Nepros NBR290 strength and durability?

[Tachead]

Hey guys, does anyone have one of these? What do you think? I've been told to try this brand but, I am a little sceptical as there appears to be almost no specs published about them on their site. So, does anyone have a link to some strength tests or specs? What about first hand experience? How would this ratchet hold up to every day use compared to a Snap-on T936 or T72? What about a Hazet 863HP or Stahlwille 415QR N/SG-QR N? What's the customer service and warranty like for North American customers? Thabks in advance guys.

 

[Dave455]

I have one. One of only a couple of Nepros ratchet’s I own.

Personally, I think the 1/4“ drive tools are the jewel in the Nepros crown.

I’m not particularly worried about strength tests. There’s going to be very little to choose between any of these high tooth count ratchets, certainly not enough to notice, and I’m not going to be using what’s probably my finest 1/4“ ratchet to breaking point anyway.

Service? Warranty?

It won’t need servicing, it’s only a ratchet. Over time it will wear out. At that point, buy a rebuild kit. If you’re worried, buy one in advance.

I very much doubt if there will be any manufacturing faults. It will be flawless, have a flawless finish, and delivered in a box that keeps it that way, If Nepros do fail in this, I have no doubt it will be replaced without question, and the guy from quality control will probably resign in shame.

You will, if you try, be able to break this ratchet. It’s not hard, it’s only 1/4” drive. That doesn’t, however, mean it’s faulty. So you won’t be able to send it back and demand a replacement. Personally, I’m fine with this and wouldn’t expect different.

I’m aware that’s not how it is with Snap On, (although that’s all their warranty says) but somebody pays for that service, and if buy but don’t break a ratchet, it’s me!

 

[RickyPetite]

I own one and it is a beautifully-made tool. The chrome finish, if not industry best, is right up there. Balance in the hand and tool length are perfect (I like a longer 1/4" ratchet, the short ones feel like toys). I'm a fan of the quick release (personal preference). Back drag is minimal. Doubt I will ever stress it to failure, would seem a waste to treat such a well made tool so brutally. If the fastener is that tight, get out the 3/8.

 

[Dave455]

There is a “Nepros brand hand tool thread” with a lot of info about Nepros. It’s been going a while so I suspect some of those tools have seen a lot of use by now.

 

[Tachead]

I have one. One of only a couple of Nepros ratchet’s I own.

Personally, I think the 1/4“ drive tools are the jewel in the Nepros crown.

I’m not particularly worried about strength tests. There’s going to be very little to choose between any of these high tooth count ratchets, certainly not enough to notice, and I’m not going to be using what’s probably my finest 1/4“ ratchet to breaking point anyway.

Service? Warranty?

It won’t need servicing, it’s only a ratchet. Over time it will wear out. At that point, buy a rebuild kit. If you’re worried, buy one in advance.

I very much doubt if there will be any manufacturing faults. It will be flawless, have a flawless finish, and delivered in a box that keeps it that way, If Nepros do fail in this, I have no doubt it will be replaced without question, and the guy from quality control will probably resign in shame.

You will, if you try, be able to break this ratchet. It’s not hard, it’s only 1/4” drive. That doesn’t, however, mean it’s faulty. So you won’t be able to send it back and demand a replacement. Personally, I’m fine with this and wouldn’t expect different.

I’m aware that’s not how it is with Snap On, (although that’s all their warranty says) but somebody pays for that service, and if buy but don’t break a ratchet, it’s me!

Hey Dave, thanks again man you are always super helpful.

Good to know.

Me neither, I'm just the kind of guy that likes to compare specs and get the best I can for my money and/or at least eliminate any potential weak links. If the Hazet's breaking strength is 120Nm for instance, and the Nepros is 25Nm it would be automatically taken out of the running. That's the only reason I care about strength tests.

Just trying to get a feel about the company before dipping my foot in. Some don't even offer rebuild kits. Also, I like to support companies that treat their customers well and are accessible, prompt, and easy to deal with. As for servicing, every ratchet will last longer if you disassemble, clean, and repack regularly(especially if you put a lot of hours in it).

Not too worried about manufacturing defects(although I'm a magnet for them lol) but, it's just nice to know one will be taken care of in the unfortunate event. It seams like they are pretty on the ball from their tools external appearances anyway. Hopefully the inside matches the out...

Again, just want to make sure it's not weak in comparison to other top options as they are all pretty much in the same price bracket for me so it makes sense to pick one of the best options. Just so you know, I am well versed in using tools and have never broken a ratchet even after the better part of two decades as a professional mechanic. But, I used Snap-on for the bulk of that and they are close to, if not at the top of, the ratchet mountain. I just don't want to shoot myself in the foot by straying from them just to try something new. It would be terrible to all of a sudden start breaking ratchets just because I decided to try a new brand. I am all for using the right tool for the job as well(hense me rarely breaking tools) but, at the same time, a good ratchet should be able to handle a little torture imo(within reason of course). I can likely count the amount of times I have used a breaker bar on one hand(I haven't even owned own for many years). I'm not saying I never used a deadblow and a sacrificial box head, or an impact, or my impact impact driver set, or a set of Cobras etc. but plenty of times I have cracked very tight nuts, bolts, studs with a ratchet yet never broke one as I use high quality tools and the right size ratchet for the job.

Anyway, these Nepros definitely have me interested as their fit and finish looks amazing. If the windows match the drapes so to speak, it is going to be an even harder decision now to pick a new quarter drive lol. Thanks again for all your help Dave, our conversations are helping me get closer to picking. By the way, pretty impressed so far with this new Hazet 863HPB that showed up today...

 

[Tachead]

I own one and it is a beautifully-made tool. The chrome finish, if not industry best, is right up there. Balance in the hand and tool length are perfect (I like a longer 1/4" ratchet, the short ones feel like toys). I'm a fan of the quick release (personal preference). Back drag is minimal. Doubt I will ever stress it to failure, would seem a waste to treat such a well made tool so brutally. If the fastener is that tight, get out the 3/8.

Hey Ricky, thanks for the detailed response.

Glad to hear you are happy with it. Yes, their chrome and fit and finish look top notch for sure.

Yes, it is a bit longer. I think I may be in the other camp so, I may find it a bit long. My current favorite is an old Snap-on T936 which is pretty short. Looks like the 290 is 125mm so only 0.9mm longer then this Hazet 863HPB I got today. It is near perfect but, 0.9mm isn't a whole lot so, I think it would be fine. That's about the max length I would want though. I never use my SO TX72 as it is too long for my liking. I should probably sell it...

I prefer detent ball but, don't think it's an option with Nepros. I can deal though as I don't dislike QR and they have their place.

Good to know about the back drag. Any chance you could compare the back drag to some other ratchets so I could get an idea where it fits in?

I agree on the 3/8 but, it should at least close to the strength of its competitors. I just wish every manufacturer would list breaking strength...

 

[Tachead]

There is a “Nepros brand hand tool thread” with a lot of info about Nepros. It’s been going a while so I suspect some of those tools have seen a lot of use by now.

Good to know, thanks again Dave, I'll track it down.

 

[Tachead]

Well, it's decided. The Nepros is out of the running. The very expensive rebuild kits, the availability, the warranty process and the fact they seam to side on not replacing stuff that broke, the lock button(I prefer ball detent for a number or reasons) and finally the price.

The Stahlwille is off the table too. Far too much plastic when other options are all steel for close to the same price, it appears to have a lot of play in the anvil compared to other options, has a very rough fit and finish, and only locking in the fine tooth "N" models.

Koken is off the table too as they don't appear to make a fine tooth model and I don't like the engineering(especially the one screw for the cover plate and the handle design).

So, it's down to the Snap-on T72, the Hazet 863HP, or maybe a Mac or other options(have to research them before deciding).

I just want to lay out how the price affected my decision too. Here are the current(today's) best prices to my door in Canadian funds...

Hazet 863HP - $94
Stahlwille 415QR-N - $89
Snap-on T72 - $109
Nepros NBR290 - $106
Koken 2725Z - $95
MAC MR590K - $120

As you can see they are all pretty close and some are a lot nicer then others. With being in North America it limits things as we have to pay more for shipping for the offshore options. If you look at the Hazet vs the Snap-on for instance, the Snap-on is all metal, has less back drag, has better warranty support, has easier access to rebuild kits(probably cheaper too), much nicer chrome and fit and finish, screws for easier maintenance, and a much better resale value down the road(this isn't a factor though as this will be a lifetime purchase for me). So, I get all of that for $15 more. Really, the Hazet is definitely the inferior ratchet in all ways but sweep and head size imo so, the only reason to go with it is to match my new bit ratchet(863HPB) or to just have something different. Decisions, decisions...

Any other options you guys think I should look into? Again, thanks for all your help guys.

 

[mdrawde]

Koken is off the table too as they don't appear to make a fine tooth model and I don't like the engineering(especially the one screw for the cover plate and the handle design).

Ko-ken will be releasing 72 tooth 1/4 drive ratchets sometime in the first half of this year. I think that the handle attachment method of the Ko-ken is the best of all the ratchets I have seen; there are three holes in the shaft which the overmoulding flows into, which does not allows the handle to twist relative to the shaft.

The Stahlwille is off the table too. Far too much plastic when other options are all steel for close to the same price [...], has a very rough fit and finish

The only plastic is the cover plate, the QR is metal with a thin plastic coating. My Stahlwille's chrome is very nice and smooth, and there are absolutely no sharp edges on the ratchet.

Snap-on is all metal, [...] much nicer chrome

I think that Hazet chrome is quite good, much more useful when you have oily/slippery hands. IMO polished chrome looks cheap and bad once it gets scratches.

Have you had a look at the Proto precision 90 ratchet?

 

[Steve_P]

It's not exotic, but have you looked at Tekton? I really like their new line of ratchets and they're very easy on the wallet. I don't have any Nepros, but it seems to be jewelry that you'll never want to actually use if it could possibly get scuffed.

 

[corn chip]

The Stahlwille is off the table too. Far too much plastic when other options are all steel for close to the same price, it appears to have a lot of play in the anvil compared to other options, has a very rough fit and finish, and only locking in the fine tooth "N" models.

.

heres what i can say as ive got the 1/4 and 3/8 QRN
sounds as if you may have gotten some bad info im afraid.
yes the bottom plate is some sort of composite or plastic like material but exactly what it is ,im not sure. oil and chemical resistant i would think but with the elimination of any screw fasteners, maybe its intended to be used in more critical sterile envirnments where theres not much contact with chemicals. purely speculation on my part however.

play in the anvil ? lol in/out theres nearly none. radially theres a very small amount ,as i would expect even the best of ratchets to have. compared to a nearly new lp90 that i also have , QRN is every bit of 50% less radial slop. this is only one sample size , based on the ratchets i physically have in my garage.

fit and finish is superb on the ones i have. appearance is a duller brushed aluminum type of look. not flashy chrome. if you need hi res photos just lmk.

the exact amount of measured back drag i just couldnt say but theres zero klunky notchyness to the ratcheting mechanism . this isnt a jab at the lp90 as i think its a great ratchet but the QRN ratcheting smoothness is on another level in comparison.

whats its breaking strength ? ive not a clue. surely that wasnt something stahlwille over looked but how strong they felt the ratchet needed to be isnt a question i could answer

 

[Alex400Gray]

Ko-ken will be releasing 72 tooth 1/4 drive ratchets sometime in the first half of this year. I think that the handle attachment method of the Ko-ken is the best of all the ratchets I have seen; there are three holes in the shaft which the overmoulding flows into, which does not allows the handle to twist relative to the shaft.

The only plastic is the cover plate, the QR is metal with a thin plastic coating. My Stahlwille's chrome is very nice and smooth, and there are absolutely no sharp edges on the ratchet.

I think that Hazet chrome is quite good, much more useful when you have oily/slippery hands. IMO polished chrome looks cheap and bad once it gets scratches.

Have you had a look at the Proto precision 90 ratchet?

I have one of the proto precision’s, and it is comparable to my snap on, if not a hair better. That being said I would still pick nepros or a fine tooth ko-ken.

 

[spanimal]

These torque failure points are quite useless as a guide to how good a tool is.

Better to look for things to match your preference, like finish quality, comfort or naked grip, quick release or not, backdrag and budget.

Pride of ownership is important and basing that on failure point is an ill informed way of doing things.

 

[seber]

I recently purchased the 72 tooth Koken. Great ratchet with almost not backlash. but I don't use it. The pawl works backward. You may think that is a small gripe and for most people it would be. But for me it is endlessly frustrating.

 

[johnu]

Pride of ownership is important.

Yes, we all have tools we drop and tools we set down!

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I own both Nepros and Snapon. I ALWAYS reach for the Nepros ones first.

 

[CR888]

The Japanese take so much pride in their top tier tools. Nepros is no exception.