More Williams Kobalt

[KnurledNut]

Just got this 1/4 set. I can't see any indication is was ever used. The guy... ...couldn't understand why i bought it instead of the craftsman set next to it.

 

[SMKS]

Wow, that's a rare bird.

All the Williams made Kobalt I've ever found were some stubby wrenches and one ratchet.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

thats a nice set, I like that ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

Here is a picture for comparison.

Snap-on T936
Williams M-52
Kobalt 02030

 

[RedFordTruck]

Sweet! How much did you pay for it?

 

[Hiball]

I know kobalt has used Williams/danaher in the past, but that's a danaher based ratchet I'm sure. What are the sockets?

 

[KnurledNut]

one hamilton and one green lincoln...
...aka $15

 

[KnurledNut]

I know kobalt has used Williams/danaher in the past, but that's a danaher based ratchet I'm sure. What are the sockets?

Hiball, this set is Williams sourced. No question.

See this thread for more info:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69581#post987425

 

[Hiball]

Hiball, this set is Williams sourced. No question.

See this thread for more info:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69581#post987425

I think I'll agree that the sockets might be Williams sourced, it's pretty easy to tell because the danaher made Kobalt look identical to the craftsman (bought a slug this last manufacturer blow out) but that ratchet looks danaher to me. Quick release? How many teeth? 60?

 

[SMKS]

The OP's tools should also have Snap-On date codes on them. My Kobalt/Williams tools did.

Also, that is the Williams made ratchet. The Danaher ones were slightly different.

Here's a pic of some of the Danaher ones stolen from another thread.

Here's another Danaher Kobalt pic stolen from the interwebs.

 

[KnurledNut]

I think I'll agree that the sockets might be Williams sourced, it's pretty easy to tell because the danaher made Kobalt look identical to the craftsman (bought a slug this last manufacturer blow out) but that ratchet looks danaher to me. Quick release? How many teeth? 60?

Quick release. 36T.
1999 Snap-on code.

Sockets are 98, 99, 00 coded.

 

[Hiball]

The OP's tools should also have Snap-On date codes on them. My Kobalt/Williams tools did.

Also, that is the Williams made ratchet. The Danaher ones were slightly different.

Here's a pic of some of the Danaher ones stolen from another thread.

Hmmm... I've never seen a "US" made Williams ratchet with a quick release...


OP.. Do you mind snapping some pictures of the internals?

 

[Hiball]

Quick release. 36T.
1999 Snap-on code.

Sockets are 98, 99, 00 coded.

Cool.... Thanks for the info.

 

[KnurledNut]

Hiball,

Check out post #41.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145562&page=3


Also some pics here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140198

 

[Hiball]

Hiball,

Check out post #41.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145562&page=3


Also some pics here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140198

It must have been a limited run or a "rare bird" as referenced earlier, I sure don't remember a US sourced Williams QR release ratchet. Based off a few other posts, you might want to treat it kindly, it appears rebuild kits are obsolete based off another thread posted in July of this year.

 

[matthew]

Hmmm... I've never seen a "US" made Williams ratchet with a quick release...

Don't know anything about the Williams branded ones, but the Williams-made Bahco ratchets from a few years ago were quick release, as well.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I don't know much of anything about the snap on Williams relationship but I have a snap on 3/8 with a quick release.

 

[KEH]

I posted about not being able to get repair kit from Lowes for a 1/2 drive model. Still no joy, I don't know if Williams would be any help or not. Mine has broken teeth. Don't want to get it warrentied for new import Kobalt ratchet.

Interesting about them having Snap on date codes. Not sure if i see the date code on mine, its not clear but looks like 2000 which can't be right.

KEH

 

[NC-Fordguy]

It must have been a limited run or a "rare bird" as referenced earlier, I sure don't remember a US sourced Williams QR release ratchet. Based off a few other posts, you might want to treat it kindly, it appears rebuild kits are obsolete based off another thread posted in July of this year.

The williams ratchets has a slight angle milled into the handle where the reversing lever is where as the danaher is even. Look closely and you might see the difference.

You're likely correct on the unavailability of rebuild kits. There's always the option of getting a new model from Lowes though. The current offerings seem to work very well.

 

[Hiball]

The williams ratchets has a slight angle milled into the handle where the reversing lever is where as the danaher is even. Look closely and you might see the difference.

.

Yeah... I seen the difference where the reversing lever is, I just never seen a "USA Williams Quick release" ratchet...

 

[matthew]

I posted about not being able to get repair kit from Lowes for a 1/2 drive model. Still no joy, I don't know if Williams would be any help or not. Mine has broken teeth. Don't want to get it warrentied for new import Kobalt ratchet.

Interesting about them having Snap on date codes. Not sure if i see the date code on mine, its not clear but looks like 2000 which can't be right.

KEH

Don't know for sure, but I believe word around here was that the Snap-On 936 series kits fit the Williams and Bahco ratchets, I would assume the related Kobalt ratchets, too. I believe RKRSR936 is the part number with quick release.

(edit - oh, I see what you mean - just looked on snapon.com and it says not available. Does look like you might be able to get a coverplate and non-QR gear, though)

 

[KnurledNut]

Snap-on has this one: RKRTR936

I bet the gear would work. The pawl might need some modification. Its the same part for the williams and bluepoint ratchets. It just seems logical.

Heck, i wonder if the TR72 guts would fit in there?!

 

[SMKS]

Interesting about them having Snap on date codes. Not sure if i see the date code on mine, its not clear but looks like 2000 which can't be right.

KEH

Why can't that be right? The ones I had were 2000 and 2001 date codes, if memory serves.

According to Wikipedia, Kobalt tools were introduced in 1998.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobalt_(tools)

Edit, here's another thread with pics and some talk of date codes. I stole a couple pics and pointed out the date codes in these pics. You can see a 2000 date code and a 2002 date code.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145562

 

[Conductor562]

I bought a lot of the Williams era Kobalt stuff. I got the biggest socket set they offered (the ones in the pick are definitely williams era) , combo wrenches, all kinds of stuff. They had really good stuff at a good price. My favorite thing was the screwdrivers. They were great man. I'd be tickled to death if they'd bring that stuff back in place of the Taiwan **** they sell now. I screwed up and swapped my 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet on warranty during the Danaher days. They were alright I guess, but the Williams era's were a lot nicer. When I stripped my standard 3/8 Danaher I raised hell because the replacement said Taiwan on it and they gave me a long handled flex head to get me to go away.

 

[CWP1616L]

I know kobalt has used Williams/danaher in the past, but that's a danaher based ratchet I'm sure. What are the sockets?

That ratchet puts me in mind of a Blue-Point more than a Danaher...

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I bought a lot of the Williams era Kobalt stuff. I got the biggest socket set they offered (the ones in the pick are definitely williams era) , combo wrenches, all kinds of stuff. They had really good stuff at a good price. My favorite thing was the screwdrivers. They were great man. I'd be tickled to death if they'd bring that stuff back in place of the Taiwan **** they sell now. I screwed up and swapped my 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet on warranty during the Danaher days. They were alright I guess, but the Williams era's were a lot nicer. When I stripped my standard 3/8 Danaher I raised hell because the replacement said Taiwan on it and they gave me a long handled flex head to get me to go away.

I broke one of my williams/kobalt ratchets at the beginning of the year. It was swapped out for one of Lowes newer models made in taiwan.

The Taiwan model is smoother (72 teeth vs 36 teeth) So far it has held up just fine

 

[Knurled Grip]

Definitely Williams made.

As far as I have personally seen, Williams Kobalt Ratchet numbers were

02030 - 1/4"
03030 - 3/8"
03031 - Long 3/8"
04030 - 1/2"

As a good rule of thumb, any Kobalt ratchet, socket, or wrench that is 0#### is a Williams made part. The Danaher parts are usually 2####.

 

[wrenchr]

Bahco still uses that ratchet gear assy. Williams / snap on for sure.

 

[wrenchr]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113303 The black handle.

 

[KEH]

Kobalt tools dated from 1998? Thought they had been around longer, but don't claim to remember everything. I may spring that SO number on my dealer, I already showed him the Kobalt ratchet and he couldn't help me. Thanks.

KEH