Reed Vise

[rstaggs]

Hello. I am new and looking for knowledge. I have an old Reed vise which I think is a machinist type. I would like to find out the age. There is raised numbers 32 on the side. There is also cast numbers on each side near the front base, 8801 and 32012. Does this make sense to anyone?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jimreed2160]

Pictures?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes pictures

 

[rstaggs]

here

 

[rstaggs]

pic #2

 

[rstaggs]

pic #3

 

[rstaggs]

pic#4

 

[rstaggs]

pic #5

 

[gman007]

Hello. I am new and looking for knowledge. I have an old Reed vise which I think is a machinist type. I would like to find out the age. There is raised numbers 32 on the side. There is also cast numbers on each side near the front base, 8801 and 32012. Does this make sense to anyone?

Thanks for your help.

rstaggs Your Reed is most likely pre 1900s. One tale tell sign is the swivel base which has to be tightened from under the work bench and which is a very old design. Does your vise weigh around 72 lb and has jaw width of 4 1/2"?

BTW
For vise questions, it is best to post them in the MAIN vise thread
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&page=3104

Note that the above link will take to the last page as of the time I posted the link which obviously changes over time (by the time you get there) so just click on the last link Last on top right hand corner to get you to the latest page (this thread is huge and as of time I posted this link it is on page 3104)

Also can upload up to 7 photos in a single post and no need for separate posts for each photo

 

[rstaggs]

75# and jaw width is 4.25. Do you know what the numbers indicate?

 

[drivesitfar]

RS: welcome to the forum and we do like our vises here that is for certain. most likely those other numbers you mentioned are PARTS #'S.

your Reed 32 is the earlier model to one of my absolute favorite vises the Reed 2c. yours is missing part of the huge wing nut and the pipe jaws that always seem to be MIA, but it looks like its in pretty good working condition besides those items.

here's my Reed 31 that is a little smaller (the earlier version of the Reed 1c) and mine is missing it's pipe jaws too.

I'll take a stab at a guess of the age of your vise as late 1910's or 1920's when it left the Reed factory in Erie, PA.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Hello. I am new and looking for knowledge. I have an old Reed vise which I think is a machinist type. I would like to find out the age. There is raised numbers 32 on the side. There is also cast numbers on each side near the front base, 8801 and 32012. Does this make sense to anyone?

Thanks for your help.

rstaggs...Welcome! I'll try to add some additional value to the very good information that you've already received.

As drivesitfar stated, you've got an earlier version of his 2nd generation Reed no. 31. The first patent for his vise is Dec, 1912. You'll notice the difference in the mounting plate and wing nut between yours and his.

Ok, does your style wingnut fit that time-frame, as stated by gman007? Yes, it absolutely does. That style wingnut was common
from the 1870's to around 1910.

Reed Mfg. Co. opened doors sometime in 1896. That would date your vise, based on the data in front of us, anywhere from 1896-1912.

The other #'s in question on your vise are more than likely just the manufacturers part #'s and really don't add any information about your vise.

Bottom line, you have a very collectible Reed no. 32 combination vise. I hope you're able to give it a good home.

 

[rusty65]

What you have is the earlier model so right around 1900 would be right around the time period. I have the model that came right after yours I believe since they both have similar bottom swiveling plates without the exposed mounting ears on the outside of the swivel mount , but rather on the inside as just holes. Here is picture of my model 32 I picked up 4 years or so ago off Craigslist for $45 bucks. i used it for several months and liked it so much it made me decide to sell the Wilton that’s in the background.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rstaggs]

Than you all for your information. You have been a great help. May dad had this extra one to go on my welding table.
Thanks again!!

 

[drivesitfar]

RS: again nice find and if it was your Dad's vise i bet he'd like to see you using it and maybe don't use that 120 or so year old vise for your welding vise or as a press or anvil.

Rusty: I don't blame you for opting for your old Reed instead of the Wilton cause i sold all my Wiltons (the bullets and tradesman lines are great vises) and like my Reeds and Rock Islands a lot more.

Fier: WOW for a new member i'm really impressed with the quality of your posts and the great information. keep it up and thanks for making me aware of the different wing nuts aging these cause I don't see enough wing nuts even with these old vises much less know that some were made different.

THANKS