Any Techs using Williams SuperCombos?

[jfcasey]

This is aimed at other mechanics.. who is using Williams SuperCombos at work? I have been eyeing a set up but I've never actually seen a williams anything in person. If any ones using them how do they do on rusty tie rods in particular? I've had some of the gearwrench combos I own now open up pretty easy when trying to break loose rusted/seized jam nuts.

I've borrowed another guys SO flank drive+ combos when my wrenches spread and they worked great but they're also about 6 times more expensive than the williams.

 

[Gotmayhem]

I have the 15 piece metric set. I bought them on impulse without having seen or used on in person as well. They are absolutely top quality metal and are built like tanks. They are very thick wrenches, I was told this before buying them but was still a bit surprised when I held one. That being said they are the most comfortable wrench I've ever used because of this. The beams are nicely rounded and fit the human hand extremely well. The chrome is excellent as well and my set had no flaws out of the box that I could find. So far they have yet to chip or peel on me.

As for strength I'd say they're right up with SO in terms of resisting spreading. I have heard others complain (or provide hearsay, rather) that the Supercombos like to spread. I have not seen this yet. I haven't been able to tell if the Snap On FD+ open end is definitively better than the Supercombo jaws. But I will say that the Supercombos grip better than a non-modified open end. It may worth mentioning that the Snap-On and Supercombo box ends are identical. I noticed this when I compared a coworkers SO wrench to my own. For the price and quality of product the Supercombos are absolutely worth it. I payed $150 for 15 wrenches shipped, brand new with no sizes skipped.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-MWS-15A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

Don't get me wrong, SO wrenches are fantastic, I own their half-moon and open-end angle wrench metric sets. But in terms of quality I don't see a good reason to upgrade to SO combo wrenches anytime soon.

 

[devilsnight]

Supercombo's are the best. The beams are real thick as mentioned which is great, don't cut into your hand like the fd+ and MCLs I have. By comparison, if the tips start to spread on the supercombo, they'll do the same with the FD+. I've been using mine for about 7 years, I wouldn't buy anything else at this point. There solid, and pricing is affordable.

 

[CWP1616L]

They are very thick wrenches, I was told this before buying them but was still a bit surprised when I held one. That being said they are the most comfortable wrench I've ever used because of this. The beams are nicely rounded and fit the human hand extremely well.

I'm sold on that right there.

 

[bob15]

I have had issues with the Supercombos spreading in the smaller sizes: 3/8 a bit, 7/16 & 1/2 a lot and some on the 9/16. I've been using them daily since they first came out, about 15 years ago. I would probably look at the WrightGrip wrenches or just buy the Snap-On FD+ and be done with it.

And no, the FD+ do not spread, nor do my Bonney's and Mac's, but theses Williams do. even the few older JH Williams wrench don't spread. Not sure on the current (newer than 1998/99) Williams, but the older one's chrome peals and flakes off, and these are the satin finish wrenches (chrome wasn't an option back then).

Go with wright or snappy....skip the Supercombos.

bob

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I bought the same Metric set as above, and actually prefer them over my Snap-Ons. The grooves in the open end bite in great, and you can crank on them pretty well with no slippage. In the future I might just sell my Snap-On SAE set and replace them with Supercombos. They're a pleasure to use.

 

[bob15]

That being said they are the most comfortable wrench I've ever used because of this. The beams are nicely rounded and fit the human hand extremely well. /QUOTE]

Buy a 1970's and later Bonney wrench, and it will amaze you how nice a wrench feels in your hand. Nothing feels better.....in wrenches that is.....

bob