough time to put the correct size handle on my vise. I figure there is a good reason Reed designed it to have a specific handle length.

You are more than welcome! I'm just happy to be able to help somebody else out with something for once -- I've been on the receiving end of great info and ideas so often around here it was time for some Pay It Forward, even if it was only a couple measurements. :beer:

"D@mn, -this thread is HUGE!!"

You bet it is Durka, and it's one of the most active ones in my email. These guys will amaze and delight you at every turn so buckle your seat belt doll -- you're in for the ride of your life! I hope my contribution will be worthy.

Thanks for all the help guys!! I really appreciate it.

gasgunner · Mar 22, 2014

First post here. Recently been needing to upgrade the vise in my little basement shop, but just could not bring myself to spend good $ on the junk at the home improvement store. Found this site and began doing some reading and decided I needed a vise with a swiveling fixed jaw. A few weeks ago I did not even know they existed. So I began watching e-bay and low and behold a Reed 403 1/2 showed up about 10 miles form my house. A quick e-mail to the seller confirmed that I could see it and pick it up to save the shipping so I clicked the buy it now price and this is what I brought home.

Rear jaw was frozen, but after letting it soak for a few hours it started to move and shortly had it freed right up.

My 7 year old some and I spent the day cleaning it up today. The base plate needed blasted, but the balance of the vise cleaned up well with just some solvent and a good wire brushing. Ben wanted it red, so a can of left over Massey Ferguson red was deemed satisfactory.

The top of the vise has a lot of heavy pitting, and the handle was bent, but the inside it is very good condition. The screw had a coating of grease on it and once cleaned off about 90 % of the original finish was still on the screw and no rust at all. The nut was likewise in great shape. I straightened out the handle and parkerized it. Thought the black might be a good contrast to the bright red. I hope to get it together later this week and post a picture of it all together.

John

Craptain · Mar 23, 2014

gasgunner said:
First post here.

Welcome!

Recently been needing to upgrade the vise in my little basement shop, but just could not bring myself to spend good $ on the junk at the home improvement store. Found this site and began doing some reading and decided I needed a vise with a swiveling fixed jaw. A few weeks ago I did not even know they existed. So I began watching e-bay and low and behold a Reed 403 1/2 showed up about 10 miles form my house. A quick e-mail to the seller confirmed that I could see it and pick it up to save the shipping so I clicked the buy it now price and this is what I brought home.

Call the doctor. Another one caught the disease.

My 7 year old some and I spent the day cleaning it up today. The base plate needed blasted, but the balance of the vise cleaned up well with just some solvent and a good wire brushing. Ben wanted it red, so a can of left over Massey Ferguson red was deemed satisfactory.

And he is transmitting the disease to a Minor. :shocking:

Around here that color has become known as "Arrest Me Red"[/QUOTE]

The top of the vise has a lot of heavy pitting, and the handle was bent, but the inside it is very good condition. The screw had a coating of grease on it and once cleaned off about 90 % of the original finish was still on the screw and no rust at all. The nut was likewise in great shape. I straightened out the handle and parkerized it. Thought the black might be a good contrast to the bright red. I hope to get it together later this week and post a picture of it all together.

John

Looking forward to it.

Joking aside, welcome to the Vise Vice.

Outlawmws · Mar 23, 2014

I don't know Craptian, it still has a hint of orange in it! :evil:

drivesitfar · Mar 23, 2014

GasGunner: you have a winner there with that big Reed swivel jaw. love the restore and that your son shared the time with you. a couple things i would like to point out that might help you.

1) most don't paint the top of where the swivel jaw rotates or the bottom of the swivel jaw and leave bare steel with a little lubrication so it won't seize up if you don't use it often
2) the interior slide where the dynamic jaw slides in and out and the top of the swivel base and bottom of the part that swivels on it should not have paint on it either and just some lubrication.

if you can remove that paint either while it is wet now or with a little Simple Green you will like using your vise a lot more in the future.

welcome to GJ and glad to have another vise guy to join our talks

JKB: i almost like those Craftsmans made by Reed more than the Reeds. that blue color is the same as a tool box i just got that is from 1942 or 1943 and i think would look cool on their vises. does anybody own or have a picture of the 300 plus pound Craftsman vise made by Reed?

gasgunner · Mar 23, 2014

drivesitfar said:
GasGunner: you have a winner there with that big Reed swivel jaw. love the restore and that your son shared the time with you. a couple things i would like to point out that might help you.

1) most don't paint the top of where the swivel jaw rotates or the bottom of the swivel jaw and leave bare steel with a little lubrication so it won't seize up if you don't use it often
2) the interior slide where the dynamic jaw slides in and out and the top of the swivel base and bottom of the part that swivels on it should not have paint on it either and just some lubrication.

Roger that. It is hard to see, but the areas you mentioned were all masked off with masking tape before painting. I also bead blasted the face of the jaws and masked them as well as about 1/4" behind the face of the jaw. Thought that might give it the look of having removable jaws even though the reed jaws are not removable. We'll see how it looks after taking the tape off.

Thanks,
John

drivesitfar · Mar 23, 2014

Gas: i saw some tape on the jaws, but didn't see any on the top of the swivel. my old eyes even with readers on can't see the tape on the swivel jaw surfaces so I'll take your word for it when you said you taped it.

nice job so far and hope to see a few more pictures of your finished vise when you are done.

good luck

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