Williams Ratchets - GARBAGE

[sweet victory]

Just figured I would share my experience with a recent purchase: a Williams socket/ratchet set. Being that Williams is under the Snap On umbrella, I had hopes that I was getting fair tool at a fair price. Boy... what absolute garbage. The ratchet mechanism feels like a slush box and the machining is ROUGH. Example can be seen here: https://imgur.com/a/f05tkFJ

Other than the sockets being on par with any socket you can buy from Taiwan, the ratchets are some of the worst I've used. I would take a Pittsburgh Pro ratchet over this ************* any day. Sad.

 

[ineedtools]

Wow they really made the extra effort didn't they?! GW have better tool marks, hech even HF does!

Any possibility it just slipped thru QC?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Oh no no no, that's a feature , new high tech serrated drive end to grip the sockets even tighter for more torque

 

[yamaha0343]

Is that the USA or Taiwan set? I have the USA ratchets (well, three of them) and none of them look like that.

 

[Moose Legs]

That’s definitely the Taiwan ratchet, same as blue point. We have those ratchets on our service truck but they don’t look that bad, almost certainly a QC error. IMO the Williams USA ratchets are good deal better and don’t cost that much more.

 

[Mr_B]

williams usa ratchets the good buy, if buying taiwan you been better off with carlyle, toptul or gearwrench .

 

[ken w.]

You could send it back for another ratchet.

 

[sweet victory]

The ratchets came out of a tool set (PN 50614A), so I actually have a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 craptacular ratchet. All have a similar, poor surface finish. The listing did not contain the COO. The only thing not stamped with Taiwan is the 1/4" bit driver handle. (Does having mixed COO allow them to not post the COO info?)


Since I have three ratchets with identical surface finishes, this doesn't seem like "it got passed QC." This would imply that the Williams drawing lists a surface finish call out on this feature that is roughly 250 RMS.

On the other hand, it could be more likely that Williams has a corporate culture where on time delivery is more important than adherence to drawing requirements. (As an engineer who works with manufactures, this is a constant issue)

So it comes down to either a really ****** corporate culture, or ****** product design. Either way, this will be my first and last Williams purchase.

 

[Wamsutta]

What you have there is not a real Williams ratchet.

This is a REAL Williams ratchet:

 

[BigBoreFan]

They don't appear to be very expensive tools.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002O18PLO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rossomania]

What you have there is not a real Williams ratchet.

This is a REAL Williams ratchet:

This.

Williams has both US made and imported tools. You can tell which you're buying by looking at the Product Code (aka: part number).

US MADE tools have product codes that begin with a letter.
Ie: "M-52EHFA" is the product code for a 1/4" "Chrome finish flex-head ratchet"

Imported tools have product codes that begin with a number.
Ie: "30001" is the product code for a 1/4" "36-tooth quick release ratchet"

When in doubt, double check the tool description and product code with the online Williams catalog. It takes just a few minutes and it'll help avoid disappointment.

 

[GaryM909]

I have a Williams 3/8 ratchet that broke a couple years ago. Nice finish, Poor quality. Made in Taiwan.

 

[sweet victory]

They don't appear to be very expensive tools.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002O18PLO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is the specific set that I ordered.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR1Q5F4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Wamsutta]

That's what happens when a manufacturer who has a reputation for making high quality tools goes and puts their name on a Taiwanese product. We tool aficionados don't like it so what we do is arm ourselves with knowledge about the individual part numbers and what they represent. Downloading the catalog and doing your research before making the purchase is what I recommend.

 

[sweet victory]

This purchase was for some dedicated tooling for a short deadline job. While I have no problem waiting for the best deals to come up, or cherry pick every single tool for my personal arsenal, I did not have that luxury on this time line. I just purchased a set based on the brand. It should have no problems getting the job done. (I won't be returning this set)

That being said, I felt inclined to share what happens when you decide to purchase things based solely on brand recognition. Oh well

 

[PeterT]

This purchase was for some dedicated tooling for a short deadline job. While I have no problem waiting for the best deals to come up, or cherry pick every single tool for my personal arsenal, I did not have that luxury on this time line. I just purchased a set based on the brand. It should have no problems getting the job done. (I won't be returning this set)

That being said, I felt inclined to share what happens when you decide to purchase things based solely on brand recognition. Oh well

Is it too late to return them?

 

[jacked_72]

That ain't cheap. I'd be pissed too. I'd also be interested in hearing what Williams has to say for itself. If you're getting low quality no reason at all to pay a premium.

 

[CR888]

That tool set should really be 1/3-1/2 of its cost for what it is. Its just an average Taiwan set that is hiding under the guise of a quality USA name to charge a premium for nothing better than cheap price point tools. I'd be frustrated too, its hard these days knowing what's what with all the cist cutting going on. Taiwan are capable of making decent quality ratchets if companies control & focus on quality rather than numbers on a spreadsheet.

 

[Mr_B]

^
that's just it, by not paying premium of brand label on taiwan tools you can cherry pick items from taiwan oems/own brands and get good kit at low to sensible pricing .

 

[Wamsutta]

(I won't be returning this set)

You should return the set if at all possible.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The tools in that set average out to $2.19 each.. the last 5.5 MM 1/4" drive Snap-on socket I bought was around $14.00. So three is $nap-0n, U$A Williams,, and the Taiwan budget line.. Three price levels , qualities????, and choices.. I agree that $320.80 isn't pocket change, and I would be pissed every time I looked at that set.

When Bluepoint and Taiwan Williams are mentioned in a thread, the words "oh ****" seem to come to Me automatically. There are some of Us that do not favor China, Taiwan, or India tools.. "ChiTaiwandia" is how I call it. Tools of that horrible quality could come from ANY factory; but it what it is. It is sad that import garbage is associated with the Snap-on name.

Thank You for posting that picture. It is certainly an eye opener; and will hopefully save someone some grief or the disappointment of spending their money on that garbage.

 

[ineedtools]

Danahar out of taiwan used to make some really good stuff. Not all far east tool makers are ****, most are, but not all.

The tools in that set average out to $2.19 each.. the last 5.5 MM 1/4" drive Snap-on socket I bought was around $14.00. So three is $nap-0n, U$A Williams,, and the Taiwan budget line.. Three price levels , qualities????, and choices.. I agree that $320.80 isn't pocket change, and I would be pissed every time I looked at that set.

When Bluepoint and Taiwan Williams are mentioned in a thread, the words "oh ****" seem to come to Me automatically. There are some of Us that do not favor China, Taiwan, or India tools.. "ChiTaiwandia" is how I call it. Tools of that horrible quality could come from ANY factory; but it what it is. It is sad that import garbage is associated with the Snap-on name.

Thank You for posting that picture. It is certainly an eye opener; and will hopefully save someone some grief or the disappointment of spending their money on that garbage.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Danahar out of taiwan used to make some really good stuff. Not all far east tool makers are ****, most are, but not all.

Yep; "once upon a time" for Danahar.

It is sad that so much was off shored to reduce production costs.

After the last Bain-Drain of the Apex/Danahar offerings, I have lost interest in any further purchases......namely of any GearWrench products..

 

[kelpaso1]

Most of the population these day's want's cheap. China, and other Asian country's can produce Snap on quality but the western bean counters want cheap, so quality suffers. Most people buy screwdrivers, hammers, pliers from the dollar store.

 

[Tonyuk]

Mine is a 3/8 from the USA, its a nice ratchet if a bit coarse.

Haven't used a bluepoint ratchet, if you just want a decent ratchet for not much then i like the gearwrench 84 tooth.

 

[ken w.]

I would send a pic of the ratchet to Williams customer service and see what they say about it. I would be interested in their response as well.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Did your set ship from the eBay seller, or direct drop ship from Snap-on Industrial?

The Williams offerings on Amazon have always been sketchy at best, and most of the time far from the best price. Learned that years ago ordering a set of Supercombos on Amazon, and recieving some old stock pebble finish wrenches (with a different part number and even wrench count on the box).

Best spot for Snap-on Industrial brands in Toolsdelivered. Best price, COO on each listing, shipped direct (so no old stock or secondhand QC rejects) and up to date on what's in stock.

EDIT: That same set is $245 on Toolsdelivered.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-50614-Hand-Tools-Master-Tool-Sets

 

[Skin]

Most of the population these day's want's cheap. China, and other Asian country's can produce Snap on quality but the western bean counters want cheap, so quality suffers. Most people buy screwdrivers, hammers, pliers from the dollar store.

As stated $320 for a Taiwan set isn't cheap. The Dewalt socket sets are incredible for the money and are about 1/3 the cost.

 

[ineedtools]

You got that right, GW went straight to **** shortly after that LBO but before then they were on par with some of the best.
Dealing with warranty is a complete joke now as well.

Yep; "once upon a time" for Danahar.

It is sad that so much was off shored to reduce production costs.

After the last Bain-Drain of the Apex/Danahar offerings, I have lost interest in any further purchases......namely of any GearWrench products..

 

[dnschmidt]

The most readily available quality Taiwanese hand tools are Dewalt. A lot of their stuff comes from KABO a top tier manufacturer in Taiwan. To me these are the best value per dollar of widely available tools in the United States.

 

[CR888]

Imagine the profit margin in that $320 tool set. If the OP new how much of that $320 went to wholesalers and retailer he'd feel sick. Its almost like part of the plan is not to make the tools too cheap as customers will start to question the quality prior to purchase. Keep the price high but below US made tool truck brands and the average Joe will presume he's getting a good deal until he's paid up & starts using the tools. I'd send them straight back it there is any chance for a refund. This is the kinda end result/sick plan 1st world tool co's have in mind when moving off shore..... PROFIT!

 

[rossomania]

Imagine the profit margin in that $320 tool set. If the OP new how much of that $320 went to wholesalers and retailer he'd feel sick. Its almost like part of the plan is not to make the tools too cheap as customers will start to question the quality prior to purchase. Keep the price high but below US made tool truck brands and the average Joe will presume he's getting a good deal until he's paid up & starts using the tools. I'd send them straight back it there is any chance for a refund. This is the kinda end result/sick plan 1st world tool co's have in mind when moving off shore..... PROFIT!

I think there's lots of criticism to go around but I have a hard time landing on "profit" as a bad thing. Consumers willing to pay too much for cheap imported goods is bad. Consumers not willing to send poor quality or defective goods back to the seller is bad. When consumers (us) fail to exercise our power in the marketplace, it's really bad.

 

[sweet victory]

Returned and replaced with Proto tooling for the job. Should've done that the first time. Learned my lesson.

 

[PR1Gneon]

The Williams USA ratchets are great.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[ex-x-fire]

One way I tell if its a good tool is if it's stamped with the manufacture's name. I have some stubby ratchet wrenches laser etched Black Hawk, they are not truly Black Hawks to me.

 

[sweet victory]

Totally forgot that my 3/4" ratchet was a Williams! It's a usa made one and the finish is far superior on machined surfaces.

https://imgur.com/a/7twh9MF

https://imgur.com/a/GVoJrIs

 

[bobcatdan]

:

This is the specific set that I ordered.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HR1Q5F4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you spent any time looking at Williams, you would know any set that looks like that is import. Basically Williams has a cheaper import line without marketing it under a different name.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Returned and replaced with Proto tooling for the job. Should've done that the first time. Learned my lesson.

Proto tools have served Me well, so I would be willing to offer praise for one of My pets

I find the pricing on Proto to be very reasonable for quality tools.

 

[anndel]

That's Williams version of flank drive plus for the drive end of the socket. I saw Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and they are smoother and woould select them over Williams.

 

[sweet victory]

That's Williams version of flank drive plus for the drive end of the socket. I saw Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and they are smoother and woould select them over Williams.

Somewhere on this board, there is a die hard Williams loyalist having a heart attack over this thread