JH Williams USA Chrome sockets vs Snap-On chrome sockets

[1950mercury]

A little ot, but I compared my new (recently warrantied/replaced) SO deep SAE sockets to a set of USA made Craftsmans that I got ~4 years ago and the Craftsman have more metal/reinforcement on them and seem sturdier...fit around the bolt head is the same.

More metal means they can't get into tight spots. And the deep broching *****

 

[dsp1]

About 10+ years ago, Lowes had a line of Williams that were made in USA and extremely high quality.

My father was a sales rep at the time and I used to work with him in the summer doing sets in Lowes and Home Depot. I helped do all the store sets for the original line of Kobalt tools across most of OH, PA, and parts of WV and MD. I am sure some of you remember the variety of tools they were offering at the time. To say it puts their current selection to shame is a massive understatement. The toolboxes they sold were also U.S. made, very good quality and really affordable compared to the name brand equivalent. I ended up with a good bit of the stuff, but I wish I had gotten a lot more.

 

[arz71]

My father was a sales rep at the time and I used to work with him in the summer doing sets in Lowes and Home Depot. I helped do all the store sets for the original line of Kobalt tools across most of OH, PA, and parts of WV and MD. I am sure some of you remember the variety of tools they were offering at the time. To say it puts their current selection to shame is a massive understatement. The toolboxes they sold were also U.S. made, very good quality and really affordable compared to the name brand equivalent. I ended up with a good bit of the stuff, but I wish I had gotten a lot more.

The Kobalt wrenches at the time were USA with the v-opening and very good quality. Along with the sockets/impacts were very good quality.

 

[03protege]

What I have trouble believing is that if the company is already producing these at the same facility why would they purposely make an inferior tool?

Snap On acquired Williams to gain a better foot hold in the industrial sector, they have zero to gain by selling those customers cut rate tools.

 

[abvw]

A little ot, but I compared my new (recently warrantied/replaced) SO deep SAE sockets to a set of USA made Craftsmans that I got ~4 years ago and the Craftsman have more metal/reinforcement on them and seem sturdier...fit around the bolt head is the same.

They are thicker because the metal is inferior, it's a compromise.

 

[dsp1]

The Kobalt wrenches at the time were USA with the v-opening and very good quality. Along with the sockets/impacts were very good quality.

Yep, that's what *****. The huge variety of hand tools that were offered at the time were made by Williams in the U.S.A and very good quality.

 

[toolmaven]

Williams and Armstrong were always industrial brands, and mostly still are after Snap-On and Apex bought them up. Their wrenches (mostly) were a bit heavier and a bit softer than the tool truck brands, so they would not have brittle failures and generally take abuse better. Some guys still think any wrench is a slugging wrench. Both made high polished lines for automotive and other more civilized use at one time or another. Williams made black finish carbon (not alloy) steel wrenches for really ugly industrial use for many years along with the chrome plated line. Old Williams and Armstrong have been excellent functionally in my opinion, but typically satin or dull finish.

 

[gungatim]

I just want to add, you ever notice how posts like this always end with something like "please respond back"? does anyone make troll-filter software that can weed thes out? just sayin'...

 

[toolmaven]

My usual Williams distributor has been having trouble getting new stock and will probably switch to another line (SK or Proto?) if this keeps up. New Williams USA does seem to be the same genus, if not species as Snap-On. I wonder if they push Williams runs off, because the mark-up isn't nearly as high. The other distributor I sometimes use favors Armstrong/ Apex, but I'm not sure if Armstrong is still part of Apex or spun-off. Anybody know?

 

[Slkay944]

I purchased a set of Williams sockets directly from Williams and I was disappointed in the chrome finish. It looks there are large scratches in the socket in some and gouges in other ones. I do not think I would purchase another set, very disappointed in the finish.

 

[franzdom]

I only buy HF from pawn shops

 

[ADSR]

I purchased a set of Williams sockets directly from Williams and I was disappointed in the chrome finish. It looks there are large scratches in the socket in some and gouges in other ones. I do not think I would purchase another set, very disappointed in the finish.

are those usa made or taiwan?

 

[KTA_Kevin]

Check out KT PRO! The US Brand for King Tony, made in Taiwan.

 

[montanafordman]

But.... If you buy Snap-on sockets it says "Snap-On" on them! :

 

[RV8guy]

I purchased a set of Williams sockets directly from Williams and I was disappointed in the chrome finish. It looks there are large scratches in the socket in some and gouges in other ones. I do not think I would purchase another set, very disappointed in the finish.

I picked up a set of Williams 1/4 drive metric sockets. Very impressed with the finish. Not as good as my Snap-On sockets but then again, nothing is. I'll be buying more Williams sockets to round out my metric collection.

 

[ADSR]

But.... If you buy Snap-on sockets it says "Snap-On" on them! :

Funny, a member here order a williams socket and was sent a snap on instead.

 

[Slkay944]

They are US made. I have a number of socket sets from facom,wright,craftsman, hazet and stahwille, and only one that has any finish issues are these. Some of the sockets finish is perfect but a number of them either have scratches of gouges in the actual casting/forging. You can see that the chrome looks good, but the underlying steel has some surface imperfections(either scratches or gouges). I thought about returning them but figure they are not works of art but tools that I use working on cars.

 

[Triple macs]

They are US made. I have a number of socket sets from facom,wright,craftsman, hazet and stahwille, and only one that has any finish issues are these. Some of the sockets finish is perfect but a number of them either have scratches of gouges in the actual casting/forging. You can see that the chrome looks good, but the underlying steel has some surface imperfections(either scratches or gouges). I thought about returning them but figure they are not works of art but tools that I use working on cars.

I found the same thing. I order 4 sets of Williams USA sockets from Industrial Supply. Several of the sockets hade dings and scratches underneath the chrome, but they are tools & not jewelry, so it didn't ruin my day. One socket had peeling chrome. Called Williams and they said the would send me a warranty replacement, but the socket was back ordered so be patient. I also noticed a mix of older straight and newer arched Williams logos on the sockets, but there again not a deal breaker for me.

 

[ADSR]

^^ these 2 statements confirm what this williams dealer had posted.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3340720&postcount=21