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Reed 3C in Basic Black

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Catalyze

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Feb 7, 2011
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New Mexico
Greetings to all who haven't hit the "Back" button on their browser! This is the vise that I drove 2400 miles to pick up. There is another thread on that fine journey.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103984&highlight=2400

Here is the Reed 3C as unloaded:
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It was in gorgeous condition with very little marking on the slide, fairly crisp jaw faces, no bent handles, and no deep rust. I just stared at it for a few weeks telling myself that I was NOT going to take it apart and make it a "sissy" vise. Nope. That lasted until I got 4 days off in a row. Never give a man too much time, a battery charger (or two), some laundry soap, and a plastic tub. It was time to throw the toaster in the bathtub again.

Here is the slide in the beginning...nice and straight...no work marks.
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The jaws faces were nice and completely fine.
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Even Thor....God of Thunder (and 23 delicious flavors combined) said to Leave it Alone!
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But it didn't happen.
Craig
 
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Catalyze

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New Mexico
To those who know the Reed 3C vise, just hit Norton System Scan button and take a break. To those who don't know (and I didn't), this vise is a 5" jaw width combination vise. It has pipe jaws built in just like tons of other makers (Parker 430 series, Columbian 200 series, etc). It weighs around 125 pounds and will make your non tool friends shake their heads and mumble. I think (here we go down that bad road again) that this vise was made in the 40's and 50's but I have no clue except handle design and logo design. Hopefully the vise Gurus will know the truth.

Reed has several things that make them unique....as in How do I get it apart? After removing the dynamic jaw, you find this tiny set screw and remove it.
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Then you take a long line up tool/punch and start tapping this threaded ring out.
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When it comes out, you will have the first fright of the project. You broke the ring/nut! Or not....it is a split nut and is made in two pieces.
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Next is time to take out the jaw pins....real big pins. I took a proper sized long bolt and just did a quick grind off of the threads, squared up the end and wailed away. Any project requiring railroad track is a good manly project.
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Here is the main body cavity with the pipe jaws removed:
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More destruction to follow.
Craig
 
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Catalyze

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Bartels is Correct! However, my wife did come out to say "Isn't this the vise that you told me was in perfect condition?" Then she goes back into the house knowing that body snatchers didn't exchange me for the Logical Husband. To get the jaw faces off, I used every Japanese motorcycle owner's favorite tool....the hand impact.
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This is the soles of the Reed's feet...the base in all its surface rust glory. I am sure that Snap On has a screwdriver for this slot...but I don't own one.
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The base removed:
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Up to this point, you are probably thinking...Why does Thor use a Reed vise up in the clouds? When you remove the Main Nut, you will know why. Tap out the nut pin after backing off the adjuster screw that pushes on the main nut. Mine was rusted and would not turn so I gently tapped it out. The fun thing about large vises is that instead of a punch, you get to use a motorcycle axle instead.
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Here is the Main Nut. It is a hunk of steel. Thor is proud of this fact.....I know he is.
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Here is the Do It Yourself Reed 3C Kit....some assembly required:
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Toaster in the Bathtub next.
Craig
 
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Catalyze

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Hopefully for those who ran Norton Virus Scan, all the **** was safe and you didn't find any viruses. Welcome Back! Now it was time for mixing electricity and water in an open container. The slide is about 2 inches too long for my big ****** tub so it went in the cat sand bucket on end. 2 days for comlete bath with turn around.
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I tested the fit of the main body tied to the swivel base in the large ****** tub.Having melted my mechanics wire into the plastic tub due to large amperage and heat, I used a larger conductor to keep the wire cooler. I used 2 plastic sidestand pucks to keep the base off of the positive metal. 2 days for these pieces also due to large size.
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Next time is the Naked Vise.
Craig
 
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bluebolt

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Benton LA
My favorite vice is when naked is involved.
Oh wait we aren't talking about vices like booze, gambling and "other"
 
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Packard V8

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Spokane, WA
I just stared at it for a few weeks telling myself that I was NOT going to take it apart and make it a "sissy" vise.
Click to expand...
We all have our vices. Sissy works for some. Me, I've never owned a vise as nice as that one in as found condition. It would never occur to me to do anything other than bolt it down and start using it. I'm as sure I'll enjoy looking at your finished product as I'm sure I'd never go there. Your trip, your vise, your decision.

jack vines
 
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Catalyze

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Thanks Jack! Some day I may find a vise that I just leave alone....this one came the closest. All of my vises have some kind of history or story behind their "lives". I have an ice cream factory vise....Wisconsin dairy vise....etc. This one is the only one with no past work record. It is just "I inherited it."
Craig
 
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ZRX61

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4-4-11060.jpg
 
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Catalyze

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After turning the pieces over and cleaning the rebar in the cat sand bucket (the rust just piles on), the pieces were clean. Of course they flash rust in a heartbeat, even out here in 7% humidity.
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The cup brush and angle grinder combo will make my hands go numb after a while. So I would clean a bit....then mow the lawn a bit....repeat until the lawn got mowed and the vise was brushed. Here it is...Lady Godiva naked:
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The only part that I had to work a bit on was the main nut pin with the stuck adjustment screw. I tried soaking it in ATF for a few days....penetrating oil...and finally I took it to a friend's shop. There we used a bit of torch heat and penetrating oil. It was pretty nifty to watch rust come bubbling up. It opened easily with a Green Snap On screwdriver. I am sure it was the color that did it.

Paint to follow. Thanks to all the folks that helped BanjoSavestheDay when he was taking his Reed 4C apart. I read the part about the split nut and how to remove it. Everyone makes it easier for those of us who follow along later.
Craig
 
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Catalyze

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Location
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The vise got painted a gloss black. It was originally a flat black color and I just can't do a Rat Rod to it color wise. Mr. Horse says "I don't think so....I just don't think so." Of course shiny black on cast metal leaves all sorts of highlights and lowlights....there is a reason that the hammered Rustoleum colors work well.
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The jaw faces cleaned up very well on both sides as did the slide.
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The swivel locks got sanded and polished as did the handle ends. I had to get the sawhorses out to prop the handle/lead screw on to use my buffer. I am wimpy and it got heavy fast. I also didn't want to see just how far that buffer could throw that iron. This shot is how big a Squeeze you can put on something.
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The Chicago Trip Duo before and after.
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Here is the reason that Thor uses a Reed vise. This is the main nut pin with the adjusting screw to keep slack out of the main nut.
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And lastly....as Kole (BanjoSavesTheDay) once posted for mjozefow about this little adjuster.....
"**** it, Charles Parker. "

Craig
 
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autopts

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Hey Craig, you might consider taking out a rider on your house insurance seriously, Replacement values might be hard to explain. No different then the wife's diamonds disappearing. Its almost impossible to put a price on your Reed and your is also vintage.
 
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nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
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Dallas
Estate sale tomorrow BUT, it mentioned that they were selling off some of the large items earlier in the week so I hope it was not sold yet. If I get it, I'll be sure to post pics so cross your fingers for me!!
 
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