Slow look for a quality vise

[vw_tdi]

Well, i've posted a few threads after finding different vises on CL. No deals yet and I don't live in an active CL area. Also, my knowledge base is poor, so I've been posting questions on each vise to make sure I don't buy a POS or overpay too much.

Anyway, instead of a different thread for each vise, I thought I'd just start with this new target and post any futures in this thread. Been looking for a long while and in no rush, but when something comes up, it would be cool to refer to 1 thread and post a new Q for your awesome help.

Anyway, this seems expensive to me, but it is a Reed (1c):

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$100. Thoughts? Maybe only worth $50 in that condition?

 

[Alexbn921]

worth 100+. Shows very little damage and is a tank of a vise. As long as there are no breaks or welds and all the parts are there it will clean up nice and live for longer then you.

 

[AndrewH]

That vise is easily worth $100, go buy it before someone else does!

 

[vw_tdi]

thanks...left the guy a VM. We'll see if it's already gone.

 

[drivesitfar]

I agree with others about price and condition. If it checks out buy it and maybe dicker a little if you think you have to.I'd like to own a reed 1C too and I own several vises and I would pay the $100.

 

[vw_tdi]

posting has been up 3 days...we'll see if I get a call back.

thanks again, guys...

 

[ajchien]

I believe that's a 3.5in jaw width vise. It should have pipe jaws built into it. The swivel base is nice. Above all, it looks like its in good shape.

I think it's a good deal. Not a you **** deal, but I think most here would be agree that's a lot better than spending $75 on the rotating import vise commonly seen.

IMHO, if you don't get this vise, your best bet is to cruise through the vise thread and learn as much as you can. Because if you're really looking to get a great deal, Craigslist does not wait to garage journal to give approval before selling vises.


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[hifi_hokie]

I'd pay $100 for that, easily.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Thoughts? Maybe only worth $50 in that condition?

When looking for an old vise this is the kind of condition you want. I'm only going by the pics of course, but that vise looks pretty cherry to me.

I own about twelve vises right now, but I wouldn't pay $100 for it. With that said, if I lived in a CL anemic area where vises very rarely showed up I'd definitely grab it. Like the previous poster said once you clean it up and put it on your bench it will more than likely outlive you.

 

[AndrewH]

When looking for an old vise this is the kind of condition you want. I'm only going by the pics of course, but that vise looks pretty cherry to me.

I own about twelve vises right now, but I wouldn't pay $100 for it. With that said, if I lived in a CL anemic area where vises very rarely showed up I'd definitely grab it. Like the previous poster said once you clean it up and put it on your bench it will more than likely outlive you.

Ha! You're nuts! Reed made some of, if not the strongest / most durable vises ever made. The Reed 1C weighs 54 lbs for a 3.5" vise, which is pretty damn heavy for it's size. However, I'm glad you wouldn't pay that much for it, leaves more for me!

 

[cptn_zippy]

I just paid $100 for a reed 204r in decent condition. Needs cleanup and paint, but I couldn't be happier. CL in Denver is an overpriced junkfest...glad I finally caught a break after looking casually for over a year. Still really want a Wilton, tho.

Think about it - new vises in the $100 range are junk. Old-school Reed for the same $$ + a project as part of the deal? Sign me up!

J

 

[oldldh]

How come...

Why for...

You ain't got it sitting on your workbench, yet???

 

[vw_tdi]

Got a call back. Going to see it tomorrow AM. Assuming all is well, I'll post pics after I have it in hand

He also has an Athol 614, 4" jaws for $100. I assume the Reed is preferred, especially given the stout swivel base

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[AndrewH]

They're both excellent vises, Athol also made very high quality vises. If you can swing it and don't mind having two vises I'd pick them both up, but that's just me!

 

[ritzblitz]

Get the reed. I have a 1C and a 4C, they rule. I paid 100 for the 1C, worth it.

 

[vw_tdi]

Reed for sure. I'll probably offer like $175 or $180 to take both and see what he says.

never mind I have little use for the Athol right now, but one never knows, right?

 

[AndrewH]

Reed for sure. I'll probably offer like $175 or $180 to take both and see what he says.

never mind I have little use for the Athol right now, but one never knows, right?

You may just be surprised how useful having a couple of heavy duty vises around is. I'm not sure if you do any welding / grinding / cutting but you could always delegate the Athol to those tasks and keep the Reed pretty! Make sure to post them in the vise thread if you get one or both!

 

[davethorik]

You may just be surprised how useful having a couple of heavy duty vises around is. I'm not sure if you do any welding / grinding / cutting but you could always delegate the Athol to those tasks and keep the Reed pretty! Make sure to post them in the vise thread if you get one or both!

Not only that, I personally like having at least one swivel base and one fixed base vise. I don't use the swivel a lot, but it is very handy when needed. When you absolutely positively need zero movement, fixed base vises are where it's at. And, they are usually cheaper than the same vise with a swivel base.

 

[bigcaddy]

Reed for sure. I'll probably offer like $175 or $180 to take both and see what he says.

never mind I have little use for the Athol right now, but one never knows, right?

The Reed is an exceptionally well built vise and will seem heavy for its size...until you pick up that Athol. It's just waiting to give you a hernia

They too were seriously overbuilt and reinforced in al the right places.

I agree with the others that you buy both. The pipe jaws will surly come in handy but Just make sure the Reed has both pipe jaws present because getting one made will almost equal the purchase price

 

[Outlawmws]

Jump on either one, but both would be awesome assuming no cracks, welds or busted off feet.

A little back lash in the screw is fine and easily fixable if the backlash is at the head adn not the screw/nut. (walk the screw back and forth and you can see if the screw head has a gap at the jaw)

I'f you insist on only one go for the Reed, unless you just don't like the higher jaws.

N. CA covers a lot of territory, but in the metropolitan areas those should have been GONE.

 

[Zeke]

Just remember that any Athol is over 100 years old.

 

[Outlawmws]

Not necessarily true Zeke:

after the acquisition of The Athol Machine Co. in 1905, Starrett must have kept the company as a subsidiary rather than closing it, because in 1930 the Athol Machine Co. name was changed to The Athol Machine & Foundry Co. This lasted until about 1963 when Athol ceased operations.

So while Starrett vises were Athol built, it was probably in parallel.

 

[oldldh]

Just remember that any Athol is over 100 years old.

One must respect the elderly...

And that vise is stout...

I'd grab them both...

 

[Zeke]

Not necessarily true Zeke:



So while Starrett vises were Athol built, it was probably in parallel.

I've read quite a bit about Athol over the years after I bought one for $25 about 10 years ago. Mr. Starrett helped found the Athol company, worked there and left. He ended up expanding his own business and bought out Athol to acquire their facilities in 1905. Most sources say he kept making vises as Athol and Starrett. but he was making precision instruments having invented the combination square as a start.

One can conclude that the true Athol vise was not made after a certain date. I found a book titled "This Warranty Stands Behind Every Athol and Starrett Vise."


http://books.google.com/books/about/This_Warranty_Stands_Behind_Every_Athol.html?id=znLPHAAACAAJ

Notice the publisher's date of "192?"At least we know Athols are 90 years old. My OPINION is that they are 100 years old, possibly 110.

 

[exmaxima1]

Just remember that any Athol is over 100 years old.

Really? Is that true?? I picked up this Athol 624 a few weeks ago and it looks like around 1950's to me.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm of the opinion that Starrett vises were made by it's Athol division along side the Athol vises also made there. There are simply too may Athol vises, and too few Starretts out there in the wild for it to be otherwise.

Zeke, I think you make my case; "This Warranty Stands Behind Every Athol and Starrett Vise."

Indicates both were made concurrently.

 

[Outlawmws]

Exmax, any patent dates on that puppy?

 

[exmaxima1]

Exmax, any patent dates on that puppy?

No dates. Just

ATHOL M&F
ATHOL MASS
MADE IN USA

(Exactly like the OP's Athol non-swivel vise)

 

[Outlawmws]

No dates. Just

ATHOL M&F
ATHOL MASS
MADE IN USA

1930 the Athol Machine Co. name was changed to The Athol Machine & Foundry Co. This lasted until about 1963 when Athol ceased operations.

 

[vw_tdi]

Well, got off work early, so drove the 30 minutes to go look. I told him I was wondering if I wanted both and he said, "how about 150 for both ". I said what the heck.

He said he got them at estate sales. He paid $10 for the Athol and $25 for the reed. Nice. I think we both made out ok.

The reed turns with 1 finger. The Athol needs some lubricant.

The bar on the reed is slightly bent.

He said he had no use for them because he got this 005 for $10:

Now, off to learn about restoration. Very cool to finally find a keeper.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well done young Jedi!

 

[balane]

Love that Reed. IMHO Reed makes the very best vises and the C series is the best of the best. If I ever have a 4C fall in my lap I can promise you my trusty, big Parker will be retired and that's the only vise that would do it. Enjoy!

 

[vw_tdi]

thanks for all the help, guys. We all would like to get something for a 'you ****' price, but I can't complain at all. I'm stoked to start learning about cleaning up that reed proper.

 

[straightcut]

Well bought, TDI. Those are two great vises at an excelllent price!

The guy you purchased from gets three "you *****" for what he paid, but I'd let him know you want a call from him the next time he's got a quality vise for sale again. He definitely didn't gouge you, which shows his integrity.

 

[oldldh]

Both of them...

At the price, you paid...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[sloppy]

Yeah I would have probably done that deal to..

 

[exmaxima1]

IMHO Reed makes the very best vises and the C series is the best of the best.

Did Reed use 60,000 psi castings like Wilton does? I've never seen a broken Reed, just lots of bent handles, so just curious....

 

[Alexbn921]

The reed looks like new. The jaws show almost no sign of wear. Solid buy TDI. Get to fixxen up.

 

[454ragtop]

Kind of funny, the one he kept, while it has a swivel jaw (does he know that?), looks to be in the worst shape, looks like it has seen a lot of abuse. I'd have kept the Reed myself.
Jim

 

[drivesitfar]

nice buy on the pair of quality vises. Reeds are some of my favorite vises and honestly that 1C might be the first one that I've seen a picture of and i might have read that huge vise thread twice. i'm sure it's smaller than my Reed 2C, but it has all it's parts and looks great.

Athol vises are on the top of the list too so two vises for $150 you practically got one free. post pictures on this thread of them after you do some cleaning and maybe painting. We can't get enough pictures on GJ of our tools especially are vises.