J.H. Williams Tools - Company History & Lore

Today we'll go over the history of the JH Williams tool company.
From J.H. Williams start at the E.W. Bliss Company, to Williams & Diamond, to Williams & Brock and then to J.H. Williams & Co.
Williams was one of the first companies to produce drop forged tools, including their Superrwrench line (and many other Super- prefixed lines)
J.H. Williams merged with Whitman & Barnes in 1920, and was then bought out by United Greenfield in the '50's.
TRW took over the company in 1968, and it was sold to it's current owner, Snap-on in 1993.

Join this channel to get access to perks:

Moar Williams History:

E.W. Bliss Co Catalogs:

Williams Catalogs:

Vulcan Tool Truck Catalog:

Diamond sues Brock & Williams:

Brock leaves company 1886:

Matthew Diamond obituary:

Bathhouse Articles:

Bathhouse, plant safety insurance, mutal aid society etc:

Buffalo Plant Construction:

Redfield quote:

Redfield Testifies before congress:

1917 Agrippa Ad:

1919 Blacksmith Journal article:

Whitman & Barnes Merger:

W&B Marked Wrenches:

Williams-Husky Wrenches:

1942 War Department Order:

1959 Craftsman Rebranded Wrench:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:17 Williams goes through partners
01:51 Factory Conditions
04:08 Williams Death & Changes
05:15 Whitman & Barnes
05:41 Superrench & Williams Innovations
08:13 Greenfield Era
08:43 TRW, Snap-on & Present Day
09:46 Some Tools
10:15 Outro

[DonDyarprecision]

I bought a full set of Williams tools in the early 1970s working as a heavy equipment mechanic, they are "Super". The tools were considered the best buy at the time.

[csinalabama]

I grew up about 5 blocks away from the Vulcan Street plant. I will never forget the sound of the drop forges running through the night. When we needed tools, we would dive their dumpster.

[wbien]

I still have Williams tools from my father and grandfather. Great tools.

[kenlong]

I worked at JH Williams on Vulcan St. back in the early 70's till the early 80's. I was a fork truck driver there.

[adjutant]

I'm glad that SnapOn hasn't killed off the Williams brand or relegated it to being a Chinese import only brand like Blue-Point.

[slchambers]

Great wrenches. Made a living for 53 years on Williams Tools. Thanks Williams.

[robertmceuen]

I'm 70 and have been using hand tools since I was 17. William's tools have always been among my favorites.

[joelbrand]

I grew up in Buffalo, New York, when my grandfather died I inherited all of his tools and all the wrenches and most of the sockets were Williams. All standard SAE.
I've worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, for almost 30 years now and I still have those tools in my box Williams.
I remember so many Jokers making fun of me because I had William's tools but they were good tools still

[portrrbeeson]

40 year oil field mechanic and my best tools are Williams. Have some from my grandfather that were made in the 1920's. still use them today.

[StephenDanielAddeo]

My Williams tools are probably almost 100 years old and none of them have ever failed.

[crusinscamp]

I received a nice little 1/4" Williams ratchet set as a gift from my much older brother when I was a very young man. He continued giving me tools when I was young. Good tools; Snap-On, Blue point, Craftsman, etc. They formed the nucleus of the tool collection I still use to this day.

[crippleguy]

J.H.WILLIAMS tools were early super high quality products . They made the crescent wrenches for Craftsman . Phillips head screwdrivers for SNAP-ON among others . They made the first fine tooth ratchets I do believe . Never had any complaints about their way awesome quality tools .

[marcmckenzie]

I always thought a giant poster that showed all the best quality tool companies over time would be really cool. Envision a sort of sideways root to tree map, showing who merged, spun-off, and closed. The more I know these histories, like in this excellent video, the harder it is to wrap my head around it!

[thinman]

Williams was a great tool in the 70's and still is today.

[terrynorthern]

My father bought a set of Williams in the 50s I still use em what a great quality set.

[bradjenkins]

l used to make Williams wrenches and sockets at T&W Forge in Alliance OH.

[peteengard]

I have a few Williams wrenches. I also have a Williams inside the diamond wrench. The super wrench is a great wrench. Thank you for the history of a great American company.

[Bigdaddyslasher]

I still have my Super Williams wrenches from when I worked my tools. I preferred them because they're longer. I have never broken or bent any Williams wrenches. Great video

[joelalleman]

we had williams tools in our tool crib when i worked in heavy industry and they were a step above everything on the market !! these were very nice tools in every respect !!

[adnacraigo]

I bought a 3/4 inch drive socket ser from Williams in the late 70s or early 80s. Great tools..