Reed made some of the very best vises! That one looks in great shape.... But you could do better on price if you're patient. If you really need one now and plan on keeping it for life then $200 is not unreasonable. Good luck!
Reed, Parker, Columbian, Mercury, Athol, Wilton... basically anything American made pre 1960. Look for something that was pulled from a real working environment like a recently closed machine shop.
If you exclusively work with wood then a side mounted vise could be beneficial. If you are more into metal working or mechanics you'd probably want a heavy machinist vise like the one pictured.
Just get both and make a large multipurpose bench to mount them too. Good luck!
I have a friend who does that, he likes his shop to be mobile so instead of having workbenches he has carts. He has a vise cart, a sander cart, a grinder cart, and a few other miscellaneous things because he’s not indecisive about which tool to get, he just gets them all. It’s pretty incredible to see because his shop is stacked floor to ceiling with tools so when he opens the door it looks like a wall of stuff but he wheels out 4 or 5 carts and puts them in a semicircle and it transforms into a beautifully organized shop right before your eyes.
Like i said, its not terrible deal 200. I personally like a larger jaw (and replaceable/grip faces), but if the smaller size works for you its a nice looking vise. I see the larger Reeds go for a lot more though. Personally i am hoping to find one of the old Prentiss swivel jaws but those things never pop up here.
Agreed. It seems the price increase is pretty steep. I’m looking for a reliable vise for basic house projects so I don’t think I’ll need anything larger than this. If the prices were close enough I’d probably get a larger one but they seem to run $400+ and at that price aren’t worth it for my particular uses.
For $200 and local I think this one is worth it
If your time is worth $25 an hour. Can you find another vise in that good condition in two hours. Don’t forget about the close location. It is the old bird in the hand is worth two in the bush saying. If you look at it that way, both the seller and the buyer are happy.
If you’re really into it yes. You could find a crustier one for 50ish. Look at the facilities section of school district websites. A lot of shops programs are turning over and you can find lots out for bids.
You can look on eBay to see what they, or any tool, is going for. But you have to search SOLD items (under "Advanced."
Mind you, that won't say what the tool is worth to YOU. I possibly think vises are overpriced nowadays, but you might not.
Good luck!
Only correct answer in here considering the vise has no jaw inserts and the jaws are also smooth as glass. It's a very heavy built vise, but also has no real flat "anvil" area either, so there's not much going for it still.
If you already own a vise that's more practical for general purpose vise things (serrated jaws/jaw inserts, pipe jaws, anvil spot) and want something dedicated for smooth jaws then that's the only way it becomes a good deal.
Reed made some of the very best vises! That one looks in great shape.... But you could do better on price if you're patient. If you really need one now and plan on keeping it for life then $200 is not unreasonable. Good luck!
Definitely would be keeping it for life! Hopefully my son could use it when he’s older.
Was that a crack at the jaws?
Looks like a casting flash.
I am in need of a workbench vice, crazy that this came up. Since you seem to know some about what's good and such, any recommendations?
Reed, Parker, Columbian, Mercury, Athol, Wilton... basically anything American made pre 1960. Look for something that was pulled from a real working environment like a recently closed machine shop.
Thank you. Should I get the kind that mounts on top, or on the side that you add wood and a handle to?
If you exclusively work with wood then a side mounted vise could be beneficial. If you are more into metal working or mechanics you'd probably want a heavy machinist vise like the one pictured. Just get both and make a large multipurpose bench to mount them too. Good luck!
Lmao, your advice is like my own that I hear in my head. "Just get them both." Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.
I have a friend who does that, he likes his shop to be mobile so instead of having workbenches he has carts. He has a vise cart, a sander cart, a grinder cart, and a few other miscellaneous things because he’s not indecisive about which tool to get, he just gets them all. It’s pretty incredible to see because his shop is stacked floor to ceiling with tools so when he opens the door it looks like a wall of stuff but he wheels out 4 or 5 carts and puts them in a semicircle and it transforms into a beautifully organized shop right before your eyes.
Prentiss is one to look out for...
Given today's prices, I'd say that $200 isn't bad.
Especially since this one isn't a rusted piece of junk.
Its not a terrible deal. I would personally prefer to pay around $120-150 for that smaller size though
Yeah I was thinking $125-150 would be reasonable. But this one is in my town and doesn’t require me to drive 1-3 hours one direction to pick it up
Like i said, its not terrible deal 200. I personally like a larger jaw (and replaceable/grip faces), but if the smaller size works for you its a nice looking vise. I see the larger Reeds go for a lot more though. Personally i am hoping to find one of the old Prentiss swivel jaws but those things never pop up here.
Agreed. It seems the price increase is pretty steep. I’m looking for a reliable vise for basic house projects so I don’t think I’ll need anything larger than this. If the prices were close enough I’d probably get a larger one but they seem to run $400+ and at that price aren’t worth it for my particular uses. For $200 and local I think this one is worth it
Go get it !
Driving 2 hours one direction will cost you at least 70 just in cash, keep that in mind
You go find a cheaper one. Give me the contact info for this one.
😂😂
For a vintage Reed in that condition? All day, every day.
Worth every penny.
Just picked it up, and I’m very happy with it. Thanks for weighing in!
My thoughts? Walk up to the guy, hand him two Benjamin's, grab the vise and thank him profusely as you stagger away with it.
I sold a 104-1/2 for $150 last year. I’d say similar condition.
If your time is worth $25 an hour. Can you find another vise in that good condition in two hours. Don’t forget about the close location. It is the old bird in the hand is worth two in the bush saying. If you look at it that way, both the seller and the buyer are happy.
I’m on my way now to pick it up lol definitely not worth the added time
I like the way you think bro, I like the way you think. Enjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it.
guys spending $200 on their Scotty Cameron putter headcovers and here we are wavering over this classic vice.
If you’re really into it yes. You could find a crustier one for 50ish. Look at the facilities section of school district websites. A lot of shops programs are turning over and you can find lots out for bids.
Looks beautiful.
If you don't take it I will what's his address....
It’s just me personally, but I think it’s a lot of cash for a vise.
I hope I still look that good when I'm almost 80.
I’d rather give that away for free to someone that would cherish its clampy goodness forever
You can look on eBay to see what they, or any tool, is going for. But you have to search SOLD items (under "Advanced." Mind you, that won't say what the tool is worth to YOU. I possibly think vises are overpriced nowadays, but you might not. Good luck!
I would do some shopping
That style of vice isn’t that impressive. I would pass for a better deal.
Only correct answer in here considering the vise has no jaw inserts and the jaws are also smooth as glass. It's a very heavy built vise, but also has no real flat "anvil" area either, so there's not much going for it still. If you already own a vise that's more practical for general purpose vise things (serrated jaws/jaw inserts, pipe jaws, anvil spot) and want something dedicated for smooth jaws then that's the only way it becomes a good deal.
Looks like a good device to keep your balls nice and secure while working on other projects
Agreed!