Not the newest one, it is just like a grease smudge on the end, But I was expecting that plug to be dented in, but I agree, they don't pack these near good enough for the weight and abuse they take in transit from being thrown around. Seems maybe the foam in place would at least help stop the movement in the box and the rubbing issue?
Gotcha...at least neither is dented even though I'm positive Wilton would send a replacement dust cover.
With modern manufacturing and shipping there's no way of telling where a company will try to save a few pennies, and I guess it's better in the packaging than the vise!
One thing I will say to everybody buying these is that the jaws Wilton puts on these has been reported to be a powdered, compressed metal type that is very hard, but frequently cracks. I suspect that's an area where they're saving money compared to the machinist line.
I just bought two 1760s and while both were in really nice shape (one NOS) the one had chunks broken off the top edge of both jaws, and even the NOS one had a hairline crack where something hit the very edge of the jaw and put a tiny 1/32" chip in it....crack went all the way to the back edge, turned and came back to the front.
I'd recommend getting a set of KMScott's jaws. I just got a set from him for one of the 1760s and they are amazing! They look great, and aren't going to chip/crack unless you really abuse them and even then I think it would be a challenge.
If I get time I'll try getting pictures of the cracked 1760 jaw just for giggles...I didn't even see it until I removed the protective oil/paste they had on them.
, yeah his stuff looks killer!
