Another vise question this time Reed

[dmw56]

I found another vise for sale. Its a Reed MFG CO Erie, PA. It looks like it's missing the swivel base, the pipe jaws and one ball on the handle. Kind of rough condition but they are only asking $40 for it.

Are parts available to fix this up. It looks like a pretty good vise just well used.

 

[bl00]

Here's some info. You're probably not going to find any parts unless it's from a donor vise. The pipe jaws wouldn't be too hard to make if you need them. You'll need to figure out how to bolt it down, though.

 

[bgott]

I have one like that. Your's is missing the base and it used to have a single stud screwed into the bottom that passed through the workbench to be secured with a big wingnut. It would be a little hard to keep in one place without those parts.

Read the link that blOO posted. The one I have is a No. 32.

 

[jon12345]

That is a one tired 'ol fella, but they are pretty tough. Mine is the 204 1/2 model machinist vise.
These can work like clocks despite the brutal looks.
Mine unwinds with less effort than twirling a pencil and they get a good bite with very little grunt. I don't think mine was set up for pipe jaws; these vises are machinist tools. A mechanic's vise will have the pipe jaws inserts and usually an area for pounding on things. The Reed you have is a machinist vise, like mine; there is no design feature to allow pounding on things. THey ar e precision tools...that's why the high price tag, too.
You got a bit of history there, too. I wonder what it was like in the foundry where these were built. The ground must have been shaking from all the pounding. You done good. Look at what $40 gets you in a new vise.
Maybe you can find out if the original base is locatable.
Good luck.