Berno082
Member
Hi everyone! My name is Bernie, I am new to this page so forgive me if I am asking the questions I have in the wrong place.
Questions about older ratchets
- Thread starter Berno082
- Start date
I have a older Williams rachet set S-330. It seems to be good quality. The rachet is model number is S-51 and it say The "SUPERRACHET" on the handle. I was just curious about how old is? If it is infact very old should I be using it? Is It a collectable? Was this considered a good set in its day? And a little backround on the company J.H. WILLIAMS CO.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
Hello Berno082 and welcome to the site.
It would help us all if you put your location in your profile.
1. It's old.
2. If it works, you can probably use it if you wish.
3. It is collectible if you are a collector of Williams.
4. It is definitely of good quality. That's why it says "Superratchet" on it.
5. Williams has always been known as top-shelf stuff, right up there with Proto, S-K, and others. Williams is now owned by Snap-on.
6. For background information on the Williams company take a look at:
ToolArchives.com
Alloy-Artifacts.org
GarageJournal.com
TheGarageGazette.com
papawswrench.com
I know absolutely nothing about Williams. Be patient. One of the resident experts will chime in and be able to answer your questions.
Are you accepting offers on the set?
It would help us all if you put your location in your profile.
1. It's old.
2. If it works, you can probably use it if you wish.
3. It is collectible if you are a collector of Williams.
4. It is definitely of good quality. That's why it says "Superratchet" on it.
5. Williams has always been known as top-shelf stuff, right up there with Proto, S-K, and others. Williams is now owned by Snap-on.
6. For background information on the Williams company take a look at:
ToolArchives.com
Alloy-Artifacts.org
GarageJournal.com
TheGarageGazette.com
papawswrench.com
I know absolutely nothing about Williams. Be patient. One of the resident experts will chime in and be able to answer your questions.
Are you accepting offers on the set?
Sorry about that I cant find where to go to edit my profile to add location. I am from Philadelphia, PAHello Berno082 and welcome to the site.
It would help us all if you put your location in your profile.
1. It's old.
2. If it works, you can probably use it if you wish.
3. It is collectible if you are a collector of Williams.
4. It is definitely of good quality. That's why it says "Superratchet" on it.
5. Williams has always been known as top-shelf stuff, right up there with Proto, S-K, and others. Williams is now owned by Snap-on.
6. For background information on the Williams company take a look at:
ToolArchives.com
Alloy-Artifacts.org
GarageJournal.com
TheGarageGazette.com
papawswrench.com
I know absolutely nothing about Williams. Be patient. One of the resident experts will chime in and be able to answer your questions.
Are you accepting offers on the set?
Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Your entire set was made in the late 1930's or just after the war. It is not newer than 1947. Williams was the highest quality. A giant in the industry. It is collectible. I don't use collectibles, other guys do. As four.cycle alluded to, that's a personal prerogative. Welcome to GJ.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ should you be inclined to "clean it up", bear in mind that its intrinsic value as a collector item will be greatly diminished by aggressive "cleaning" methods.
best thing to do is just wipe it down with a soft cloth and a little light oil (some guys use WD40, I use Marvel Mystery Oil) - that will remove most of the grunge. you do not want to remove the patina. take care not to damage the decal on the inside of the lid.
it really is a nice set. looks like it's complete, too!
best thing to do is just wipe it down with a soft cloth and a little light oil (some guys use WD40, I use Marvel Mystery Oil) - that will remove most of the grunge. you do not want to remove the patina. take care not to damage the decal on the inside of the lid.
it really is a nice set. looks like it's complete, too!
D.J.
Well-known member
Welcome to GJ! Nice set!
ssdave
Banned
I used that ratchet as a primary 1/2" ratchet when I was working as a mechanic 35 years ago. I still have it in my toolbox today, but rarely use it as it's getting quite worn and I have much better ones today.
It is collectible, but tools are interesting as collectibles: They are worth LESS than comparable modern ones. If you sold that set on the collector market, it would bring about 1/3 to 1/2 of what a new USA made Williams set would cost today. So, no economic reason to not use it. If it is of the quality you need (and Williams should be), just use it and get a good feeling that it is the second generation of use that it is getting.
I have a 1940's Williams tool chest. I have been slowly putting all the tools into it that it sold with as a set then. The socket sets were the easy part, the wrenches not quite as easy, but the screwdrivers and such are the really hard things to find for it. I've been trying to stay below $1 per piece and so far am pretty close. I've had to put out a bit more for the H series (3/4" drive) stuff, but most of the rest has come to me pretty cheap.
It is collectible, but tools are interesting as collectibles: They are worth LESS than comparable modern ones. If you sold that set on the collector market, it would bring about 1/3 to 1/2 of what a new USA made Williams set would cost today. So, no economic reason to not use it. If it is of the quality you need (and Williams should be), just use it and get a good feeling that it is the second generation of use that it is getting.
I have a 1940's Williams tool chest. I have been slowly putting all the tools into it that it sold with as a set then. The socket sets were the easy part, the wrenches not quite as easy, but the screwdrivers and such are the really hard things to find for it. I've been trying to stay below $1 per piece and so far am pretty close. I've had to put out a bit more for the H series (3/4" drive) stuff, but most of the rest has come to me pretty cheap.