153 LBS and RUSTED SOLID! Reed 206 Vise Restoration

I bought this Reed 206 vise from an older gentleman who was cleaning out his garage. I suspect the vise had been sitting on the floor for a very long time, or perhaps it was sitting in a wet field seeing as how rusty it was. The vise weighs 153 pounds, with 6" wide jaws. It's huge, and very heavy. It's far too big for what I need in my shop, but it's the perfect candidate for rust removal and a good clean up.

I used an electrolysis process to remove the rust, which involves submerging the parts in water and applying current with the use of a car battery charger (12 volts @ 2 amps). Don't ask me how it works, but it does. The parts were left in the solution for approx. 20 hours, and you can see the rust and goo that collected throughout the process, pretty wild stuff. The parts all needed a good scrub after this process due to the surface of the metal turning black. It all came off fairly easily, but took some time.

After the parts were all cleaned up I also fabricated some new lock handles, as well as filed and sanded any sharp edges. Everything was greased prior to assembly and a coat of paste wax was applied to protect everything from rusting again.

I hope you enjoy watching! Please leave any comments or questions, and don't forget to subscribe!

I used a handful of tools and products in this video, which can all be found below:

[nicks]

Like others have said. You cleaned it up, nothing fancy, left the ding marks, and it's a real working tool as it should be! Not a painted sparkling showpiece for a museum. Well done! Sub +1.

[stephenland]

After watching a few of these "large vise restoration" videos, it's clear that back in the day, most home shops needed a vise to securely hold an aircraft carrier.

[patjohnson]

Thank you for saving this wonderful old Red vise. It's a beauty, and still a very useful shop tool.

[robertmuller]

Wie schön, endlich mal ein Schraubstock, der nur generalüberholt wurde um wieder zu arbeiten und nicht übetrestauriert für eine Glasvitrine.

In seiner kraftvollen Bescheidenheit schon fast eine Wohltat.

Vielen Dank. : )

[prophez]

I have a nice Reed 204.1/2 vise I use daily in my blacksmith and knife making business. I’ve had it for almost 20 years and its a beast. That 206 there though is a real beast! So glad you restored it. Nothing else compares to the old American made tools.

[markstephens]

I'm very glad to see that you didn't try to erase the vice's history by mirror polishing and making it into a show piece instead of a working tool. You fixed what needed to be fixed and let the vice retain it's character. One suggestion: When working with a chemical that is labeled poison, please wear some face and inhalation protection.

[promildprofessional]

I like this typical restoration, no paint job, left the dents and ding marks 😍
but to me it's still need works for the rust..
well done sir 👍👍👍

[haemhorrhoidian]

Fantastic, this to me is the perfect restoration, no fancy paint work, no highlighting of lettering, no metal filler, just get it to where it needs to be, it's an old tool, it needs it's old patina restored and nothing else, breath life back into it, don't make it a super hero, thanks for this :-) you just earned yourself a new subscriber.

[Piratecapt]

Thank you a working vise restore not one of those disco polished to chrome toys!

[fflife]

Outstanding!! I have one even larger that needs a good cleaning and I've been trying to find the courage & motivation to get started. You make it look much easier than it will be, but I think I'm ready to try. Thanks!!

[peterkolovos]

I like that you left the Reed vise in its rustic, original look.

[brentk]

you did an excellent job on this old vice. nice video work too. as others have said you did the right thing by keeping the original patina and protecting it with paste wax.

[reusefull]

Thanks for sharing, I just picked up a 206 that I will be restoring, good to have some tips and examples to learn from...👍

[thomasthompson]

Great practical restoration so it's ready for real work again.

[metalman]

Awesome work. It looks good all natural like that without making it pretty.
I'd love to have it on my work bench!!

[JD-ekuz]

I recently aquired a old 206 which has been in the family since new. Unfortuantly it also went through Huricane Katrina. Family ended up pulling it from my grandparents shed when the water receded. And it sat untouched until recently. Oddly it is currently in the same condition as yours was, I have it working, but definitely needs attention. Anyways, its now mine and you have no idea how much i appreciate this video. Was planning on selling it, but you have changed my mind.

[davidduvall]

Like that ypu brought it back to good working condition without turning it into a piece of artwotk. Great job

[zerocontent]

Great job returning it to complete functionality without totally destroying its patina. I myself might have been a little more free with the grease but hey great job none the less.

[joshschneider]

I love the contrast between the vintage parts patina and brand new steel. What's old is new again.

[jt]

WOW! That's what ya call a serious vise! Nice restoration! Wish I had one like it! :)