Williams 27pc set FBMP ... correct set?

[BWWgarage]

Hi. Just grabbed this off FBMP for $60. Everything is marked Williams USA except the ratchet, it’s a Blackhawk 34945B. Happy with my purchase but curious if it should have a Williams ratchet and someone took it out at some point? The ratchet fits the foam near perfectly.

6pt standard 6-19
6pt long 10-19
6” extender
12”(?) breaker
TB-103 box

+ the Blackhawk ratchet

 

[Fedwrench]

Since Blackhawk and Williams aren't related. it's safe to say someone switched the ratchet.

Most 3/8 drive US made Williams socket set usually come with this ratchet:

8" Williams 3/8" Dr Enclosed Head Ratchet - B-52EHA

**Product Name:** Williams 8" 3/8" Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet - B-52EHA **Brand:** Williams **Store Name:** Pro Torque Tools **Product Description:** The Williams B-52EHA 8" 3/8" Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet stands out with its robust construction and user-friendly design, perfect for...

www.protorquetools.com

Williams also makes a round head ratchet but, I haven't seen it in sets

https://www.zoro.com/williams-williams-round-head-ratchet-38-d-7-58-black-bb-52a/i/G7138315/

 

[BWWgarage]

A little digging:
Looks like it was a McMaster 27pc set. They still sell a version today, link below. They do advertise the set as USA, so guessing someone swapped out the ratchet? There is a version of the blackhawk(proto) ratchet that is USA but unmarked should mean Taiwan.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[BWWgarage]

Since Blackhawk and Williams aren't related. it's safe to say someone switched the ratchet.

Most 3/8 drive US made Williams socket set usually come with this ratchet:

8" Williams 3/8" Dr Enclosed Head Ratchet - B-52EHA

**Product Name:** Williams 8" 3/8" Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet - B-52EHA **Brand:** Williams **Store Name:** Pro Torque Tools **Product Description:** The Williams B-52EHA 8" 3/8" Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet stands out with its robust construction and user-friendly design, perfect for...

www.protorquetools.com

Williams also makes a round head ratchet but, I haven't seen it in sets

https://www.zoro.com/williams-williams-round-head-ratchet-38-d-7-58-black-bb-52a/i/G7138315/

Thanks @Fedwrench. I may have to check out the round Williams and see if I make my $60 FBMP purchase a $100 instead

 

[KnurledNut]

This is what you want: B-52A

 

[BWWgarage]

This is what you want: B-52A

Looking a little closer at foam ... appears foam was cut for this one

 

[KnurledNut]

Looking a little closer at foam ... appears foam was cut for this one

Yeah man. If it was the pear head it would look like this:



The round head is slightly shorter too at 7-5/8” versus 8”.
If you are okay with a roundhead that Williams is a nice one.
But a few seconds with a knife would make a pear head fit just fine.

 

[liliysdad]

Those Williams 52 ratchets are the only round head ratchets I care for. The pear heads are decent enough for the money, just old Snap On 36 tooth guts. The 72 tooth 52s are a lot smoother and they damn sure look cooler.

 

[BWWgarage]

This is what you want: B-52A

I went old school off eBay.

“This 3/8" drive Williams Superratchet in like new condition. I don't think it even had a socket on it. Forward and reverse ratchet works perfect and ratchet smoothly.”

 

[Cruzan80]

Just so you know, the one you bought was made by JH Williams. The 52A has different internals, so if you need to replace, the new kits won't fit.

However, I have several of the JHW versions, and find them nice to use.

 

[BWWgarage]

Just so you know, the one you bought was made by JH Williams. The 52A has different internals, so if you need to replace, the new kits won't fit.

However, I have several of the JHW versions, and find them nice to use.

I read something similar ... the design of the JH (double pawl) looks more durable but if it does go it could be a throw away.

 

[Cruzan80]

They are not super hard to find for a donor ratchet, and the guts can drop in from the same drive size (I have probably close to half a dozen, don't think I paid more than $5-10 for any). Someone probably has a bad handled one of you end up needing it. They also made a B-53 (have seen extremely few of these, especially compared to the S-53 1/2" variant), B-54 (flex head) and a B-59 (got in a trade from Pvt. Lugz, never seen one before), which is a bent handled flex head. They were also sold under Vulcan and Hornet branding.

The 1/2" Dr I believe only came in standard and long (S52/53), no flex option. The 1/4" M-52 was the only variant that I am aware of.

When SnapOn acquired the rights to the name in the 70's (IIRC on the date), the company was a bare shell, and they pretty much only got the rights to the name. Everything else had disappeared during the decline.

 

[BWWgarage]

They are not super hard to find for a donor ratchet, and the guts can drop in from the same drive size (I have probably close to half a dozen, don't think I paid more than $5-10 for any). Someone probably has a bad handled one of you end up needing it. They also made a B-53 (have seen extremely few of these, especially compared to the S-53 1/2" variant), B-54 (flex head) and a B-59 (got in a trade from Pvt. Lugz, never seen one before), which is a bent handled flex head. They were also sold under Vulcan and Hornet branding.

The 1/2" Dr I believe only came in standard and long (S52/53), no flex option. The 1/4" M-52 was the only variant that I am aware of.

When SnapOn acquired the rights to the name in the 70's (IIRC on the date), the company was a bare shell, and they pretty much only got the rights to the name. Everything else had disappeared during the decline.

Thanks @cuzan80
Any guesses on year of unit I bought? Per pic, It’s simply “Williams, B-52 Superratchet, USA” labeled.

Thanks, Brad

 

[Cruzan80]

I am not as up on the history as some, but the stamping is fairly basic compared to most of mine. I would guess later production, as they simplified to try and stay afloat. It also just says Williams as opposed to JH Williams, so fairly late from that as well. So mid 60-70's, rough guess?

 

[mikebaker1129]

Thanks @cuzan80
Any guesses on year of unit I bought? Per pic, It’s simply “Williams, B-52 Superratchet, USA” labeled.

Thanks, Brad

No guesses on the year , but in my opinion you purchased the better ratchet by getting that B52 instead of the B52A.

 

[NHtoolguy]

Thanks @cuzan80
Any guesses on year of unit I bought? Per pic, It’s simply “Williams, B-52 Superratchet, USA” labeled.

Thanks, Brad

Based on the markings, your B52 ratchet is late 70's or early 80's, toward the end of Williams production. I think it has some of best "feel" of any round head design, with smooth, precise clicks. Still one of my favorites.

 

[BWWgarage]

T

Based on the markings, your B52 ratchet is late 70's or early 80's, toward the end of Williams production. I think it has some of best "feel" of any round head design, with smooth, precise clicks. Still one of my favorites.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[BWWgarage]

A much better looking set now My $60 incredible find is now a $95 good find ...