Williams Ratchets

[cookiemonster]

Just wondering what you guys think of the williams ratchets? How do you rate them? I am looking at the round head fine tooth and the sealed 36 tooth ratchets.

 

[Gotmayhem]

I've got a set of the sealed heads: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2". Aesthetically they're great. The chrome looks fantastic and has held up very well so far. The ratcheting action is smooth and strong, haven't had an issue with skipping or sheering and they've seen some high torque, especially the 1/2". Something to consider is that the head of the 1/2" is very hefty, might make it difficult to fit in some areas. But overall they're very tough and live up to the label "Industrial" while looking good too.

 

[Justin1776]

I have a 3/8 standard length 36 tooth and it is a good ratchet, especially for the money. The internals are exactly the same as my FX936. I plan on getting the Williams long 1/2dr. 36 tooth ratchet with my next toolsdelivered order ($38)

 

[J.A.F.E.]

The round head X52/53 series are great ratchets. The pear heads are Snap-on internals as mentioned the 936 series. Again first rate stuff.

 

[CWP1616L]

What do I think of Williams ratchets? The sealed pear head ratchets that are based off the Snap-on 936 series are the best value of any ratchet on the market today. Period.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Wait...Snap On pear heads and williams pear heads are THE SAME?

So this Williams 1/4 ratchet, for $18.86
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/wi1enhechfir2.html

Is the same as this SO ratchet, which costs $65.65

So either:

A. There IS a difference in the metal. Maybe looks the same on the outside, but better metal alloy.

B. Your just paying a bunch more for the name.

A set from Williams for the pear heads (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) is around $80 with no shipping. Compare that to the SO set at over $280.

 

[CWP1616L]

Wait...Snap On pear heads and williams pear heads are THE SAME?

They take the exact same rebuild kits as the Snap-on 936 series. They have a slightly different body shape, but for all intensive purposes, they're a Snap-on 936 ratchet.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Also, where are they warrantied? Does snap on actually make them? Are they made in USA?

EDIT...and while we are at it, are williams and SO sockets the same?

 

[CWP1616L]

They're definitely made in the USA and I suspect in the same factory as Snap-on ratchets. They're warrantied through Snap-on Industrial, but if it were me, I'd just buy the corresponding Snap-on 936 rebuild kit online and be done with it.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Ya but is there anywhere I can take it to, or do they get sent in?

 

[CWP1616L]

Why would you need to take it anywhere or send it in? Are you talking about manufacturing defects?

 

[TimDaToolMan]

If it breaks?

I've read that some williams is overseas, and some is usa. How can one tell if the COO isn't listed?

 

[CWP1616L]

These ratchets just don't break. When you get into Williams, you're getting into some serious tools.

The COO is listed right on the catalog page with the tools. The imported Williams look just like Blue-Point ratchets.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

As the OP said they are very well built and are rebranded for CAT. They are made in the same factories where Snap On hardline is made and are made in the USA!

The way to tell if a Williams item is made overseas is the part number is all numbers. A USA made tool will be letters and numbers.

These ratchets just don't break. When you get into Williams, you're getting into some serious tools.

The COO is listed right on the catalog page with the tools. The imported Williams look just like Blue-Point ratchets.

 

[bobcatdan]

If a person checks around, there are stores that carry Williams. By me, the industrial supplier motion industries has them, thou not a lot on hand.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Something still isn't right. Either this proves SO is overpriced, or the metal content is different. That's a $200 difference in price.

 

[Justin1776]

Wait...Snap On pear heads and williams pear heads are THE SAME?

So this Williams 1/4 ratchet, for $18.86
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/wi1enhechfir2.html

Is the same as this SO ratchet, which costs $65.65

So either:

A. There IS a difference in the metal. Maybe looks the same on the outside, but better metal alloy.

B. Your just paying a bunch more for the name.

A set from Williams for the pear heads (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) is around $80 with no shipping. Compare that to the SO set at over $280.

The handle is different, the head housing is slightly different, it does not say "on" and "off" next to the direction lever like SO but the mechanism is the same.
You are not exactly paying for the "name" when buying Snap on (or any other truck brand vs. industrial brand) you are paying for a guy to drive a truck sucking down $4 diesel, that will be at your shop the same time every week, warranty anything on the spot, front you thousands of dollars to buy tools etc. There is a lot to it.

Also, where are they warrantied? Does snap on actually make them? Are they made in USA?

EDIT...and while we are at it, are williams and SO sockets the same?

Ya but is there anywhere I can take it to, or do they get sent in?

USA Williams are made in the same forges as Snap on. You can send them back to Williams, or take them to a local Williams supplier, you can search on Williams' website. My local supplier is Motion Industries.

There have been quite a few threads on "what is Williams" here is my recent comparison:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188250

I've read that some williams is overseas, and some is usa. How can one tell if the COO isn't listed?

When buying Williams, look at the part number. If the part number is all numbers it is Taiwan made, same as the Blue Point line. Much of the line is available from the US, some impact sockets are Taiwan only.

Check out Toolsdelivered.com. I have ordered from them multiple times and service is great. The search function or garage journal + "what ever you want to know" in google will save you a lot of time and will yield a lot of advise, just be sure to read through carefully.

 

[CNGsaves]

It is what it is . . . . marketing!! Snappy is PERCEIVED as the top brand, and services their customers hand-over-foot . . . . ie takes the truck to doorstep of business every day. There's a cost to that service. How many Williams trucks have you seen driving around??

TimDaToolMan . . . aren't you same guy asking about buying tools for the very first time?? . . . . ie was big Craftsman fan, but fell out with COO issues? (ie HAD to have all one brand, and HAD to be Made in USA). A bit ironic now you have Armstrong avatar??

Either Williams or SnapOn are awesome tools . . . . buy whichever set matches what you need them for, and put them to work. Lots of people pay more every day for Lexus model that essentially is spruced up Toyota Camry!

 

[kythri]

Something still isn't right. Either this proves SO is overpriced, or the metal content is different. That's a $200 difference in price.

You are understanding what people are saying that these Williams are the 936 series of ratchets, NOT the current "Dual 80" stuff, right?

They're the same mechanism as the LAST generation of SO ratchets, and you're not going to get any of the "benefits" of truck service with these.

 

[kythri]

TimDaToolMan . . . aren't you same guy asking about buying tools for the very first time?? . . . . ie was big Craftsman fan, but fell out with COO issues? (ie HAD to have all one brand, and HAD to be Made in USA). A bit ironic now you have Armstrong avatar??

Why is that ironic? Did Armstrong cease being US-made?

 

[CNGsaves]

No nothing against Armstrong. Just ironic that TimDaToolMan has now jumped in just a few days from loving Craftsman, to being Armstrong fan (with no tools yet), to dogging top brand SnapOn for their price??!!#??

That's the ironic part. He's looking for unrealistic utopia . . . thinking he'll find a "Craftsman plentiful supply" blended with "SnapOn dealer serviced warranty at your door truck service" . . . . . and all for a Husky tool price!!???#?@! Just not realistic.

 

[kythri]

He's new, give him a chance to learn.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Wait...Snap On pear heads and williams pear heads are THE SAME?

So this Williams 1/4 ratchet, for $18.86
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/wi1enhechfir2.html

Is the same as this SO ratchet, which costs $65.65

So either:

A. There IS a difference in the metal. Maybe looks the same on the outside, but better metal alloy.

B. Your just paying a bunch more for the name.

A set from Williams for the pear heads (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) is around $80 with no shipping. Compare that to the SO set at over $280.

Something still isn't right. Either this proves SO is overpriced, or the metal content is different. That's a $200 difference in price.

Others have covered it pretty well so far but I'll just reinforce it. The current line of ratchets on the Snap-On site are not comparable to the current line of Williams. Rather the Williams are essentially the last generation of Snap On ratchets while the ones listed on the SO site are the new Dual 80's. You're paying more for the newer ratchets with higher tooth count, easier warranty, local truck service, and of course, the name.

Comparison between the last gen Snap-On and current Williams:
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=1878.0

There is no difference that I can see. I've compared my Williams set to a number of coworkers 936's of varying ages and it's the same story. There's a different handle design but even the chrome is essentially identical. I dont' see it as Snap-On ripping people off, it's the smart way to market. Look at it as if they're still continuing to make new 936's for cheap. I like my Williams set a lot, for the $75 shipped or whatever I payed it's unbeatable in value, in my opinion. Do I still have and use Snap-On? Absolutely. They both have their uses to me.

 

[Pumpman1968]

I'm thinking Tim is a young guy and isn't REALLY sure what he wants. If I remember right, in a previous post, I think he said he was 20. In Tim's defense, when I was 20, I thought I knew EVERYTHING! And I did.....right up to the point when I got a few years under my belt and figured out that I knew NOTHING...........and that is in no way a dig at you Tim. The more experience you get, the more you will realize just how much there is to learn.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Nothing wrong with a 36 tooth ratchet. If you want the most upto date tooth count go with Snap On or Matco. Otherwise you can't go far wrong with the Williams. I have a couple of Dual 80's in my box. My go to ratchet Snap On 830!

 

[Pumpman1968]

He's new, give him a chance to learn.

+1 TOTALLY agree!

 

[cookiemonster]

So how do you guys rate the williams ratchets? Round head? 36 tooth sealed head? and the import model with the skeletal handle that says it rough and finer tooth?

 

[SMKS]

I used to own the Williams imported 60 tooth ratchet, and it was quite nice. This ebay seller has them for $21. They're made in Taiwan.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JH-WILLIAMS...606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5b272f86

I've owned several of the older Williams round heads, but they use a different mechanism than the current round heads.

I've only owned one of the newer Williams pear head. It seemed OK but had more back drag than I like. It took a decent amount of effort to ratchet it.

To the OP-
As others have said, the Williams pear head ratchets use the same mechanism as an older Snap-on design, not the new 80 tooth design.

But, the 80 tooth mechanism is used in a Bahco branded ratchet that's made in Spain.
Pics/info in this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119127


Anyone who wold like to know if an item is USA made or imported, just check the online version of the printed catalog. The USA made items are clearly marked.

The catalog can be found here:
http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/30/home.htm

 

[CWP1616L]

EDIT...and while we are at it, are williams and SO sockets the same?

They're the same sockets with slightly different markings. Same exact steel quality and dimensional measurements.

 

[volaredon]

I certainly like the other Williams tools I have as compared to S/O... I dont have any Williams ratchets though. lately I have been takin a liking to Proto ratchets.