Any Vise Collectors Here?
- Thread starter FARMAN33
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- Thread starter
- #162
@ceylonfj40nut That is a fine Athol CD! It is one of the very late castings for Athol before they were reclaimed by Sterrett. Yours actually has the Sterrett swivel lock down. Definitely a "lifer" vise and glad you were able to get it (as I said, Dallas is a tough market for "deals").
Goldbug
SILVER Star
Well, after watching this thread for a while and coveting all your vises, I finally upgraded from my made in china HD junk. A buddy had one he offered up, I said yes with only a vague idea of this size. Any tips on cleaning it up, what type of oil to use? Don't think I'll paint it. Stamping says Reed Mfg, with patents of 1912 and 1914. Would still like to find one of a somewhat more manageable size like @ceylonfj40nut found...
RUSH55
SILVER Star
No idea who built the vise with the big “5” on it, but it looks plenty beefy. Maybe flip it over and see what’s going on with the swivel and fix it. I’d have a hard time stepping over that thing!
So swivel design is basic. Swivel bottom plate has a slotted plate which allows lockdown screw to bind. Relies on surface friction, does not have dentents for positive lockdown. Tents to move when trying to get things done.
Yea love the swivel lockdown design. Great design and built to last!! Overcomes issues I have with the one I am replacing.
- Thread starter
- #167
@Goldbug Your friend just "helped you out" to a fantastic vise. Swivel jaw Reeds of that size are very rare (I am guessing it is a 406). To give you an idea, I had a 407 in MUCH worse condition that I sold for $700!
The trick is going to be freeing up the top swivel. SLOW is the name of the game here. Swivel jaw vises are so rare because when they are not used regularly, they get stuck. Then, some clown with a sledge tries to free it and cracks the casting ruining it for all time.
The trick is going to be freeing up the top swivel. SLOW is the name of the game here. Swivel jaw vises are so rare because when they are not used regularly, they get stuck. Then, some clown with a sledge tries to free it and cracks the casting ruining it for all time.
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- #168
@Goldbug @Str8Razor also has a Reed like yours. Again... Great vise!
- Thread starter
- #169
@ceylonfj40nut Your old vise is a typical Asian import. The size is somewhat misleading. A USA 6" vise is going to weigh at least 100 pounds. Your 6" is around 60 or so. I suspect your 4 1/2" is probably heavier than that 6. Big is cheaper than heavy and as such, imports are usually big but light thickness construction.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Estate sale find
Desmond Stephen
4”
Desmond Stephen
4”
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i like the mini anvil cone built into it
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Me too! Pretty sweet
- Thread starter
- #173
Desmond Stephens are quality vises. Later became just Simplex. Great score!
- Thread starter
- #174
Fixing the swivel lockdown is an easy job (referenced a couple pages ago).
- Thread starter
- #177
Speaking of the R series Reeds... Here is my 1940s "Reedsman" (Craftsman vise using the Reed casting). Also pictured is what makes them special. First is the oil port on the dynamic jaw and the (set screw pin) behind the main nut to take up the slack that develops over decades of use. WHO DOES THAT ANYMORE????
Str8Razor
SILVER Star
My Reid is a 403 1/2R series and it’s a swivel jaw as well…
In search of soft jaws for the 4.5” Athol.
1) Polymer - knurled type grip
2) Polymer - with various grooves for round tube, etc.
3) Copper
Does copper do all where I don’t need 1) and 2) above?
Any recommendations?
1) Polymer - knurled type grip
2) Polymer - with various grooves for round tube, etc.
3) Copper
Does copper do all where I don’t need 1) and 2) above?
Any recommendations?
From any metal supplier buy "architectural angle" 6061 aluminum. This form has no inside radius so it works excellent for vise jaw inserts. You drop them on and they stay put. Need the hard jaws? Take them off. This is the standard approach every real shop I know of uses. Any commercially sold soft jaws are overpriced or way too cheezy
In my machine shop the primary bench vise needs a new set about every 6 months. They are a consumable.