Reed 204 1/2

[2glock40s]

Picked up this Reed 204 1/2 off of CL for $75. A little beat up but it's way smooth and I like it.

 

[uniballer]

Very nice, are you going to restore it?

 

[SweetD]

Looks really nice. I think you got a good deal if it's a "smooth operator"!

Dave

 

[2glock40s]

I plan to restore it to the best of my ability i.e. cleaning, painting re-lubing. Just saw Gregthor's thread on restoring his Reed 204. If mine turns out half that nice I'll be happy. Anyone have any idea when it was made?

 

[Outlawmws]

I see a 58 stamped into one side, but I don't recall Reed date stamping, but a PO could have...

 

[2glock40s]

There is also a '129' stamped on one side and a small mark that looks like a cross or airplane propeller. Have no idea what these are. Foundry marks?

 

[RV77]

Is that how you bought it ? looks like PO took care of it..you did good

 

[2glock40s]

That's pretty much the condition of it when I bought it. I had done maybe 5 minutes with a wire wheel when I remembered to take pictures.

 

[gregthor]

Nice vise!

As I recall mine was about $75 also by the time I added 10% buyers fees and 6% MI sales tax at the auction. I gave it to a friend for a Christmas present and he was really happy with it.

Does anyone know what those 2 holes are that are drilled on the top of the jaws??? I have a prentiss with the exact holes?!? and I have seen this before.... I am betting Outlawmsw knows the answer......

If the scars on the square section of the dynamic jaw bother you I had a vise much worse than that, my Chas Parker 239X, I filled it in with JB weld, sanded it smooth and painted just the top of the square section with Eastwoods phosphate paint and it looks really nice and has been holding up good so far. On the other hand on most of mine vises I leave it and call it "patina"

Have fun with the restoration,
Greg

 

[91bronc300]

Great vise, I have a 104. I bet those holes are to pin in place some soft jaws, but that's just a guess. I love vises with ball shaped trunnions. Good score, I would've bought it too.

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

Does anyone know what those 2 holes are that are drilled on the top of the jaws??? I have a prentiss with the exact holes?!? and I have seen this before.... I am betting Outlawmsw knows the answer......

SNIP
Greg

You drop a close fitting pin in each, and then a rubber band over those, open it up and you can play "Dueling Vises" on it!





I have no freakin' Clue. If their were three, one centered and two separated in the other jaw, you could use that to hold irregular/round objects, but I can't recall seeing holes like that that were not part of pining in jaws...

 

[CAOS]

Nice vise!

As I recall mine was about $75 also by the time I added 10% buyers fees and 6% MI sales tax at the auction. I gave it to a friend for a Christmas present and he was really happy with it.

Does anyone know what those 2 holes are that are drilled on the top of the jaws??? I have a prentiss with the exact holes?!? and I have seen this before.... I am betting Outlawmsw knows the answer......

If the scars on the square section of the dynamic jaw bother you I had a vise much worse than that, my Chas Parker 239X, I filled it in with JB weld, sanded it smooth and painted just the top of the square section with Eastwoods phosphate paint and it looks really nice and has been holding up good so far. On the other hand on most of mine vises I leave it and call it "patina"

Have fun with the restoration,
Greg

I have wondered the same! My Reed 204 swivel base has them, but my stationary Reed 204 1/2 does not. I always thought a previous owner made them.

 

[gregthor]

My whole world has just been rocked off its aceess... I am so bummed to hear Outlawmsw say he doesn't know. lol I am at a loss. He was my tool idol!!! I thought he knew everything!!!!

hmm ....thinking...thinking... do I get a "you ****" for stumping outlawmsw????

 

[Catalyze]

I have seen holes like those but none of my vises have them. Sometimes I think that previous owners put them in to anchor sheet copper jaws with a screw on each jaw. Nice purchase.....you will love your Reed.
Craig

 

[Outlawmws]

My whole world has just been rocked off its aceess... I am so bummed to hear Outlawmsw say he doesn't know. lol I am at a loss. He was my tool idol!!! I thought he knew everything!!!!

hmm ....thinking...thinking... do I get a "you ****" for stumping outlawmsw????

no.

 

[CAOS]

I have seen holes like those but none of my vises have them. Sometimes I think that previous owners put them in to anchor sheet copper jaws with a screw on each jaw. Nice purchase.....you will love your Reed.
Craig

That actually sounds like a really cool way of securing "soft jaws".

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: you didn't like my "Dueling Vises" answer?

 

[gregthor]

OK I am starting to feel better. I have done dueling bench grinders with my round top c'man and my wissota to see which coasts down longer after you shut it off so maybe your are on to something with dueling vises.

Ok... you are my tooling idol again, but you really scared me there for a minute outlawmsw...

 

[hickmlg09]

Pretty Sweet