Reed vise

[Nopd9494]

I come seeking info from the experts. I purchased a Reed vise model #108 for $75. It weight is 151 lbs. what I would like to know is, did all the 108’s come with the swivel base. I have seen some without it and I am not sure if they took it off or is the swivel rare. Also what color were they originally, like to stay with that. Also I have photos of the two grinders I have just rebuilt one is a Baldor and the other is a Chicago power tool #8020. Thanks for any info

 

[Shiftless]

You bought a Reed 108 for only $75 ??

Wow, you got an amazing deal.

Reed’s are top shelf in anybody’s list of the best vises.

There was an earlier Reed model 108 that had a fixed base...no swivel
Your vise has the late model Reed emblem lettering.

.

 

[Nopd9494]

I know it was a friend. And he repainted it but I don’t think it was ever used. If so very lightly

 

[Shiftless]

It would look great if you stripped off all of the paint and applied Boiled Linseed Oil to retard rust.

But in the end, it’s your vise so it’s your color. Paint it any color you like.

 

[Nopd9494]

Boiled linseed......sounds interesting not sure if I would prefer the unfinished look but I’ll consider it

 

[txlonghorn1989]

$75 for a Reed 108 w/ swivel base, barely used...I hope you bought a lottery ticket on the way home with the vise! Nice find!!!

I just picked up one of these later Reeds, a 103-N. The little raised flat spot after the model number will have an "N" (no swivel base) or an "S" (swivel base). I don't know if there was any reason the larger (largest ?) Reeds would be any different. Does yours have an "S" stamped on that flat spot?

PS And Reed used to offer a swivel base set so you could upgrade your vise to a swivel base.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

If you haven't already you should post your vise in the "The Vises of Garage Journal" thread in this forum. It's a very popular thread to say the least.

 

[Nopd9494]

No nothing on the flat spot maybe it was an add on it also has two lock downs for the swivel ones I’ve seen have only one

 

[Ww7573]

That sounds like it is the later generation 106-s the s is for swivel, N has no swivel base
A 108 s should weight around 280lbs
A 106 is closer to the 150 lbs you measured. Are you sure it's a 108?

Super easy check, measure the jaw with, a 106 is 6in a 108 is 8 in

 

[davethorik]

That sounds like it is the later generation 106-s the s is for swivel, N has no swivel base
A 108 s should weight around 280lbs
A 106 is closer to the 150 lbs you measured. Are you sure it's a 108?

Super easy check, measure the jaw with, a 106 is 6in a 108 is 8 in

If you zoom in one disassembled pic, looks like it says 106. Either way, $75 is a good price. Edit: the vise next to it is a Starrett 925 (5" jaws) an 8" would dwarf a 5". So im going with 106.

 

[Vise]

That sounds like it is the later generation 106-s the s is for swivel, N has no swivel base
A 108 s should weight around 280lbs
A 106 is closer to the 150 lbs you measured. Are you sure it's a 108?

Super easy check, measure the jaw with, a 106 is 6in a 108 is 8 in

Was coming in to say this. Even a 106 for $75 is a great deal, but if it’s a 108 you probably netted $1,200 on your $75 purchase.

 

[nadogail]

Enjoy that Reed in good health for many years.

 

[Nopd9494]

Ok this is what happens when you get old....in the time it took for me to walk from the barn to the house I forgot the vise # yes it is a 106 sorry bout that but I still think it was a great deal. Will do the painting of the letters today and post pictures thanks all. Also is a Chs Parker 974 in good condition (rust) for $150 a good deal it has the wrench

 

[txlonghorn1989]

A 6" old Reed in that great condition is a whopping deal at $75. Very nice deal on the Parker 974 as well.

 

[Nopd9494]

Vises are coming along nicely. I have the reed 106. Now I know that means it has a 6” opening but when at 6” I still have a lot of the slide left sticking out. Is that the way to measure it. When I bring the slide flush it gives a 9” opening

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Vises are coming along nicely. I have the reed 106. Now I know that means it has a 6” opening but when at 6” I still have a lot of the slide left sticking out. Is that the way to measure it. When I bring the slide flush it gives a 9” opening

Vises are measured by the width of the jaws not the opening. Your Reed 106 vise has jaws that are 6" wide. Thus it is a 6" vise.

 

[Nopd9494]

Thank you. I am just learning all of this. I am an old retired cop and always wanted to do metalwork. Now I have the time