This thread is BS. Just because two tools look alike, doesn't mean they are identical. It only means someone in China bought a Snap On product and copied it. How do we know if the tolerances are the same, the quality of the steel used is the same, the heat treating process, etc? These are all things that effect the function of the tool.
Some people believe that the only difference between brands (Jet, Grizzly, HF etc) of woodworking or metal working machinery is the paint color and inspections. In this case, multiple brands may have come off the same manufacturing line, but most people don't feel these brands function identically. The better made versions, with better fitting parts are better.
I don't know if this is the case with Snap On and Williams or not. I would say that if a Williams ratchet uses Snap On guts and the heads are close to the same size, then it is functionally identical. But I would never suggest wrenches or sockets are identical just because they look alike. The difference being, the function of a socket has to do with it's strength and tolerances- two things we can't see.
There are some true equivalents, where Snap On has rebadged someone else's item. Rethreader kits, various Bahco items, rechargeable lights, etc etc. This thread should focus on these items, not "visually similar".
If I were a Snap On employee in marketing, I'd be all over this forum. So much BS and misinformation about their products. (Hammers made by Trusty cook for example). People find these threads on Google and think this rubbish is true.
