Reed 203R curb find

[genog]

Was out walking the dogs, and darn if one of the neighbors threw this Reed 203R out to the curb.

I knocked on the door and asked if I could have it.
Neighbor kinda gave me a look.
Sure
Why do you want that thing?

I took it home and cleaned the crud out of it and oiled it up

The swivel base is broken

I'd sure like to fix this ole boy
Other than watching ePay does anyone know of a source for the base?

 

[slowtwitch73]

Awesome.. crazy what some people toss.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice! Lucked Into to a free vise.

 

[3baygarage]

I’d almost bet this causes a strange phenomenon of dogs that don’t normally get walked being walked for the first time in a while.

oh yeah, YOU ****!

 

[AntiqueVises]

People are insane... Nice find, buddy!

 

[nadogail]

Sounds like a good neighborhood to walk in; where is it?

 

[slowtwitch73]

I'd fab a part and weld it in place.

 

[Walkers]

Nice score. Looks like a Wilton bas might fit. I would likely just weld or braze a new ear made out of steel.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Do you think the "ear" is still attached to your neighbor's workbench? Someone who tosses a vise like that to the curb probably didn't have any tools to remove it nicely from the bench in the first place...

edit: BTW, GREAT find!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The recovery of the missing ear would simplify your problem. That being said maybe make an ear for it.

 

[TailGunner3000]

If you're going to keep it as a user, the three attachment points will likely be more than enough to hold it in place securely. Many vise manufacturers of the period used bases with three bolt holes.

 

[genog]

You know......
Good thinking. That ear still might be attached to his bench.

I am going to ask him

Otherwise, yes, three points of attachment should be enough

 

[Mallen]

Was out walking the dogs, and darn if one of the neighbors threw this Reed 203R out to the curb.

I knocked on the door and asked if I could have it.
Neighbor kinda gave me a look.
Sure
Why do you want that thing?

I took it home and cleaned the crud out of it and oiled it up

The swivel base is broken

I'd sure like to fix this ole boy
Other than watching ePay does anyone know of a source for the base?

 

[Mallen]

Too bad he didn't throw the piece out. I'd cut and file a piece to match the other feet out of piece of steel or cast iron. Cut the edge where it welds to the base at a 45 degree angle. The trim and grind until it fits in the right place with a minimal gap. Do not weld it, it's cast or malleable iron. Only braze using minimum heat necessary. Use either RGCUZN-C "low fuming bronze" brazing rod with a boron flux, or RBCUZN-D "Nickel silver" brazing rod. (It doesn't actually contain silver) The low fuming bronze is more commonly available but the nickLe silver will provide a better color match as it lacks the yellow color of the -C filler. I'd trace the base, then flip it over to align the replacement foot. Once you have everything in place, you can preheat the part to about 500C then braze it together. If you haven't done anything like this practice on something you don't care about first. Fill it a bit proud of the surface then use a Dremel or die grinder (or a mill and a lathe if you have access) to remove the excess metal. If there are any low spits you can go back and fill it and then do it again. If your doing it with a grinder, make a sanding block with 80 grit paper to take off the last.

If you can get the original foot, the best option is probably to solver solder it. Silver solder will.wich into tight gaps, like between the two broken pieces. Most so over solders have a low melting temperature, far lower than brazing rod even, which is good for cast iron.

 

[Mallen]

I'd fab a part and weld it in place.

Welding is to be avoided on cast iron and ductile iron. The are products that claim to be able to do it but the risk is that it can concert grey or malleable iron into brittle white iron. Brazing is preferred.