Vintage Reed Vise

[Dmay94]

Hi everyone, New to the forum, Any info would be appreciated, I came across an old Reed vise cleaning out a friends garage, he said just take it, I like old thing, so I kept it rather than tossing it.. Trying to get some info and possible value. And maybe a part, I think it's missing the swivel base. The only markings are 2 patent dates Dec 1912 Aug 1914, Reed Mfg. Co, Erie PA and on the other side of the vise, is just the number "31". All the vises I see all have three numbers 102, 204 404 ect. It has 3-1/2 jaws.

 

[dlcwent]

Welcome Dmay to the GJ. It won't be long before the vise guys see this post and you'll be in the middle of some Q & A's. I can't help you but wanted to say welcome.

 

[drivesitfar]

DMay: you've got your hands on an early 1900 Reed vise. you are missing the bolt and big plate and wing nut that attach the vise to a bench through the bench. since it looks like there are maybe a hole on each side you could still bolt it to a bench and it just wouldn't be able to swivel.

so can you take and post up few more pictures? also do you have the pipe jaws or are they missing and MIA like mine and almost every other vise made in that era?

also welcome to the forum and you did good saving another great old vise

you might have a vise that will last you for the rest of your life but it's not worth much more than $40 since you are missing the parts i mentioned.

 

[danstead]

Hello Dmay,

Not positive but I think this model came without a swivel base.

My 104 reed is that way.

Welcome to the GJ!

 

[danstead]

I stand corrected by the Knowledgeable Mr Drives!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Dan: thanks for the kudos and sometimes i get lucky when one of you posts a vise that i actually own so i have pictures and a catalog page saved to my laptop and handy.

 

[danstead]

Hi Drives,

Awesome pics of your Reed, looks in excellent shape!!
Although you wouldn't want to be in Erie today, I'm 70 miles south and it's 6 degrees. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[1930]

Hi everyone, New to the forum, Any info would be appreciated, I came across an old Reed vise cleaning out a friends garage, he said just take it, I like old thing, so I kept it rather than tossing it.. Trying to get some info and possible value. And maybe a part, I think it's missing the swivel base. The only markings are 2 patent dates Dec 1912 Aug 1914, Reed Mfg. Co, Erie PA and on the other side of the vise, is just the number "31". All the vises I see all have three numbers 102, 204 404 ect. It has 3-1/2 jaws.

I say toss it....my way

 

[CNGsaves]

Nice score OP on a tough old Reed vise.

I say use it just as it is for stationary vise. You could keep eye out for pipe jaws or have them made by some of the talented machinist guys on GJ.

Also, now that you've found GJ . . . you just CANNOT have just one vise !!!

 

[KMScott]

Dean if you look close at your Reed you will notice a boss sticking below the base that the threaded rod screws into, Dan's does not have the boss I am talking about. I have worked on a couple of these vises, a Parker #22 and a Athol #79. The reason the company's add a boss is to have room for threads, the casting without a boss does not have a thick enough wall stock for threads.

 

[Packard V8]

The Reed 104 in the photo has a rear mounting hole, one the OPs does not appear to have. If guessing from the info available, I'd opine his did come with a swivel base.

However, that's not always a deal killer. I had a similar Rock Island missing its swivel base. It had a 1" hole in the center of the flange. I found a 1" diameter 6" long bolt and with two 1/2" bolts through what had been the lock holes on the flange. That vise doesn't go anywhere.

jack vines

 

[exmaxima1]

Dean if you look close at your Reed you will notice a boss sticking below the base that the threaded rod screws into, Dan's does not have the boss I am talking about. I have worked on a couple of these vises, a Parker #22 and a Athol #79. The reason the company's add a boss is to have room for threads, the casting without a boss does not have a thick enough wall stock for threads.

I think that boss may have acted as the pivot for the swivel base on Drive's vise. Over the years it looks like the OP's vise had that ground off and a pair of mounting holes added---I know that's what I would have done.