J H Williams vintage hand tools

[Private Lugnutz]

What we need for Williams drive tools is anything from 1930 to 1936, 4.c. We have pretty much blanket coverage from 1937 through the 1950's.

 

[four.cycle]

I can only grab what I can find!

I have the same problem with Indestro - there's a big hole in the middle of the 1960s!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's smack middle depression era. Maybe williams did not print a catalog, or just not that many...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

What are your references for this statement, Otg?

Regarding the first part, in the ad from the 1930 Beals McCarthy & Rogers catalog, all the part numbers have a B prefix except the speeder, which has an F prefix.

Regarding the second part, all the Superrench/Supersocket pamphlets I have between 1943 and 1945 still list the speeder as F-15. I think it went to B-15 in 1947.

Please post a photo of that red sticker in the tool compartment.

Meanwhile, maybe 3bay or someone else can chime in on the diamond-shaped decal without any reference to Williams on it. There's no doubt the set is Williams. The Bantam name, the color scheme, and of course the tools are all Williams. It's just a very unique decal.

EDIT: There's no Williams decal on the top of the lid or I assume you would have told me, correct?

The decal is odd. I have some very early husky and husky-williams 5/16 sets, the husky being 27 or so, then the williams slightly later. The decals on both resemble later williams stuff. So when was the diamond decal used?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So when was the diamond decal used?

As I said, I have never seen it before. It matches their design scheme if you think about the < W > logo. But it doesn't show up in any Williams catalogs or hardware store catalog ads.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I can only grab what I can find!

It wasn't a request of you, 4.c, just setting the record straight.

That's smack middle depression era. Maybe williams did not print a catalog, or just not that many...

Read post #241. AA has a 1930 booklet, and a 1933 booklet and catalog. We just can't see them, because AA doesn't have an open library. And yes, I do have disdain for them for that.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Found this midget set on worthpoint. Says it's an m310

 

[four.cycle]

snips from 1939 W.D. Allen Mfg. Co. catalog showing "Bantam" and diamond-shaped label:

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. Mystery solved!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Indeed. Part of the mystery, anyway. Nice work, 4.c!

The question I still have is why don't any of the Williams socket sets in any drive size in the Williams 1939 A-409 catalog dated July 1939 have a diamond decal or this set number? They all have the typical banner decal, set numbers 5, 6, and 7. And why do we see these diamond decal B-315 sets (and their parallel sets in other drive sizes) so much more rarely than sets that can be assuredly dated to the same era with the much more common banner decals?

I am wondering if it was a secondary line. Either deluxe or economy. Akin to SK's Brazil line. EDIT: Or to Bonney NOB sets. If you guys aren't familiar, they can be found in the back of the 1939 Bonney catalog, and they had a completely different branding (similarly, not including the Bonney name) and decal from the Duro sets in the front of the catalog.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think it's just a marketing variation. Tools appear to be typical prewar williams. Perhaps for resale only by certain vendors?

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a 3/8” drive partial Williams set I probably should have hung onto and completed but I let it go.
-Don

 

[CRTDI]

Posted this before, but thought it should be here in this thread. Williams 9/32" drive set with an add-on Plomb ratchet.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Just got this one. Wondering if anyone can tell me what it is missing and what came with this set. Anyone have the catalog page for this one? Thank you all in advance.

(Sellers pictures)








List from sellers description.

Vintage Williams Tools (20) Piece Socket SAE Set 1/4" Drive Ratchet, + Metal Tool Box.

Black and Red Metal Williams Tool Box. In Very Nice Condition!!!

J.H. Williams M-51 Reversible SuperRatchet 1/4" Drive.

Williams M-106 Yellow Hard Handle Socket Spinner 1/4" Drive.

Williams M-20A breaker bar 1/4" Drive.

Williams PL-1519 adjustable pliers

Williams M-602 1/8" hex wrench Long Handle on 1/4" Drive

(11) Williams (SAE) Sockets 1/4" Drive. 5/32" to 9/16"

(4) Willams Hex Sockets 1/4" drive, Sizes 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32"


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[Oldtuleguy]

Posted this before, but thought it should be here in this thread. Williams 9/32" drive set with an add-on Plomb ratchet.

Another diamond decal, nice!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Capt spaulding, I think they used same box for several sets....

 

[davethorik]

The little 2" *********** c-clamp is a JH Williams & Co. CC-402.

Pictured inside Wilton 6" 4406

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Capt spaulding, I think they used same box for several sets....

Ah ok. Well I guess I could just throw some other 1/4” Williams stuff in there and make it into whatever I want!

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: I've had this Williams tool board for a while now and hopefully i'll find a place to hang it cause I think I have a good portion of the 3/4 inch socket set to hang on it too. not sure this set is period correct, but i do have a few other Williams somewhere around here that might be.

hope you all had a very merry Christmas!!

 

[UncleDave]

Hello members
Just wanted to let you know that I have some pictures of Williams tool boards for sale posted on the Ricks tool “museum” sale.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405731
Thanks
Dave

 

[Oldtuleguy]

ALL: I've had this Williams tool board for a while now and hopefully i'll find a place to hang it cause I think I have a good portion of the 3/4 inch socket set to hang on it too. not sure this set is period correct, but i do have a few other Williams somewhere around here that might be.

hope you all had a very merry Christmas!!

It looks a bit earlier than the board, but I would still use it. Looks great!

 

[d42jeep]

I found this abused 1/2” drive Superratchet at the flea on Saturday. It had been used repeatedly as a hammer and was totally frozen up so it became a challenge to see if I could get it working properly again. After removing paint, de-rusting, measuring, sanding, grinding, filing and wire wheeling for several hours over two days it is finally pretty close to acceptable. Here it is with a newer model beside it.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my newest 1/4” drive set project. I found this partial set on eBay and set aside all of the pieces that wouldn’t have come with the set. I believe that the ratchet and keeper sockets are slightly postwar. The pliers and sliding tee are placeholders until I find the correct ones.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice early set Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Wrench board I got from rick and dave

 

[gpw_42]

Don, that Midget Set is great! Will the correct "Extension Driver" have a female end?

 

[d42jeep]

Don, that Midget Set is great! Will the correct "Extension Driver" have a female end?

I think I’m looking for the metal handle NM-110 which I’ve only seen in pictures although I have a similar Walden one. They serve as both spinner and extension. OTG posted his in the 1/4” drive set thread.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have an extra one if you want to swap something for it

 

[d42jeep]

I have an extra one if you want to swap something for it

For sure!
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Cool. Pm me!

 

[d42jeep]

Besides the spinner/extension coming from OTG, the set is missing the 11/32” socket and the 7/32” with the groove. I’m also looking for a chrome sliding Tee to replace the cad plated one and the mini ignition superpliers.
-Don

 

[woodland_hank]

I guess I've neglected to add my Williams Superrench DOE set to this thread. All 46 wrenches in the ribbed style are displayed on this board. It took 11 years from the first wrench to the completed board.

 

[misterbill]

I picked this up just recently. I'm trying to build a late-war GMTK set around a unicorn-ish 8029B that I came across not too long ago. I thought this one was interesting because the "Chrome-Alloy" marking places it as pre-war or early war while the "U.S." stamp is likely martial. Now all I need is an 8033C!

Bill

 

[drivesitfar]

Hank: did you make the board and the labels or do tell? nice looking board and set though and thanks for sharing!!

ALL: nice stuff on this thread and i'll have to get to taking more pictures and showing some more of mine soon.

 

[Va45]

I’ve been finding a bunch of old Williams stuff. I have a lot of things that I have multiples of in other brands. If there is any interest in these Williams tools let me know. I’m not too attached to them.

Spud wrenches



Adjustables



Ratchet



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[Va45]

And the rest...



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[Capt. Spaulding]

I have two Williams sets I need to post. I’ll get them up as soon as I can.

 

[woodland_hank]

Hank: did you make the board and the labels or do tell? nice looking board and set though and thanks for sharing!!

Thanks! I made the board out of maple. The logo is cut vinyl decal material. I've made about 15 different display boards for all my vintage tools over the last year. It's pointless for me to keep them in drawers where they are hidden. I have a tool addiction and I want everybody to know about it!

 

[3baygarage]

That’s a heck of a set Hank. Of course I enjoy it all, the whole page.

 

[davethorik]

Just picked up this beast today.
Pictured alongside Blackhawk 34999 3/8 ratchet I got with it ($10 for the pair)
L-handle socket wrench?
Williams USA on one side, 276A and the W in a diamond.
No size marked but it looks to tape 1-5/8" or 1-11/16" across flats.
14.5" OAL. Handle is 1" diameter. OD of socket portion is 2-3/8"
Finish looks like black enamel, with face of socket ground steel. There is an EE forged in the bottom of the socket.