Reed 204 1/2 Vise

[red94chev]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to buy this vise off of a guy on Craigslist. He's asking $145 firm and that he did the restoration. Does that sound like a decent price?

This will be my first big American made vise but I've seen prices all over the place and this sounds reasonable.

 

[Fordman7795]

Seems reasonable for a large USA vise that has already been cleaned up and is ready to use. Check it over good for cracks or repairs.

 

[notlob]

Nice vise, pretty good price. Look close to make sure the paint isn't hiding repairs. Also, Reed vises of the era do not have replaceable jaws - they are hardened inserts forged into the vise body. Those jaws are showing some wear.

 

[Tomthumb717]

I live close to you and have also seen that vise for sale on CL. If you plan on keeping it as a user I wouldn't blink twice at that price as long as there are no issues (cracks, welds etc) If i were to restore that vise i would ask at least double what he is asking and would have no problem getting it in this area. As a side note, i have that exact model and it is a hell of a vise.

 

[454ragtop]

Also, Reed vises of the era do not have replaceable jaws - they are hardened inserts forged into the vise body. Those jaws are showing some wear.

Jaws look pretty minty to me, I wouldn't worry about it. Main thing is to inspect carefully for hidden cracks or welds, although looking at the condition of the rest of the vise, I'd be surprised if there are any problems.

 

[red94chev]

Bought it this morning. And the guy (Chris) ended up being a vise collector and gets on the GJ forums. I'll be posting a pic in the big vise thread. The vise is in beautiful shape and has an excellent restoration job.

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[thehorse13]

That vise finally found a home. I had it on my watch list for quite some time.

That said, the reason I didn't contact the seller was because of what appears to be a crack that runs along the slide shown in your last picture. Is it a crack or just an imperfection? Prentiss vises are notorious for cracking there but this is the first Reed I've seen like that.

 

[red94chev]

I believe it's just an imperfection. He was adamant that it didn't go all the way through and I saw no signs that it does.

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[thehorse13]

Since it's just an imperfection and not a crack, buying that vise already cleaned up for 145 is a fair deal. I suspect the reason it sat for so long is that buyers other than myself thought that the crack ran all the way through the slide. Lucky for you the seller didn't point this out in his ad.

The jaws are in great shape. That is usually the first thing I look at on Reeds of that era. Most are worn to the point of no return. Provided that you don't have any welds or repairs to the main nut and/or vise body then you got yourself a fantastic working vise for a decent price.

Nice pick up.

 

[Jp267]

Very nice looking vise! Good pickup.

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