What’s your experience with Williams Screwdrivers?

[ForrestT]

Specifically looking to see if 9” Ratcheting Blue Handle Screwdriver and 8 piece black handle screw drivers like old snap on style are worth it and good quality. Thanks for the feedback.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Professional Tool User]

With the sheer number of options for ratcheting screwdrivers, the Snap on/Williams ratcheting screwdriver is not the be all end all. The ratcheting mechanism is smooth, but the bit storage compartment leaves much to be desired. And even then, you might be better off buying a cheap cordless drill first. When I do use a ratcheting screwdriver, I reach for my Rolgear gearless ratcheting screwdriver first. My Snap on stays in my tool box. There's also other options like Wera and Megapro to consider.

 

[Bruce57]

I have the 8 piece black handle set. They're my go-to screwdrivers, excellent quality and reasonably priced.

 

[Terry D]

Bought the big set of the black handled Williams about a year ago, Also came with a small set of Bahco. Love them both, no complaints

 

[oldwino]

I have 2 of the blue handle Williams and am quite happy with them. Ratchet is smooth and reverses easy. Wish it had knurled shaft like the SnapOn but only about half the cost

 

[AndyCBR]

The current Williams sets are duplicates of the old Hard handle S/O offerings before Snap On went to the current overmolded handles.

Best bang for the buck IMHO.

 

[MJK]

I have both the blue handled Williams and the black hard handled SO ratcheting screwdrivers. The SO knurling is nice, but I actually prefer the Williams handle shape. Apart from that, I can find nothing to distinguish them from each other. Buy the Williams and be happy - I love mine.

 

[rick carpenter]

My Williams black hard handles served me well for a good long time. I bought a set then filled in with singles as I needed them. Someone (here?) wrote that the tang didn't go in as far as the SOs. I don't know if that's true since you can't get a visual on that without destroying one. I had to go to cushion grips, but my Williams are still good drivers & I still keep them in my road bag.

 

[Vinny]

On the recommendation of this site two days ago, I bought the blue Williams (WRS-1) ratcheting screwdriver, and I'm thoroughly impressed. Ratchets smooth, is easy to change out bits, and is decently light. I see the issue with the bit storage, though; the handle is hollow and you just dump bits in. But I bought it to go with a Bosch bit set I have that contains two of every type of bit. Was using a square bit to hook up some wiring in a sub panel and install a bunch of outlets and it works like a champ.

 

[Wamsutta]

With the sheer number of options for ratcheting screwdrivers, the Snap on/Williams ratcheting screwdriver is not the be all end all. The ratcheting mechanism is smooth, but the bit storage compartment leaves much to be desired. And even then, you might be better off buying a cheap cordless drill first. When I do use a ratcheting screwdriver, I reach for my Rolgear gearless ratcheting screwdriver first. My Snap on stays in my tool box. There's also other options like Wera and Megapro to consider.

I never use the bit storage on mine. The bits rattle around too much and plus - they add weight to the screwdriver. I keep a #2 (reduced diameter) Phillips bit on the tip most of the time.

The Williams is a good ratcheting screwdriver. I got mine back before Snap-on came out with the soft grip. The regular hard handle Snap-on at the time always had that gasket with a square profile in between the end of the handle and the cap. The edge of the gasket used to rub on me and bug me. The Williams doesn't have that gasket, so it was a dealmaker for me. The only con is the Williams will role around all over the place with the slightest encouragement set in motion. It could also use a soft grip covering to make it more sticky and comfortable.

 

[bassbone52]

Been using the blue Williams ratcheting driver for some time now. No complaints on the action, but as was mentioned, the bits in the grip can sometimes get jammed in if you like to carry several. Just bought a Vessel ratcheting driver from a GJ member and am looking forward to trying it out.

 

[Ohmthis]

I have the black hard handle set and I really like them. I’m a maintenance electrician at my day job and I don’t think I would enjoy them for some of that type of work. They are great for mechanics work and just around the shop. I couldn’t decide between the Williams or the SK soft-grip ones. I ordered the Williams and one each (flat and #2 Phillips) of the SK. I’m glad I did, I much prefer the hard handle over the soft. I will say that everyone has a different preference one the grip so YMMV.

 

[mhejl]

I don't care for either the Williams hard handles or newer Instincts. I ended up salvaging the Williams handles to replace the crumbling handles on '80s vintage SO picks, awls, pry bars, etc. The "new" SO hard handles are stupid expensive vs Williams.

I prefer the blue handle Williams ratcheting shape over both the hard and soft SOs. Hint: stick 6 bits together at the base with a 3/8 diameter rare earth magnet and drop in a cotton ball to minimize rattle in the handle.

Best ever were the '80s SO Tri-lobe hard handles but they've all disintegrated now. Witte is the closest to those.