Williams/Blue-Point reversible ratcheting wrenches

[Sterff]

I have been looking for some reversible ratcheting wrenches but, do not want gearwrench, or to pay snap-on prices. So I have decided to get a set or two of the Williams wrenches. Has anyone tried these and like them? I probably will get the Williams set due to the lower price. Where is a good place to buy these? Thanks

 

[reptilezs]

almost all the guys at work have the metric sets from blue point. i got the gearwrench reversibles in 8-19mm

 

[plinker]

My Dad has a set of the bluepouint reverseable's. I havent heard him complain about them.

The only thing I've seen is they are a little more bulky on the box end compared to the 9/16 reversable Armstrong I have.

 

[I_AM]

Ive had the BP for 5+ years and im happy with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280703927741&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI#ht_3008wt_1139

 

[strikeouttruck]

I would say get the bluepoint version just for the warrenty. I have the bluepoint branded ones and use them day in and day out and I hardly ever use them to break nuts/bolts free and after about 1 year of solid use the teeth start to get warn out. Luckily my snap on guy warrentys them out so no biggie.

 

[Scout Driver]

I bought a set of BluePoints from a pawnshop. They feel a little heavier and stouter than GearWrenchs. The action feels more precise too. I'm happy with them.

Scott

 

[Super Sport]

I have a set of BP metric ones in the classifieds right now!

They are really nice wrenches.

 

[kcaz507]

I have the Williams sets, standard and metric, they work great. I get any Williams tools from our Snap-On guy, he is a Snap-On Industrial Rep, so I am not sure if the truck guys can get Williams or not.

 

[littletoes]

Didn't even know Williams made those!

 

[SMKS]

I would say get the bluepoint version just for the warranty.

The Williams wrenches also have a lifetime warranty. You can mail them to Williams for warranty just like you can mail Snap-On/Blue Point items to Snap-On for warranty.

I've mailed items to Williams twice for warranty replacement.

I'm just s DIY'er, so I don't have a Snap-On guy. I have to do all my warranty mail-in, so there would be no difference between the Williams/Blue Point for me, except the much lower price of the Williams.

Williams $120 + shipping
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...s-Wrenches-Ratcheting-Combination-Metric-Sets

Blue Point $238
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=14318&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Sterff]

The Williams wrenches also have a lifetime warranty. You can mail them to Williams for warranty just like you can mail Snap-On/Blue Point items to Snap-On for warranty.

I've mailed items to Williams twice for warranty replacement.

I'm just s DIY'er, so I don't have a Snap-On guy. I have to do all my warranty mail-in, so there would be no difference between the Williams/Blue Point for me, except the much lower price of the Williams.

Williams $120 + shipping
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...s-Wrenches-Ratcheting-Combination-Metric-Sets

Blue Point $238
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=14318&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

That's the main reason Im interested in them. I would like to get both the sae and metric with the larger sizes.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Sorry to resusitate this thread from yester-year/month, but since I have a related thread, I thought it prudent to ask (if only because no one's answered it in mine).

Williams and Blue Point ratchets: same groups of companies, they look similar, are they the same just different names?

 

[plinker]

Sorry to resusitate this thread from yester-year/month, but since I have a related thread, I thought it prudent to ask (if only because no one's answered it in mine).

Williams and Blue Point ratchets: same groups of companies, they look similar, are they the same just different names?

Williams (S-O's industrial brand) and Blue point (sold on the truck) are both owned by Snap-on. Most of the blue point line is imported but there is a certain amount made here. Blue Point is all rebranded tools (IE; they have what S-O doenst make themselves) Williams has about 50/50 import domestic made tools (I'm just guessing the ratio) Some of thier designs are US made "hand me downs" from S-O like the 936 series ratchets and screwdrivers.

The Import Williams and Blue point (sockets, ratchets, wrenches) come from the same factory in Taiwan from what I understand.

 

[laskt9]

i use my bluepoints everyday. ive had them for a little over 2 years and so far ive warrantied the 12, 14, 17, and 19. im happy with them though. they get the job done

 

[Sick Puppy]

Williams and Blue point are both owned by Snap-on. Most of the blue point line is imported but there is a certain amount made here. Blue Point is all rebranded tools.

Williams has about 50/50 import domestic made tools (I'm just guessing the ratio)

The Import Williams and Blue point (sockets, ratchets, wrenches) come from the same factory in Taiwan from what I understand.

So assuming the wrenches are the same, asides from the name and price, is there any difference? I mean, the price of Williams new is pretty much what the Blue Point are going for second hand... if the only difference is the name etched into it, then I know which one I'll be going for! Can anyone answer this though?

 

[kcaz507]

From what my Snap-on Industrial Rep tells me there are 2 different Williams tool lines, Made in USA Williams and Williams Global. Williams Global and Blue Point have many tools that are the same except the name. It makes more sense if you look at the Snap-on Industrial catalog online and go through the Williams stuff.

http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/30/home.htm

 

[diesel research]

....Blue Point is all rebranded tools....
The Import Williams and Blue point (sockets, ratchets, wrenches) come from the same factory in Taiwan from what I understand.

Still trying to figure out who is making these for BP/Williams.

Snap On doesn't claim any significant facility in that country, and that includes their subsidiaries like CDI/Williams/Bahco/BP/etc

 

[plinker]

I doubt there's a difference other then the name on the wrench. I'd get the one that's cheaper, unless you have a S-O dealer available for warranty issues, then I'd get the Blue-points. Depends on your location and who's got the best service.

 

[plinker]

Still trying to figure out who is making these for BP/Williams.

Snap On doesn't claim any significant facility in that country, and that includes their subsidiaries like CDI/Williams/Bahco/BP/etc

Good question.

I wonder if Rotar (Toptul) makes them.
They are rebuildable, so who make a rebuildable ratcheting wrench that's not Williams or Blue-point?

 

[wreckercologist]

I doubt there's a difference other then the name on the wrench. I'd get the one that's cheaper, unless you have a S-O dealer available for warranty issues, then I'd get the Blue-points. Depends on your location and who's got the best service.

I agree with this. The Blue Points I've used are some of the nicest of the import ratcheting combos I've used. The Williams sure look identical to my eye. I wouldn't be afraid to pick up a set..........and I just might.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

My wife got me a set of the SAE Williams for x-mas and I love 'em. Looking to pick up a metric set real soon, I'm also a DIY guy so there's no SO truck stopping by my house (yet) so I figure I'll just do the mail in thing for warranty work. I've also noticed that SK has a "G-Pro" ratcheting set that looks real similar, might give them a shot but I'm uncertain as to how reliable their warranty will be in the future...

SK set: http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/skt89700.html
Williams set: http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...s-Wrenches-Ratcheting-Combination-Metric-Sets
They're pretty close in price once you factor in shipping, but the SK set gives you the two smallest sizes. I don't really use 6 or 7mm all that much, but might be nice to have for that one oddball screw way up inside a dash somewhere...

 

[BajaBound]

I love williams tools!

 

[Fedwrench]

The williams Taiwan produced tools are the same as Blue Point aside from the name and price.

Have you considered Blackhawk? I think they have some of the nicest made fine toothed ratcheting wrenches on the market. Smooth action, nice chrome, good balance,

 

[TonyCH]

Even though most of my better tools are Snap On I didn't want to spend that much on stubby ratcheting wrenches so I ordered myself both metric and SAE Blue Point wrenches (BOERMS712 + BOERS708). Hope they are what I expect them to be, haven't heard any bad about them this far.

I am also expecting few Williams stubbies (non ratcheting) just to see how they are.

 

[BloodySinner]

The finish on those Williams wrenches are amazing. Where can they be purchased?

EDIT: I just did a quick Google search...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_h...013,p_4:Snap-On&page=6&ie=UTF8&qid=1326033367

Amazing.

 

[TonyCH]

I was browsing this place, interesting: Tools delivered

Wonder if they take Paypal on their webstore too...

 

[BajaBound]

I have bought from emi supply and toolsdelivered.com both have incredible selection.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Still no response from them though about whether they deliver to NZ... Amazon US do though, which I'm pretty impressed about!

I must say of of the ones I've seen so far, the Williams / Blue point impress me the most, although Facom are pretty close. I've set aside SO and Gedore, since I need both my kidneys, and getting those would cost me at least one! lol

Most of the reversible ratchet wrenches here are junk - selector levers are simply too loose for my liking. King Tony ones are nice, though, although I'd be paying more for them than the Williams, even through Amazon's $30 higher price and international shipping!

 

[Sick Puppy]

Alas, Toolsdelivered do not ship overseas. Any suggestions for vendors of Williams stuff that do ship overseas?

 

[KX250Fmotoracer]

Alas, Toolsdelivered do not ship overseas. Any suggestions for vendors of Williams stuff that do ship overseas?

http://www.mltoolsequipment.com/product_p/mws-12rcf.htm

 

[Sick Puppy]

Thanks for that.

Now, in case anyone asks why I'm looking overseas?

From Amazon, the Williams set that the OP has a pic of is available for $176US incl. shipping, about $220, and $230 from eBay.

A similar Toptul set is available here for similar price, and doesn't look as good. While Williams here have no presence, since I'm likely to be moving soon, it's not really an issue, and compared to Toptul which are still pretty new here (and on GJ are renowned for availability issues), I think the Williams take it by more than a nose...

 

[KX250Fmotoracer]

Thanks for that.

Now, in case anyone asks why I'm looking overseas?

From Amazon, the Williams set that the OP has a pic of is available for $176US incl. shipping, about $220, and $230 from eBay.

A similar Toptul set is available here for similar price, and doesn't look as good. While Williams here have no presence, since I'm likely to be moving soon, it's not really an issue, and compared to Toptul which are still pretty new here (and on GJ are renowned for availability issues), I think the Williams take it by more than a nose...

You'll be happy with the williams. I just got the swivel head, reversible ones that I posted the link to. I used mine all week and they're great. (They're also sold under the Blue-Point name for almost twice the price)

 

[littletoes]

Williams tools were comparable in price to PROTO around here, yet now I'm wondering if the price just took an un-explainable price jump just because they are now associated with Snap-ON???

Curious about that, since I've broken Williams wrench's by just "using" them, properly, and I haven't broken anywhere near the amount of PROTO Wrenches.

 

[diesel research]

Williams tools were comparable in price to PROTO around here, yet now I'm wondering if the price just took an un-explainable price jump just because they are now associated with Snap-ON???

Curious about that, since I've broken Williams wrench's by just "using" them, properly, and I haven't broken anywhere near the amount of PROTO Wrenches.

You gotta check your prices a bit more. Since this is a ratchet wrench thread, it is only fair to compare ratcheting combo type wrenches.

Proto is only a few dollars short of snap on when looking at 8pc flank drive plus vs 9pc ASD. You do get an "extra" 9/32" ratcheting wrench with proto if that means anything.

If purchased through a smaller retailer, it is possible the protos may actually cost more. They are certainly in the top-tier price range when you are talking about a basic set 5/16-3/4 (+9/32) for over $200.

The one difference is you can buy them online for much cheaper and basically waive your warranty.

The real kicker is while they are top-tier priced, they are indeed imported like pretty much every fine tooth ratcheting wrench except for snappy/armstrong. Equivalent bluepoints are atleast $50 cheaper but admittedly you do not get the ASD function or 9/32 obscure wrench. The same williams is over $100 cheaper.

 

[yjWrangler]

Love my Bluepoint ones, just wish I knew there were Williams versions that were that much cheaper

 

[bmwpower]

Is the boxed end offset? Looks like it is. I like my Gearwrench ones since they're not offset. I'm usually using the boxed end in a swinging motion to get somewhere tight, so the no offset makes that easier IMHO.

 

[diesel research]

Is the boxed end offset? Looks like it is. I like my Gearwrench ones since they're not offset. I'm usually using the boxed end in a swinging motion to get somewhere tight, so the no offset makes that easier IMHO.

Easy way to tell? If it has a reverse lever, 99/100 it is offset. Non offset? No lever (almost always)

No lever/switch, no offset.

 

[KevinF]

Sick,
Try your 'CAT' dealer they have the Williams/Blue Point wrenches with Cat stamped on them.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Sick,
Try your 'CAT' dealer they have the Williams/Blue Point wrenches with Cat stamped on them.

Thanks for that, I will give them a call - Goughs are the local/national CAT dealer, and are based in Christchurch. WIll let you know what they come back to me with - if less than NZD$360, I'll grab the normal and stubby ones! (I might be pushing my luck though lol)

 

[JayL]

Are the Williams ratcheting wrenches engraved or laser etched?