Snap on vs Williams Quality.

[TimDaToolMan]

I've seen quite a few threads of people tearing down Snap on and Williams USA ratchets, finding that they are 99% alike, and even the parts interchange.

I've also been told that USA made snap on and Williams are essential the same, save for the name stamped on it.


That being said, why does USA Williams cost less? Is the warranty not as good?

The Willams USA 1/4 regular ratchet lists for about $22.

The Snap on one lists for about $70.

So why such a difference in price?

 

[bobcatdan]

Not much is an actual direct cross. Ratchets for example, Williams is the old SO 36 tooth design. Also the body is own style. Screwdrivers, Williams has the old hard handles, but many say the blades are different. Williams USA combo wrenches are their own design. Williams sockets look to be the same style Williams used long before SO owned them. The closest direct cross I see is in tool boxes. Williams rebadges classic 78 boxes and some kra. The direct crosses are the import Williams and Blue point.

 

[chris142]

Brand name

 

[jeffmoss26]

Here we go...

 

[panknuckshovel]

oof.

 

[PJNJ]

Here we go...

 

[bcradio]

Where's Adam? He can clear this conundrum right up.

 

[Adam.C]

I think I'll sit this one out. Come get me if you need me.

 

[Jure]

Here we go...

+1

 

[ADSR]

here we go...

x100000000000000000000000000000000

 

[ADSR]

+1

x100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[malykaii]

^That

And it's garage journal, you don't know that the dealer markup is almost 40%???? Do the math

 

[bob15]

Have you tried the search function? This topic has been talked about many times.

The tools aren't identical. They might look very similar, but they're different.

 

[KamiCrit]

Here is how I see it. With the tool truck brands what you are buying is the physical goods and the servicing (tool truck comes to YOU, the guy knows your name, no questions asked replacements, etc). With that the price is twice that of most other products.

With most other non-tool truck brands you are just buying the product and that's about it. So you get to pay half off the truck prices but you're on your own (you go out to buy, you go out to replace, you go out to duke it out with corporate).

I like to buy industrial brands but I know I'd have a hell of a time trying to get something replaced and being from Canada don't help.

 

[Tim37]

Trucks are expensive to operate. I have always said if you don't have access to a truck don't buy the tools

 

[Murphy4570]

Williams is a high quality industrial brand in my experience. Good solid tools. They are indeed owned and made by Snap-On. That doesn't mean they are exactly the same. I wouldn't be surprised if the metallurgy, heat treating, chroming process, etc weren't different.

 

[1950mercury]

Tim the tool starting **** again? I you have to ask this question. Maybe you should not buy either and stick with your Armstrong

 

[crbnfbr]

I personally loved my Williams Supercombo wrenches. They have a nice thick beam and the open end is nearly identical to the flank drive plus. I'd say they were the most comfortable wrenches to handle I've ever had.

 

[Skin]

^That

And it's garage journal, you don't know that the dealer markup is almost 40%???? Do the math

More like 15-20%. Williams probably isn't much healthier if you're competing in the internet race to the bottom.

 

[Tim37]

Tim the tool starting **** again? I you have to ask this question. Maybe you should not buy either and stick with your Armstrong

Just my opinion if your not getting truck service why pay for it at that point you really are paying for a name

 

[magicrat]

Just got 3/8 and 1/4 williams usa sockets in.....compared to my snap on sockets the main difference is the chrome on the snap on is better.....the design on the inside is identical......I have no ideal about hardness and other such things....but for the price i think they are good. came out to $4 bucks a socket thru toolsdelivered.com

 

[Leoruiz]

Puh. Leaze. Both have good items.

 

[ADSR]

Puh. Leaze. Both have good items.

you've only been here ten minutes. think about how the rest of us feel.

 

[ADSR]

Just got 3/8 and 1/4 williams usa sockets in.....compared to my snap on sockets the main difference is the chrome on the snap on is better.....the design on the inside is identical......I have no ideal about hardness and other such things....but for the price i think they are good. came out to $4 bucks a socket thru toolsdelivered.com

They're fantastic!

 

[magicrat]

They're fantastic!

good to here....these will be my go to sockets for work and home so hopefully I get many years of use out of these....my bro is working in a pro shop right now and i think I will get him a set as well once he wears all the stanley and harbor freight sockets we got when he first got the job. Will try to avoid the tool truck hardline for a few years if possible.

 

[JDon99]

Williams is just a gateway drug to Snap On

 

[ADSR]

Williams is just a gateway drug to Snap On

You might be on to something here