Williams Sockets ARE Soft

[getbentMUSTARD]

Thanks for posting your experiences. I'm just curious (and for the benefit of others), do yours have the Williams logo or do they simply say "Williams" in plain text?

Joe Mamma

so my impacts from them are all plain text while my chromes are a mix of plain text and the actual logo but never really bothered me much

 

[gatewaysysop]

Disheartening to see this, especially off the back of recent QC fails I have dealt with from both MAC and SK in the last month. I definitely feel the OP's frustration. and I'd be sending them back as well.

I don't own any Williams tools at all and strictly speaking, if they their idea acceptable quality is a socket that deforms on the first use, I don't plan to be a customer anytime soon.

 

[measuredtwice]

Disheartening to see this, especially off the back of recent QC fails I have dealt with from both MAC and SK in the last month. I definitely feel the OP's frustration. and I'd be sending them back as well.

I don't own any Williams tools at all and strictly speaking, if they their idea acceptable quality is a socket that deforms on the first use, I don't plan to be a customer anytime soon.

Don't be led astray. Even the guy complaining said they were "beautiful". And lots of the replies are from people who are happy with their Williams USA made tools. The OP's experience does not seem to be representative.

because these sockets truly are a beautiful, well forged set.

There are some excellent values from the "industrial brands" like the USA made tools from Williams, CAT, Case IH, New Holland and the dual 80 ratchets from Bahco Spain. Some excellent deals from Zoro with a coupon and other sources. I recently paid $22 for the ratcheting screwdriver after 20% off coupon. Forum members should be celebrating the availability of quality USA made tools for a fraction of the cost from Snap-On.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Don't be led astray. Even the guy complaining said they were "beautiful". And lots of the replies are from people who are happy with their Williams USA made tools. The OP's experience does not seem to be representative.

If his experience were unique, I'd totally agree. But even in the very small sampling from this thread, it clearly isn't:

I can believe it. The Williams sockets I have do not see a ton of use in the sizes I have them in, but I've seen similar damage at the mouth of the socket with minor use. The most noticeable has been on my 3/4" and 1" drive sockets. However, part of me wonders if it's from using them in less than ideal circumstances that are rare enough I haven't been able to try them again with a different brand. I bought most of them for much less than normal price so I've accepted it, but I'm reluctant to pay full price for Williams sockets after these experiences.

Think your on to something I just checked the drive end on my 3/8 usa and has the same Mark's, never noticed untill I saw the post, my older craftsman set definitely has nothing like that

YMMV and to each his own of course. To me it sounds like a QC problem, and not one I'd want to deal with.

 

[measuredtwice]

If his experience were unique, I'd totally agree. But even in the very small sampling from this thread, it clearly isn't:

YMMV and to each his own of course. To me it sounds like a QC problem, and not one I'd want to deal with.

Sounds like you made up your mind. I was trying to be helpful but there's not much to discuss since you "don't own any Williams tools at all" and have made up your mind. I have quite a few "industrial brand" tools and have found them to be excellent quality and a good value. I would have no problem having the USA made industrial brand tools sent sight unseen to my sister or elderly aunt or little niece and not worry at all about the QC causing them problems. And I would be completely comfortable outfitting an entire facility with the USA made tools. I can't say that about a lot of other brands. I also have Snap-On, Proto, and lots of other brands. There are often great deals on Proto USA and Williams USA (or other USA made industrial brands from Snap-On).

 

[coca7744]

The Craftsman pictured here has seen heavy use and has LESS wear than the new Williams used on 10 differential cover bolts.

I get the break-in argument, but that much wear is excessive.

The whole reason I bought Williams was a tighter tolerance than CM and hopefully to hold that tolerance for a long period of time/use.



Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

It looks like CM is way stronger than Williams, is this happen in all size of socket?

 

[markeric]

I checked my email, I ordered mine February/March 2020

 

[drtyler]

I've ordered metric sets in 3/8 and 1/4 drive in early 2019, and they have been holding up fine in use. I have not seen any evidence of soft metal as shown by the OP.

I think the sockets are fine and a good value, but the size markings could be bigger and stamped deeper for easier reading. I guess this is one of the ways the Williams sockets are produced slightly cheaper than Snap-on in order to sell at lower pricing.

 

[Fatboy148]

I think the sockets are fine and a good value, but the size markings could be bigger and stamped deeper for easier reading. I guess this is one of the ways the Williams sockets are produced slightly cheaper than Snap-on in order to sell at lower pricing.

My only issue.