I just received the Granite Surface Plate seen in the pictures below from Enco (url: http://tinyurl.com/5b8d2r). It appears to have a crack along the left hand side of it; the line appears through all four sides of the plate. However, there is absolutely no "feel" to this crack; it is only aesthetic AFAIK. The plate only cost ~$15, so I recognize that this is not top-dollar stuff - but is this normal? Should I request a return? (FYI: this is my first granite plate ever owned...)

Thanks.

Just keep it for your 'rough use plate' and order another one (if it is a real crack). I'd be surprised that the piece had not just fallen right off by now, if it is a real crack. Perhaps it is some kind of a fusion or crystallization line in the granite?

On second thought, you could always contact them and send the pictures in. I doubt that neither you nor they would want to pay the freight on moving the dud around, and maybe you could get another one for just the cost of shipping or even for free.

Hu - Thanks.

Given the nature of the use of a surface plate, I wasn't keen on settling for a compromised plate. I emailed ENCO customer service (and attached the photo's). They responded within 4 hours, stating that they will be shipping me a replacement and that based on the retail cost of the plate (~$15) and weight (50 lbs?), I can either keep or throw away the cracked one.

I'm always a big fan of companies that are willing to do the "right" thing re: customer service. So hats off to Enco!