Reed #24 Vise Info

[Mekks082]

Had been eyeballing a cheap HF vise for awhile now but after reading this forum I decided to visit my local CL and see if I could find anything american made for a decent price.

Picked up this Reed #24 for $40. It seems to be in decent condition and everything works. The dynamic jaw pulls out fine and the swivel function locks down tight.

I did some googlefoo and could not find much info on these.

I do have a few questions... Can the jaws be replaced? if so how would I go about sourcing a new set?

I do not have access to a blaster but had hoped to strip and repaint it. Would a good ol wire brush and some aircraft stripper work?

 

[8man]

Nice and in good shape.

 

[oldldh]

www.benchvisejaws.com

A GJ member, Kevin Scott makes new jaws for a bunch of different vises...

He may be able to help you...

 

[Mekks082]

Thanks guys, I know its not the greatest but I am excited about it none the less.

 

[Zrexxer]

The jaws aren't that bad, really! I'd live with them.

 

[Fugio]

Those jaws would be fine for me too!

Nice CL find!

 

[balane]

It's entirely possible you could flip those Reed jaws over and put the bottom edge facing up. They're likely very smooth on that side.

 

[Mekks082]

Yeah I'm not too worried about the jaws. As for the paint, do you think aircraft stripper and a wire brush would do? Or should I pony up the cash to have it blasted? Not sure what they would even charge.

 

[Maui]

Electrolysis would be a good way to remove the paint and rust.

 

[drivesitfar]

MEK: i agree Electrolysis would probably be the best method and here's a great thread showing just how easy it is to set up.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237752&highlight=homemade+electrolysis

if you don't want to do electrolysis then wire wheeling or stripper works too. also i agree the jaws are in good enough shape to work fine and maybe save the money you would have spent on new jaws towards a bigger and better old vise you might find in the future.

a little extra clamping power can be had with some copper jaws or even those magnetic ones that have rubber or aluminum to grip with.

nice looking Reed and i didn't know they made that model vise which is a really common style back in the 50's made by several companies.