Snap-On flank drive vs xtra

[Grant Gunderson]

Snap-On flank drive vs Nepros

Looking to invest in some new 1/4 drive sockets. These will be used exclusively for mountain bike suspension work. Do the xtra sockets truly fit with higher tolerance than the standard flank drives or is it marketing bs? Thanks

-UPDATED, seems like XTRA isn't the way to go. What do you guys think of Nepros VS Snap-On Flank Drive. Thanks!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Xtra are not designed for normal use - the tighter tolerance is for damaged/corroded fasteners. Koken zeal might be another thing to look at, if you can live without 9/15mm in 1/4 drive.



Snap on says the Xtra are tighter fitting, the little display on the truck seems to agree. If my driver can get me a 1/4 shallow set for $150ish at the trade show, I'll give them a try.

 

[M6erfan]

There's a youtube vid out there that goes through FDX and shows them in use. Not a glowing review...

I agree with 2ndGear, they seem like a specialty socket not an everyday socket. Ko-ken Zeal are excellent sockets and made to very strict tolerances, if that's what your'e looking for.

 

[xin]

There's a youtube vid out there that goes through FDX and shows them in use. Not a glowing review...

I agree with 2ndGear, they seem like a specialty socket not an everyday socket. Ko-ken Zeal are excellent sockets and made to very strict tolerances, if that's what your'e looking for.

All of the 'online reviews/videos' are all subjective. It is their opinion and like everything else background noise.

It is like everything else today, one person says it is the best the other says the worst and it is not really based on actual testing. It is all based on someones 'subjective' thoughts that is like a man having feet in 2 boats being tossed about by waves.

 

[M6erfan]

All of the 'online reviews/videos' are all subjective. It is their opinion and like everything else background noise.

It is like everything else today, one person says it is the best the other says the worst and it is not really based on actual testing. It is all based on someones 'subjective' thoughts that is like a man having feet in 2 boats being tossed about by waves.

Totally agree. However when the video shows fasteners getting stuck in the sockets, and other issues shown, I'd say thats pretty objective. My takeaway was that they aren't bad sockets, but more of a specialty tool, not an everyday tool.

Here is another thread on FDX (which users confirm the video in their experience)...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397896&highlight=fdx

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Thanks for the info guys and the suggestions about the Koken Zeal... thats making me now consider if I should go with the Snap-On or Nepros. (It seems like that's Zeals high-end line?).

These suspension units cost upwards of $1k, so I dont mind spending the $$$ for the best quality set I can get.

 

[CR888]

KTC (Nepros) are beautiful top shelf tools, although the Zeal socketry is made by Koken which I believe is a separate Japanese tool co altogether. Zeal are high quality, high tolerance and very reasonable in price...I'd grab those with a Nepros ratchet, but that's just me.

 

[anndel]

The Xtras are tighter fitting and I use them most of the time. In some cases they don't fit at all and have to o back to the regular FD socket.

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks for the info guys and the suggestions about the Koken Zeal... thats making me now consider if I should go with the Snap-On or Nepros. (It seems like that's Zeals high-end line?).

These suspension units cost upwards of $1k, so I dont mind spending the $$$ for the best quality set I can get.

Zeal is made by Ko-ken and is their hi end line, meant for tight tolerances and space savings in tight quarters. Excellent sockets.

Nepros is KTC's (Kyoto Tool Co.) hi end line and is seriously stunning stuff. Flawless fit and finish, better than any manufacturer I've seen.

 

[M6erfan]

Re: Snap-On flank drive vs Nepros

-UPDATED, seems like XTRA isn't the way to go. What do you guys think of Nepros VS Snap-On Flank Drive. Thanks!

Having owned both, and using 1/4" drive for about 75% of my work, here are my thoughts...

Nepros were designed and engineered to surpass S-o in both tolerances and finish. They truly are stunning. In 1/4" drive you are getting 90t with Nepros ratchets vs 72t with S-o, if that matters to you. Nepros ratchets are available only with quick release, so if you are not a fan of QR, you out of luck.

S-o is of course excellent and made in the USA, if that is important to you.

Honestly you can't go wrong with either and arguing which is "better" is nit picking IMO. Personally I prefer Nepros over S-o.

If warranty is a concern, Nepros is handled by FranksTools in the U.S. Snap-on of course is warrantied out of their office in WI.

All that said, what I decided on for my tool box was Ko-ken. The value proposition of their sockets is hard to beat IMO.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the MAC 'R' series sockets. They have a thinner wall than Snap-on. They are their USA made sockets. The 'R' stands for revised when MAC went to Macdrive for all their sockets and wrenches.

 

[xin]

Zeal is made by Ko-ken and is their hi end line, meant for tight tolerances and space savings in tight quarters. Excellent sockets.

Nepros is KTC's (Kyoto Tool Co.) hi end line and is seriously stunning stuff. Flawless fit and finish, better than any manufacturer I've seen.

I DO like the ones you listed!!!

Them Ko-ken is some nice tools wished they made some others short like that no idea why the shallow sockets sometimes are like mid-length in length?

 

[jimmyin3D]

I DO like the ones you listed!!!

Them Ko-ken is some nice tools wished they made some others short like that no idea why the shallow sockets sometimes are like mid-length in length?

Koken offers many lengths and styles in 1/4:
Koken Zeal Shallow (probably the shortest 1/4 sockets out there)
Koken Zeal Semi Deep
Koken Zeal Deep

Koken Shallow
Koken Semi Deep
Koken Deep
Koken extra Deep

 

[giants]

Xtra are not designed for normal use - the tighter tolerance is for damaged/corroded fasteners.

I'm seriously considering them as my first Snap-on socket set.

I'm curious where did you hear/read that?

I'm confused, because Snap.com says these are for normal use and implied they are less likely to round off fasteners, which appeals to me, the King of Rounding Off (LOL):

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Sha...10-mm-Flank-Drive®-Xtra-Shallow-Socket/YTMM10

 

[parks31]

I would probably go with snap on especially if you have access to a truck for warranty purposes.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I'm seriously considering them as my first Snap-on socket set.

I'm curious where did you hear/read that?

I'm confused, because Snap.com says these are for normal use and implied they are less likely to round off fasteners, which appeals to me, the King of Rounding Off (LOL):

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Sha...10-mm-Flank-Drive®-Xtra-Shallow-Socket/YTMM10

Straight from my driver. Fasteners will very easily get stuck them, more so that regular sockets. They're a supplement for your normal sockets, not a replacement.

 

[lugnut71]

I them , in 3/8 drive i use them all the time on new vehicles that dont have any paint or rust on the bolts / nuts, work great there. In the 1/4 drive they are very grabby however they are nice when you dont want to drop the bolt/ nut , kinda like a magnetic socket.