Williams USA vs Snap-on sockets?

[Wamsutta]

They dont make USA production 1/4 and 3/8 deeps. Which makes me sad.

That gives you an excuse to buy the Snap-on version for some variety.

 

[gregpack]

Ive bought a couple of wiliams products from zoro. With the frequent discounts and free shipping their prices are hard to beat. However, they don't stock it, so it often take two weeks or so to receive your order.

Just bought a williams 1/2" deep metric impact set yesterday MS-14-24RC for around 190.00 shipped with 25% off coupon. With good import sets of similar count running 135.00 (sunex, gearwrench), I figured I'd pay the extra 60.00 and go with US made.

 

[powertrip]

I can tell you from my historical research that by the time Williams Hand Tools was acquired by Snap On, they were nothing more than a paper company. Physical assets were liquidated during bankruptcies (yes, plural). They essentially bought the rights to the name and all the intellectual property. So there's nothing being made in any remaining Williams plant.

From what I've seen, some of the tools like the OP's sockets are indeed identical. When you think about manufacturing processes, it would actually cost more money to somehow differentiate what is otherwise an identical item cut from the same wire stick (or they're going to keep two different inventories of metal stock and two different finishing facilities to ultimately produce a virtually identical product? Not.). I believe the stories about differences in handling and finishes, alloy, hardness, etc etc yada yada, are just that--stories. Descriptions of distinctions in the invisible tool spirit realm. Yes, and if the Williams dealer want to keep his dealership, he better well regurgitate the party line.

Given the price difference, I know how hard it must be for Snap On buyers to accept the possibility they might be the same tools. Like the old cartoons where the character's head transforms into the lollipop sucker upon realizing what's really going on. There MUST BE something different about them. There's just gotta be something different. There just has to be.....

Maybe the Snap On marked tools are forged in a secret underground bunker and are polished with the finest silk cloths on the laps of Polynesian virgins. It's gotta be something...right?

That is hilarious!

 

[jsmeece]

Looking at the page on toolsdelivered, it says set MSSD-12RC includes 24mm.

Thanks, missed that.

 

[WittHay]

Some might argue that the quality of Snap-on sockets has gone down because of Wiliams. Some batches of Snap-on 6-points are not as hard as they used to be and wear faster. Same as Williams 12-points are probably made better than their price indicates as in identical to Snap-on

I can't see why you cant make two different quality sockets in one factory. Its like saying that all Craftsman USA sockets were manufactured to the same specifications as all other sockets that were made in the same plant There is a extra process involved with the knurling of the SO metric sockets any ways.

Snap-on makes three brands in their socket factory Caterpillar, Snap-on and Wiliams. Stanley makes Mac and Proto in the same factory. I wouldn't bet too much that every batch is made 100% identical

 

[Skin]

Except the knurling is for identity as oppose to functional (finger spinning) so its kind of moot. How many people work on a single job that require both standard and metric anymore where you might mix up the sockets? Not many.

 

[shelbysguns]

Bummer. I was looking for deep metric 1/2 drive sockets and they only make them in Taiwan COO

Pretty sure they make them in 6pt and 12pt.

 

[shelbysguns]

That gives you an excuse to buy the Snap-on version for some variety.

I love the Snap-On I have. But I dont see the point in buying Snap-on for my lesser used sets and having Tekton for my daily users. The only real reason I have for needing 12pt deeps is for arp fasteners on the next engine build.

My question still stands are there any other brands that do the full length taper, or just Williams/SO and Carlyle?

 

[cherrybomb]

I have a few snappy sockets,a set of Williams sockets,they seem functional the same.If you don't need the services of the truck,the Williams sockets will give a lifetime of excellent service.If you watch for Williams with letters and numbers in the socket number you will get USA made.An outstanding socket at a great price,you will not be disappointed.

 

[The collector]

Makes me want to replace my Craftsman with Williams. I have Williams 1/2 deep impacts and they are really nice.

They are the same sockets

 

[oldwino]

Where do you get Williams warrantied in the unlikely event they fail? I have a few less used formats of sockets and would like to get Williams over Bluepoint for those.

You can contact William’s directly via 800 number. They usually require you to send in damaged or broken tool then return a new one by return mail. Process takes about 3 weeks but I have never had a problem getting something replaced