Opinions on USA made Williams ratchets

[bigjeff94]

Hey guys, new guy here. I just recently found the site and thought it was really sweet. I'm a young guy and I'm starting to build my tool collection most of my stuff is craftsman (sockets, ratchets, adjustables, screwdrivers) and channel lock pliers, and I'm pretty happy so far but i'd like to upgrade my ratchets. Because I work at a materials processing plant we don't get tool trucks so i've been looking online. Looking hard at the U.S.A williams enclosed heads and the standard Sk round heads. The price point on these two brands seem reasonable and in my budget and was just wondering what you guys thought of the two brands. Thanks
Jeff

 

[JDon99]

I prefer the pear-head ratchets like the Williams over the Round head design like the SK. The Williams are good ratchets, they use the same mechanism that the older 36 tooth Snap On ratchets use. You may also want to look into the Armstrong Maxx ratchets, good quality and much finer tooth mechanism. If you are buying them yourself, Trident Supply has one of the better prices around and they are a vendor on the board.

Btw, welcome to the board!

 

[PureLeaf]

You'll find both brands to be reputable with plenty of fans.

Think you need to narrow down the particulars on what you require from a ratchet vs both of those brands offerings. IE how many teeth do you want in a ratchet? Do you prefer a roundhead or a pear shaped ratchet head(along with the pros/cons of both designs)? Which handle do you find to be most comfortable?

Wouldn't worry about either brand's reputation, but what you personally find suits you best.

 

[d.mcfarland]

SK has knurling while Williams does not. That might affect your decision if you are around slippery stuff.

 

[bigjeff94]

Thanks JDon99!
I think i'll like the pear head design too and I'm leaning towards it. My dad has always been a big SK guy because thats what he grew up using around the farm and i kind of like them because i'm used to them. But where i work now it seems the pear head design are much more popular I'd like to give the williams a try.

 

[bigjeff94]

Most of my work isn't in tight quarters so i'm thinking tooth count won't be too important i'll reserve my craftsman raised panels for my tinkering on my trucks, and the equipment at home. The knurled handle does sound like it would have it's pros but i think that in an industrial setting the williams might be the way to go

 

[BFHtime]

Craftsman professional ratchets might be a good choice. High tooth count, very smooth, and thin in height. Also easy to purchase at a local Sears.

 

[BK13]

Of the Snap On affiliates, I prefer the Bahco ratchets to the Williams (80 tooth versus, what, 54 or something?), I just wish you could get them with a plain handle!

I have three or four SK ratchets, but I just can't get into using them. The only one that gets any use is the 3/8" stubby, just because it's the only stubby I have.

 

[SMKS]

I posted this in this thread (and a couple other people in that thread agree with me):
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264123

The Williams pear head ratchets that use the old SO 936 internals have too much backdrag.

I've owned 3 of them. Two normal 3/8" ratchets and one XL 1/2" ratchet. The only one I've kept is the long 1/2", but I don't use it very much. The others were sold.

Maybe they would loosen up after using for a long while, but they never loosened up for me. I'd prefer to use other ratchets that work well out of the box rather than using a ratchet I don't really like under the hopes it will loosen up.

But, the updated version of the Williams round head ratchets are great. I like them.

 

[Askme42]

Craftsman professional ratchets might be a good choice. High tooth count, very smooth, and thin in height. Also easy to purchase at a local Sears.

For how long? Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'd go Armstrong or some Dual 80's off of ebay. These days I don't think I would put any money into Craftsman ratchets.

 

[byoungblood]

I love the old style Williams round heads. Double pawl, 80-90 effective tooth count. Since they're all fairly old, every one I've used is broken in well and is very smooth.

 

[Pumpman1968]

I like the Williams sealed head ratchets. I'm an industrial mechanic and am around some pretty aggressive water.......they seem to be holding up pretty well. As for the back drag comment....mine have loosened up....but they ALL loosen up around the **** I deal with!

I also have S-K...but most of my stuff is 60's or earlier. GREAT ratchets....simple design that has lasted 80 plus years.

Here is what I'm going to look into next...Bahco 3/8" comfort handle (doubt the grip will last long)....same as Snappy Dual 80's...$35 shipped. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131126817768?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[BK13]

I'd go Armstrong or some Dual 80's off of ebay. These days I don't think I would put any money into Craftsman ratchets.

Yeah, also meant to mention this as well.

 

[Pumpman1968]

These days I don't think I would put any money into Craftsman ratchets.

Yeah...the Craftsman ratchet thing. Ya know.....been using these for 30 plus years........and I'm having a hard time putting them down (or not picking them up)....but once you try a ratchet by Williams/S-K etc, the plain jane Craftsman ratchets from the 90's etc seem REALLY cheesy.

But....they do work.

 

[nieuport17]

I have the williams pear ratchet also.
Its a tough rachet with 36 teeth.

To me, it feels very similar to the Duralast pear ratchet if u need something to compare with.

 

[espyking83]

I would take the 1/4" SK ratchet all day over anything, but am not a fan of the design for 3/8". Williams quality is very good and is a safe buy, definitely worth the money. But IMO there are better ratchets in the price range. Keep in mind that I work on planes, an auto-mechanic might have a completely different opinion than mine. The best cheaper 3/8" ratchets are the Armstrong 88 Aero and the 3/8" Bahco (dont think it's made in USA though). For a lower tooth count durable ratchet, I always recommend my Proto j5249XL.

 

[JDon99]

You will be fine with any of the industrial brands, Armstrong, Williams, Proto, Wright, even SK(more of an automotive brand I guess). It really all depends on what YOU want. I agree with espyking, the Armstrong 88(USA) or the Bahco Dual 80s(Spain) are really tough to beat for the price and you get one helluva good ratchet. I have both, and like both of them.