Taiwan Wilton Vise (QC)

[Mekks082]

Purchased this Taiwan made 1755 Wilton vise on ebay... against my better judgment. Would you send it back?

I was able to repin the guide rail, but the jaws still closes off center. If I push it center while I tighten it stays straight.

 

[shawhite]

It’s a tradesman vise it is not designed to be precise. If you want precision drop the coin and get a machinist or combo. I have an American made tradesman that the jaws are off slightly. Does the vise hold your work piece? Did you buy this vise to look pretty on the work bench or get used? Even if you can send it back there is no guarantee the next one will line up.

 

[exmaxima1]

FWIW, new replacement jaws would not look any better. They really should be "fitted" with a grinder after installation if you want a precise alignment. That's what Wilton does with the USA models during assembly.

 

[Rinspeed]

That *****, I would probably send it back just for the simple fact if people accept **** that’s what they will make. The hallmark to any high quality company is don’t accept **** from a previous department and don’t pass on **** to the next department.

 

[Lassen Forge]

No, I would send it back as well... that is just garbage workmanship, even being from Tiawan, that is pretty unacceptable.

ESPECIALLY carrying the Wilton name.

 

[RTM]

But, it’s an eBay purchase. Sending it back won’t send a message to Wilton or anyone besides the seller, and they will probably claim it showed in the pix, so no refund. Just my ¢¢

 

[shawhite]

Does the vise hold the work piece securely? A vise is a tool and not meant to have the jaws together. It amazes me how many people on garage journal care more about how a tool looks vs how it functions.

I bought 30 USA 1755 at auction last year. Sold all but one which I gave to my FIL. Everyone of them had some misalignment. Called Wilton tech support just to verify the vises I bought would not be considered seconds. Wiltons tech said it is acceptable for the tradesman jaws to not line up perfectly due to the knurling on one jaw sometime coming into contact with the knurling of the other jaw when closing causing the jaws to appear misaligned when the vise is completely closed. If you want machinist quality pay the $1200 for a 500s which will weigh twice what the tradesman does.

it’s a vise guys use it and move on with life.

 

[Rinspeed]

Does the vise hold the work piece securely? A vise is a tool and not meant to have the jaws together. It amazes me how many people on garage journal car more about how a tool like vs how it functions.

Did you just have a stroke, proofread that before you hit reply. If you don't not a single person will take you seriously.

 

[RoundedNut]

I never thought of vises being anything close to precision instruments.

Aside, I find some people's obsession with vises rather odd. They are just a glorified, modified nut and bolt, and nowhere as interesting as screwdrivers. I am fascinated with them and we need more posts on screwdrivers.

 

[autopts]

Tradesman's years ago were made in Taiwan and public demand and displeasure with this line forced Wilton to bring it home. Now they took that line over seas again raising the prices of used USA models. Wilton JPW is global now and only in it for as much they can increase their profit line. Think those are poor quality? Look at their Pro line made in China. R & D at JPW Wilton vise division has probably been defunded or dismantled. LOL Maybe Reimagining the Dept.

​

 

[Rinspeed]

I never thought of vises being anything close to precision instruments

I doubt very many people do but on the other hand, as I said, the more people are that are willing to accept **** quality will dictate how much **** quality companies will try pass off.

 

[shawhite]

Is it really **** quality or unrealistic expectations.

 

[ike]

I support you OP. You pay good money for stuff, you expect it to show up looking like new with the parts lining up. I don't care if it's a vise, a trash bag, or a pair of work boots that i'm going to lace up to go stomp in ****, they should look like new products out of the box because that's what I paid for.

 

[Milwaukeeteer]

I never thought of vises being anything close to precision instruments.

A proper Wilton vise is actually a very precise machine. The problem is that none of them come out of the factory even remotely adequate to justify their price. Every single vise I've owned from Wilton (which is closing in on about ten now) needed to have the following done:

1. Jaw inserts made that actually sat on the jaws, rather than float on the screws (the cause of many jaws breaking)
2. Thrust washers made to the right thickness so there is no lash or play
3. Removal of debris from the vise's original machining (so much for the "sealed units")
4. Repainted a color other than that god awful hammered green.

Has nothing to do with machinist or tradesman or a combination. They're all the same fairly mediocre machining. Other brands are far worse.

To the OP: Send it back.

 

[shawhite]

I would have to disagree the two machinist vise I have are perfect. The tradesman vise is a work horse and has never been known for precision. If the OP is not happy he should contact the EBay seller and see if he can return it. I would guess he will probably be required to pay return shipping which isn’t cheap for a 50lb vise. I would just recommend if you want perfection do not buy another tradesman. Now if you want a vise that will probably out live you and take a beating then keep the tradesman and use it for it’s intended purpose and quit worrying about the jaws not lining up perfect when completely closed.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I support you OP. You pay good money for stuff, you expect it to show up looking like new with the parts lining up. I don't care if it's a vise, a trash bag, or a pair of work boots that i'm going to lace up to go stomp in ****, they should look like new products out of the box because that's what I paid for.

Agree completely. I wouldn't hesitate to send it back.

There are always going to be people who defend piss poor quality out of the box. Some probably have zero pride in ownership, treat their tools and equipment like **** and are arrogant enough to think everyone else should do the same. Different strokes for different folks, but on principle alone, I would send that thing back.

 

[shawhite]

OP have you removed the jaw inserts and see if the vise closes square? This would tell you if the vise key way was broached off center or if the jaw inserts are what is making the jaws not line up.

 

[Rinspeed]

Is it really **** quality or unrealistic expectations.

Just because you are willing to accept piss poor quality does not mean I am.

 

[Mekks082]

Thanks for all the reply's. It was bought NIB from a large ebay seller with free 30 day refunds.

They gave me the option to refund, exchange, or % credit back and keep it.

I've had good luck with Taiwan tools and expected better of the wilton name. This is the first new vise I have ever purchased.

 

[shawhite]

Just because you are willing to accept piss poor quality does not mean I am.

Piss poor quality. Lol. No I am just willing to pay for quality hint the reason why I own a 500s and 400s and not a tradesman. The jaws are off 1/8 in max with the vise closed completely. I bet they are closer than that with the jaws not touching. How does this affect the function of the vise? At the end of the day it’s a tool not a collectible or a piece of jewelry.

 

[Milwaukeeteer]

Piss poor quality. Lol. No I am just willing to pay for quality hint the reason why I own a 500s and 400s and not a tradesman. The jaws are off 1/8 in max with the vise closed completely. I bet they are closer than that with the jaws not touching. How does this affect the function of the vise? At the end of the day it’s a tool not a collectible or a piece of jewelry.

Some of the worst quality control I've seen with Wilton has been on machinist vises. Unless they're the newest generations (say, 2000s) they aren't even worth owning.

 

[shawhite]

Some of the worst quality control I've seen with Wilton has been on machinist vises. Unless they're the newest generations (say, 2000s) they aren't even worth owning.

Lol. Not worth owning.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The way I've always looked at it - I spend my rare time making hard to get money... if I'm going to buy something, it BETTER darn well be worth the hard work I put in to earn the money to buy it. I'm not going to spend 4 hours of my life for a POS that isn't the quality I expect.

And BTW - I DO rely on a vise having square and plumb jaws that match up for what I use it for. That VSO (Vise Shaped Object) would be about worthless for a lot of what I do. If it works for you, and if your ime is worth a factory second, that's up to you... for me, I couldn't use it.

 

[shawhite]

Out of curiosity OP did you end up returning it or keeping it?

 

[Lucid Moments]

Just because you are willing to accept piss poor quality does not mean I am.

Just because you have unrealistic expectations doesn't mean everybody should.

 

[ike]

Unrealistic expectations? Here is an older made in China Craftsman (or CRAPsman as many here would call it) vise. Are you saying the realistic expectation of a new Wilton vise is to be worse quality than a $99 made in China Craftsman vise? If so, that's pretty sad for Wilton. I didn't realize the brand had fallen so far.

 

[Mekks082]

Out of curiosity OP did you end up returning it or keeping it?

I will be sending it back. I paid $375 for the vise+bash hammer. For that price I expected better.

 

[shawhite]

Man I didn’t know so many people would be offended that I feel it’s unreal to expect the precision one would expect from a Kurt machinist vise out of a mid tier bench vise and that I could care less how a tool looks as long as it functions as intended. But this is GJ and I have seen other crazy things debated like the uneven paint on the inside of a new socket. Lol

Except for Lassen Forge I don’t think I have ever heard someone require a bench vise to be square and plumb in order to complete project. If you need this type of accuracy buy a Kurt machinist vise. A bench vise is made to hold a work piece so you can work on it. I am still curious if the vise is faulty or the peak of one insert is hitting the peak of the other insert causing the jaws to misalign. OP never said if he removes the inserts to see if the jaws close square. OP you said you expect more for $375. Well $375 is 40% off the retail price of these vises and the seller was willing to give you a discount on top of that. All I say is good luck with your search and I hope you find a vise that matches your needs/wants.

 

[Rinspeed]

Man I didn’t know so many people would be offended that I feel it’s unreal to expect the precision one would expect from a Kurt machinist vise out of a mid tier bench vise and that I could care less how a tool looks as long as it functions as intended.

Lol, if that vise was $80 you might have a point but it was not. Like I said, if people are willing to accept **** for a $300+ tool that is exactly what they will make.

 

[exmaxima1]

Just for the heck of it I just checked the Wilton USA 1750 on my bench---the jaws are perfect on the top, perfect on one end, and about .005" offset on the other end. And that's with fresh jaw inserts but no final grinding to clean the ends. I did not expect they would be that good.

 

[Mekks082]

Lol, if that vise was $80 you might have a point but it was not. Like I said, if people are willing to accept **** for a $300+ tool that is exactly what they will make.

I fully agree, I do not expect perfection but this just seems sloppy.

I'm starting to wonder if these black "anniversary" vises are factory seconds and they decided to paint them black, toss in a free hammer, and offer them at a discount.

 

[shawhite]

I fully agree, I do not expect perfection but this just seems sloppy.

I'm starting to wonder if these black "anniversary" vises are factory seconds and they decided to paint them black, toss in a free hammer, and offer them at a discount.

The anniversary vises were made in USA this one was made in Taiwan.

 

[Mekks082]

The anniversary vises were made in USA this one was made in Taiwan.

They switched the anniversary bundles also, USA made is 63200A and the Taiwan is 28806A

 

[shawhite]

They switched the anniversary bundles also, USA made is 63200A and the Taiwan is 28806A

The 75th anniversary edition was USA 63200A (sold 29 of these last year)

after Wilton switched production of the tradesman to China (Taiwan really but apparently you aren’t allowed to consider Taiwan its own state per China). They came out with a special edition which looked alot like the 75th anniversary but it has some slight manufacture differences it was the 28806A.

either way I still believe the issue the OP is having stems from the vise jaw inserts and not the vise it’s self. I could be totally wrong but based on all the vises I sold last year the inserts were off in nearly all of them. I randomly tried several vises from the 30 I picked up at auction and took the inserts out and ran the jaws together and all the vises I tested with no jaw inserts were square. If you flip the insert 180 and reinstall the results would be different from the original. One could easily square these up within a few minutes at a bench grinder.

 

[Milwaukeeteer]

The 75th anniversary edition was USA 63200A (sold 29 of these last year)

after Wilton switched production of the tradesman to China (Taiwan really but apparently you aren’t allowed to consider Taiwan its own state per China). They came out with a special edition which looked alot like the 75th anniversary but it has some slight manufacture differences it was the 28806A.

either way I still believe the issue the OP is having stems from the vise jaw inserts and not the vise it’s self. I could be totally wrong but based on all the vises I sold last year the inserts were off in nearly all of them. I randomly tried several vises from the 30 I picked up at auction and took the inserts out and ran the jaws together and all the vises I tested with no jaw inserts were square. If you flip the insert 180 and reinstall the results would be different from the original. One could easily square these up within a few minutes at a bench grinder.

The anniversary vises aren't made in the USA. They used up the remaining castings that were stamped USA with taiwan supplied spindles/internals/handles, etc.

You couldn't buy a USA made replacement spindle for any tradesman direct from Wilton well over a year before they discontinued the Tradesman production here.

 

[shawhite]

The anniversary vises aren't made in the USA. They used up the remaining castings that were stamped USA with taiwan supplied spindles/internals/handles, etc.

You couldn't buy a USA made replacement spindle for any tradesman direct from Wilton well over a year before they discontinued the Tradesman production here.

That is quiet interesting considering I have an email from Wilton tech support where I asked them this exact question and the response I was given

“Vises made in USA are USA parts. New model made in November of 2018 to current are made in Taiwan and will have all imported parts. The parts for the new ones match specs to the older ones except for the spindle nut assembly.
Thank you.

JPW Industries Technical Service
427 New Sanford Road
La Vergne, TN 37086
www.jpwindustries.com
1.800.274.6846”

 

[shawhite]

Here is what I sent to him
“ I have a question regarding a tradesman vise I acquired. It is a 75th anniversary 1755 vise which to my knowledge was still made in the USA but I am being told only the casting was made in the USA and the spindle and other hardware was made in China. Is this correct. “

 

[shawhite]

But hey he could be lying to me who knows. I tend to go to the source if I want an answer not spread rumors on a forum.

 

[Mekks082]

I was offered a 25% discount to keep the vise. Thinking this might be a good bet and then try line up the jaws the best I can.

 

[m6z]

$372 import vise? Man, I had no idea they were that expensive.

I'd feel cheated if I paid that kind of money, but I'm so cheap I'd never spend that kind of money on a vise.

My HF vise may be crude, but it was only $30 and it's yet to fail me.