Nepros vs Snapon ratchet

[Bellaireroad]

My favorite snap on 3/8 ratchet grew legs. I was thinking about replacing it with a nepros. They are about the same price. Are they about the same quality?


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[Al Borland]

In before someone else points out how "You can probably get about 50 Harbor Freight Ratchets for the same money!"

 

[American Locomotive]

Probably better. The Nepros almost seem too nice to use.

 

[woody 73]

I will be the first to admit I do not own any Nepros tools but they look very well made; having said this I always think in the back of my mind how easy will it be to get replacement parts should I ever need them, ie rebuild ratchet kits.

So having this in the back of my mind and living in the USA snap on kits/parts will be very easy to get; so op if you will ever need any parts will it be easy for you to get replacement parts?

If your answer is yes then I say by go for it you got nothing to lose.

 

[matt stott]

i have, and use both. Their quality level is about equal, both are top, top notch- the finish on the nepros might be a gnat's lash better, but hard to quantify.

That said, snap on still lives in my work kit, been using it for decades and I trust it. Not to say the Nepros is not as reliable, I just don't have 30 years of experience with it (just about 2 years with a nepros ratchet) and I can get superstitious that way.

Can't go wrong either way. It is easier to tell when someone puts your Nepros ratchet into their box, though- not too many people have them and they do stick out.

Matt

 

[Skin]

Nepros has nicer machining. Ratcheting feel is pretty much the same. Theres really only a couple defining characteristics. Do you want QR and do you want a comfortable chrome handle? Nepros satisfies both. If you don't mind a comfort grip then Snap-On is fine. I use both.

 

[Wamsutta]

Snap-on ratchets have no equal. They are the strongest ratchets you can buy.

 

[Bellaireroad]

In before someone else points out how "You can probably get about 50 Harbor Freight Ratchets for the same money!"

To each his own....that’s never been my mindset when buying tools[emoji39]


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[CR888]

I love Nepros tools no doubt their ratchets would be high quality and have great feel when using them. But if one tool defined a brand for Snap On it would be their ratchets, they have led the field for many years in this area, I don't love all S-O tools but you'd be foolish too criticise their ratchets. They also have a selection of lengths & styles that's huge. IMO what ratchet your looking to buy in what style & length affects who you choose to go with.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Snap-on ratchets have no equal. They are the strongest ratchets you can buy.

In for a torque test vs nepros

 

[Bellaireroad]

Well, I pulled the trigger on this one...compact head with a little longer handle. 89.90 shipped from Japan, about what it would have cost to replace my FR80.

Will see how it compares to the Snap-on which I really liked. Maybe my Snap-on will decide to come home




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[HazetMatt]

Well, I pulled the trigger on this one...compact head with a little longer handle. 89.90 shipped from Japan, about what it would have cost to replace my FR80.

Will see how it compares to the Snap-on which I really liked. Maybe my Snap-on will decide to come home




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Nice! You should definitely post an update when you've used it a bit. Did you get it from Nepros.net? They sell repair kits on there for ~$30 and the last time I bought something on it came all the way from Japan in like 2 days.

 

[General Geoff]

I suspect it will functionally be nearly identical to the Snap-On, possibly with a nicer finish (to start). Getting a repair kit will be more costly if it needs one down the road.

But as mentioned, it's a pretty easy way to keep track of which ratchet is yours in a shared work environment

 

[Tonyuk]

I believe the nepros will be finished better and that the materials will be top class.

If you can afford one and don't mind that the availability of spares could be an issue i would go for that.

All of my Japanese tools have arrived immaculately finished.

 

[Mr_B]

Japanese tool finish and QC is pretty damn high.
Plenty of just about strength equals to the snapon ratchet, snapon is always a safe bet on a ratchet
Only real argument is spares of which for usa snapon easier bet .
For design and features and finish plenty exceed snapon these days .

 

[Tonyuk]

Another option if your just looking for a decent ratchet are the gearwrench's with 84 teeth, mine have been fine and the set wasn't that expensive, even over here.

Those new 90 tooth proto's look great also, but the cost of getting one from the states is ridiculous for a ratchet.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I don't see why they wouldn't be of equal quality. However, when all else is equal, customer service is the tie breaker. The only reason why I even buy Snap on over other high end options for certain things is the support I get from my Snap on guy if something goes wrong.

 

[mhejl]

I've used SO ratchets for decades but recently grabbing a Nepros more often, even though I don't prefer QRs. I'll now more likely buy a Nepros over a similar SO.

Nepros ratchets are not sealed heads like SO. I'll grab a SO for drain plugs and such.

Nepros repair kits seem rather expensive compared to SO. However, I've never had to repair a Dual 80. I did have to regularly put kits in the old 20/30/36 tooth SO models (which I've now retired).

Speaking of customer service:

Nepros.net incorrectly shipped me a normal stubby 3/8 when I ordered a compact stubby. One email and the compact arrived in 2-3 days. Another email (two, actually) to ask about returning the incorrect shipment and no response so I just kept it. I really prefer the Nepros stubby over SO - I never liked that goofy SO mushroom handle.

Gearwrench and the like isn't even in the same league.

 

[davethorik]

In before someone else points out how "You can probably get about 50 Harbor Freight Ratchets for the same money!"

Another option if your just looking for a decent ratchet are the gearwrench's with 84 teeth, mine have been fine and the set wasn't that expensive, even over here.

Looks like you made it, Al. Only on GJ does someone ask "Snap-on or Nepros?" And someone answers Gearwrench

I don't have any Nepros myself but I'm guessing most of the responders in this thread don't either, and just regurgitating info. Again,

 

[nmantas]

I thought I read that nepros has less backdrag. Anyone have any input on that? I feel that once you pass a bunch of teeth (lets say 60) then swing angle is not really a factor and backdrag is more important for increased usability.

 

[mhejl]

I thought I read that nepros has less backdrag. Anyone have any input on that? I feel that once you pass a bunch of teeth (lets say 60) then swing angle is not really a factor and backdrag is more important for increased usability.

I do think my Nepros has (slightly) less backdrag than my SO - likely because of the lack of seals in the Nepros. I use Super Lube in both.

Somewhat related: I really prefer the Nepros spinners with the rubber gripping area over the SO spinners. They make 2 sizes in 3/8 - for the regular and compact heads, too.

Edit: forgot to mention that the Nepros flex mechanism is just cool - no fixed positions. They use a replaceable spring loaded nylon (?) plunger as a friction device. Unfortunately, SO wins if you want a locker.

 

[General Geoff]

Nepros are not even close to snap-on in terms of quality or longevity or warranty. Lot of ringers trying to talk people into spending a lot of money on the equivalent of a husky ratchet.

Nepros, the equivalent of a Husky ratchet?

 

[General Geoff]

Some of those Huskys are very pretty too! They copied Snap-On.

Do you own any Nepros ratchets?

 

[Mr_B]

no but he had a lot of cool aid ...

 

[Tonyuk]

Nepros are not even close to snap-on in terms of quality or longevity or warranty. Lot of ringers trying to talk people into spending a lot of money on the equivalent of a husky ratchet.

You're dreaming.

I don't even own a nepros ratchet and know that.

 

[Skin]

Just ignore the troll. Its a child and/or someone previously banned come back for a second round.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Nepros are not even close to snap-on in terms of quality or longevity or warranty. Lot of ringers trying to talk people into spending a lot of money on the equivalent of a husky ratchet.

I've never held a Nepros ratchet.I do have some Snap On ratchets and a few Huskys. I would like your first hand knowledge on this topic. Do you have any data to back up your claims?

 

[General Geoff]

I have a long history with Snap-On, and almost everything I own is Snap-On so it takes quite a bit to impress me quality wise and there is no company on the planet for warranty issues that compares to Snap-On.

Hate to burst your bubble but Harbor Freight's warranty on hand tools is even better than Snap-On's, and more convenient for non-professional wrenchers. You can take a broken Pittsburgh or Pittsburgh Pro hand tool into any harbor freight in the country and get it exchanged for a new one off the shelf without a receipt.

That's not to say I'm arguing anything at HF is better quality than an equivalent Snap-On (though I'm sure there are a few...), just that their warranty service is better and more accessible.

SK has also been absolutely top-notch in warranty claims, at least from my limited experience with them.

I will grant you that Snap-On's warranty is much more accessible than KTC's here in the States.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a long history with Snap-On, and almost everything I own is Snap-On so it takes quite a bit to impress me quality wise and there is no company on the planet for warranty issues that compares to Snap-On. Nepros just doesn’t have it and are extremely overpriced.

The one thing you're missing though is that Snap-on has never had a Capital O in their name ever since the company was founded in 1920.

 

[Wamsutta]

My phones autocorrect is irritating. Snapon becomes snaps on or worse when I use lowercase. Had to add a dictionary entry as Snap-On so it would stop.

That may explain the Capital O error in your written posts, but how do you explain your username?

 

[M6erfan]

LMAO. Thread closure in 3...2...1...

 

[afg82366]

You better get a clue, SK Ratchets are the ones to beat. Period!

 

[Ralf11]

I was going to replace all my old SNAPoN ratchets with Dual-80. But then GJ got me to look at Nepros.

They are definitely prettier, and likely as strong as you'll ever need (unless yer a punk kid that tries to use a ratchet as a breaker bar)...

I dunno if the Nepros is stronger or not as strong as the Dual 80 Snappy, but it's plenty strong.

The Nepros does seem to have a little lower backdrag, just playing with it - no tests. I think the Ko-ken are the lowest back drag.

I also bought a Hazet just to see what all the brouhaha was about (and to work on German vehicles...). it's fine but nothing special relative to the other 3 brands.

I now have 2 Facom ratchets. I put them a notch below these other 4 brands, but they are fine -- and one is a telescoping model which I didn't see from the others.

I'm not selling my special purpose Dual 80s, but all the older 20 or 36 toother Snappies are gonna be replaced with Nepros or Ko-ken.

Not impressed by Gearwrench but only tried one rotohead. HF I won't touch after their angle grinders blew up on us. IIRC, we went thru 3 of them to get a job done. The Bosch never gave up and made us waste time driving across town for a replacement. I do have a paper towel holder from HF, so yes I'd wipe my ___ with HF.

Not My Entire Life in Ratchets, since I was given a small Walden as a young teenage tyke and used Crapsman until I could afford the 20 tooth Snappy's but I think it answers the OP's question.

 

[visionguru]

My favorite snap on 3/8 ratchet grew legs. I was thinking about replacing it with a nepros. They are about the same price. Are they about the same quality?...

Snap On is proven. How long ago did Nepros start producing 90T ratchet? To me, Nepros has higher grade finish, but Snap On is superior on all other aspects, including easy to service, easy to trade.

 

[d.mcfarland]

strong as you'll ever need (unless yer a punk kid that tries to use a ratchet as a breaker bar)...

Does anyone even sell breaker bars anymore?

 

[riceaterSLC]

Here is my current lineup of 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets.
I reach for the nepros 99% of the time. I bought them around the same time as the SO ratchets and every nepros was cheaper than the SO. In my real world I have both brand opinion the nepros is far superior. The nepros have smoother actions and far less backdrag. Fit and finish of the nepros is unsurpassed by any other brand I have. Quite honestly I am quite disappointed in both the SO ratchets. They feel worse than the craftsman ratchets I got back in the early 90s. The swivel is better than the flex head but neither are great. I re-lubed the flex head like I did with all the SKs but it didn’t help.
I am no longer a professional wrench turner but was for a couple years in the early 00s.
In order I choose:
Nepros
SK
Carlisle
SO