Tool Talk
Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Northwoods on December 23, 2015, 04:55:23 PM
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Came across a Williams Superrench but can't find out much about it. It is a hex combination wrench.
It is like the one below--except that mine is XOE-618 ( 9/16" ).
What can you tell me? Why are they so scarce, when were they made, why in 6 point, not 12?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-used-SUPERRENCH-XOE-624-combination-box-end-wrench-6pt-3-4-hard-to-find-/161922224789?hash=item25b3511295:g:-zsAAOSw5VFWKQ4Y
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Northwoods,
You might want to check the Alloy Artifacts website; they have some good information on Williams wrenches (including the Superrench era).
Regarding scarcity-- I don't think they are scarce. I see Williams Superrench combo wrenches in my local pawn shops, flea markets, and swap meets every week. ebay also has them in good numbers (sometimes complete sets). The 12-point versions are more common than the 6-point versions; I probably see ten 12-point wrenches for every one 6-point wrench in Williams and most other brands. The 12-points have been the standard broach for at least 75 years.
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I always wondered about these XOE series as well.
Maybe someone with a Williams catalog from the 80's or 90's could shed some light.
Keep us posted if you find any more info.
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Probably post 1993 when Snap On purchased them.
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Six point for those times that you REALLY want to round the corners off the nut.
More seriously, a six point box wrench will turn a nut that's been beat to [bad words] by people using nut-rounding tools like adjustable wrenches. A 12-point box sometimes can't get enough purchase on a badly treated nut. And, connected with that, you can apply a lot more grunt without rounding off the nut.