Kobalt by Williams....The Snap on connection

[jsonic6]

I just bought the below sets from Ebay for my collection. The prices are really cheap for what you get... Here's the link if you're interested. The guy's name is Chris and he's really great to deal with...

http://stores.ebay.com/CENTURY-SALES-USA_KOBALT-SOCKETS_W0QQ_fsubZ21202148QQ_sidZ237700405QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

$18.90---370289459569---5 KOBALT USA METRIC 1/2 DEEP SOCKETS 6PT 10 13 15 17 22MM
$16.90---370404882495---5 KOBALT 1/2 6 PT METRIC SOCKETS 19 20 21 26 27 MM
$13.90---370244134332---6 KOBALT USA 1/2 METRIC 6 PT SOCKETS 9 11 12 13 17 18 MM
$16.90---370332354015-4 KOBALT USA 1/2 METRIC 12PT DEEP SOCKETS 13 15 16 27 MM
$22.95---360267821204---7 KOBALT SOCKETS 1/2" METRIC 12PT 19 20 21 22 25 26 28 MM
$22.90---360198094844---9 KOBALT 1/2 METRIC 12 PT SOCKETS 9 10 11 12 13 14-17 MM
$19.90---370319253300---10 KOBALT 3/8 METRIC 6 PT SOCKETS 6 -10 12 16 17 21 22MM
$15.99---370312790346---10 KOBALT 3/8 METRIC 12 PT SOCKETS 9 10 11 12 13-16 18 21
$16.99---370187008471---6 KOBALT USA 1/4 DEEP METRIC 6PT SOCKETS 4 5 7 10 11 12mm
$10.99---370288335128---7 KOBALT USA 1/4 METRIC 6 PT SOCKETS 4 5 8 9 10 11
$9.99---70167612874---7 KOBALT USA SAE SOCKET ASSORTMENT
$18.90---360170484019---5 KOBALT 1/2 SAE DEEP 6PT SOCKETS 9/16 1 1/16 7/8 11/16 1
$9.99---360174304122---4 KOBALT USA 1/2 SAE 6PT SOCKETS 11/16 13/16 7/8 1" NEW
$18.95---370388265741---6 KOBALT DEEP 12 SOCKETS 1/2 9/16 5/8 11/16 13/16 7/8 1"
$23.99---370174885792---8 KOBALT USA 1/2 SAE 12PT SOCKETS 7/16-1 1/4" LIFETIME
$23.95---360243096621---9 KOBALT SAE SOCKETS 3/8 DEEP 6 PT 5/8-1" +SPARK PLUGS
$12.90---360159525684---7 KOBALT 3/8 6PT SOCKETS 3/8 5/16 7/165/8 3/4 11/16 13/16
$12.99---370103983865---6 KOBALT USA 3/8 SAE12PT SOCKETS 3/8-13/16 LIFETIME
$6.99---370102977125---5 KOBALT USA 1/4" SAE 6PT SOCKETS 3/16-7/16 LIFETIME
$5.99---37037352463---2 KOBALT METRIC 3/8 2PT DEEP SOCKETS 9, 14 MM
$9.99---360099763056---6 KOBALT USA 3/8 SAE 6 PT SOCKETS 3/8-13/16 LIFETIME
$11.95---370189973830---6 KOBALT SAE SOCKETS 12 PT 7/16 5/8 11/16 13/16 3/8 3/4

 

[mrholeshot]

Lowes established the Koalt line with the Williams/Snap-On line and then in a bold move of Bait and Switch out of pure greed switched to Danaher and China. If you break a old Willaims/Kobalt you take it back and get a relabled Craftsman. It's like getting you to come in to buy a ribeye steak and you send it back to the kitchen because it is a bit underdone and they send back roundsteak.

 

[wafrederick]

I have a couple Kobalt screwdrivers I won at a Friends of the NRA banquent and they are made in China.Seem to be good screwdrivers.

 

[tyreguy25]

Lowes established the Koalt line with the Williams/Snap-On line and then in a bold move of Bait and Switch out of pure greed switched to Danaher and China. If you break a old Willaims/Kobalt you take it back and get a relabled Craftsman. It's like getting you to come in to buy a ribeye steak and you send it back to the kitchen because it is a bit underdone and they send back roundsteak.

Ribeye has never been my thing.

I was, however, wondering about the warranty process on Kobalt/Williams stuff as the new tools are rebadged Cman. That kind of *****...

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Ribeye has never been my thing.

I was, however, wondering about the warranty process on Kobalt/Williams stuff as the new tools are rebadged Cman. That kind of *****...

Some of the stuff isn't even made/sold anymore (Flare nut wrenches).

 

[tyreguy25]

Some of the stuff isn't even made/sold anymore (Flare nut wrenches).

Then what do they replace them with? Nothing? Sounds like Mac Tools has their hands in this too, eh?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Then what do they replace them with? Nothing? Sounds like Mac Tools has their hands in this too, eh?

Same thing that Sears does, they would have to give you, your money back.

 

[tyreguy25]

Same thing that Sears does, they would have to give you, your money back.

RIIIIGHT...that wouldn't happen. They would make you take a gift card.

 

[MrMark]

I just received my $17 1/2" drive SAE shallow 12pt set. They were sealed in the box, never opened with the original protectant still on them. These sockets are variously stamped 98 and 97. There was one from 2000. The quality is amazing. The chrome is a slightly different color from the recent SO and the detent broaching is different, but they are top quality.

 

[beelsr]

when i went to HD to warranty a Husky wrench they didn't have in the store, the guy said to call Stanley. I called and they sent me a new wrench. I forget how it was labelled since I gave it away.

Maybe Lowe's will have you call Danaher and they'll send you a GearWrench....

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

when i went to HD to warranty a Husky wrench they didn't have in the store, the guy said to call Stanley. I called and they sent me a new wrench. I forget how it was labelled since I gave it away.

Maybe Lowe's will have you call Danaher and they'll send you a GearWrench....

I'd rather call Williams.

 

[beelsr]

so would i, but williams wouldn't take the call...

 

[Kev442]

Got my USA/Williams impact sets as listed on Cripe. Stamp on one box was 2002. Shipped immediately, update emails telling me where and when, a class act all the way.

 

[Indy_500]

Now that i know snap on owns williams, i'm gonna go find my williams wrench to figure out how old it is!!! Nice informing thread blacknwhitepit!

 

[BTG]

For those who are new to the board, I occasionally post about the quality of the old Kobalt (Williams made) sockets. Their luster and quality as well as blank size are the same as Snap on. For those who do not know, Snap on owns Williams. Additionally, their year stamped codes are the same. Kobalt by Williams stopped being sold around 2002/2003 and Kobalt has since been made by Danaher.

I highly recommend buying these whenever you can get a deal on them.

They are getting harder to find, but can still be found on EBAY.

I recently bought from this seller and put an offer in for $15.00 and it was accepted... He has 4 more I believe. Grand total $23.10 for a set of 10 brand new 1/2 drive sockets shipped to my door.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Koba...Z270568936178QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

I am not in any way associated with the seller, but rather preach the Gospel of the good deal... These are quality sockets and I highly recommend them.

The wrenches are awesome as well, but are getting harder to find.

Here is how to tell the difference between Williams Kobalt (Top) and Danaher Kobalt (Bottom)- Williams will have the line around it. Danaher are smooth.

-BWP

Bull: Thanks for the lead! I just purchased two of these sets (not greedy--one is for a gift) and the metric and SAE 3/8" impacts from this seller. combined shipping, all four sets to my house for under $94!

 

[johnny1290]

Like I don't have enough tools already. You guys have ruined me. I can't stand anything craftsman anymore. These look exactly like my snapon sockets. How can I say no?!?

 

[tyreguy25]

Johnny, say no after buying them all!

 

[blarf]

I've been on the lookout for a 3/8", 6pt, metric socket set... but this one is missing one of the sizes I'd want the most: 13mm. Did Williams ever make a Kobalt set with 13mm? I see their 12pt set has a 13... but... eh too many points.

 

[Kev442]

I've been on the lookout for a 3/8", 6pt, metric socket set... but this one is missing one of the sizes I'd want the most: 13mm. Did Williams ever make a Kobalt set with 13mm? I see their 12pt set has a 13... but... eh too many points.

The impact set from Cripe I bought is 6 point and from 9 to 19mm.

 

[fatfillup]

Bump of an old thread. Bought a Kobalt socket set at a sale a few months back. Knew some were sourced from Williams, but didn't know the difference. Hit the google machine on how to ID Williams made Kobalt sockets, this thread came up and had answer in 10 seconds.

Sadly, mine are Danaher but I didn't give much, its complete, sae and metric shallow 1/4 drive. All is well

 

[jgromada]

I looked it up Snap-on bought williams in 1993. When are those Kobalt tools made by Williams from?

 

[measuredtwice]

I looked it up Snap-on bought williams in 1993. When are those Kobalt tools made by Williams from?

According to the first post, they were available until '02/'03. See quote below.

...Kobalt by Williams stopped being sold around 2002/2003 and Kobalt has since been made by Danaher...

 

[Sdot]

Was going through some forgotten about tools and found this set :

To my surprise USA stamped. Unsure what era they were made - maybe someone can chime in.

 

[Fedwrench]

Those are the post Williams, danaher made vintage before they went Asian sourced. Basically, the same as US made craftsman for that time.

 

[Sdot]

Those are the post Williams, danaher made vintage before they went Asian sourced. Basically, the same as US made craftsman for that time.

Nice! Thanks for confirming...an "upgrade' to current overseas Kobalt set I suppose.

 

[dahwheel]

Who makes the current Kobalt wrenches available at Lowes?