What's the skinny on Williams tools?

[Just_George]

I know they're owned by Snap On, I know they are generally very well regarded as good tools. What I don't know is what the target is, i.e. are they intended to be a lower-line/less costly line for Snap On? From what I hear of the quality, that theory doesn't make sense. Or maybe it's a line intended for a different distribution/sales channel, i.e. more traditional brick & mortar sales outlets vs. the trucks? Just trying to wrap my head around why Snap On markets a different line of tools...

 

[devoncoolman]

Williams is a tool company that snap-on purchased. Williams is more of an industrial brand. And also well known in the industrial trades. Williams was competition so they bought them and instead of closing the company down they switched all manufacturing over to the snap-on plants and kept the company alive. I think its probably the best they could do the only other option was to shut the whole company down. They are great tools.

 

[fatfillup]

^^^What he said. Williams has made some great tools. The tools they make for Lowes under the Kobalt name are very good quality. IIRC, I think some of their production in recent years has be moved offshore. Don't hesitate to buy any older Williams tools, just be cautious of COO on newer stuff.

 

[monster1]

^^^What he said. Williams has made some great tools. The tools they make for Lowes under the Kobalt name are very good quality. IIRC, I think some of their production in recent years has be moved offshore. Don't hesitate to buy any older Williams tools, just be cautious of COO on newer stuff.

So kobalts current line of taiwan made tools are made by Williams? If so then I would think they are basically blue points which are made in Taiwan.

 

[CWP1616L]

Two Lines of Williams:

1. Williams USA (same quality as Snap-on)
2. Williams Taiwan (same quality as Blue-Point)

 

[SMKS]

So kobalts current line of taiwan made tools are made by Williams? If so then I would think they are basically blue points which are made in Taiwan.

No, Williams USED to make Kobalt tools in late 1990s/early 2000s.

The manufacturer of the current Kobalt tools is unknown, but it appears Rotar may be the OEM, as well as the OEM for some other brands that sell tools that look very similar to Kobalt tools.

If you want to know more, perform a search. There are lots of threads on Williams tools. This same question is asked pretty regularly.

 

[devoncoolman]

Most of the us made sockets are made by snapon but their taiwan ones obviously arnt. But they are identical to blue point

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I love the Williams US line tools and probably will add some Supercombo wrenches eventually.

That is, at least in the smaller sizes. In the 1-1/4" to 2" range they tend to get a little too beefy and I have Proto for that.

 

[ken w.]

Williams tools shut down well before Snap On bought it.I'm pretty sure they only bought the name. The tools are not the same.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Williams are great tools and I love the Supercombo wrenches! Mine are CAT branded as they make hand tools for CAT.

 

[cheechi]

regardless of the chronology, it was mentioned above that Williams USA sockets etc are made in Snap On's factory now. Likely the previous location was closed.

You could still get occasional Williams Kobalt at Lowes as recent as 08 or so. All of it was clearance and it was hard to get a full set but even as they were phasing out Danaher, some of it was still available.

 

[monster1]

No, Williams USED to make Kobalt tools in late 1990s/early 2000s.

The manufacturer of the current Kobalt tools is unknown, but it appears Rotar may be the OEM, as well as the OEM for some other brands that sell tools that look very similar to Kobalt tools.

If you want to know more, perform a search. There are lots of threads on Williams tools. This same question is asked pretty regularly.

Yeah, I remember the USA made cobalt. Good stuff. Didn't think Williams was made the new kobalt stuff.