Snap On Sockets, Ratchets and Wrenches?
- Thread starter 0W-16
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talon grip needle nose is unbeatable
Snap-on cobras are junk genuine cobras are the only cobras you should own
That title belongs to Nepros. Koken and Nepros ratchets both have almost no back drag, the build quality, precision fit and finish of the Nepros especially is second to none. The only problem with Nepros is they are so pretty you don't want to use them. LOL
Stahlwille and Hazet both rival and in many cases exceed Snap on.
https://www.stahlwille.nl/fileadmin...brochures-and-flyers/stahlwille-aerospace.pdf
So if you could have only one 3/8" ratchet for general use, what would it be? Or maybe rank the top 2 or 3...
I will ask wifey to hide my credit cards...
I agree with you but one area that SO beats Nepros is they have more configurations. Like a extra long 1/4” flex head for example. Also you can get non-QD and QD in most ratchets where as all Nepros are QD. This doesn’t bother me as I like QD and Nepros does it well(it’s flush on the 3/8 ratchets) but I hear some people complain about this.
For standard 7" the Nepros NBR390 or Koken Z 72T, Stahlwille 435SG-QR
For the 10" Nepros NBR390L or Snap on Dual 80
My problem with Nepros -- when I've looked in the past -- is that their retail easily rivals SnapOn. If I'm going to pay Snappy prices I want equal product support/warranty. Now, maybe Nepros has that-- I don't know?? Can you call about a 15 year old ratchet and have a rebuild kit mailed to you free? Of course, they'll never have local truck dealer support.
If Snap-on is the second best thing in the world, aren't you going to ask me what the first best thing in the world is?
No.
That should not be a reason not to own the tools, yes you can call and get old service parts and have them quickly for free. I was asked my opinion and I gave it, that is not a knock on any of the other brands of which I own many. Lets not turn this into oh my god he is bashing Snap on by reading more into it than I said.
You didn't ask me but I'll play:
1. Nepros NBR390FL (Long Handle flex Head)
2. Nepros NBRC390F (3/8 flex head in a 1/4 body)
3. Snap On 8" Non Flex Head
4. Snap On FC72 (Stubby 3/8 in a 1/4 body)
5. Carlyle Roto Head
I would be hard pressed to pick just one as I use all of the above quite a bit depending on what I'm doing but I use 1/4 drive even more since I mostly work on motorcycles .
Time to cough up some splash cash and get me one of those fancy ratchets. Here's all I have right now. All but the top flex head were inherited from my older brother, who passed at 44 from cancer. Owned and operated Comprehensive Mechanics in Santa Cruz, CA on the West Side, near the University. I loved that place. I enjoyed rebuilding 3 of these. keep 'em alive! Greg would kick my ... if he saw his hand tools not clean and put away.
Their line wrenches and pliers are noticeably better than any others I’ve used. Granted I live in the Midwest so I haven’t even heard of some of the name brands guys are tossing out. Mac, Matco, Snap On and the occasional short lived Cornwell are the truck brands around her.
Once a year or so I buy something for myself. I like tools. @Trav recommended this Makita cordless maybe 2 years ago. I put away my compressor. I recently changed a set of plugs on a 2015 Odyssey; bank 1 would love a nice low back drag ratchet.
Now I'm thinking a nice 1/4" ratchet...
He who dies with the most tools wins, as they say.
If its a nice 1/4 drive your after I don't think you will be disappointed with a Nepros or Koken.
The Koken has less back drag but a lower tooth count and the selector is backwards to what I call "normal"(opposite of snap-on)
The Nepros have what I think is the best flex head tensioning system that uses a spring loaded teflon bushing that keeps just the right amount of tension on the head, it stays where you put it but is easy to move. The nepros only comes in quick release so that might be a deal breaker for you. I like a QR myself.
I think it really comes down to whats important to you, ie: direction selector, QR.
The Nepros sure has the "nice in hand feel" and looks like it belongs in a show box factor.
Here's some pics side by side with a couple snap-ons.
The Koken has less back drag but a lower tooth count and the selector is backwards to what I call "normal"(opposite of snap-on)
The Nepros have what I think is the best flex head tensioning system that uses a spring loaded teflon bushing that keeps just the right amount of tension on the head, it stays where you put it but is easy to move. The nepros only comes in quick release so that might be a deal breaker for you. I like a QR myself.
I think it really comes down to whats important to you, ie: direction selector, QR.
The Nepros sure has the "nice in hand feel" and looks like it belongs in a show box factor.
Here's some pics side by side with a couple snap-ons.
What brand are those two ratchets with the yellow and black handles?
Those sure look like GearWrench units.
Just Gearwrench 90T locking flex heads. I thought having a set of locking flex heads would come in handy but it’s been VERY rare that I find myself in a situation where they are more useful than a non locking flex head.