Williams USA sockets experience?

[straightup]

I'm looking for a USA made 1/2" drive metric socket set for working on my dirt bike.
I thought I was going for this SK set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-1955-15-..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item43a6eb09c9
Until I found this:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Metric-Socket-Sets
Is the Williams a decent set? I don't mind paying more for a better product. But don't want to pay more for no reason. The SK set is 2X the cost of the Williams. Both 15 piece. Both made in USA.
Any other socket sets you guys would recommend over these?

I am going to be ordering this to go with it:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

Thanks for the help fellas...

 

[Skin]

you'd be better served with a combination of 1/4 and 3/8 drive for a dirt bike. I rarely break out the 1/2" unless i'm going after really stubborn bolts larger than 18mm, which are few and far between on most any motorcycle. Not to mention the obvious clearance issues due to the size of the sockets/extensions. A 15" long 36 tooth ratchet doesnt make sense for that application either. If you dont have a good set of 1/4 and 3/8 starting with 1/2 for what you want to do is absolutely the wrong way to go.

As far as the sockets, the williams are substantially cheaper partly because they're 12pt.

This place is cheaper than that ebay seller,
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-1955.aspx

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Williams is also a very good tool brand.

 

[BloodySinner]

I'm looking for a USA made 1/2" drive metric socket set for working on my dirt bike.
I thought I was going for this SK set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-1955-15-..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item43a6eb09c9
Until I found this:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Metric-Socket-Sets
Is the Williams a decent set? I don't mind paying more for a better product. But don't want to pay more for no reason. The SK set is 2X the cost of the Williams. Both 15 piece. Both made in USA.
Any other socket sets you guys would recommend over these?

I am going to be ordering this to go with it:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

Thanks for the help fellas...

Williams is owned by Snap-on. Just FYI...

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Williams are very nice sockets; you can't go wrong with them.

 

[nutjob]

Be carefull when shopping for Williams sockets. Some are USA and some are Taiwan. And both could be on the same catalog page. Usally you can tell by the part number, all numbers is Taiwan, letters and numbers USA.

I purchased alot of impact Williams sockets from Tools Delivered. Great folks to deal with, fast shipping and the best prices on the Williams stuff.

The sockets look just like Snap On, since I am told they are made in the same place?

Another good thing about Williams and Tools Delivered is that you can easily replace one socket if you loose it from a set.

Kevin

 

[mofo62]

.



Williams its

V!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I am going to be ordering this to go with it:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

Thanks for the help fellas...

I didn't notice the ratchet, I have that one, it's a good one too.

 

[monster1]

Be carefull when shopping for Williams sockets. Some are USA and some are Taiwan. And both could be on the same catalog page. Usally you can tell by the part number, all numbers is Taiwan, letters and numbers USA.

I purchased alot of impact Williams sockets from Tools Delivered. Great folks to deal with, fast shipping and the best prices on the Williams stuff.

The sockets look just like Snap On, since I am told they are made in the same place?

Another good thing about Williams and Tools Delivered is that you can easily replace one socket if you loose it from a set.

Kevin

When I talked to snap one customer service about their Taiwan Williams line the agent Told me that their import line is still made to their spec and quality controls and are quality tools. I would tend to agree with that statement since its snap on and I'd rather have imports from a snap on company than imports from craftsman.


When I called snap on customer service and inquired about their Taiwan line of tools, the a

 

[monster1]

Be carefull when shopping for Williams sockets. Some are USA and some are Taiwan. And both could be on the same catalog page. Usally you can tell by the part number, all numbers is Taiwan, letters and numbers USA.

I purchased alot of impact Williams sockets from Tools Delivered. Great folks to deal with, fast shipping and the best prices on the Williams stuff.

The sockets look just like Snap On, since I am told they are made in the same place?

Another good thing about Williams and Tools Delivered is that you can easily replace one socket if you loose it from a set.

Kevin

When I talked to snap on customer service about their Taiwan Williams line the agent Told me that their import line is still made to their spec and quality controls and are quality tools. I would tend to agree with that statement since its snap on and I'd rather have imports from a snap on company than imports from craftsman.


When I called snap on customer service and inquired about their Taiwan line of tools, the a

 

[monster1]

When I talked to snap on customer service about their Taiwan Williams line the agent Told me that their import line is still made to their spec and quality controls and are quality tools. I would tend to agree with that statement since its snap on and I'd rather have imports from a snap on company than imports from craftsman.


When I called snap on customer service and inquired about their Taiwan line of tools, the a

OK. Don't know what happened with that last line. Maybe I shouldn't be posting with my "smart" phone.

 

[Matt018]

Ive been buying USA williams ratchets and I just recieved a set of torx sockets, Quality is fantastic.

 

[dieselmike]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934272000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

craftsman is on sale

 

[straightup]

you'd be better served with a combination of 1/4 and 3/8 drive for a dirt bike. I rarely break out the 1/2" unless i'm going after really stubborn bolts larger than 18mm, which are few and far between on most any motorcycle. Not to mention the obvious clearance issues due to the size of the sockets/extensions. A 15" long 36 tooth ratchet doesnt make sense for that application either. If you dont have a good set of 1/4 and 3/8 starting with 1/2 for what you want to do is absolutely the wrong way to go.

As far as the sockets, the williams are substantially cheaper partly because they're 12pt.

This place is cheaper than that ebay seller,
http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-1955.aspx

Thanks for the input, but maybe I should have worded my post differently...

I already have 1/4" & 3/8" SO ratchets, sockets, universal joints, extensions, etc. These do not work well for the axles and other chassis/suspension.

Who do you think you are trying to talk me out of expanding my tool/toy collection to a nice 1/2" set?

That is a nice price for the SK set thought. I saved it for future reference.

 

[straightup]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934272000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

craftsman is on sale

That's a nice looking set. Maybe it's just the generation I have, but I've busted more knuckles with my 3/8" Craftsman SAE socket set. They fit loosely and slip easily. They are in the corner of my socket drawer in permanent "time out."

 

[Matt018]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934272000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

craftsman is on sale

I wouldnt buy craftsman from the aspect that if you break one theres a good possibility that it will be replaced by a chinese version.

 

[Altec]

When I talked to snap on customer service about their Taiwan Williams line the agent Told me that their import line is still made to their spec and quality controls and are quality tools. I would tend to agree with that statement since its snap on and I'd rather have imports from a snap on company than imports from craftsman.


When I called snap on customer service and inquired about their Taiwan line of tools, the a

And Sear's says the new China Craftsman junk is the same as the old stuff... It's the CS's job to make you want to buy. Of course they are going to say it's the best thing ever.

I'm on the Snap-on truck every week, and have a collection of the import Blue Point sockets (Same as the Williams). They are great import sockets, but I wouldn't say they on par with the USA counterparts...

HOWEVER, for working on even my Harley, I'd be hard pressed to justify spending the extra dough on USA sockets that I'd buy for use on applications that could see a 8' cheater, and a 1000+ft-lb impact. A nice quality import could work on my bike just as well...

 

[straightup]

I wouldnt buy craftsman from the aspect that if you break one theres a good possibility that it will be replaced by a chinese version.

That's one reason why I chose to look elsewhere.

 

[straightup]

And Sear's says the new China Craftsman junk is the same as the old stuff... It's the CS's job to make you want to buy. Of course they are going to say it's the best thing ever.

I'm on the Snap-on truck every week, and have a collection of the import Blue Point sockets (Same as the Williams). They are great import sockets, but I wouldn't say they on par with the USA counterparts...

HOWEVER, for working on even my Harley, I'd be hard pressed to justify spending the extra dough on USA sockets that I'd buy for use on applications that could see a 8' cheater, and a 1000+ft-lb impact. A nice quality import could work on my bike just as well...

I could see your point for your application. Although on a dirt bike there's nothing big enough to require that type of torque/abuse.

I'm definitely leaning towards a USA made Williams set.

 

[jflores]

All my 1/2" sockets are Williams, everything else Wright. I have zero complaints about the Williams sockets, they are very nice.

 

[Altec]

I could see your point for your application. Although on a dirt bike there's nothing big enough to require that type of torque/abuse.

I'm definitely leaning towards a USA made Williams set.

Misunderstanding, I'm saying on even a Harley I WOULDN'T need high-end USA sockets.

 

[kippieland]

As you can tell by my Avatar....dirt bikes are my thing. I have a Craftsman set that includes 1/2 inch sockets. My Yamaha only uses three 1/2 sockets...22, 27, and 32mm. I work on my car otherwise, I would have no use for a 1/2 set. However, to your question. Williams are quite nice but you do have to be careful as far as COO. I bought some Willaims extensions and they are all Taiwan. If this set is WAY cheaper then other Williams sets, I wouldn't believe they are USA made. Just me.

I would suggest Craftsman set to you, but being you have an SO set already, I highly doubt you would accept it. So I would go with the SK set then. Even though there is totally nothing wrong with the Craftsman Sockets....other stuff yes, but not sockets.

 

[straightup]

As you can tell by my Avatar....dirt bikes are my thing. I have a Craftsman set that includes 1/2 inch sockets. My Yamaha only uses three 1/2 sockets...22, 27, and 32mm. I work on my car otherwise, I would have no use for a 1/2 set. However, to your question. Williams are quite nice but you do have to be careful as far as COO. I bought some Willaims extensions and they are all Taiwan. If this set is WAY cheaper then other Williams sets, I wouldn't believe they are USA made. Just me.

I would suggest Craftsman set to you, but being you have an SO set already, I highly doubt you would accept it. So I would go with the SK set then. Even though there is totally nothing wrong with the Craftsman Sockets....other stuff yes, but not sockets.

This set is signifigantly more than the price of the equal Taiwan Williams set listed on the same site.

 

[straightup]

Misunderstanding, I'm saying on even a Harley I WOULDN'T need high-end USA sockets.

I did misunderstand your post. I read it as you not wanting to beat up nice sockets with an impact or cheater. I could relate to that.

But now I'm more confused. Are you against my choice of buying USA made tools when possible? At what point would you justify nice tools? A more expensive or luxury motorcycle? A 12' cheater instead of 8'?

I guess I can't relate Harley or cheater bars to the choice of buying nice tools.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Misunderstanding, I'm saying on even a Harley I WOULDN'T need high-end USA sockets.

I'm sure there's some Harley owners out there that wouldn't dream of using an Asian made tool on their Harley.

 

[Keep]

Williams USA sockets are very nice, same as the snap-on equiv.

 

[Altec]

I did misunderstand your post. I read it as you not wanting to beat up nice sockets with an impact or cheater. I could relate to that.

But now I'm more confused. Are you against my choice of buying USA made tools when possible? At what point would you justify nice tools? A more expensive or luxury motorcycle? A 12' cheater instead of 8'?

I guess I can't relate Harley or cheater bars to the choice of buying nice tools.

Calm down. son!

I justify good (Read: Stronger) tools when I need them. A Snap-on socket I used with a cheater bar and literally began picking a Jeep GC up off a lift is more then over kill for working on my Harley, or my old ATC.

I was addressing the post you made about Snap-on saying the imports are good stuff. Stating that I don't agree with statements made by a company wanting to sell you something. Also that I own Snap-on imports, and USA sockets, and there is a difference. After making those statements I pointed out that even though there is a difference between the two, how strong of a tool do you need for a scoot.

I'm against wasting money. I justify high end tools when it brings me home a paycheck. For messing around with hobbies? Not so much.

I'm sure there's some Harley owners out there that wouldn't dream of using an Asian made tool on their Harley.

The irony is a fair bit of their bikes are Asian made!

I ride a custom, I know where all my junk was made.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Williams USA sockets are very nice, same as the snap-on equiv.

QUOTE]

Is that a newer Williams socket? All the pictures of the USA Williams sockets I see, the chrome looks thin and they just don't "look" like I would expect of a snap-on made socket.

I have the Taiwan Williams sockets and they are a better looking socket. This chrome is perfect, the stamping is larger and better looking. Maybe it's just me, or the fact that they are industrial tools, but they all look like old sockets to me.


IMHO, Unless your a professional tech where failure is money lost, the Taiwan Williams are all a person will ever need. Ive put mine through hell and back and they have been fantastic. They have succeeded where a craftsman would have failed.

The Taiwan Williams is hands down the BEST value tool on the market.


Here is the Taiwan sockets.

 

[Keep]

Those are about a year old but yeah they are a bit "dull" compared to my Wright sockets.

I looked at the newer Williams sets, they are pretty nice and they sell them up here for damn cheap prices. I just could not bring myself to buy them.

(Let me clarify that a bit more)

The sockets I am replacing are Taiwan made Craftsman sockets, that look exactly like those Williams sets, so I would be replacing them with the same tool. Did not make sense to me.

 

[wafrederick]

I have started getting Williams sockets lately.I do have a couple that are broken.One place in my area won't replace them under warranty,just sells Williams.

 

[jflores]

Here's a pic of my USA Williams. The red tray is the larger of my imperial scale, and the blue tray is my metric.

I think the chrome on them is rather nice. I bought them last fall.

 

[CamarosRus]

ON THE Toolsdelivered.com web site there are no metric 6pt 1/4" drive sets shown. Someone placed SAE sets in the metric category. Same with 1/2" 6pt shallow Metric...missing

Is there any conclusion here that the USA made Williams 6pt are the best socket value for the $$$.........or if COO doesnt matter, who,what, where offers the BEST Value/Quality ?????

 

[monster1]

Calm down. son!

I justify good (Read: Stronger) tools when I need them. A Snap-on socket I used with a cheater bar and literally began picking a Jeep GC up off a lift is more then over kill for working on my Harley, or my old ATC.

I was addressing the post you made about Snap-on saying the imports are good stuff. Stating that I don't agree with statements made by a company wanting to sell you something. Also that I own Snap-on imports, and USA sockets, and there is a difference. After making those statements I pointed out that even though there is a difference between the two, how strong of a tool do you need for a scoot.

I'm against wasting money. I justify high end tools when it brings me home a paycheck. For messing around with hobbies? Not so much.

I'm the one who called snap on to inquire about the Williams line. Yeah, you are right. What would you expect them to say? My only point was that if they are a snap on product they must be pretty good. I wouldn't say as good as the USA Williams. But you pretty much proved that point. I am looking to start changing my sockets out to something better than the craftsman set that I have. With the cmans line looking less and less desirable especially the warranty exchange(USA for Chinese ) and the fact that I'm bored with craftsman, I think I couldn't get hurt with the Williams import sockets. If my tools were my livelihood, then id definitely go USA Williams or snap on.

 

[kippieland]

This set is signifigantly more than the price of the equal Taiwan Williams set listed on the same site.

Then sounds good to me!

 

[dieselmike]

even IF craftsman replaces their line with taiwan, you will have made in usa tools that you will have forever... c'mon how many people actually break sockets.. you gotta be really abusing them to break a socket. working on your bike, craftsman will be fine, and they are way cheaper than williams... and you even get a ratchet with the deal too.

 

[kippieland]

even IF craftsman replaces their line with taiwan, you will have made in usa tools that you will have forever... c'mon how many people actually break sockets.. you gotta be really abusing them to break a socket. working on your bike, craftsman will be fine, and they are way cheaper than williams... and you even get a ratchet with the deal too.

This hole replacement worry is really quite stupid....Paranoid much!

Its obvious the OP has high standards and $$ to spend if he has a full 1/4 and 3/8 Snap-on set already. I personally would rather take that money on some aftermarket suspension or an exhaust system and have Craftsman sockets then SO sockets. But whatever, to each is their own!

But the Williams set he is looking at really isn't that bad of a price.

 

[1982fxr]

I like to use the best tools I can get my hands on when I work on my Harley. Messing up expensive chrome fasteners with cheap, low QC standard tools is no fun. Sure, any tool can be abused, etc, but you're more likely to have problems with imported ****. Just my .02.

 

[Keep]

Is there any conclusion here that the USA made Williams 6pt are the best socket value for the $$$.........or if COO doesnt matter, who,what, where offers the BEST Value/Quality ?????

Well that is a whole other can of worms. Best quality/value for the money for me, is Wright. Great quality tools, pricing will be close to Williams USA.

 

[straightup]

This hole replacement worry is really quite stupid....Paranoid much!

Its obvious the OP has high standards and $$ to spend if he has a full 1/4 and 3/8 Snap-on set already. I personally would rather take that money on some aftermarket suspension or an exhaust system and have Craftsman sockets then SO sockets. But whatever, to each is their own!

But the Williams set he is looking at really isn't that bad of a price.

Yes, I do have high standards. I don't like cr*ppy tools.
And I don't have any full sets. Everything was bought used on Eb*y for ~40% of truck price except for one ratchet was bought from SO truck.
I work hard for my money and don't like the feeling when I buy something and later wish I'd saved more and bought the better tool. I just can't justify a new SO set for occasional use.

 

[straightup]

I thought I'd follow up. I purchased a like new almost complet set from a member here. Then I ordered 2 new williams sockets, a 15" long ratchet, and a 3 piece extension set from tools delivered to complete the package. The 2 new sockets are much nicer than the rest. Almost night and day. The newer ones could pass as SO, the older set is more industrial similar to my wright sockets. One of the sockets in the set is marked Williams Vulcan.