Reed 203R vise - it this normal?

[tool_scrounge]

I recently ran into a Reed 203R vise, and was impressed how beefy the base and swivel assembly was for a 3" vise. What also surprised me is that the jaws were flat cast iron with no serrations or inserts. Is this normal?

Thanks

 

[ZRX61]

I have several vises with smooth jaws, used for soft metal like aluminum etc.

 

[rquackenbush]

I can't tell you anything about the vise, but now I'm thirsty. Thanks.

 

[autopts]

I recently ran into a Reed 203R vise, and was impressed how beefy the base and swivel assembly was for a 3" vise. What also surprised me is that the jaws were flat cast iron with no serrations or inserts. Is this normal?

Thanks

To my knowledge, all Reed vises came with serrated jaws however many were professionally ground smooth by the machinists themselves. Its unfortunate that Reed made such a heavily constructed vise but over all those years continued to forge their jaws onto the castiing. It was only until the 60's or 70's that Reed went to a replacement jaws.

 

[mjozefow]

Reeds are stout vises regardless of what size they are.

 

[Catalyze]

tool scrounge - that is a great looking Reed! I now think that Reed and Athol made the stoutest vises for human comsumption. I have a Prentiss vise that has removeable jaw faces and they are smooth so it's not far off to imagine someone smoothing up cast in faces especially if they had access to more than one vise (one smooth and one like my ex wife's lips). Great photos and now I too shall go get a soda.
Craig

 

[tool_scrounge]

Autopts - you are right. There are cast-in inserts in the jaws. Only looking from below could I see the them.

Catalyze - I am pretty impressed by the quality of the Reed vises. I am also a fan of Yost and have been fortunate to find a big one for a reasonable price. I have yet to look at a Athol in person.

I ran into this 203R a bit by accident. I had sworn I did not need another vise. Yet when the ad popped up I have to admit I was tempted. A low price ad featuring a picture of a nice US made vise with insufficient description always gets me curious. Especially if there is no reference for how big it is (could it be a Reed 209 ???). When I saw it had smooth jaws I was initially doubtful I would find a use for it. But after having it around a few days, I can rationalize uses for it....

Thanks everyone for all the input.

 

[autopts]

Autopts - you are right. There are cast-in inserts in the jaws. Only looking from below could I see the them.

Catalyze - I am pretty impressed by the quality of the Reed vises. I am also a fan of Yost and have been fortunate to find a big one for a reasonable price. I have yet to look at a Athol in person.

I ran into this 203R a bit by accident. I had sworn I did not need another vise. Yet when the ad popped up I have to admit I was tempted. A low price ad featuring a picture of a nice US made vise with insufficient description always gets me curious. Especially if there is no reference for how big it is (could it be a Reed 209 ???). When I saw it had smooth jaws I was initially doubtful I would find a use for it. But after having it around a few days, I can rationalize uses for it....

Thanks everyone for all the input.

I found a Morgan 140 with nicely serrated jaws. I've had copper liners over them for 4 years and there isn't a thing I can't hold with them. Serrations help but they arn't the end all. Beiing that its only a 3" with smooth jaws, thats a machinists delight.

 

[Catalyze]

I have my most used vise with soft jaw covers on it and they haven't come off but a couple of times in 10 years. A person really needs to have at least one vise in each jaw width ever made and then another with a different jaw face......and then swivel bases in every jaw width ever made.....and then......
Craig