Reed Vise 204R

dlcarr@mchsi.com · Feb 1, 2015

Recently found a Reed 204 R and looking for some background as far as age and value, it is in excellent shape , any help would be great

CNGsaves · Feb 1, 2015

All you need to know is GO BUY IT !!! Run out door in your underwear and beat the next schmo who is already on way to pick it up !!

Snooze you lose. That baby looks super clean. Can't buy anything comparable new.

zoomieport · Feb 1, 2015

drivesitfar · Feb 1, 2015

DL: do you own it or are you looking at an ad? can you post up more full shots of the vise? if not it looks pretty decent from where i'm sitting and probably a mid 40's early 50's Reed vise with 4 inch wide jaws.

i'd say a Benjamin give or take depending on the area you live and how available they are.

jreb10 · Feb 1, 2015

That paint looks original, like my 105. In my area it would sell for considerably more than a Benjamin.

Vantastic · Feb 1, 2015

If you need a vise in your garage it is worth $200. It does look to be original paint.

dlcarr@mchsi.com · Feb 1, 2015

Thanks for the info, I picked it up at a yard sale for $20 and thought it may be worth something being of American vintage, I have no intentions of keeping it so if somebody wants it make a good offer plus shipping from 32570 zip
Thanks again

scooternut · Feb 1, 2015

What is fair is that you sell it to me for $40. Look, you had no idea what it was worth, came here to find out, found out you could make a buck, and here you go. 100% on your investment is what you've earned, doubled your money without effort and courtesy of the board, fair deal. Let me know.

Mohawk Dave · Feb 1, 2015

scooternut said:
What is fair is that you sell it to me for $40. Look, you had no idea what it was worth, came here to find out, found out you could make a buck, and here you go. 100% on your investment is what you've earned, doubled your money without effort and courtesy of the board, fair deal. Let me know.

I hope you're kidding. (And if you are, ignore the latter)

Telling another man how to handle his business is none of yours or mine. And he did come on here and found it was worth more. BECAUSE HE DID THE WORK. HE bought it. HE carried it. HE photo'd it. HE learned. For $20 profit??? Hey, if he wants, awesome. But to implore he should....

CNGsaves · Feb 1, 2015

OP . . . decide what you want for it, and put up a GJ classified ad.

The vise will get a good home. Likely get shined up and repainted.

I'd love to have it and restore for my son.

Welcome to GJ and hope you decide to sell on GJ classified.

drivesitfar · Feb 1, 2015

Dave: i'm pretty sure Scooternut was joking because it's already been stated it's worth a Benjamin and an optimistic member said 2 Benjamins. your thoughts were well put though.

All: you'll have to PM him if you want to offer to buy it because he doesn't have 100 posts up on the forum to post in the classifieds yet. if he still owns it after 100 posts and decides to sell it for whatever he wants to try to then that's his option. if it were mine and i didn't already own a bigger old US made vise it would be on my bench because that Reed will handle about 90% of all the work i use a vise for. personally i'm always a bit leery about a new member asking for value on a vise and having his email as his handle. he sounds sincere, but i'm just saying.

LXCam · Feb 2, 2015

scooternut said:
What is fair is that you sell it to me for $40. Look, you had no idea what it was worth, came here to find out, found out you could make a buck, and here you go. 100% on your investment is what you've earned, doubled your money without effort and courtesy of the board, fair deal. Let me know.

Ok I have to know. Are you serious or just **** at smiley etiquette.

OP, what a smoking deal and you ****!

Hey look at that, I used **** in two different contexts, whatta ya know about that. :lol:

dlcarr@mchsi.com · Feb 6, 2015

It sold within 2 hrs of posting on Craig list , thanks for all the info

zkling · Feb 6, 2015

What did you end up selling it for?

steyr556 · Feb 2, 2021

i have question regarding reed 204R 4 inch vise, i just picked one up
and the jaws are perfectly smooth and does not look lije they were machined, i dont even mind that they are smooth but I'm wondering did they make a perfectly smooth jaw vise

macgee · Feb 2, 2021

steyr556 said:
i have question regarding reed 204R 4 inch vise, i just picked one up
and the jaws are perfectly smooth and does not look lije they were machined, i dont even mind that they are smooth but I'm wondering did they make a perfectly smooth jaw vise

Old thread but Non-serrated vise jaws were offered, they were fairly common to see, especially on Athol/Starrett vises from the same era as well as from other manufact. but I don't think I've seen a Reed 204 with smooth jaws but not surprised at all.
My really nice/fresh 204R had aggressive serration jaws, the jaw metal was so hard it would leave a mark on anything I clamped in it until I invested in some good soft jaws to tame it. 204R are excellent vises

Those very hardened jaws were bonded to the cast iron with a proprietary recipe and not removable or replaceable. I seriously doubt someone later on grounded the jaws smooth properly as that would be a very tough job for the average soul.

I would probably prefer the smooth jaws. Enjoy the vise and be sure to provide pics on the vise thread in this forum

steyr556 · Feb 2, 2021

heres some pics

macgee · Feb 2, 2021

Jaws are painted over but they look original. Also appears to be in great condition.

I also see that you scored a Wilton Bullet vise? New factory jaws are available, check on Zoro.com, they typically have the cheapest prices for them

mayer · May 2, 2021

I just discovered this group and thread. I'm moving soon and will have to sell my father's & uncle's old tools including a Reed 204R. It's spent many years in a home garage shop and no longer swivels. ( someone might be able to get that to work again?). Suggestions?

drivesitfar · May 2, 2021

It doesn’t look like your Reed is bolted down so turn it over and spray some kroil, wd40 or some other lubricant you have handy cause the screw is probably just rusted together. Post up pics and your questions on the vise repair 101 thread snd we will be happy to help you. Also I’m not sure what vise you own but your Reed would do about 90% of any work I’d need a vise fir and I own more than a few. here's the link to the 101 thread that gets a lot more views so you can get more information about your vise and suggestions to get it working 100% again which i'm pretty sure it could.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830

also welcome to GJ

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