JH Williams S-32A and S-53A

[Oneguy]

Anyone have any feedback on the JH Williams S-52A orS-53A? I am looking for a comparison of the "A" suffix models with the previous"non-A" suffix models. Non-comparison is welcome too. Epecially anything about play in the rachet drive.

Also there is a comment on Amazon about the deisgn not being dual pawl. Is there any validity to this and are they still made in th USA?

http://www.amazon.com/Williams-S-53...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[drewzfoster]

I read the same review and came here....hoping to find something out....bump

 

[Conductor562]

I recently procured an S-52. I can't tell you much because I don't have a pin spanner and can't get the damn thing apart. I've soaked it in WD-40 and tried to tap the ring around with a pin punch, I've tried needle nose pliers, retaining ring pliers, but no luck. Thing just just want to come apart. I've got one more thing to try before I say to hell with it and buy a pin spanner.

 

[SMKS]

I'm going to break this up into two posts to it's easier to attach photos.

This issue has come up on the website multiple times before.

Williams updated the mechanism in the round head ratchets several years ago, but never sent the memo to the people who write the catalog descriptions. The catalog still says they use a dual pawl mechanism that was used for decades, but that is wrong.

Williams now use a 72-tooth, single pawl mechanism similar to the one used in SK, Facom, Proto and other ratchets.

This thread shows the old dual-pawl mechanism:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36498

 

[SMKS]

Unfortunately, no one that I've seen has ever posted good pics of the new Williams mechanism, but we know how it works. There used to be pics online of the new rebuild kit, which showed only a single pawl.

This isn't the Williams mechanism, but it's the same type of design with a single pawl. This is an SK version. This design came from Facom, which used to own SK.
Note - attached pics are stolen from this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114880

 

[Conductor562]

The mechanism in the 2nd post is a good one. As you said, it's the same one used in Facom and Proto branded "palm control" rats. Very stout feeling. Something like 13 tooth engagement.

 

[SMKS]

Conductor, do you own any of the new Williams ratchets? If so, check out this thread:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192799

I would post pics of the new mechanism myself, but I don't own any of these ratchets.

 

[Conductor562]

Conductor, do you own any of the new Williams ratchets? If so, check out this thread:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192799

I would post pics of the new mechanism myself, but I don't own any of these ratchets.

I sure don't The old stubborn S-52 was my first. I do have a couple of the Proto branded palm control rats, but I realize that doesn't help.

 

[CWP1616L]

Why the S-52A instead of the S-52EHA ?

 

[SMKS]

In case any of you didn't see the pics posted in the other thread, member Oak Park was kind enough to provide some pics of the new Williams design.

 

[cookiemonster]

In case any of you didn't see the pics posted in the other thread, member Oak Park was kind enough to provide some pics of the new Williams design.

So do you like the new williams round head ratchet? Hows it stack up compared to snap on stuff?

 

[Scotsman1886]

I recently procured an S-52. I can't tell you much because I don't have a pin spanner and can't get the damn thing apart. I've soaked it in WD-40 and tried to tap the ring around with a pin punch, I've tried needle nose pliers, retaining ring pliers, but no luck. Thing just just want to come apart. I've got one more thing to try before I say to hell with it and buy a pin spanner.

I have taken a few of mine apart with snap ring plyers(the HF ones dont work for snap rings so,,,) I had one real bad one I ended up putting it in the vise and using a pin punch and hammer. was a bit drastic but it worked when nothing else did

 

[ajchien]

I just wanted to add that the old m52 and the new m52a both have a single pawl mechanism. The old m52 is not a double pawl ratchet like the b52 and s52.