Hey everyone,
In a video, I recently fulfilled a longtime dream by acquiring the legendary Reed 208 vise, a true icon in the world of tools and machinery. As someone deeply involved in creating what I hope will be the world’s best bench vise, the Fireball 614 Hardtail, owning the Reed 208 was more than just adding a tool to my collection—it was about understanding its engineering excellence firsthand. These vises have become highly sought after and pricey collectibles, often fetching between $2,000 and $3,000 due to their rarity and industrial pedigree.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the slight bend in the handle of my Reed 208. This anomaly prompted me to delve deeper into the forces that could cause such deformation. I began by weighing the handle, revealing it to be just under six pounds—a heavy weight for a tool handle. This led me to speculate on the potential dangers of handling such a heavy object, especially in a workshop environment where accidents are always a risk. I know I’ve crushed my fingers before from this kind of handle.
To further explore the vise’s capabilities, I conducted a series of tests to measure its clamping force. Using a load meter, I pulled with increasing intensity on the handle, reaching 19,000 pounds just by cranking and hanging off of it. Then with a 6 foot long cheater bar, I was able to input an impressive 45,000 pound load before the handle finally bent. I also found that this bent the screw on the inside of the vise too. This test not only highlighted the strength of the Reed 208 but also underscored the challenges posed by its design, particularly the unwieldy handle that necessitated awkward positioning to avoid injury.
In contrast, the Fireball 614 Hardtail, with its modern design and compact handle, proved to be a formidable challenger. At Fabtech, I witnessed somebody (Wilmer) put in 35,000 pounds of force just with his body strength. So I put a cheater bar on it and got to about 50,000 pounds of input before the handle started to bend, but nothing on the inside bent or broke because the handle is designed to bend before anything else inside would. So despite its smaller size, it exceeded the Reed 208’s clamping force with ease, demonstrating how advancements in vise technology have made tools more efficient and safer to use.
As I continue to explore and experiment in my workshop, I’m eager to share more insights and discoveries with this community. The journey with the Reed 208 has been both educational and rewarding, offering a glimpse into the evolution of tool design and the enduring appeal of classic craftsmanship. Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to join the discussion—I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
-Jason
