Williams USA Screwdrivers Bent Is This Normal?

[Rubber_Duc]

Bent is probably the wrong word, it is like they are put in the handle cockeyed. Just need to know if I need to send them back or make a warranty claim or if I'm being too picky (highly doubt that though). The screwdrivers are all off center about 1/4" at least from the shaft to the tip. They are brand new, just got them in and every single one is this way. I put them next to the straight edge of glass on the cook top so you can see what I'm talking about, look at the tip and how far it is from the glass when flipped 180°, this can't be right can it? I can't imagine it is, even my wife's cheap little "do it herself" screwdriver is much straighter than these? Only one of them appears nice and straight, it is the small flat head, all the others are cocked one side or another at least a 1/4". Just wondering what to do with them, a little disappointed is all. If it were one or two I might think they got damaged some how but everyone is like this like it was designed that way

 

[Buster21]

I have had several sets like that. Mine have been the #2 Phillips. I have sent three sets back to Amazon and they replaced them. It seems to be hit or miss. Send it back and get a replacement. Chances are you will get a straight one. What disappoints me the most is that this has been going on for years and they still haven't corrected the problem and their quality control does not catch it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I bought a set for my son about six months ago, he didn't ever complain... of course he's only three and has never been on garagejournal, so he doesn't yet know that a screwdriver is supposed to look beautiful AND turn screws.

I'm just kidding you, I don't think you're being too picky. His set had one that was a little off but nowhere near that bad. If they were all wrong I probably would have sent them back and taken my money elsewhere. There are a lot of options. As it is, when I need a screwdriver around the house he's all to happy to share and help, and I have really enjoyed using them.

 

[monster1]

I just received a set of Williams screwdrivers with the same issue! Also, a few of them have funky tips that aren't completely squared to the shaft. Take your driver's and roll the shafts on the edge of a table with the handles hanging over the edge and see how far off center the handles are out of alignment. I'm calling the distributor tomorrow regarding mine.

 

[HairMetal]

Every screwdriver I've bought from Harry J. Epstein Co was like that too.

 

[Bonka]

Add another one to the list. Purchased mine through Amazon back in December and didn't want to abuse their return policy since it felt like I wouldn't get a set completely straight.

Bought these based on the positive comments didn't expect the QC issues to be bigger than they are. Shame as I quite like the hard handles and basic utilitarian look.

 

[rlitman]

Thats a feature! It's called an offset screwdriver, and it is designed to allow you to turn screws closer to a side obstruction.

 

[Rubber_Duc]

Thanks guys, seems like I may not get a straight set based on the replies unfortunately I was pumped when I read the threads about them being so close to snapon you can't tell (I didn't want to spend 200 on SO screwdrivers) but I highly doubt snapons would be this way, maybe I should just send them back and spend the dang money for the SO's. I find it bananas that cheap little throwaway screwdrivers are straighter than this

 

[Rickster]

Factory seconds possibly??

 

[rlitman]

... I was pumped when I read the threads about them being so close to snapon you can't tell...

It's EASY to tell they're not SnapOn. They say Williams.
Now if you sanded the logo off, yeah, you'd never be able to tell the difference, because they appear to come off the same line.

As much as the comments below say you should expect this sort of defect, I for one would NOT accept it. The only differences between this and a SnapOn should be in the warranty service with the option of truck replacement, and in the ability to finance your purchase (through their predatory lending that is the main reason the SnapOn label effectively doubles the price).
The quality had better be the same.

 

[gtlaw]

My P3 is also a little crooked. I got my set on amazon a few years ago. For how cheap they were and how little i use #3 I don't mind it. Most of the ridiculously priced snap-on sets don't even include #3

 

[Rubber_Duc]

Well I called Snap-On industrial brands to see what they thought, and they said I need to deal with the person I bought them from and they have NEVER heard of one not being straight (seems unlikely seeing how many in this thread have them that way). Now I know that is their policy, but i'm starting to see why maybe I should have gone with SO, would be nice to find a truck and say "I need a replacement". So the company I bought them from said they sell hundreds of them and have never had a complaint and will be calling SO Industrial to find out what to do, oh well. Except for the crooked shafts they seem nice I checked again and there is only 1 screwdriver (the small flat blade) that is acceptable, all others are waaaayyy off. I'm just wondering what the likely hood of getting a dead straight set is with 90% of this set being bad, thinking I should go for money back and get a used set of snapons, ugh what a disappointment.

 

[SMKS]

Maybe I just missed it, but did you say where you bought them from?

 

[ibedayank]

I guess that Snap-on Factory in china makes some really high quality tools

 

[dogdad]

Glad I saw this,.....won't be getting Willisms screwdriver's...looks like a lot of issues.

 

[Rubber_Duc]

I guess that Snap-on Factory in china makes some really high quality tools

These are the USA made screwdrivers (see picture) which makes it more disappointing.

 

[n8n]

I got a set of Phillips a while back and haven't noticed this issue.

I do pretty much only use them when space is constrained, however - my Snap-On SSDMR4 is my go-to screw turnin' tool, I just love it so much. The Williams ones get broken out mostly for recessed stuff where the shaft of a bit holder won't fit.

 

[Rubber_Duc]

Well the company I purchased from is sending out a new set on Monday so that is good, but I'm thinking the odds of getting the same deal are pretty high. I asked them to inspect them before sending but who knows, if they are bad too I'll send both back in the return envelope and just buy the much more expensive SO's, that way if I have an issue I can flag down a truck

 

[Wrenchinfool]

Well the company I purchased from is sending out a new set on Monday so that is good, but I'm thinking the odds of getting the same deal are pretty high. I asked them to inspect them before sending but who knows, if they are bad too I'll send both back in the return envelope and just buy the much more expensive SO's, that way if I have an issue I can flag down a truck

It's a convoy of issues here.. Bad pun, anyway look on eBay, pawn shops or even Craigslist for snappy screwdriver sets

 

[gtlaw]

I don't know what all the fuss is about. I got these for less than $40. I sold my snap-on set for $100. It had two usefull screwdrivers in the set. Who needs expensive slotted screwdrivers? Gunsmiths maybe but snap-on drivers aren't even suitable for that.

 

[shockwave]

I have Matco and snap on and Cornwell all come like this and the bend is slight enough to not really affect function just slight enough to cause a noticeably bend

I see everyone complaining about these but I have been using them for years with great longevity and even breaking loose rotor screws on Honda before

 

[SantaAna12]

My set from Amazon was fine. I would buy them again.

 

[Rubber_Duc]

I have Matco and snap on and Cornwell all come like this and the bend is slight enough to not really affect function just slight enough to cause a noticeably bend

I see everyone complaining about these but I have been using them for years with great longevity and even breaking loose rotor screws on Honda before

Snap-Ons are crooked too????

 

[blarf]

Snap-Ons are crooked too????

Yep.

 

[Brownsfan]

It's hard to tell what the issue is by the pics. I have the 6pc Phillips and slotted bought at separate times. They were as close to flawless as they could possibly be. Fantastic screwdrivers at a even better price. One of the best values in tools out there.

 

[Gerard]

I got a #1 (1-3) and #2 (2-4) Phillips in the Williams hard handles to try them out and I checked them both for straightness as soon as I got them. The #2 is ever so slightly crooked, but slight enough that I never would've noticed without actually being aware of the issue and checking it, and it's not an issue at all in practice. The #1 seems to be perfect enough that I can't possibly perceive any crookedness.

I compared my 2-4 to my dad's old Snap-on SDDP42 (the Snap-on equivalent) and the Snap-on had about the same slight amount of crookedness as well, but the shank may have been replaced by a dealer at some point. The old Snap-on's tip also lacks the ACR ribs and is a bit worn and the Williams seems to have a noticeably better grip. I've been very pleased with how well the Williams grip screws.

Maybe it's just the picture, but that 3-6 looks far worse than my 2-4, enough so that it looks like it would actually be noticeable in usage. I would definitely send that back.

 

[hautpot]

I have a Snap-on green torx set that is bent on the Torx 8.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I bought a long #1 phillips SSDEP61C directly from SnapOn.
It has some wobble too.

It seems like some of these would be a good opportunity to build a custom piece, such as an extra long version.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have a few Williams drivers and never noticed it, but now I gonna have to check them out.

 

[rice rocket]

I don't know what all the fuss is about. I got these for less than $40. I sold my snap-on set for $100. It had two usefull screwdrivers in the set. Who needs expensive slotted screwdrivers? Gunsmiths maybe but snap-on drivers aren't even suitable for that.

I hate people like you.

There's a clear, widespread issue, and you come in with your anecdotal evidence, thinking that somehow your ONE good set somehow represents the experience for everyone.

 

[Wamsutta]

The shanks are not crooked; it's the hole in the handle that's crooked.

 

[gtlaw]

I hate people like you.

There's a clear, widespread issue, and you come in with your anecdotal evidence, thinking that somehow your ONE good set somehow represents the experience for everyone.

I guess you missed post #11

Mainly I'm satisfied because of how cheap they were for what I got even if they are imperfect. Sure I bought plenty $40 6 piece european sets that are flawless, but those sets have 4 slotted (useless mini prybars) and 2 needed phillips or pozidrive. To get what this set offers you would have to piece together minimally $60 of individual drivers. If from snap-on just the #4 alone would be $38 which is what this entire set cost me.

 

[RonnieC]

I hate people like you.

There's a clear, widespread issue, and you come in with your anecdotal evidence, thinking that somehow your ONE good set somehow represents the experience for everyone.

Still trying to determine if this is in jest.

 

[rocat1997]

I have a set of Snap On's screwdrivers I bought many years ago. They look identical to these made my Williams. Did Williams make them for Snap On or acquire their design?


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[SMKS]

Snap-on owns Williams.

The Williams drivers are very similar to the old Snap-on handles, but they aren't identical. There are people here who have measured them side-by-side and they're not exactly the same.

 

[shanny19]

I hate people like you.

There's a clear, widespread issue, and you come in with your anecdotal evidence, thinking that somehow your ONE good set somehow represents the experience for everyone.

Im not so sure that we all agree that even if the skewed handles are clear, and widespread, that an issue exists.

 

[adamroblyer]

Guy at work bought a brand new in the package set of long snap on screw drivers off the truck. 3 of the 5 were bent. The dealer changed them out no problem.

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[gtlaw]

Snap-on owns Williams.

The Williams drivers are very similar to the old Snap-on handles, but they aren't identical. There are people here who have measured them side-by-side and they're not exactly the same.

I don't see a difference. I could check them on the cmm at work but I can already assure they are the same

 

[monster1]

Guy at work bought a brand new in the package set of long snap on screw drivers off the truck. 3 of the 5 were bent. The dealer changed them out no problem.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

If the dealer would do that, then I would think there is obviously a quality control issue, not just some people (myself included) having unrealistic expectations.

 

[SMKS]

I don't see a difference. I could check them on the cmm at work but I can already assure they are the same

Break out the calipers. Pics and measurements in these threads show them not being identical.

These threads show them to be very similar, but not exactly identical.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23116
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188250