Wilton 6" c-clamp...mfd usa?

[davethorik]

Picked up this Wilton 6" SUPER DEEP c-clamp off Letgo today.
Wilton is stamped, but other side has raised letters.
Mfd usa...1st thing I think, Proto.

 

[autopts]

Wilton made C-Clamps since the 40's however they are no longer making them here. Here's a little secret, Wilton no longer makes anything here and that now includes their Flagship Machinist's and Tradesman's vises. Everything is coming out of Taiwan. Same with Yost.

 

[exmaxima1]

Wilton made C-Clamps since the 40's however they are no longer making them here. Here's a little secret, Wilton no longer makes anything here and that now includes their Flagship Machinist's and Tradesman's vises. Everything is coming out of Taiwan. Same with Yost.

Nick, the website still says "Made in USA". Where did you hear Taiwan??

 

[Fierljeppen]

davethorik...Nice find on the Wilton no-4406 and no-908 c-clamp you posted on the vise thread! I'm always looking for quality USA c-clamps and I've always been very pleased with the Wilton's.

I dropped you some ads for your clamps. The no-4406 was 1st advertised in 1963, while the no-908 ad is from 1950.

autopts...Say it ain't so! I was hoping the Carpentersville, IL plant would stay open, minimally for the machinist vises.

 

[davethorik]

Wilton made C-Clamps since the 40's however they are no longer making them here. Here's a little secret, Wilton no longer makes anything here and that now includes their Flagship Machinist's and Tradesman's vises. Everything is coming out of Taiwan. Same with Yost.

Well the clamp is a good one except for a gouge in the pad, but screw has minimal slop turns easy with your pinky and straight as an arrow.

My question was, this looks contract manufactured due to stamping vs forged in lettering. And mfd usa is usually associated with proto. So did wilton mark them mfd also?

 

[turbowoodworker]

I bought three Wilton ten inch c clamps at an auction a few years ago. They were BNIB and paperwork in boxes said something like " made in Taiwan to Wilton specifications".

 

[454ragtop]

Seems to me it would be more likely for Wilton to have made clamps for Proto than the other way around. I have a pair of Proto vise grips here made by Peterson.

 

[autopts]

Nick, the website still says "Made in USA". Where did you hear Taiwan??

I talked to a Engineer at Wilton down in Tenn about 2 weeks ago about their crappy jaws I've been getting. He told me Corp took all their Manufacturing over to Taiwan. He claims their quality will be as good if not better. The new ones that say USA are stock they are phasing out. Did you notice the new Gray Tradesman's have a label on both sides? There shipping lag time is very bad. I've had parts on order since last April and ETA was pushed from 11/18 to 02/19 to 03/19. I also noticed all of Yosts vises are being made in Taiwan including their $1800 34C.
I think Wilton may eventually Phase out the Tradesman's. They have been pushing hard with their new Pro-Line and the specs are close. They are also backing that line with a good warranty program.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilton-Tra...579c91f:g:QfEAAOSw-QBcGDUb&LH_ItemCondition=3

 

[autopts]

Well the clamp is a good one except for a gouge in the pad, but screw has minimal slop turns easy with your pinky and straight as an arrow.

My question was, this looks contract manufactured due to stamping vs forged in lettering. And mfd usa is usually associated with proto. So did wilton mark them mfd also?

I have no clue

 

[davethorik]

davethorik...Nice find on the Wilton no-4406 and no-908 c-clamp you posted on the vise thread! I'm always looking for quality USA c-clamps and I've always been very pleased with the Wilton's.

I dropped you some ads for your clamps. The no-4406 was 1st advertised in 1963, while the no-908 ad is from 1950.

autopts...Say it ain't so! I was hoping the Carpentersville, IL plant would stay open, minimally for the machinist vises.

Fierljeppen - as always, great detective work!
This all started bc I had to borrow a 6" c-clamp off my dad to do a brake job, 4" was biggest I had. Now I have 2-12" covered lol

 

[1982fxr]

Wilton made C-Clamps since the 40's however they are no longer making them here. Here's a little secret, Wilton no longer makes anything here and that now includes their Flagship Machinist's and Tradesman's vises. Everything is coming out of Taiwan. Same with Yost.

Pm sent