Opinions on Williams and/or Armstrong??

[pbunt911]

I usually enjoy the research involved in making a large investment but I've just about had it when it comes to finding the best bang for my buck in a set of wrenches and sockets. It's gone on for way too long and I just need to pull the trigger on something. All the truck brands seem overpriced and even if they're not (as I'm sure many of you would agree) I'm just not paying their prices for tools. However, my current jumbled set of tools is in desperate need of replacement. Williams and Armstrong (and Wright) seem to make a good, quality product at a somewhat reasonable price point. Anybody disagree or prefer one over the other? I just need someone to tell me to nut up and do it and that I won't be disappointed. Thanks!

 

[benjamming]

Williams is part of Snap-On, their industrial arm. Armstrong makes good stuff.
Sorry to add more, but I would look at Wright Tools - good made in USA stuff with domestic raw material. However, they may not cover all your tool application needs.

 

[BB26]

You can't go wrong with Armstrong, Proto or Wright tools. They are all of excellent quality and will last you a lifetime. I have never regretted any of the many purchases that I have made with these companies. Personally, I would avoid Williams as many of their tools, including hardline stuff, is imported.

 

[pbunt911]

Good call. I actually meant to include Wright in my post. I took a hard look at their stuff a few months ago and it seemed very high quality. Most of this new stuff is for a few antique tractor restorations so my tool application needs are pretty limited.

 

[BackTracker]

Craftsman?

 

[krusty the clown]

Craftsman?

i wouldn't count them out for a non pro. if you decide on williams be careful with COO. armstrong is a good choice too as well as wright.

 

[Merkava_4]

i wouldn't count them out for a non pro.

I would.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Dunno about current Craftsman (though my "pro" flare nut wrenches, and ratcheting flex head combo wrenches work and look fine) , but my early 80s era ratchets and combo wrenches soldier along with no problems or breakages.

 

[redsky49]

i wouldn't count them out for a non pro. if you decide on williams be careful with COO. armstrong is a good choice too as well as wright.

COO?? Chief Operating Officer??

 

[krusty the clown]

COO?? Chief Operating Officer??

country of origin

 

[Fedwrench]

Armstrong are great tools. However, they were awarded a huge military contract this past year and I'm worried that some quality corners will be cut to reduce costs. For example, on newer Armstrong laser marked chrome sockets they've gone to that wierd Craftsman type double notch cut out on the square drive end instead of a single scalloped area for the detent ball. Armstrong tools can also be fairly expensive compared to Craftsman or SK depending on where you shop.
As for Williams, I feel most of their product line is now from Taiwan or the PRC. They don't really do anything for me.

 

[MadMark]

The Williams ratchets and breaker bars with the 2 or three finger indentations at the bottom of the handle are made in Taiwan.
The plane handle and knurled handle are made in the US

 

[steelespeed]

i'm in a similar position to pbunt911. i would love to have a box full of snap-on/cornwell items, but i just can't spend all my cash in one place. i was seriously leaning towards SK, but with the recent developments i have started leaning the other way. right now wright is at the top of my socket/wrench list.

by the way, what is the point to the double notch cut out on the square drive as opposed to a single notch? is one better than the other?

 

[MadMark]

The Williams ratchets and breaker bars with the two or three finger grooves at the bottom of the handle are made in Taiwan.
The plastic box sets are also made in Taiwan and are similar to Bluepoint.

The handle shape on the ratchets is a dead give away

 

[Paladin]

Williams wrenches and rats are great, but as above, make sure you get the Williams USA stuff. I accidentally bought a couple of Taiwan made Williams wrenches that are actually pretty good, but not on par with the USA made. If you get Williams Superrench, Supercombo or Supertorque wrenches, they are US made. I have Supercombos sets in metric and sae. Great wrenches and they have the anti-slip open-end.

 

[cruiser808]

by the way, what is the point to the double notch cut out on the square drive as opposed to a single notch? is one better than the other?

The idea was to keep the socket from excessive movement on the ratchet. I was given one from Sears as a replacement for a cracked deep socket. Seems to work better than its fellow sockets in the set. But then, my pet peeve is a sloppy socket/ratchet connection.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have bought both 1/4 and 3/8 Armstrong 12 pt sockets. I'm not crazy about the sockets at all. The metal seemed soft. I've never worn out a 12 pt before but a couple of these became useless as they wore to the point I could not use them without them slipping or jumping the hex. Ratchets and extensions seemed OK.

Williams stuff is generally OK, but some is now sourced overseas.

Charles

 

[Merkava_4]

As for Williams, I feel most of their product line is now from Taiwan or the PRC. They don't really do anything for me.

Williams stuff is generally OK, but some is now sourced overseas.

Some of the Williams tools are carried over from Snap-on ... it's those tools that are the ones to have.

The Williams tools that are shared with Blue-Point are the ones you guys are referring to.

 

[CamarosRus]

Speak out about TOPTUL & DANAHER versus the above misc.........

Is it just really a U.S. versus Taiwan thing..........OR

Is it a Cosmetic thing with TOPTUL's Green/Black rachet handles

OR is it just your despising all things Foreign versus USA, USA, USA !!!!!!!!!

 

[a390st]

Wright would be very high on my list. Again, if you get them on a big sale, Craftsman are fine for the non-professional. I have SO, Matco, Bonney, SK and Craftsman tools for the most part, with a lot of other. The CMan aren't the best, but I specifically bought things I use less often or as backups when they were on give away sale. Some have broken, most haven't. What has, I have taken back to my local Sears for an instant exchange without any argument. If your local Sears doesn't have at least one good tool person, though, you might reconsider.

 

[HandyManny]

Proto, Wright, Armstrong, S-K, Williams. You can't go wrong with any of these brand tools for wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and breaker bars. I have a healthy mix of all except the Williams stuff. Hell, even throw some Craftsman basic hand tools into the mix. I do that as well.

 

[kmorgancraw]

Williams wrenches and rats are great, but as above, make sure you get the Williams USA stuff. I accidentally bought a couple of Taiwan made Williams wrenches that are actually pretty good, but not on par with the USA made. If you get Williams Superrench, Supercombo or Supertorque wrenches, they are US made. I have Supercombos sets in metric and sae. Great wrenches and they have the anti-slip open-end.

I bought some Williams Supercombos, which have the Snap-On like anti-slip open end and I have found them to be good for, spreading, slipping, biting into the fastener, getting stuck and ultimately chewing up the fastener. Craftsman pros and even Gearwrench open ends grip better. I must say though, I love the shape of the Supercombo handles, very comfortable.

 

[Treeman]

Are these "industrial" tool lines more bulky than "automotive" lines and do they create any problems for automotive work.

And.......is Proto doing o.k. under the management of Stanley? Could this become a problem in the future? Any fortune tellers here?

 

[BB26]

Are these "industrial" tool lines more bulky than "automotive" lines and do they create any problems for automotive work.

And.......is Proto doing o.k. under the management of Stanley? Could this become a problem in the future? Any fortune tellers here?

No, they are not any bulkier than the truck brands.

Proto has been under Stanley for a long time and they still build great US made tools. I would not be concerned with the relationship, but that's just me.

 

[HandyManny]

Are these "industrial" tool lines more bulky than "automotive" lines and do they create any problems for automotive work.

And.......is Proto doing o.k. under the management of Stanley? Could this become a problem in the future? Any fortune tellers here?

Proto has been under the ownership and direction of Stanley since about 1984. So far Stanley has respected the image, duarability, quality, and application of Proto tools. I don't see this changing anytime soon, but the direction that corporations are moving these days, you never know!!

As far as industrial use and automotive use...a wrench is a wrench. Keep in mind that at one time Proto was a sponsor of auto racing events. Also from the late 50's up until the mid 70's Proto wrenches, ratchets, and sockets could be bought in some better auto parts supply stores. Even in limited amounts into the very early 80's.

 

[benjamming]

I would consider Cman (Pro but not the raised panels) except that would mean going to a Sears store &/or attempting to shop at their online store neither of which is a pleasant experience.

I really like my Wright combo wrenches and few impact sockets & extensions that I have from them.

 

[BackTracker]

I would consider Cman (Pro but not the raised panels) except that would mean going to a Sears store &/or attempting to shop at their online store neither of which is a pleasant experience.

I really like my Wright combo wrenches and few impact sockets & extensions that I have from them.

Sadly, It's hard to argue with that. It's almost painful to use their online store.

 

[pbunt911]

Thanks for all the input!! All I can say from these posts is that it seems increasingly difficult to find consistent quality from most major manufactures. I was in Atlanta this weekend for the Petit Le Mans and picked up a Cornwell catalog but I think they are pretty expensive (I forgot to ask for a price list). Right now I guess I'm leaning to Armstrong but I have yet to take a look at their prices. Are any of the Euro brands worth considering? Thanks again!

 

[smcdonn]

The idea was to keep the socket from excessive movement on the ratchet. I was given one from Sears as a replacement for a cracked deep socket. Seems to work better than its fellow sockets in the set. But then, my pet peeve is a sloppy socket/ratchet connection.

It's a great marketing strategy isn't it, unfortunately that's false. The historic ball detent in the socket is actually fairly expensive machining process. Bits are pricey and wear out quickly, so they incorporated it into the heading process. Some people like it, personally I hate it.

 

[Merkava_4]

For example, on newer Armstrong laser marked chrome sockets they've gone to that weird Craftsman type double notch cut out on the square drive end instead of a single scalloped area for the detent ball.

I hate that design with a burning passion. I didn't know Armstrong has gone to that. I won't be buying any of their sockets if that's the case.

 

[84TurboBuick]

Thanks for all the input!! All I can say from these posts is that it seems increasingly difficult to find consistent quality from most major manufactures. I was in Atlanta this weekend for the Petit Le Mans and picked up a Cornwell catalog but I think they are pretty expensive (I forgot to ask for a price list). Right now I guess I'm leaning to Armstrong but I have yet to take a look at their prices. Are any of the Euro brands worth considering? Thanks again!

I know your asking about getting one brand in particular, however...

If you read alot of the posts about everyone's tool selection, you will notice that not one brand is the end all be all of tools. I think everyone on here has a mix of brands depending on the tool.

Just as an example..... Alot of people on here do not like Snap-On tools (too pricey, bad dealer.. etc) however... they most likely will steer you towards their ratchets for the "best"...

If your goal is a new collection that mixes price with quality, you will most likely end up with over dozen brands in your box.... I know I do!!!

 

[riley.m]

I just bought a set of 1/2 drive sockets by Wright. It is their cougar line which i think is the economy line of wright tools. The sockets and ratchet are of excellent quality, and are 100% U.S MADE. as stated in an earlier post. I also bought a set of williams wrenches earlier in the year and are very happy with them. These tools get abused up here in Alaska, and have stood up well.

 

[pbunt911]

you will notice that not one brand is the end all be all of tools

This is a good point. I was hoping there would be a one-stop shop for just the basic tools that I need just to make things easier. However, I'm starting to see that piecing together a set over time as I need the tools might be best. For now, I just need 1/2" SAE sockets and wrenches plus a good ratchet and breaker. I've always liked SO ratchets but the sockets and wrenches are more than I will pay (not to mention more than I need). Sounds like Wright might be a good choice for these after the comments about Armstrong sockets. I don't really care for the design of Wrights ratchets which turned me off the brand but I guess that's a pretty silly reason to write off the rest of their tools. If I go with SO ratchets won't matter anyway.

 

[pipehack]

I usually enjoy the research involved in making a large investment but I've just about had it when it comes to finding the best bang for my buck in a set of wrenches and sockets. It's gone on for way too long and I just need to pull the trigger on something. All the truck brands seem overpriced and even if they're not (as I'm sure many of you would agree) I'm just not paying their prices for tools. However, my current jumbled set of tools is in desperate need of replacement. Williams and Armstrong (and Wright) seem to make a good, quality product at a somewhat reasonable price point. Anybody disagree or prefer one over the other? I just need someone to tell me to nut up and do it and that I won't be disappointed. Thanks!

The contractor I currently work for buys Armstrong and Williams. I like them a lot.... The chrome on the Armstrong is beautiful. The Williams we use are Impacts and their "yellow" combo wrench line. Tough stuff. although our 3/4 drive stuff is Proto .

 

[JohnFreeman]

You might consider buying good used tools. I'm a serious weekend warrior, and I find I can get good US made tools for reasonable prices.

I refuse to buy Chinese tools.