I was watching a video on the production of Snap on combination wrenches, and noticed something odd. In one step of the process they are using a large belt sander to polish the sides of the wrench, however I noticed what I believe to be a Williams supercombo and not a Snap on wrench. Its only in this single production step in this video , I know the debate on if they are the same and what not. I rather found it interesting, maybe a video production error, maybe they are made exactly on the same line. The Supercombo's come into frame at 1:44 in this video
I am I mistaken in believing those were William Supercombos and not Snap on combination wrenches?
Williams Supercombo wrench on Snap on "how its made" ?
- Thread starter Thax
- Start date
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Your eyes are not deceiving you; it's a real Williams Supercombo getting its edges rounded. They are made in the same facility as Snap-on combination wrenches and I believe that facility is located in Elizabethton Tennessee.
Unless they closed it super combos were made in their own facility. The footage was shot at multiple locations over an extended period of time. Even if two lines were made under the same roof they retool to change production runs which isn't exactly a instantaneous process. Likewise the two wrenches are blatantly manufactured to different specs. They aren't even remotely close to the same. Different shapes, lengths, hardness levels.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
That's entirely possible. I don't know why I assumed the two lines were made in the same facility.
You're right... the Supercombos are better...
Wakefield
Well-known member
Supercombo is about the best feeling wrench you can have in your hand,I think an argument could be made that the Snap On wrench fits into tight underhood spaces better.
Road hugging weight. I don't know if Supercombo's open end has been proven to be able to do what Flank Drive+ and WrightGrip can do,bust a Grade 8 bolt head off.
Road hugging weight. I don't know if Supercombo's open end has been proven to be able to do what Flank Drive+ and WrightGrip can do,bust a Grade 8 bolt head off.
bob15
Well-known member
zakmartin
Well-known member
I thought that show ("How it's Made") was only shot in Canadian factories. (They spent a lot of time talking about curling equipment).
popparoach
Banned
my super combos were nice,same broaching as snap on FD+ except for the "teeth". only problem I ever had from them is the open end on sizes under 5/8 would spread way too easily.then I got my wrightgrips and sold the super combos.the 1 1/4 was so heavy and would have made a great weapon ,lol.
Wakefield
Well-known member
Try a Wright 1 and 1/2" !!
popparoach
Banned
at the shop we have a few wright 2 7/8 for tightening #32 hydraulic hoses ,it is a monster....
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That series has also shown Williams deep sockets being made when they were talking about snap on sockets 
As for the super combos, great wrenches especially if you're not a fan of knife edge wrenches. The rounded beams are a pleasure to use but, the larger sizes are club like.
As for the super combos, great wrenches especially if you're not a fan of knife edge wrenches. The rounded beams are a pleasure to use but, the larger sizes are club like.
Badasssapper67
Well-known member
Super combos are awesome wrenches.
bob15
Well-known member
That series has also shown Williams deep sockets being made when they were talking about snap on sockets
As for the super combos, great wrenches especially if you're not a fan of knife edge wrenches. The rounded beams are a pleasure to use but, the larger sizes are club like.
The newer wrenches are thick. When the Supercombos came out 15+ years ago, they were much thinner,
bob15
Well-known member
I've been saying the same thing about the smaller wrenches spreading for years. It's too bad.....they are nice wrenches.
That series has also shown Williams deep sockets being made when they were talking about snap on sockets
As for the super combos, great wrenches especially if you're not a fan of knife edge wrenches. The rounded beams are a pleasure to use but, the larger sizes are club like.
Yeah Fedwrench , I saw that one too. There were definitely some Williams sockets in that episode. Just makes me wonder , how often do they switch between Williams and Snap on production.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
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I've shown it many times, and I'll show it again. 6mm Snap-On socket on the rail when I bought my Williams USA 1/4" deep metric set.
SMKS
Well-known member
And you know this how?
It seems to me very likely they're made in the same facilities. There could have been different productions runs in different stages at different parts of the facility.
From what I know about media production, they wouldn't wast a lot of time shooting at multiple facilities over an "extended period of time" for something as short and simple as this. This isn't two-hour documentary, it's a short segment in a single episode.
The most likely scenario is they'd do all the organization of getting permission and clearance to shoot. They'd visit the facility and shoot over a day or two and be done.
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Except its not a short segment. Its part of at least a half dozen pieces shot at Snap-On facilities. And I know its over periods of time because no factory produces 2 lines of the same tool if they can do it on the same one and the fact that production is done in batches all the way down to specific sizes. It takes a long time to produce a full 10-19mm wrench set let alone 2 different brands plus larger and smaller sizes. If you can tour a tool manufacturing plant you'll be very surprised how long it takes to actually complete a set and re-tool.
shape? yeah there are obvious differences including the thicker beam on the williams and the teeth on the fdp
length? nope... williams supercombo is the same over all length as the standard pattern fdp http://i.imgur.com/M0Ubdl4.jpg
hardness levels... i don't have the testing equipment required to make any statement to this claim
I've shown it many times, and I'll show it again. 6mm Snap-On socket on the rail when I bought my Williams USA 1/4" deep metric set.
Wow thats crazy , kinda confirms what ive been thinking. I need a new 1/2 6 point set , wish USA Williams made a 6 point set.