Am I being too picky? (new Wilton Vise)

Final resolution: Get a new vice, but not a Wilton, unless of course if you have the opportunity to inspect it before you buy it. Same conclusion as the originator of this thread.

Wilton acknowledged to me they are currently having a manufacturing issue with the Tradesman, Bench, and Pipe vices. And since they don't have a timeline for a replacement for me directly, I have decided to return it to the vendor, CPO. Prepaid shipping for a 50 lb vice... cannot complain one bit.

Below are the pics of the jaw alignment.. over 1mm off center. I'm not impressed with the current quality control.

Time to move to craigslist and find a good deal.

I bought a Wilton 1750 mechanic vise in mid-70's and it lined up similar to what you describe. 6 months later the alignment was a lot better. I think as the 30 degree Acme threads wear and seat, alignment is good. Almost 40 years later, and aLOT of abuse the jaws are worn, but alignment is perfect.

It sounds like the OP handled the situation like a boss! - good job!

I think the morals of this story are:

● buy from places like amazon that are good about dealing with returns, in addition to having great prices, if you are going to buy online.

● don't assume that just because a Wilton vise costs twice as much as other USA vises (Yost, Morgan-Milwaukee), that they are even as well made, much less better!

● when you pay a lot for something, demand they make it right, now you can feel great about your new vise when you finally get it, even though you had to work your tail off to straighten everything out, even though it shouldn't have been screwed up in the first place! - heck, I even make Harbor Freight make a $10 ratchet right if it's screwed up! - at $265, Wilton would have gotten an ***-chewing from me to someone very high up in the company, that's ridiculous!

one last thing - if I had $265 for a new vise, I would watch craigslist, and garage sales etc. for a few months and you will likely end up with a vice that could easily be over $1000 new! - a classic older USA made vice (1970's all the way back to the turn of the century!), just make sure it has never been cracked, repaired, welded, etc.