JH Williams Tools
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mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
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- Jun 22, 2010
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yes still part of Snap-On some made in USA and some made in asia. Both good. I preder the USA ones
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
Yeap they are part of Snap On and they make quality tools. Their 36 tooth ratchets are very nice and stout.
And... Reasonably Priced, Which is Awesome.
woody 73
Well-known member
They make a very nice screwdrivers,if you get the chance buy a set.
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
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- Jun 22, 2010
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Here are a couple of their USA built ratchets
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
I like all of my Williams tools. I have wrenches, ratchets, sockets. It is one of the brands on my pawn shopping, flea market lists.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Snap On bought out Williams 16 years ago.Snap On dealer down the road in my area said Snap On wanted an industrial tool line and Williams was thier choice.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Not much of the tool line is still US made.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
I love my Williams tools. Almost every socket I own is Williams. Even the Taiwan made Williams is great. If they had a local supplier I would buy nothing but williams.
SMKS
Well-known member
They still offer the basics. You can get USA-made ratchets, wrenches and sockets. The pliers are pretty much Taiwan, from what I've seen.
toolnut
Well-known member
I don't know where you are located but there could be a local supplier around you. The best thing to do is look up the local industrial suppliers and ask if they carry the Williams line. This works best in two ways. You can easily warranty stuff and put your hands right on the tools to see first hand. I know that most the pliers that have blue handles are imported and that some of the ratchets and sockets sets are also. Also they could hand you a catalog.
Some of the best stuff to get are the fine tooth round head ratchets. They still warranty the old stuff so don't be afraid to purchase it. The line that they don't warranty is the Vulcan line so try to stay away from those on ebay and flea markets.
I think there are couple of places on line that some guys on the forum have purchased tools from. So a quick search might turn them up.
MadMark
Well-known member
Here are a couple of their USA built ratchets
The Asian made Williams ratchets easy to spot because they have three or four finger grooves on the handle. The US made have a smooth handle as Mr. Holeshot shows.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I recently sent a Williams S-51 ratchet in for warranty on a Monday and got a brand new ratchet like the ones pictured above back on that same Friday. They are headquartered out of Georgia.
http://www.jhwilliamstoolgroup.com/content/18.htm
Its as Easy as putting your state into the Form, Id be willing to bet you have a Full line dealer not to far away. Industrial tool suppliers are Never gonna be as Readily available as Automotive tools but its not near as hard as People put on. Ive had some Wright Hex drivers taken care of locally in the Past.
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I don't want the hassle of packing em and shipping em. Too many easier choices.
Unfortunately no good choices for me. YMMV.
Too... Bad. Industrial tools are Often Overlooked and can be found on the Cheap because of that. Where Are you located? Do you take pictures of Trains etc? Im taking a wild stab based on your User Name.
What is the aversion to Craftsman? Walk in, walk out...a store only as far away as your local Sears.
None. The down side is CM off shoring their production. I don't like it but I am guessing it will be universal in a couple of years even with the truck brands.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
That was my Dilemma as well. Williams tools are great, But their warranty *****.
Ive only had to warranty ratchets, But my experience it is horrible.
They limit the amount a single ratchet can be warrantied. The first time, they give you a brand new replacement ratchet, the 2nd time they rebuild the ratchet and stamp an X on the handle so you can no longer have it repaired or replaced every again.
If you can not prove you purchased the ratchet new, they will only repair it the one time, and they stamp it.
You are responsible for shipping both ways, and it takes a long time. Ive only had to use their warranty twice. The first time it took 6 weeks from the day I mailed the ratchet to get it back repaired.
Over time, I found it to be cheaper/easier to either repair the ratchets myself, or purchase new ones if I'm unable to repair them.
A couple months ago, I broke my 3/8" Williams flex ratchet for the 2nd time. To be honest, I abused the hell out of it. I had it at a funny angle with a floor jack handle on it when it broke. Pure misuse of the tool.
But, I could not afford to go without my ratchet for 6 weeks. Thats when I found the Duralast thread here on GJ. I original purchased the duralast to use while waiting on my Williams to be repaired, But now I plan to keep the duralast and sell off my Williams. It is just as good as the Williams but it has a no questions asked local warranty.
I don't have visits from tool trucks, I don't trust craftsman anymore, new Kobalt tools are worse then craftsman's, Gearwrench is nice but I would have the same warranty issues as Williams. So for me the duralast brand was a perfect fit. Williams quality with craftsman warranty.
For Future Reference it appears there is 2 "Full Line Distributors" in Greenville, SC.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I have warrantied probably 10+ items through them and never once experienced any of what you just wrote. I have called them and they sent me a sticker to put on my package and paid for the postage to send me my new ratchet back as well. I have sent 3 items back a second time and they just sent me brand new tools back again. They never once repaired anything or stamped any item I sent in they just always send me a new tool.
Buy their non evolve stuff, ratchets and sockets are still US. Long term if they do offshore just sell the US stuff on eBay for a profit.
Shh.... Psst. Have him send all his broken stuff to you, Its a Win/Win sitsuation.
I already have the Duralast 3/8 flex ratchet and like it a lot. I would prefer a US tool but I don't think any compete with the price and warranty.
I have both the Thin Profile and RP ratchets. I am really disappointed many of their ratchets are substandard. I still buy there but if they did better with quality and COO they would probably have all my business. I don't think the number crunchers realize how they are destroying the brand. Most of my new tools are CM, Gearwrench, HF, and Duralast. Best choices for me. YMMV.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
Maybe you have had better luck then me, But here is their warranty info right from the website. And they have always been by the book with me. http://www.jhwilliamstoolgroup.com/DSN/wwwjhwilliamstoolgroupcom/Content/JHWTG WARRANTY.pdf
"Ratchets:
Warrantable ratchets purchased new will be replaced with new
ratchets. Warrantable exchange ratchets will be replaced with
newly refurbished exchange ratchets. All exchange ratchets
will be stamped with an “X” for identification. The Williams ratchet
exchange warranty policy is limited to the 1/4” drive, 3/8” drive,
and ½” drive ratchets. All broken ratchets (new and exchange)
must be returned to J.H. Williams Tool Group, 6969 Jamesson Rd,
Midland, GA 31820 with a Returned Goods Authorization number
(RGA #), freight pre-paid, in order to receive credit. Field destroyed
ratchets will not be eligible for credit."
The two local "Full Line Distributors" you mentioned neither carry nor stock any Williams hand tools. They can order any of them for you (high mark up) and they sell a few Bahco tools but they have NO Williams hand tools in stock for sale or warranty.
"Ratchets:
Warrantable ratchets purchased new will be replaced with new
ratchets. Warrantable exchange ratchets will be replaced with
newly refurbished exchange ratchets. All exchange ratchets
will be stamped with an “X” for identification. The Williams ratchet
exchange warranty policy is limited to the 1/4” drive, 3/8” drive,
and ½” drive ratchets. All broken ratchets (new and exchange)
must be returned to J.H. Williams Tool Group, 6969 Jamesson Rd,
Midland, GA 31820 with a Returned Goods Authorization number
(RGA #), freight pre-paid, in order to receive credit. Field destroyed
ratchets will not be eligible for credit."
The two local "Full Line Distributors" you mentioned neither carry nor stock any Williams hand tools. They can order any of them for you (high mark up) and they sell a few Bahco tools but they have NO Williams hand tools in stock for sale or warranty.
Just south of Portland there are 2 dealers but they would be a pain to get to. I use to be a professional photographer but now do computer work. More profitable and less stressful!
That ***** about the 2 Dealers, I bet if you call Williams they will send a Pre-paid label your way, Especially since the 2 supposed "Full Line Distributors" Wont take care of you. I had to get pushy with my local Fastenal when they tried to balk, All it took was a simple phone call. How come you had to pay shipping both ways? I also didnt see anything about the X meaning that you cant get the guts/Rebuilt Ratchet.
MrMark
Well-known member
You only have one ratchet and you put a jack handle on your only ratchet and broke it through your admitted abuse?
So, you break your only ratchet and then you start looking on Garage Journal and decide to buy a Duralast? You work for a living with this tool, correct? This is a good story.Wouldn't it be wise to keep that Williams (rather than sell it off for 10 bucks maybe) for a back up?
MrMark
Well-known member
This is not the model of clarity - pretty pitiful really - but it looks like you need to keep your receipt so that you can show that you purchased new. With the receipt, i.e., purchased new, you keep getting a new ratchet. It is not clear how a ratchet becomes an "exchange" ratchet.
You only have one ratchet and you put a jack handle on your only ratchet and broke it through your admitted abuse?
Wouldn't it be wise to keep that Williams (rather than sell it off for 10 bucks maybe) for a back up?
I am guessing he has one 3/8s flex ratchet. I can't blame him for wanting easier warranty service.
That's a deal breaker for me right there. No guarantee I'll have a receipt a year or two later.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
Ive only had to use the Williams warranty twice. The first time I called first and was told to take them to Motion Industries and they would take care of it.
So I did, and they kept putting me off by saying they needed to talk to the supervisor. After my 2nd visit I said screw it and decided I would just send them myself. So I got the address from the web site and shipped them. Approx 6 week later I get it back from UPS along with a COD for return shipping. ( I actually had to have them come back the next day because UPS would not accept cash and I had to get a money order. )
When I opened the package I realized right away that they where the original ratchets I sent in (I was expecting new replacements). They put new guts in both ratchets and I guess they missed the bent handle because I did not send anything explaining the damage. I was expecting them to replace the whole ratchet.
So I called them and that is when they explained to me that they only repaired them because I failed to send a proof of purchase. When I asked about the still bent flex handle I was told they could not repair it because the ratchet had already been repaired once.
After a few angry words, they did end up just sending me a replacement handle for free. But only after I pitched a fit.
A few weeks ago I sent them a long handle 1/2" ratchet and my 1/4" flex head, Without calling first. I might should have called since you guys seem to have had a much better experience then I did.
We will see how it turns out, But I expect it to be good. I bought all my Williams tools from Powertoolbox.net and I was able to get the invoice from them to send in with the ratchets.
Does Fastenal sell williams?? That would be great.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
You only have one ratchet and you put a jack handle on your only ratchet and broke it through your admitted abuse?
Wouldn't it be wise to keep that Williams (rather than sell it off for 10 bucks maybe) for a back up?
Ive got other ratchets, Just not another 3/8" flex. I will prob end up keeping my Williams 3/8" flex, and a couple of others. But I will most likely sell off all my standard Williams ratchets that I can replace with duralast because of the local warranty.
I don't have the money nor space to keep multiples of each tool, and you wont catch me selling my Williams 3/8" flex for $10. I paid $50 for it.
Im not sure, I Had them take care of some Wright Hex sockets. Id make sure you get the RMA number on your Returns, According to the Williams PDF you posted its required. Good Luck...
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
yeah, I got it from powertoolbox.
Speaking of, They are a great place to buy Williams tools if anyone is interested. It's been a couple of years since I ordered my ratchets from them and they all my order info still in my account. They even sent me a pre paid shipping label to ship it back to them, and then on to Williams.
All by email with no delay.
I doubt Fastenal sells Williams or it would show up on the Williams web site. I was just hoping you knew something I didn't.