B-52 Superatchet
- Thread starter geo_08
- Start date
davethorik
Well-known member
You are correct, the modern round head ratchets from Williams use a single pawl 72t mechanism that is more like a Facom ratchet than the original twin pawl Superratchets. I believe your only option is to find a parts donor or hope an original repair kit pops up on ebay for a sane price...
Offcenter12
Well-known member
Hi Geo,
Apparently there are no available rebuild kits for the old ones, but I have one of these and disassembling, cleaning, and putting it back together with lube did it a world of good. Hardest part was getting the lock ring loose. This ought to help.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36498
John
Apparently there are no available rebuild kits for the old ones, but I have one of these and disassembling, cleaning, and putting it back together with lube did it a world of good. Hardest part was getting the lock ring loose. This ought to help.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36498
John
This. And if you do happen to find a rebuild kit that arose from never-never land, be assured you'll pay dearly for it.
I conducted some extensive research awhile back in the turbulent times at Williams Hand Tools (it's final name before going toes-up) during the 1980s. What I found was that the original factory and its contents were liquidated in the last part of the decade. When Snap-on bought it in 1993, all it acquired was the trademark and other remaining intellectual property. It was a company on paper. Snap-on designed and manufactured every one of its Williams from scratch in its own factories.
So, except for the names and perhaps some patents, nothing remained at the end of the 1980s of the old JH Williams Company. I think a west coast importer bought the name and held it for awhile before Snap-on. I'm sure everything in the place--including what rebuild kits might have been there--was scrapped.
I can tell you this, though, to help in your search. It won't matter if the ratchet is marked "JH Williams & Co", "JH Williams" or just "Williams", the latter with or without the "Superratchet" moniker.... the parts should all be interchangeable.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Yep. Toward the end of the 1970s, TRW, owner of Greenfield that was owner of Williams IIRC, began to move away from mechanics theme and position Williams as an industrial tool, changing the name to Williams Industrial. First thing that was dropped from the ratchet was "& CO" tag. Next was dropped the "JH" and a font change, followed by the dropping of the "Superratchet" moniker. This should place your rat around late 70s to early 80s.
ken w.
Well-known member
Every once in a while a rebuild kit will come up on Ebay. You would have to look every day at the newly listed items. I try to buy any Williams kits I can find. Here in the Buffalo area , the Williams tools are really drying up. Most of the Williams employees are dying off and I can't say where their tools are going. You just don't see them at estate sales anymore.
ken w.
Well-known member
A few guys tell me that a local supply house will replace the older Williams tools with the newer Williams from Snap On. I can't prove this as I haven't had a broken Williams tool in quite a while.
RubiconJK
Well-known member
Twertsy has some very good info on Williams on his ToolArchives site. Others may be able to help you with your date question, but since your ratchet has stamped lettering rather than forged I would guess that it is a later production article.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
A donor ratchet is a better bet and an easier find.
I did purchase some kits for s52's on eBay a few years back. Repair kits for this style Williams ratchet hardly ever turn up forsale.
A good cleaning might get your ratchet working again.
I did purchase some kits for s52's on eBay a few years back. Repair kits for this style Williams ratchet hardly ever turn up forsale.
A good cleaning might get your ratchet working again.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I have a few odds and ends for this style 1/2 S52 ratchets.
Those that are missing parts/ have parts missing send me an email or pm and I will take a look and see if I have what you need.
Those that are missing parts/ have parts missing send me an email or pm and I will take a look and see if I have what you need.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
My parts are at work, so that works for me!
Just to be clear, I only have parts for the S52 which is the 1/2 big brother to the B52.
I do see the Older B52's around here in the $5-8 range at fleas and pawns,should I be picking them up ? I have a few S52's,B52's and1 lonely M52.
I live just outside of one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world, so certain JH Williams,Proto and Armstrong tools are pretty common around here,usually found in pretty tired and abused condition.
+1
Sent in an old 3/8 Williams Superratchet and Snap On mailed me a free replacement. Actually pretty nice ratchet, still a bit stiff though. Can't complain.
In case it's useful, over the weekend I replaced the pawl pivot with the shank of a drill bit that I cut to the right length and replaced the missing springs under the pawl pivots with short springs cut from a clicky pen.
The ratchet is a bit stiff but it works much better than it did before.
p.s. Assemble/disassemble this style of ratchet in a clear baggie of some kind.
Those ball bearings can go quite a distance.
Way to go!In case it's useful, over the weekend I replaced the pawl pivot with the shank of a drill bit that I cut to the right length and replaced the missing springs under the pawl pivots with short springs cut from a clicky pen.
The ratchet is a bit stiff but it works much better than it did before.
p.s. Assemble/disassemble this style of ratchet in a clear baggie of some kind.
Those ball bearings can go quite a distance.
And yes, those ball bearings do tend to slip the surly bonds of earth and pass into the great beyond.
My biggest complaint about the RH Superratchets has always been the backdrag on them. However, I have a 1/2" on hand and use it when I have an old stubborn nut with a lot of crud on the bolt and the tight clearances where I need the fine teeth for. In such cases, backdrag matters little. You just about only have to show one of these rats to the nut and it kind of scares it loose.
d42jeep
Well-known member
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
That B52 is pristine!
Beerman
Well-known member
Funny, you mentioned the M52. I got to the local flea market WAY too much. I see 3/8 superratchets for sale 1-2 each month. I see the 1/4 version about once every 5 years.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I have that same ratchet. Amazing how much betterit works once cleaned and lubed.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I finally found a M52 in the wild about a year ago.
I just picked up a 3/8 Williams palmster ratchet, it is a handy little ratchet.
I just picked up a 3/8 Williams palmster ratchet, it is a handy little ratchet.
RubiconJK
Well-known member
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Yeah, I have about 4 b52's, about 3 s52's, and only 2 m52's. Both local (well, one shipped in from about an hour south of me), and they are the only two I have seen. Second one needs to be disassembled and cleaned well, fairly sticky. First one is really nice.
RubiconJK
Well-known member
Lol! Would be fitting wouldn't it?!
And that makes the B17 the Flyingratchet?
I couldn't help myself.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Sunset_Z28
Well-known member
The flea market you go to doesn’t happen to be Mary’s is it?
RubiconJK
Well-known member
I do go to Mary's as a matter of fact, but I found this one at Old Paris. Have we met?
Sunset_Z28
Well-known member
I don't think so. I go to Mary's pretty regular, but I haven't had much luck at Old Paris.
