Very old Reed/Erie Vise!

48James · Jun 24, 2011

Does anyone have any info on this vise? Vise has three patent dates, the newest of which has August 1914. It also says Reed Mfg. Co. Erie Pa. U.S.A. This is a nice vise, but the thing that I would really like to know is why are there holes just behind the jaws, is this factory or? :dunno:

Any info would be appreciated! :thumbup:

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Packard V8 · Jun 24, 2011

Either my eyes are going bad or those are cell phone photos which don't show the details you are describing very clearly.

jack vines

48James · Jun 24, 2011

These are pretty crappy pics, but if you would look at the last picture you can see the holes in this vise. Is this factory or added, and mostly what do you use these holes for!?!?!?!??!

autopts · Jun 24, 2011

48James said:
Does anyone have any info on this vise? Vise has three patent dates, the newest of which has August 1914. It also says Reed Mfg. Co. Erie Pa. U.S.A. This is a nice vise, but the thing that I would really like to know is why are there holes just behind the jaws, is this factory or? Any info would be appreciated!
There is a Reed resident here. As soon as he comes out of his coma, he might be able to shed some light on that antique.

Packard V8 · Jun 24, 2011

These are pretty crappy pics,

Yes, they sure are.

but if you would look at the last picture you can see the holes in this vise.

No, I can't

jack vines

Major Ramifications · Jun 24, 2011

My old Reed looks exactly like that, except without the swivel. I paid $5 for it at a garage sale years ago, but I had to unbolt it from the bench it was on.

porphyre · Jun 24, 2011

Ok, I blew out the contrasts and zoomed on the photo and found this:

View media item 10205
No, those holes are not stock.
I have no idea what they could be for. Perhaps some sort of blacksmithing attachments?

The model number of the vise is in the red circle. Based on the pop bottle, I'm guessing that's a 203 or 203 1/2. 3" or 3.5" jaw width.

Manufactured sometime between WWI and WWII.

48James · Jun 24, 2011

Actually the model number is no.20....does this help?

porphyre · Jun 24, 2011

Frankly, my first assumption is that somebody ground off the rest of the number. I've never heard of a "20". How wide are the jaws?

Tools having to do with pipes were given two digit model numbers. 30's were combination vises, 60's and 70's were pipe vises, teens were strap wrenches....

Other vises were given 3 digit numbers.

For that vintage (ie, patent numbers, no logo, and text 90* from horizontal) a swivel base mechanic's vise is a 20x; x being the jaw width.

Catalyze · Jun 24, 2011

Hey James! Long time no chat.
Porphyre hits it on the nose. Reed machinist type of vises had 3 digits. Usually a stationary Reed was a 10X (X being jaw width), Swivel bases were 20X, Swivel rear jaw-swivel bases were 40X. Yours looks like a 203 or 203 1/2 maybe. Sometimes those digits get ground on...filed on..etc. Just measure the jaw width and that is your last number in the 20X series. It is a lovely vise...round ball handle....no oil holes.... Those holes in the jaws are sort of crazy. Maybe they were put there for copper plate jaw covers to grab onto from the sides. Those old Reeds couldn't use smooth or soft jaws since the jaws were cast into the metal.

Porphyre - Very nice work on the photo work!
Craig

48James · Jun 24, 2011

Thanks for the info, the vise jaws are four inches wide. I did have a thought that maybe these holes were used for jaws but wasn't sure. I guess it does make sense that maybe the 4 was ground off... Thanks for the info!

iajonesy · Jun 24, 2011

Maybe the hole were used as some sort of fixture possibly for bending rod or bar stock. That's just a WAG. Old timers had to be clever to get their work done sometimes.

Mike

48James · Jun 25, 2011

Well I went outside and sanded around the letters, guess what I found? I actually did find a 4, you just couldn't see it because it had such thick paint. Thanks for telling me it was a 204!

ZRX61 · Jun 25, 2011

Don't get too carried away with the mud on this one

Senterhunter · Feb 25, 2013

Can anyone tell me anything about a Reed No 40? I'd like to know when it was made. This thing is huge.

bl00 · Feb 25, 2013

Post up some pics and someone can probably give you an age range. The number 40 doesn't sound right for a Reed, maybe it's a 4C? Check this link for pics of various Reeds.
http://dayid.org/mediawiki/index.php/Reed_Vise

Very old Reed/Erie Vise!

48James

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