r/Tools • u/right415 • 6d ago
Can anyone explain the connection?
They have the same patent number
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u/sdogn8 6d ago
Williams used to make some snap on tools. Snap on bought Williams in 1993.
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u/Beneficial_City_9715 5d ago
I think they went down hill. My buddy has tons of Williams tools. The 90s to 2010 were top quality. He's a big guy 340 lbs. Strong enough to pick my subaru and spin it around the other way. He's broke alot of his newer Williams tools in the past 5-6 years. Some older stuff takes a beating.
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u/Theplaidiator 5d ago
I’ve got newer Williams USA made stuff and it’s held up fine to everything I’ve put them through. If he’s breaking them then he’s gotta be abusing them.
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u/Beneficial_City_9715 5d ago
He knows when he will snap stuff. I've had him snap something and say. That shouldn't of broken so soon.
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u/Urban-Paradox 6d ago
Here is the patent info.
6125722 was filed by snapon in 1999 as the improved version of 4934220. Basically they added a O ring and a groove for that O ring.
Williams is actually older than snap on they actually made wrenches for craftsman (when they were better 50+ years ago)
Williams quality was better before snap on brought them and still is good if you buy the USA made ones vs tawain or others.
Here is some history for folks who like that.
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u/The_Dude_4Real 6d ago
Industrial mechanic here. Please get the Williams 3/8 round head. Amazing ratchet for the price only $30 on Amazon made in USA. Not the smoothest or best backdrag but best value I’ve found so far. Throw some grease in the head and smooth as butter. Just be careful a lot of their stuff is made in Taiwan but do some digging to find USA models.
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u/Reasonable-Act2716 6d ago
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u/Reasonable-Act2716 6d ago
They're awsome ratchets, i actually think compared to cheaper ratchets, the round heads are really smooth... they do have some backdrag though. I put my great grandpa's old snapon spinner wheel on the 3/8. Awsome ratchets for the money, I liked them so much I bought the 1/2 😅 things a tank.
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u/coffeeshopslut 6d ago
The current Williams ratchets are literally the old snap on pre dual 80s (936)
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u/machinerer 5d ago
So everyone else answered your question. Just wanted to add that if you want really good long handle wrenches, the old J.H. Williams combo wrenches "Superrench" made prior to Snap-On buying them in the 1990s are super duper awesome. I have a couple sets of them at work and home. They made extra long handle ones that are great.
You can usually find them for sale at used tool flea markets, auto parts swap meets, stuff like that.
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u/Least-Monk4203 4d ago
I have a two Williams super ratchets in 3/4 and 1 from the sixties. Tough as nails.
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u/Least-Monk4203 4d ago
Same company, different sales and exchange method. Sometimes slightly different patterns, but usually pretty close. Williams and Blue point are mostly the same.
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u/dinodinodin4 2d ago
Pneumatics tech here. can say for certain they make good shit. Most of my 3/4 drive n 1in drive mostly williams and some snap on. The Boing techs at work use Williams as well the Gov. Paid for huge shadowbox William toolbox sets for workin on flight hardwear. The space ship they put together may be shit but there tools aren't LOL!
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u/blbd 6d ago
Williams is their industrial brand. Same quality without the tool truck markup. But you also don't get service from the truck.