J H Williams vintage hand tools

[PSCo1867]

Here's a late-60s/70s 10" Superjustable with its Craftsman-badged counterpart.
Pretty sure the orange paint and the "BSCo HRL FATIGUE LAB" engraving were user-added on the Craftsman

 

[PSCo1867]

Several S-70 1/2" drive ratchet spinners. The first two are 20th century and the third is more current.

 

[brucea.schweigert@gma]

i am working on filling holes in my late grandfathers 1/2 inch drive knurled socket sets--- 12 point, 8 point and 4 point. i have most of the 12 point, maybe 8 of the 4 point and only 3 of the 8 point. i also collect Barcalo since i am from WNY, lockport. really need some of the largest and smallest geometric design Barcos if anyone has those.

 

[d42jeep]

I’ll take a look when I get a chance. Are the ones you need Barcalo branded or unmarked?
-Don
Edit……These are my spare Barcalo marked geometric wrenches.

 

[misterbill]

I was able to piece together this Williams circa 1963 MC-1 1/4" socket set today.







Bill

 

[brucea.schweigert@gma]

I’ll take a look when I get a chance. Are the ones you need Barcalo branded or unmarked?
-Don
Edit……These are my spare Barcalo marked geometric wrenches.

I’ll take a look when I get a chance. Are the ones you need Barcalo branded or unmarked?
-Don
Edit……These are my spare Barcalo marked geometric wrenches.

i have 2 partial sets, each a mix of branded/unbranded. sizes i need are3/8x7/16 and 1 1/16x1 1/4, the biggest size.

 

[d42jeep]

PM sent. Doesn’t seem like my spares are ones you need.
-Don

 

[misterbill]

Based on their design, I imagined that these l'il 202 makers c-clamps would have been produced early to mid-20th century. Interestingly, they appear as late as the 1970 catalog.



Bill

 

[Mintgrun]

Those are nice! I've never seen the short-screw design on small clamps. I've got some big ones with that feature. It makes sense, because you can reach for a smaller clamp in situations where the screw won't reach the work. I found mine in the scrap heap at Navy City Metals, back when they let people go digging. Now, it's off-limits due to liability concerns. It's crazy how much good stuff is being scrapped. I miss the $.50/lb. shopping sprees.







Tom

 

[misterbill]

Continuing my current theme of "three makes it a collection", here is Williams' complete offering of adjustable face spanners.





Bill

 

[Beerhippie]

I picked up this Williams Superrench today:





Unless someone badly needs it to fill a hole, it's going in my Coleman toolbox--7/16" and 3/8" are very common on older lanterns and stoves.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snagged these very early (Brooklyn logo) Williams tools at the flea this morning. The head of the structural wrench has been low-profiled with a grinder, unfortunately, and it has lost a few inches in OAL. Pretty sure the DOE is a check nut wrench.

 

[genog]

A really good friend gave me some wrenches
This Superjustable was one of them

 

[Stubby1743]

I found this Williams Superwrench 7/16 x 3/8 DBE yesterday at my local car boot sale for next to nothing. I don't often see Williams tools here in the UK and so was very pleased to find this one.

 

[misterbill]

Picked up this early DuoHex 7023 DBE yesterday.





Bill

 

[Ed in Virginia]

I found this adjustable spanner from J. H. Williams Co. in a box of tools that I picked up at an estate sale. I've done some research on Alloy Artifacts and searched here and this one seems unusual in a couple of ways, and I was hoping that the Williams collectors could shed some light on it. First off, it shows both Brooklyn and Buffalo on the wrench and the others I have seen had one or the other, or "USA". Secondly, it has the pre-1948 Ford logo in script on it. I see where Williams made tools for Craftsman and others, but have not found any mention of them making Ford tools. Has anyone here seen other Ford tools made by Williams, or can you shed any light on this one? Thank you in advance!

 

[Stubby1743]

My larger hook spanner shown in post #1263 is marked in the same way, except for the Ford script of course.

 

[Provincial]

I found this adjustable spanner from J. H. Williams Co. in a box of tools that I picked up at an estate sale. I've done some research on Alloy Artifacts and searched here and this one seems unusual in a couple of ways, and I was hoping that the Williams collectors could shed some light on it. First off, it shows both Brooklyn and Buffalo on the wrench and the others I have seen had one or the other, or "USA". Secondly, it has the pre-1948 Ford logo in script on it. I see where Williams made tools for Craftsman and others, but have not found any mention of them making Ford tools. Has anyone here seen other Ford tools made by Williams, or can you shed any light on this one? Thank you in advance!

This spanner would have been purchased by Ford from Williams and distributed by them to a factory, assembly plant, or dealership. It is unlikely that it would have been sold by Ford to a customer. The Buffalo plant opened in 1914, and the company moved it's headquarters there about 1919. Williams stopped using a face marking on wrenches that included "Brooklyn" around 1924. That may have been when the Brooklyn plant was closed.

The spanner forgings didn't progress like the wrenches, and stayed very much the same over the entire production history. This makes it harder to pin down a date of manufacture, since they were likely produced using supplies of old forgings that had been stockpiled. Your wrench could have been forged when the Brooklyn plant was still in operation, but finished and sold a decade later!

 

[3baygarage]

I always assume the Ford script stuff came out of the plant. Neat that it is Williams though. Usually see a number of Snappy and sometimes even Cornwell.

 

[Ed in Virginia]

This spanner would have been purchased by Ford from Williams and distributed by them to a factory, assembly plant, or dealership. It is unlikely that it would have been sold by Ford to a customer. The Buffalo plant opened in 1914, and the company moved it's headquarters there about 1919. Williams stopped using a face marking on wrenches that included "Brooklyn" around 1924. That may have been when the Brooklyn plant was closed.

The spanner forgings didn't progress like the wrenches, and stayed very much the same over the entire production history. This makes it harder to pin down a date of manufacture, since they were likely produced using supplies of old forgings that had been stockpiled. Your wrench could have been forged when the Brooklyn plant was still in operation, but finished and sold a decade later!

Thank you!

 

[d42jeep]

I found this Williams 1/2 “ drive speeder at yesterday’s estate sale. It’s the first one I’ve seen in person although some have been posted on the GJ. It appears in the 1943 catalog.
Catalog page
Comparison with a postwar speeder.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

I am not sure how old is this one - originally belonged to Porsche mechanic who worked in 1980s. Surface rust is fro sitting in New England climate in the garage for last decade or two...

... Will consider trade or sale if anybody really wants it

 

[sightbike]

@Shelbylex - that’s a neat box! Saw one locally with accompanying bottom last year and regret not picking it up. I say clean it up and enjoy it. Cool that it has the carry tray with it.

 

[genog]

It was another Hammer Day at the Flea Market
Found a couple of little 4 ouncers, including this Williams

 

[Patrickm82]

Pick up this Williams 3/8 socket set at a yard sale this morning. I think it’s a pretty cool set. Any of you experts have any info on it. The head BT 60 and extensions have BT-104 and so on, on them. Box is a little rough but should clean up nice.

 

[Fred Knox]

An older friend needed some help on a number of projects over the last 6-9 months. Out of nowhere, he gave me this 1930s Williams Standard Socket Set S-320 Toolbox and contents. He knew I collected old tools, but I had no idea he even had anything like this. It is complete with the straight-wall, "wide-groove" style, chrome ST-12XX socket series (vintage 1935 – 1939) from 3/8” – 1”. It has the S-15P brace, S-20A sliding T, S-42 flex handle, S-51 Superratchet (no plug), S-110P and S-115P extensions, and the S-140 universal. A couple extras were a S-1240 knurled 1 ¼” socket (vintage 1931-1936), a second S110P extension, and a H-50 ¾”-drive ratchet. I have not even cleaned anything up yet, as I just take it out and admire the set a little more!

 

[Old Radar]

Nearing my wit's end, I'm reaching out to the herd for a sanity check. I found this 1/4" socket set last week at an estate sale. The box contained the eight Williams wide-groove sockets, the hinge handle and tommy bar. The M-110 spinner was a few feet away on the next table.
The box is troubling me. In my mind, I know I've seen what remains of the latitudinal orange stripe on the box top on other Williams' sets, but I cannot find any confirmation in the catalogs or pictures on the net.
Additionally, I cannot find a box in the catalogs with the same dimensions as this one. 6-5/8" x 2-5/8" x 1-1/2". For reference, the box is nearly twice as deep as needed for the sockets.
I'm beginning to think the box is home/shop made--for these reasons:
Poor paint adhesion--it is peeling and crumbling excessively unless it was exposed to high heat.
It seems unnecessarily deep unless a boat load of wrenches were included.
Its construction doesn't match other Williams Midget sets I have seen--those have the corner folds terminate on the outside of the box ends, not the inside of the front and rear ends.
The spot welds seem wrong, but I can't explain why.

However, I'm still left with the nagging near-certainly I've seen those orange stripes before.

Can anyone find a box like this or confirm/dispute my thought process? Thanks!




Edit: Just as a point of interest, note that the hinge handle has no part number--just an M.

 

[Mintgrun]

I have that same box. Mine was empty when I found it.



Here's a post showing a box with the same paint scheme.

J H Williams vintage hand tools

Pairs well in era and multi-purpose with the Demountable Rim Tool.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think those blue box sets were a discount line that replaced the volume line. Not much info on them but a few have popped up here on gj. The m on the spinner is for midget. Following the switch to 1/4" drive around 41, the prefix switched to nm, which continued until after ww2 then switched back just "m". I suspect you have a postwar 1950 or so example of that discount line.

 

[3baygarage]

Post #50 I have a small set but didn't get a picture of the top.
Post #61 CRTDI has a nice example.

 

[Mintgrun]

Ah, those are blue, as OTG suggested; whereas these are gray, with a slightly textured finish. (and a bit taller)

 

[Old Radar]

Well, thank you, gentlemen! It looks like my remembery isn't as feeble as I feared.
Definitely a Williams box. Most probably contract production during or subsequent to the "Volume" production.
Similarities include no part numbers on the sockets or the hinge handle--I'm guessing the M-110 spinner is not original to the case.
Sockets are chrome, hot broached and labeled M-fractional size (i.e. M-5/16 vs. M-1210 5/16) followed by <W> with USA beneath.
The hinge handle is unpolished chrome over fairly rough milling with only M <W>, without USA.
As for dating, NET 1940, when Williams switched from 9/32" to 1/4". NET 1946, post-war cadmium vs. chrome. NLT 1949 when Williams changed from wide groove to double line grooves. Tools of Industry 3/49 ed last page, is my first sighting of double lines.
1/4" Spinner is NET 1955, when Williams switched back to M from NM.
Still no idea what might have been included in such a spacious box, although I do suspect a high-heat event caused the paint to flake off--each of the tools in the box had spots where paint had transferred and adhered to them.

Thanks again for everyone's assistance (both here and to those discussing the topic at Mintgurn's link) and please let me know if my logic or facts are faulty.

 

[wtn1271]

Picked up this Williams S-52 ratchet recently. It's a bit odd in that the handle has a push button switch for what I assume was a light that was mounted further up the handle near the head. Not sure what type of battery would have been used (AAA perhaps). My Google searches haven't turned up any information. Anyone seen this set up before?

Edit: I contacted Williams about the ratchet. The representative I spoke with was not familiar with it, but she did request photos of the ratchet to try to make an identification. I will update this post when I hear back from Williams.

 

[3baygarage]

A lighted Williams ratchet, you've got to be kidding! Never seen anything quite like that. Maybe some foreign lighted ratchets

 

[bmwrd0]

Williams, like Proto, would sell you any tool you wanted them to build. This is why you see so much uncataloged material from both companies.

Cool find!

 

[3baygarage]

Williams, like Proto, would sell you any tool you wanted them to build. This is why you see so much uncataloged material from both companies.

Cool find!

Never having seen one before, have to wonder if it's factory or not. Most modified tools will have a special stamp, but when it comes to ratchets, pretty sure I've only seen one that was stamped!

 

[leg17]

Looks like a commercial venture, whether Williams or aftermarket. The plating and the fit/finish on battery box and the "******" attached to the body appear to be first class. Doesn't seem to have the 'feel' of a shop-made one-off job. This example was probably not the prototype. Nice find!

 

[wtn1271]

So, as I mentioned in the above post, I emailed Williams about the ratchet and got the following reply:

"We have never made a ratchet with a light. I would be glad to send you a new S-52 ratchet if you would send me that one. Always like to see what our customers do to our product, and this would be a good example."

I think I will decline the offer and see if I can come up with a way to make it functional again, (assuming it ever was functional).

As some have mentioned, perhaps this is a 'Franken-ratchet' made from parts of another brand ratchet with a light feature. The parts may have even come from some other type of tool or machine and were adapted to the S-52. I will investigate further and update the thread. Thanks for all your interest and replies.

 

[Cruzan80]

So, as I mentioned in the above post, I emailed Williams about the ratchet and got the following reply:

"We have never made a ratchet with a light. I would be glad to send you a new S-52 ratchet if you would send me that one. Always like to see what our customers do to our product, and this would be a good example."

I think I will decline the offer and see if I can come up with a way to make it functional again, (assuming it ever was functional).

As some have mentioned, perhaps this is a 'Franken-ratchet' made from parts of another brand ratchet with a light feature. The parts may have even come from some other type of tool or machine and were adapted to the S-52. I will investigate further and update the thread. Thanks for all your interest and replies.

That is because you emailed Snap-On (current owner of the Williams brand). jH Williams basically went completely kaput in the 80s, filed for bankruptcy, and SnapOn bought the name. Pretty much everything, including dirty paper (aka catalogs) and any industrial knowledge was gone at that time. So what SO is saying is that from when they acquired it until now, they didn't do anything like that. Nothing about JH Williams.

 

[RTM]

Here is another find from my recent shop cleanout assistance. This is a Williams Buffalo Adjustable Spanner 2 to 4-3/4" capacity. I'm guessing its a 474, from ~1937 - pre after 1942, based on the pre absence of the visible pivot rivet. The 1942 does not show the rivet in the catalog cut, and calls them 474. Bit rusty, no sign of the enameling or polished jaws. May give it a Evaporust bath to improve its appearance.

Edit: its a 474, got enough of the rust off to see a 474 stamped in in front of the recessed panel., and that I was imagining the exposed rivet. Then hit with the 220 grit scotchbrite wheel, still a bit rough, but it will be a user, not a display piece.





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