Record:
A very high quality vise made in the UK. They feature a quick release lead screw in order to make positioning the work easier and faster.
GeorgiaHybrid's Record vise (vice).
Reed: Reed vises are extremely stout in general. They are made in Erie, PA. They are basic, solid workhorse vises. The older units have a very strong method of attaching the swivel (if so equipped) which makes the swivel Reeds nearly as strong as the fixed-base models.
Reeds are distiguishable by a few different features.
First, in many years, the handle knob is very short and stubby as opposed to the more common ball or cylindrical shape. If it has this style, it is definitely a Reed.
Second, the jaws are usually secured using the hot forged insert method. No one really knows how they were able to do this. A common theory is that the jaws were left in the mold when the vise was cast, but this cannot be true because Reed vise jaws are uncommonly hard and this kind of process would take the temper out of the jaws. The best theory that I've heard is that the hot iron was allowed to cool to a certain temperature and then the jaws were stamped in.
Third, they are VERY HEAVY. Reed vises are definitely my favorite. I believe that along with Athol, they were the very pinnacle of American vise craftsmanship. They were overbuilt in every way and can take a lot of abuse.
Fourth, if it has a swivel base, it almost always has two t-handles.
Fifth, the model numbers are very easy to deal with. The majority of Reeds are either 100 or 200 sereies. 100's have no swivel base and 200's do have a swivel base. There are [a few] exceptions. 400 series have the swiveling rear jaw like alot of Prentisses. The last digit is always the width of the jaws. So, a 206 is a swiveling machinist vise with 6" jaws.
Reeds are still made exclusively in the USA. -credit BanjoSavesTheDay
RIDGID:
Older Ridgid vises were made in Elyra Ohio. They feature rectangular slides, and a fairly square jaw profile. They are very high quality vises.
In more resent years, the company has introduced an all-steel vise of laminated construction. Overall, reviews are very favorable, and many like the sleeker styling offered. These drop forged Ridgid vises are made in Gevelsberg/Germany since 1910.
(formerly made by "Peddinghaus" , since 1996 by Ridgid) - Monte
Rock Island: Made in Rock Island Illinois. Kole?
Sawyer Tool Co. : Made in Oswego N.Y., these vises appear to be very good quality. Need more info.
Snap-On - Snap-on vises are re-branded Wilton's.
Starrett:
Taskmaster: As far as I know, these are a Wilton look-alike. Reviews are generally favorable.
Wilton:
These vises are famous for the fully enclosed spindles found on the higher end models. Wilton's are considered one of the better vises. The enclosed spindle design allows for lubrication to be more permanent, and protects the lead screw from damage. However, this design usually means the vise jaws will not pen as far as a rectangular slide vise for a given jaw width. They are made in Schiller Park Illinois.
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Wilton's seem to command a premium on the used market. While they are very good, I do not think they are THE best vises made. I think the quality is matched by many of the older USA vises such as Reed and Parker. Keep in mind, many vises that say Wilton are now made in China, and do not perform very well.
If the vise does not say MADE IN USA on the castings, it is likely made in China.
Yost: Yost, along with Wilton is one of the few American vise makers left that still manufactures in the USA. They offer an assortment of USA vises. Yosts were made in Meadville , PA however, they are made in Holland Michigan today. the higher end Yosts still are. Beware of imports carrying the Yost name.
rwhite692's vintage Yost after a beautiful restoration. Not all Yost vises are shaped this way.
