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Found a huge Reed 108 vise - Is it worth it?

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tool_scrounge

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While looking at a different vise that a seller had, he showed me an 8" Reed 108 vise with swivel base. It has some rust but has not been abused. The serrations on the jaws still look nice. It turns slightly hard but I am sure that is due to lack of oil. It is hard to show scale but the vise is 30" long and the non-swivel version weighs about 255 lbs (so this might be a little more). Most of the ones I have seen are non-swivel, which probably makes sense for maximum strength. He was asking $600 which is a bit and violates my $1/pound rule, but you just do not see big vises like this around often within driving distance. Now I already have a few vises (including a big 5" one) but the lure of a monster is rather tempting. Any comments?
 

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nate379

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How do you figure that weighs 255lbs? We have a similar sized Wilton, Wilson, Walton (whatever the name is) at work and if it weighs 100lbs I'd be surprised.
 
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BanjoSavesTheDay

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tool_scrounge said:
While looking at a different vise that a seller had, he showed me an 8" Reed 108 vise with swivel base. It has some rust but has not been abused. The serrations on the jaws still look nice. It turns slightly hard but I am sure that is due to lack of oil. It is hard to show scale but the vise is 30" long and the non-swivel version weighs about 255 lbs (so this might be a little more). Most of the ones I have seen are non-swivel, which probably makes sense for maximum strength. He was asking $600 which is a bit and violates my $1/pound rule, but you just do not see big vises like this around often within driving distance. Now I already have a few vises (including a big 5" one) but the lure of a monster is rather tempting. Any comments?
Click to expand...

It's tempting because you just don't see the big ones like that very often, but I would probably pass. If you are patient, you will eventually find one for less. It does look like it's in a pretty good condition. I have never EVER seen a 100 series Reed with a swivel base before, though. Weird.
 
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BanjoSavesTheDay

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nate379 said:
How do you figure that weighs 255lbs? We have a similar sized Wilton, Wilson, Walton (whatever the name is) at work and if it weighs 100lbs I'd be surprised.
Click to expand...

Different makes, models, they're all different. Reeds are among the heaviest for their size. An 8 inch vise of any brand weighing much less than 200 pounds is unusual, though.
 
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wrenchr

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I bet the seller grabbed that at the scrap yard. I seen 3 big vises before at the scrap yard in the junk pile.
 
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nate379

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I didn't weight it, just compared how hard to lift compared to the ammo cans we lug around which are 165lbs. Vise didn't feel as heavy.

BanjoSavesTheDay said:
Different makes, models, they're all different. Reeds are among the heaviest for their size. An 8 inch vise of any brand weighing much less than 200 pounds is unusual, though.
Click to expand...
 
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autopts

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tool_scrounge said:
While looking at a different vise that a seller had, he showed me an 8" Reed 108 vise with swivel base. It has some rust but has not been abused. The serrations on the jaws still look nice. It turns slightly hard but I am sure that is due to lack of oil. It is hard to show scale but the vise is 30" long and the non-swivel version weighs about 255 lbs (so this might be a little more). Most of the ones I have seen are non-swivel, which probably makes sense for maximum strength. He was asking $600 which is a bit and violates my $1/pound rule, but you just do not see big vises like this around often within driving distance. Now I already have a few vises (including a big 5" one) but the lure of a monster is rather tempting. Any comments?
Click to expand...

Thats a newer generation Reed and may not be that old. Are the jaws forged on or are they held on with screws? For a second everyone; put yourself as the owner of that big Reed and what would be your comfort level in an asking price? Its in great shape, its huge, and its on a swivel base. Its rare, and its USA made, and made by a classic vise MFG CO.
I would tell you this, if your young or early middle aged and have alot of years left, the $500 value of that monster will probably never go down under $500 in your lifetime. Yeah, $5 bills would be a good honest fair price I think. I would feel confortable paying that, but thats just me. Good luck
 
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lipadj46

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There was a 6" of that same model for sale around here for $75. I wanted it but had just got a 4" reed and an anvil so skipped on a great deal. I would pay $200 for an 8" but it is probably worth more.
 
OP
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tool_scrounge

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autopts said:
Thats a newer generation Reed and may not be that old. Are the jaws forged on or are they held on with screws? For a second everyone; put yourself as the owner of that big Reed and what would be your comfort level in an asking price? Its in great shape, its huge, and its on a swivel base. Its rare, and its USA made, and made by a classic vise MFG CO.
I would tell you this, if your young or early middle aged and have alot of years left, the $500 value of that monster will probably never go down under $500 in your lifetime. Yeah, $5 bills would be a good honest fair price I think. I would feel confortable paying that, but thats just me. Good luck
Click to expand...

The jaws are held on with screws so I presume it is a newer version. The 250+ lb weight came from some research on the web on what other folks claimed it should weigh. He also had a Columbian M205 (98 lbs) and it was puny in comparison.
 
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autopts

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tool_scrounge said:
The jaws are held on with screws so I presume it is a newer version. The 250+ lb weight came from some research on the web on what other folks claimed it should weigh. He also had a Columbian M205 (98 lbs) and it was puny in comparison.
Click to expand...

99% of the vises in this country are puny next to that one. I bet when Mitch had that big Morgan 106 next to his 108R there is a good comparison difference. Did that Reed have pipe jaws? As you get into the bigger sizes, the weight and size differences explode out. Replacement costs on that swivel base alone has got to be around $3 big ones. Consider it "An Investment" Really, if you could land it for a comfortable price, do it.
Oh, and hope he's not a GJ member!
 
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woody 73

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I look at it from a different angle if you like the vise and it is in good shape make the man an offer in your comfort zone (whatever that is). Now keep this in mind if you had to buy one at a tool store a new large size wilton made in the USA will set you back more then 600.00 dollars (I am talking about a large one in the 200 lb. range).:)
 
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Skin

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autopts said:
Thats a newer generation Reed and may not be that old. Are the jaws forged on or are they held on with screws? For a second everyone; put yourself as the owner of that big Reed and what would be your comfort level in an asking price? Its in great shape, its huge, and its on a swivel base. Its rare, and its USA made, and made by a classic vise MFG CO.
I would tell you this, if your young or early middle aged and have alot of years left, the $500 value of that monster will probably never go down under $500 in your lifetime. Yeah, $5 bills would be a good honest fair price I think. I would feel confortable paying that, but thats just me. Good luck
Click to expand...

its only worth what someone pays for it and i think he'll have one hell of a time trying to move that at 400 let alone 600. Very few individuals even need a vise that size, the only good way to unload that would be to look for a commercial manufacturing plant and those are closing down across the US rather than opening.
 
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FMC1959

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Revival of a 4 1/2 year old thread.

Quite remarkable how the times have changed in 4-5 years. They are hemming and hawing at $600 for a Reed 108, even $400 is a reach. This is a later model that (may have been a 108R?) where swivels were also 100 series, scrunched nose handle, but still an 8" Reed.

I think the seller would not have a hard time selling this at $600 today. Maybe Tool_Scrounge can answer if he had made the purchase?
 
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tedsters

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tool_scrounge said:
While looking at a different vise that a seller had, he showed me an 8" Reed 108 vise with swivel base. It has some rust but has not been abused. The serrations on the jaws still look nice. It turns slightly hard but I am sure that is due to lack of oil. It is hard to show scale but the vise is 30" long and the non-swivel version weighs about 255 lbs (so this might be a little more). Most of the ones I have seen are non-swivel, which probably makes sense for maximum strength. He was asking $600 which is a bit and violates my $1/pound rule, but you just do not see big vises like this around often within driving distance. Now I already have a few vises (including a big 5" one) but the lure of a monster is rather tempting. Any comments?
Click to expand...

that pics dated 10-24-10
and it sure looks familiar and decent shape let us know how it turns out
 
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tool_scrounge

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FMC1959 said:
Revival of a 4 1/2 year old thread.

Quite remarkable how the times have changed in 4-5 years. They are hemming and hawing at $600 for a Reed 108, even $400 is a reach. This is a later model that (may have been a 108R?) where swivels were also 100 series, scrunched nose handle, but still an 8" Reed.

I think the seller would not have a hard time selling this at $600 today. Maybe Tool_Scrounge can answer if he had made the purchase?
Click to expand...

I was sorely tempted, but in the end I passed on it. I am sorry to say I was a bit space limited and had problems getting it to fit where it needed to go.
 
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