Reed 104 1/2 R Restoration And Fabricating An Extension Plate: The Best Vise Ever!

[@eyuptony]

You've made a superb job of the restoration. Great design and outstanding build quality. That color deffinetly shows off the contours. The vise looks better than a new one. Cheers Tony

[@shopdoc]

Thank you Tony, it’s still one of my absolute favorite vises. The smooth jaws are soooo handy!

[@abundantYOUniverse]

I have a Reed 105R and its an incredibly heavy rugged vice! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

[@shopdoc]

Very cool! I have never seen a 105. Honestly I see 104 and 104 1/2 and the 200 series variant but rarely see anything larger though I am aware they are out there just much more rare.

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Great resto job

[@shopdoc]

Thank you! I use this vise in my shop all the time.

[@starflash08]

reeds are the best imo, lovely job

[@shopdoc]

Thanks! The older I get the more I agree regarding Reeds being the best of the best. The quality and durability seems to be a step above. Charles Parker vises are very close to the Reeds in quality as well!

[@marks2365]

Beautiful resto on it. Im new to crafting, building up my workshop and tools. Actually got good deal on this very vise. Hope to use some of these tricks

[@thedetective8150]

That vise looks almost new. It's a beast.

[@shopdoc]

It was definitely a good deal finding it in PA. So very happy with it.

[@greggehret5922]

Reeds are the best. not just because i live in Erie. haha Great video nice to see you freshen the old gal up..looks fantastic!

[@shopdoc]

Thanks for watching! I love this Reed and use it daily.

[@InTheVise]

Nice work!! And good camera/editing work!

[@mateoboschify]

Nice job. I just picked one of these up today myself.

[@shopdoc]

it is a fantastic vise......You will love it!!

[@MrTreyAdams]

Another great video Chris! Looks like you are using your ‘extra time’ well.

[@shopdoc]

Indeed I am, thanks for the comments! Tell Amy I said Hi!

[@stevesrt8]

I like the color. really great job! the base extension plate is a great idea. that plasma dross chips of super easy with just a cold chisel. might save on your grinding belts

[@shopdoc]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment and tip!

[@marcuscicero9587]

I got a big Reed. they're nice vises. mine has a date of Feb. 1914. still performing well.

[@shopdoc]

Awesome! I love these old vises that GOD has blessed me with.

[@suebrown7275]

great work

[@Muscleupsanddangles]

I have this same vice. I don't know if it is the best ever made, but it the best I've used, and I have used a lot.

[@Muscleupsanddangles]

Btw, I emailed Reed (they still exist) and they had no info on our old vises. From my understanding, based on the design and "meatballs" our vises are from sometime in the 1950's.

[@cmcnichols4]

Hi Chris, great video - thank you! I have the same vise and will be restoring it soon. Could you explain the acid etching you did on the jaws? What is the best product to use? Thanks.

[@shopdoc]

I use Perma Blue gun bluing on the jaws. There are several other types of gun bluing out there and they all work pretty good. This is probably my favorite vise. Reed vises are special.

[@cmcnichols4]

@@shopdoc awesome- thanks Chris! Have a great day.

[@Chadwhansen3232]

I literally just bought the reed mfg #204-R I plan on restoring it also

[@shopdoc]

it is a fantastic vise!

[@Chadwhansen3232]

@@shopdoc seems like it I'm very excited to start restoring it

[@memguy38117]

nice video and job!! Can u help me find or make a wedge bolt for a Reed 204R? Mine was in a garage fire and the clean up crew lost the bolt!. Thanks

[@shopdoc]

By bolt do you mean the what locks the large vise screw in place? Or maybe you are referring to the split nut?

[@The-Jokes-on-You]

Really nice restoration, I know I'm late to this but just picked up a Reed w/craftsman badging (looks identical to this one) do you have any resource links or info on this vice? I'm unfamiliar with them & haven't seen things like the split nut before. I'd like to know more & get a better idea how it comes apart (tips & tricks) so I don't regret potentially ruining a part that's hard to find.

[@shopdoc]

Wow I did not realize Reed made some Craftsman vises! Definitely gonna pay better attention. I would not worry about ruining a part. If you are mildly mechanical you'll be fine. KZbin can help with that as well. Good luck and thanks for the comment!

[@suebrown7275]

I have a 104 1/2 reed vice, the spindle nut is stripped, was wondering if they are available ???

[@shopdoc]

I am unaware of any replacements available. You could have yours drilled out and then sleeve it with a nut from McMaster Carr potentially. Or you could have a machinist fab one but it is likely very expensive. I would look for one on craigslist, Etsy, or ebay that is in terrible condition and try to get it cheap. The nut is rarely bad on these vises but the exterior do get beaten up pretty badly.

[@suebrown7275]

@@shopdoc Thank you

[@ylctellimhrye1978]

Hay vise 104r ln What year was it produced tnx

[@shopdoc]

I am not sure as mine was not marked with a date.

[@John-qt8fx]

Excellent video, amazing vice. What process did you use to apply the BLO?

[@shopdoc]

I warm the part up real good then apply the BLO. I allow it to cool then wipe the excess off and let it dry completely.

[@John-qt8fx]

@@shopdoc I love your videos. Just based on your vise resto vids I purchased a Prentiss 524 and a Parker 974. On the Parker, it's missing the set screw that goes in the spindle handle. Do you know what size screw that is? Keep the vids coming, especially vise restoration. I'm in SoCal (although I fly to South Bend annually to see my Fighting Irish) and don't across too many Reeds. That Reed you have is on my wish list, I even love the color. Thanks again.

[@shopdoc]

@@John-qt8fx Thanks so much! I have a great friend living in San Diego. When you come to South Bend do a Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace search for vises. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised what you'll find in that area for cheap! Not sure the size of that screw in the handle...maybe 5/16. It may be a custom thread??

[@anthonylavigne7112]

Just got one at a Garage Sale this weekend for $35. Maybe I should go back and give them another $100! I'm guessing the Jaws are not removable?

[@shopdoc]

Yep jaws are not removable but they are super high quality! I absolutely love Reeds. I just picked up a Reed 103 and it is an awesome little vise. Can't wait to restore it! Look for that one in a future video. Good luck Sir with yours!

[@robertvalente8217]

Do you like the reeds better than the parkers and if so why?

[@shopdoc]

I like them both but for different reasons. The Parkers have that tension screw for the handle and that's cool plus they are built very rugged. Also their swivel bases are soooo smooth. I think the Reed is just super precise and sooo well made!. Both have their place and I am glad to have several vises in my shop.

[@robertvalente8217]

@@shopdoc I just rebuilt a parker 974 1/2 and I do like the tension screw. The vise does have a bit of slop in it. I may machine the vise and install a bushing for the lead screw to tighten it up.

[@Kghuman1]

You can end up lowering your work table, I am running into that problem after upgrading from small vice to Made In England No 6, Good Luck

[@shopdoc]

Thanks!

[@brileyshaw4664]

Great job dad! You should make me a knife now 😉

[@shopdoc]

Thanks Bri! I actually have the knife I made you in the shop ready to put a new edge on it. I'll need to make Fletcher one for hunting as wel.

[@goranzivkovic7254]

You must see Boley ohr Schlegel germany vise

[@shopdoc]

I will definitely look one up! Thanks!

[@sikander2520]

Chas parker world best vise

[@shopdoc]

Pretty hard to argue that, they make amazing vises.

[@karcinoma]

not sure how well designed that piece on the front of the lead screw is, but that thing at the back that you can actually knock in and out of the hole sure looks well designed....ive seen some GLORIOUSLY stupid and "creative" ways that these old time vise makers like to put things together, it boils my blood....

[@shopdoc]

My opinion of the Reed vises is that they may be the best made vises I have seen. Charles Parker vises are pretty stellar as well and of course Wilton has to be in the conversation. I am sure there are others that have produced some incredible vises. I have seen some poor designs as well. Many cheaply made vises out there. Thanks for commenting.