I picked up the Wilton anniversary 5 1/2" tradesman vise on the zoro sale last week. It arrived today and the outer box was a little beat up but the inner box seemed fine. When I opened it I noticed the jaws do not line up horizontally or vertically. They are off by about 1/8" in height and about a 1/16" left to right. It also looks like they are skewed a little closing on the left side more than the right. Is this normal and if not is it adjustable? Or did I just get a lemon. Thanks.
Wilton vise question
- Thread starter chicken12
- Start date
William Payne
Well-known member
Can you post a side on picture?
It appears the jaws are in alignment with one another, but not quite in alignment with the jaw supports, which isn't terribly unusual on less expensive, or older vises. I wouldn't be happy with it on a new vise like your Wilton. Having said that, I've noticed this same issue on a few Tradesmen series vises I've seen listed for sale.
I should clarify that a little bit. All of the Wiltons I've restored have the jaws set a touch higher than the jaw support, but just a touch...leaving a small ledge that's something like 1/16". That ledge helps when you want to remove the jaws. The issue I've seen with some of the Tradesmen series is that that little ledge isn't even from one side to the other, so the jaws aren't level with the jaw support.
I should clarify that a little bit. All of the Wiltons I've restored have the jaws set a touch higher than the jaw support, but just a touch...leaving a small ledge that's something like 1/16". That ledge helps when you want to remove the jaws. The issue I've seen with some of the Tradesmen series is that that little ledge isn't even from one side to the other, so the jaws aren't level with the jaw support.
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meatsis
Well-known member
I would return it and use the money to buy several old vintage vises.
cagullett1
Well-known member
I recently bought a 1755 on Amazon and just sent back my third one due to poor QC on Wilton's part. They are robust vises for a new one, but for the money, I've been disappointed in the finishing touches they dropped the ball on.
We're discussing a similar issue in this thread about a Brockhaus Heuer Vise. The European based guys seem to agree thats just how those vises are made...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339145
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339145
Here are some better pictures. If this is the standard quality I think I am going to return it as I am not happy. One side is proud by about 2mm while the other side is down by about 1mm. Left to right its off by about 1.5mm. So much for quality control.
Do you think I should try to get zoro to send a replacement and see if it is better or just look for an old one? I dont have much time in life right now between traveling 30 weeks a year for work and a 3yo and 5yo so I was hoping this would be a good fit for me. With the 30% off it was only $280 so not sure if I can complain even with what I got. What would you guys do? Thanks!!
Do you think I should try to get zoro to send a replacement and see if it is better or just look for an old one? I dont have much time in life right now between traveling 30 weeks a year for work and a 3yo and 5yo so I was hoping this would be a good fit for me. With the 30% off it was only $280 so not sure if I can complain even with what I got. What would you guys do? Thanks!!
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I've seen plenty Tradesman series with the same issue.
I got the replacement from Zoro yesterday. I have been out of town and have not had time to deal with the rma until late last week. The replacement showed up and the box was a little beat up so I was suspecting the worst. Opened it up today and it has a little scuff on that paint it looks to be ok. The jaws are flat across the top and just a little offset, about a mm. Otherwise it's a lot better than the last one. I would like it to be perfect but for $280 shipped and made in the USA and included a free sledge hammer I cannot argue. Thanks