Williams Vs. Snap on Comparison Thread

[Justin1776]

So I see this come up from time to time so I figured I would post some pics of some Snap-on tools and Williams tools for anyone interested. I have no issue with Williams but I am not a professional and I do not rely on these tools everyday, nor do I see a Snap on truck every week. First up is screw drivers (I borrowed the red handled SO drivers from my dads home box, I am not sure of the vintage. The SO with the crooked blade is from me taking the shank off a few years ago and not putting it on straight, the Williams crooked blade came like that and I have not fixed it)

 

[Justin1776]

Wrenches:

 

[Justin1776]

Sockets:

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Nice post thanks for taking the time to make the comparisons.

The Snap On and Williams wrenches are made on the same lines. See this on youtube at 1.08 its a Williams Wrench!

Thanks Gareth

 

[wornoutoldman]

Nice post thanks for taking the time to make the comparisons.

The Snap On and Williams wrenches are made on the same lines. See this on youtube at 1.08 its a Williams Wrench!

Thanks Gareth

Maybe my eyes are bad but i could not see that. Replayed several times too.

 

[bob15]

Nice post thanks for taking the time to make the comparisons.

The Snap On and Williams wrenches are made on the same lines. See this on youtube at 1.08 its a Williams Wrench!

Thanks Gareth

How could it be the same line when the dies for the Snap On and Williams wrenches are different? The equipment might be the same, but that is it. Unless someone ask snap On or works there, we also don't know the metal composition is. Also the broaching on the open end is different between the Supercombo and FD+ wrenches.


bob

 

[4x4gearhead]

Im not sure if its the pictures, but those supercombos look cheesy to me compared to the snap on wrench. I will stick with the old superrenches I have.

 

[Justin1776]

Maybe my eyes are bad but i could not see that. Replayed several times too.

How could it be the same line when the dies for the Snap On and Williams wrenches are different? The equipment might be the same, but that is it. Unless someone ask snap On or works there, we also don't know the metal composition is. Also the broaching on the open end is different between the Supercombo and FD+ wrenches.


bob

You can see the guy sanding the scallop that is between the open end of the wrench and the beam. The scallop is on the Williams Superwrench but not the Snap on
The line is probably the same, the dies are different of course but that is easy to swap

 

[CWP1616L]

Maybe my eyes are bad but i could not see that. Replayed several times too.

He posted the short video. Watch this long version and you'll see the Williams wrenches between 1:30 and 2:10

VIDEO LINK

 

[Justin1776]

Figured I would weigh them too. Both 19mm. (I cannot verify the accuracy of my scale but if it is inaccurate it should be inaccurate for both wrenches, weight ration should be the same.)

 

[Justin1776]

And the open end comparison between FD+ and SuperTorque

 

[CWP1616L]

Figured I would weigh them too. Both 19mm. (I cannot verify the accuracy of my scale but if it is inaccurate it should be inaccurate for both wrenches, weight ration should be the same.)

Does that say 10 and 1/8 ounces for the Williams?

 

[Justin1776]

Im not sure if its the pictures, but those supercombos look cheesy to me compared to the snap on wrench. I will stick with the old superrenches I have.

My camera is a cheap Sony pocket sized deal. I think the combination of the aluminum sheet on top of my toolbox, plus the florescent lights and white garage that make the chrome look wavy on both wrenches. It is possible that Williams wrenches don't get quite the fit and finish control that the SO wrenches get but the wrenches do look better in person.

 

[sberry]

I dont think they change the steel, bet both metals are the same.

 

[Justin1776]

Does that say 10 and 1/8 ounces for the Williams?

Yes, it is hefty. Perhaps the reasoning is because it is an "Industrial Line"? I'm not sure but I do like the thickness of the Williams for situations where I might be pulling or pushing really hard, the Snap-ons (to me) feel like they are cutting into my hand at times. That said the Williams do not fit in places the Snap-ons will.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to persuade anyone towards either brand in this thread. I like both brands and they suit my needs well. I posted this for anyone curious about the comparison and for people interested in Williams (because most people seem to have prior experience with Snap on)

 

[4x4gearhead]

My camera is a cheap Sony pocket sized deal. I think the combination of the aluminum sheet on top of my toolbox, plus the florescent lights and white garage that make the chrome look wavy on both wrenches. It is possible that Williams wrenches don't get quite the fit and finish control that the SO wrenches get but the wrenches do look better in person.

I could see that, the picture of the open end seems to do them more justice when compared.

 

[NathanC]

How could it be the same line when the dies for the Snap On and Williams wrenches are different? The equipment might be the same, but that is it. Unless someone ask snap On or works there, we also don't know the metal composition is. Also the broaching on the open end is different between the Supercombo and FD+ wrenches.


bob

because snap on does not make their own tap and die's they get them from Irwin. and not sure about williams die's but they could be from Taiwan because half of the williams line is USA half Taiwan. so thats probably why they are different

 

[Jason280]

Thanks for taking the time, this is a great thread!

 

[dirtydogintex]

Yes, it is hefty. Perhaps the reasoning is because it is an "Industrial Line"? I'm not sure but I do like the thickness of the Williams for situations where I might be pulling or pushing really hard, the Snap-ons (to me) feel like they are cutting into my hand at times. That said the Williams do not fit in places the Snap-ons will.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to persuade anyone towards either brand in this thread. I like both brands and they suit my needs well. I posted this for anyone curious about the comparison and for people interested in Williams (because most people seem to have prior experience with Snap on)

I have always wondered about that - how did a high $$$ tool designer/mfg ignore the human aspect in the usual and customary, simple act of pulling or pushing on a wrench?

It's as though they wanted you to use a cheater or rig out some sort of padding.... strictly out of self defense!!
I've been known to do both.... or just grab an old CM to simplify things....

 

[bob15]

because snap on does not make their own tap and die's they get them from Irwin. and not sure about williams die's but they could be from Taiwan because half of the williams line is USA half Taiwan. so thats probably why they are different

I wasn't talking about tap & die set, but rather the drop forge die used in making the wrench.

I think the steels are different. I find the smaller Supercombos wrenches spread more than the FD+ wrenches. But that being said, the Williams wrenches are far from cheesy. the biggest difference is finish, with the Williams being a satin finish.


bob

 

[Gotmayhem]

I wasn't talking about tap & die set, but rather the drop forge die used in making the wrench.

I think the steels are different. I find the smaller Supercombos wrenches spread more than the FD+ wrenches. But that being said, the Williams wrenches are far from cheesy. the biggest difference is finish, with the Williams being a satin finish.


bob

What do you mean by that last bit about the finish? Supercombos come in polished chrome too...

 

[Justin1776]

I wasn't talking about tap & die set, but rather the drop forge die used in making the wrench.

I think the steels are different. I find the smaller Supercombos wrenches spread more than the FD+ wrenches. But that being said, the Williams wrenches are far from cheesy. the biggest difference is finish, with the Williams being a satin finish.


bob

What do you mean by that last bit about the finish? Supercombos come in polished chrome too...

I just looked in my "Snap-on Industrial Brands" catalog issue 1 (current issue is CAT2) page 102 and 103. The satin finish wrenches are not stamped USA and say 'Williams' on the beam rather than 'Supercombo'. Pages 92-99 cover the Supercombo in high polish chrome, industrial finish, safety red and safety yellow but no satin Supercombo.
Are your wrenches current vintage or older Supercombo's (which I believe came in satin)

 

[chansta]

wouldnt mind getting a set of williams to tryout.

 

[NathanC]

I wasn't talking about tap & die set, but rather the drop forge die used in making the wrench.

I think the steels are different. I find the smaller Supercombos wrenches spread more than the FD+ wrenches. But that being said, the Williams wrenches are far from cheesy. the biggest difference is finish, with the Williams being a satin finish.


bob

woops I misunderstood your question

 

[bob15]

I just looked in my "Snap-on Industrial Brands" catalog issue 1 (current issue is CAT2) page 102 and 103. The satin finish wrenches are not stamped USA and say 'Williams' on the beam rather than 'Supercombo'. Pages 92-99 cover the Supercombo in high polish chrome, industrial finish, safety red and safety yellow but no satin Supercombo.
Are your wrenches current vintage or older Supercombo's (which I believe came in satin)

My Supercombos are about 15 years old. At that time, they were satin only, but are USA stamped. A couple years later I bought a Snap On FD+ set and found that they grip better than the Williams. I also found that the Williams 7/16, 1/2, and 9/16 tend to spread a little and have a little flaking issue. I will NOT call them junk though, I just prefer the FD+ and my Bonney's even more.


bob

 

[Justin1776]

my supercombos are about 15 years old. At that time, they were satin only, but are usa stamped. A couple years later i bought a snap on fd+ set and found that they grip better than the williams. I also found that the williams 7/16, 1/2, and 9/16 tend to spread a little and have a little flaking issue. I will not call them junk though, i just prefer the fd+ and my bonney's even more.


Bob

10-4

 

[Justin1776]

wouldnt mind getting a set of williams to tryout.

WELCOME TO GARAGE JOURNAL!
If you do get a set and you order online, check out Toolsdelivered.com they are very easy to work with and all of my orders from them have been good. Be sure to check the country of origin (COO) for your preference. Williams has both USA and Taiwan (appears to be the same as the Blue-Point stuff) made tools. I have no experience with Williams Taiwan (or Blue-Point sockets/wrenches/ratchets/screwdrivers) so I can not comment on them.

 

[Skin]

I have always wondered about that - how did a high $$$ tool designer/mfg ignore the human aspect in the usual and customary, simple act of pulling or pushing on a wrench?

They slimmed the wrenches due to feedback from mechanics. If you go back 15-20 years they had thicker round beams that everyone associates with comfort. If you notice their double box wrenches and high performance wrenches have said thicker beams as well.

I dont think they change the steel, bet both metals are the same.

I'm sure they don't. Don't know of any tool brands that control the manufacturing of their tool steel. Its all bought from a supplier. Someone could argue they heat treat the tools differently but that wouldn't really make sense to not make the best tools you can for any line. Really the only differences come down to cosmetics and maybe allowable variances in tolerances.

 

[Gotmayhem]

The other day I compared a brand new supercombo to a brand new SO combination. The cuts on the box end were identical. I didn't have a good enough camera to take a picture but there was no difference to be found. I don't know about the process or location for the manufacturing of each wrench but I'm certain that the same process/tool is used to make the open ends for both SO and Williams.

 

[rick carpenter]

I have a set of Williams hard handle screwdrivers. I like them. I've read a complaint, and I don't remember where or when but it was a while back, that their shanks don't go far enough into the handle. Does anyone know if this is true, whatever distance "far enough" is? I use my Williams screwdrivers for driving screws, so I haven't had a problem with them. I have a Roscoe Two Fister that I use to pry and otherwise abuse.

 

[snaponkevin]

the newer bluepoints are made in taiwan and the smaller wrenches are no good,from 15mm and up they seem to be ok..just bought a set of supercombos

 

[snaponkevin]

i sold my bluepoints they had good length but the material is soft and tend to round out,how do you post pics here?

 

[GeorgeFromPa]

i cant find any info on a google search but does anyone know where the plants for snapon and williams tools are? im thinking since snapon bought williams they would make both in the same plant to save money. i have both and id bet the farm that the sockets are made on the same machines by the same people and just have a diffrent brand stamped on them.

 

[Orson_Yancey]

Hi, I am very interested in the comparison of Snap-On vs Williams breaker bars and rackets in 3/4" and 1" drives. I recently purchased both in 1" drive, Snap-on breaker bar swivel head, L113H and a Williams 1" drive breaker bar, X-41C. Both the Snap-on breaker bar swivel head and the Williams breaker bar swivel head look identical. The Williams 1-1/8"
diameter, 29" long handle fits both swivel heads fine. I have no way to evaluate and compare the composition of the steel. I called both Customer Services. The torque rating for the Snap-on swivel head is 1,000 ft.-lbs., the Williams swivel head is 1,170
ft.-lbs. The Snap-on is about 33% more expensive and a better warranty because a
truck comes to the business.

In 3/4" drive, the Williams breakers bars looks like the previous generation Snap-on's
the had the 13/16" diameters handles.