JH Williams USA Chrome sockets vs Snap-On chrome sockets
- Thread starter lilflippy
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neonlazer
Well-known member
They are made in the same factory. Minus the stamping they are practically the same.
ihateminimumwage
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By page 2 this will be "My Snap-On dealer/rep said..." claiming that the Snap-On sockets get an extra coat of chrome or polishing (that and the stamp rolled in makes them cost 4x as much).
Then there will be a link to an old thread with a claim that two completely different 15+ year old wrenches (allegedly) not being made of the same metal is proof that Snap-On and Williams tools are in no way the same.
The internet metallurgists will chime in about the steel used, which might derail into an argument on Chinese steel, but undoubtedly ends with someone claiming they're not the same. But there will be an offer that if you buy and mail a member some Williams and Snap-On sockets for testing, they'd post the results.
And then there's a good chance we'll get the, "Just buy Snap-On for the ease of warranty" (for all those exploding sockets), or "Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
Seen this episode before...
Personal experience:
Bought Snap-On sockets with my student discount, bought some newer Williams USA to fill in my old pre-Snappy Williams set, saw no difference between the two besides the stamp. Sold the Snappy sockets, replaced with Williams (one set which came with a Snap-On socket on the rail) and filled in the odd gaps that Williams doesn't offer with Snap-On.
Years down the line, still no difference in wear, and can't tell the difference in the sockets besides the stamp.
The "How It's Made Episode" about sockets is filmed in the Snap-On plant, and you can watch Williams get rolled into a socket, so there's that.
Then there will be a link to an old thread with a claim that two completely different 15+ year old wrenches (allegedly) not being made of the same metal is proof that Snap-On and Williams tools are in no way the same.
The internet metallurgists will chime in about the steel used, which might derail into an argument on Chinese steel, but undoubtedly ends with someone claiming they're not the same. But there will be an offer that if you buy and mail a member some Williams and Snap-On sockets for testing, they'd post the results.
And then there's a good chance we'll get the, "Just buy Snap-On for the ease of warranty" (for all those exploding sockets), or "Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
Seen this episode before...
Personal experience:
Bought Snap-On sockets with my student discount, bought some newer Williams USA to fill in my old pre-Snappy Williams set, saw no difference between the two besides the stamp. Sold the Snappy sockets, replaced with Williams (one set which came with a Snap-On socket on the rail) and filled in the odd gaps that Williams doesn't offer with Snap-On.
Years down the line, still no difference in wear, and can't tell the difference in the sockets besides the stamp.
The "How It's Made Episode" about sockets is filmed in the Snap-On plant, and you can watch Williams get rolled into a socket, so there's that.
bcradio
Well-known member
By page 2 this will be "My Snap-On dealer/rep said..." claiming that the Snap-On sockets get an extra coat of chrome or polishing (that and the stamp rolled in makes them cost 4x as much).
Then there will be a link to an old thread with a claim that two completely different 15+ year old wrenches (allegedly) not being made of the same metal is proof that Snap-On and Williams tools are in no way the same.
The internet metallurgists will chime in about the steel used, which might derail into an argument on Chinese steel, but undoubtedly ends with someone claiming they're not the same. But there will be an offer that if you buy and mail a member some Williams and Snap-On sockets for testing, they'd post the results.
And then there's a good chance we'll get the, "Just buy Snap-On for the ease of warranty" (for all those exploding sockets), or "Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
Seen this episode before...
Personal experience:
Bought Snap-On sockets with my student discount, bought some newer Williams USA to fill in my old pre-Snappy Williams set, saw no difference between the two besides the stamp. Sold the Snappy sockets, replaced with Williams (one set which came with a Snap-On socket on the rail) and filled in the odd gaps that Williams doesn't offer with Snap-On.
Years down the line, still no difference in wear, and can't tell the difference in the sockets besides the stamp.
The "How It's Made Episode" about sockets is filmed in the Snap-On plant, and you can watch Williams get rolled into a socket, so there's that.
One of the best posts I have read on here haha.
So true about how much **** people spew on here as fact.
Parrothead
Well-known member
Loving it!
Dr.JohnnyFever
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- Jun 15, 2008
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- 703
This part is kind of true. Even so, it hasn't made me start buying Snap-On.
ETA: Except I do have some Snap-On metric flare wrenches arriving tomorrow.
bcradio
Well-known member
nelstomlinson
Well-known member
There are two broad categories of possible differences: ingredients and receipe. They might use different steel, they might use different heat treatment, and so on. Unless they choose to tell us, we'll never know.
They are both fine tool brands. I have both, and many other brands, with no complaints. Go with the one that offers the best value for you, and quit worrying about it.
They are both fine tool brands. I have both, and many other brands, with no complaints. Go with the one that offers the best value for you, and quit worrying about it.
Dr.JohnnyFever
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- Jun 15, 2008
- Messages
- 703
Oh, I didn't miss it. I have never seen a Williams socket explode.
However, I am still miffed that I can't find anybody to warranty my bent breaker bar locally.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Either brand would be an upgrade to your Craftsman set.
From the standpoint of many; the biggest difference is price, and other differences are minor or insignificant.
Any claims of major differences can be hashed out in the brand battlefield that has been mentioned..
Kirbot
Well-known member
You can throw Bahco USA sockets in the mix too. Owned by Snapon just like Williams.
Sometimes they come up cheap on ebay.
They look and feel the same as my snapons did, and they're just as soft.
Sometimes they come up cheap on ebay.
They look and feel the same as my snapons did, and they're just as soft.
By page 2 this will be "My Snap-On dealer/rep said..." claiming that the Snap-On sockets get an extra coat of chrome or polishing (that and the stamp rolled in makes them cost 4x as much).
Then there will be a link to an old thread with a claim that two completely different 15+ year old wrenches (allegedly) not being made of the same metal is proof that Snap-On and Williams tools are in no way the same.
The internet metallurgists will chime in about the steel used, which might derail into an argument on Chinese steel, but undoubtedly ends with someone claiming they're not the same. But there will be an offer that if you buy and mail a member some Williams and Snap-On sockets for testing, they'd post the results.
And then there's a good chance we'll get the, "Just buy Snap-On for the ease of warranty" (for all those exploding sockets), or "Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
Seen this episode before...
Personal experience:
Bought Snap-On sockets with my student discount, bought some newer Williams USA to fill in my old pre-Snappy Williams set, saw no difference between the two besides the stamp. Sold the Snappy sockets, replaced with Williams (one set which came with a Snap-On socket on the rail) and filled in the odd gaps that Williams doesn't offer with Snap-On.
Years down the line, still no difference in wear, and can't tell the difference in the sockets besides the stamp.
The "How It's Made Episode" about sockets is filmed in the Snap-On plant, and you can watch Williams get rolled into a socket, so there's that.
Best ever!!
sonvolt
Well-known member
By page 2 this will be "My Snap-On dealer/rep said..." claiming that the Snap-On sockets get an extra coat of chrome or polishing (that and the stamp rolled in makes them cost 4x as much).
Then there will be a link to an old thread with a claim that two completely different 15+ year old wrenches (allegedly) not being made of the same metal is proof that Snap-On and Williams tools are in no way the same.
The internet metallurgists will chime in about the steel used, which might derail into an argument on Chinese steel, but undoubtedly ends with someone claiming they're not the same. But there will be an offer that if you buy and mail a member some Williams and Snap-On sockets for testing, they'd post the results.
And then there's a good chance we'll get the, "Just buy Snap-On for the ease of warranty" (for all those exploding sockets), or "Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
Seen this episode before...
Personal experience:
Bought Snap-On sockets with my student discount, bought some newer Williams USA to fill in my old pre-Snappy Williams set, saw no difference between the two besides the stamp. Sold the Snappy sockets, replaced with Williams (one set which came with a Snap-On socket on the rail) and filled in the odd gaps that Williams doesn't offer with Snap-On.
Years down the line, still no difference in wear, and can't tell the difference in the sockets besides the stamp.
The "How It's Made Episode" about sockets is filmed in the Snap-On plant, and you can watch Williams get rolled into a socket, so there's that.
Awesome post my friend !
panknuckshovel
Well-known member
I don't have any Williams sockets just four of the ratchets. If the sockets are anything like the ratchets you will not be disappointed.
rshadd
Well-known member
ihateminimumwage nailed it.
G1GRANDEUR
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- Aug 22, 2009
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- 2,094
Williams make/sell USA and off-brand sockets.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
I was going to say this. You took my line:
"Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
I wouldn't buy HF from a sale though. Too risky used! - Paul
"Why not just buy SK/Wright/Proto/Gearwrench/HF/Garage Sale Craftsman instead?"
I wouldn't buy HF from a sale though. Too risky used! - Paul
Off brand or off shore?
I have a Snap On deep & shallow set 3/8" drive sockets, and a Williams set of deep & shallow 3/8" drive SAE standard sockets. Other than the stampings and roll marks, you'd have a hard time telling the difference between the two. In fact, the Williams set has held up just as well as the Snap On set, and we're considerably cheaper.
ishiboo
Well-known member
My vote is going with whatever brand has an India COO for a good price... those $2.49 socket sets with 100 sockets are a GREAT value!
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Toolsdelivered.com seems to be a favorite here. I have seen both side by side as well as the hard handle screwdriver and other than markings I cant tell a difference in finish or anything for that matter. I was going to do the same thing the OP and upgrade my USA craftsman sockets but decided just to keep on using them. They have lasted me since the late 90's. Plus I got the last 3 USA made add on Socket modules when they went on sale for 50% off. They work well for what i use them for. I can only remember breaking 1 this.whole time. And it was my fault. I used it on an impact. I actually bought a new one instead of warranty. Only because I forgot to bring it and really needed a new.one .
Snap-On and Williams wrenches are made in separate factories, look nothing alike, and are made to different hardness levels. That is fact and isn't from some 20 year old comparison.
I believe toolsdelivered mentioned that his rep told him that Snap-On sockets receive extra attention during polishing and plating but that's about it. I'd also be inclined to believe they spend extra time sorting the batches for heat treatment to assure Snap-On sockets are equally heat treated through-out instead of just heated in a bundle like most tool companies do. Whether its worth the premium is up to each individual.
For what its worth I looked at Williams USA, Proto, and Wright. SK was the cheapest route to go by far primarily due to the savings through their sets.
I believe toolsdelivered mentioned that his rep told him that Snap-On sockets receive extra attention during polishing and plating but that's about it. I'd also be inclined to believe they spend extra time sorting the batches for heat treatment to assure Snap-On sockets are equally heat treated through-out instead of just heated in a bundle like most tool companies do. Whether its worth the premium is up to each individual.
For what its worth I looked at Williams USA, Proto, and Wright. SK was the cheapest route to go by far primarily due to the savings through their sets.
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tweedlestan
Well-known member
They're made of the same soft steel.
SMKS
Well-known member
I'm not claiming to be an expert, but in this How It's Made episode you can see this factory is making both Williams and Snap-on wrenches.
Those are clearly Williams Supercombos on the wrench polishing machine, but they show Snap-on wrenches later in the video.
I'm not saying every SO and Williams wrench come out of the same factory, but this video sure seems to indicate that there's at least one factory that makes both.
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G1GRANDEUR
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off shore, Taiwan.
abvw
Well-known member
Saw the video, no Williams anywhere.
Some of the wrenches were. SO's don't have the same shape as the SC's.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I saw what surely looks to be Williams Supercombos (distinctive thick beam, as opposed to Snap On's narrow beam) in the trim machine, around the 2:00-2:14 mark.
abvw
Well-known member
Josey Wales
Well-known member
The youtube video shows the Williams shape, but it could be a Bahco wrench.
LOL, it's got to be a williams. You know what kind of trouble this talk could bring? Now Bahco is made in house of snap-on as well
They're not the snappy shape, that's for sure.
JerseyBoatBuilder
Well-known member
That is the super combo design between the 2-2:14 mark you can also see a super combo design during 1:41- 1:45 when they are grinding the trim line down on the open end side of the wrench.
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Guys the interior profile is not the same. They are not the same. They might be made in the same factory but that means nothing. Some VWs are made in the Porsche plants. Do both cars drive the same? They are NOT the same tools.
Are Williams just as good? good enough? Maybe.
FWIW, I think you will find a brand new set of Williams fetch close to the same price as Snappies on special or sold in new condition on ebay by someone who had SEP.
BTW, I take offense at the internet metallurgists and people testing things slam. GJ is typically a worthless stink pile of unfounded opinions. Really rude for folks to insult the people (not talking about me) who spend time to do some level of analysis. I think those tests people have done have been a great service to this website. We are very short on facts here.
I believe he did those tests in the mid 90's on wrenches. The sockets are a different story, as some members have ordered williams and received snap-on instead. The member who did the testing said he would be willing to do it again if a couple sockets were donated to him.
SMKS
Well-known member
As mentioned by others, those are clearly Williams Supercombos on the edge grinding machine. If you can't ID that shape, you may need to get new glasses or learn a little more about tool shapes.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The Williams are on that rotisserie belt sanding machine they use to round off the edges of the beams.
abvw
Well-known member
As mentioned by others, those are clearly Williams Supercombos on the edge grinding machine. If you can't ID that shape, you may need to get new glasses or learn a little more about tool shapes.
Or a phone with a bigger screen
