Snap-On Flank Drive Plus Wrenches vs. Nepros

[bleep4032]

I’m currently looking to upgrade my wrenches to something of higher quality and am debating between the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus 10-piece metric set SOEXM710 and the Nepros NTMS212 12-piece set. I’m planning to purchase either one in Japan, as they’re cheaper there. The Nepros set costs approximately $574 AUD, whereas the Snap-On set is $732 AUD.

Is the Snap-On option worth the extra cost?

 

[AJHD]

Hard pass on the Nepros for me, here is why...

While the Nepros includes a 21mm, 22mn and 24mm which I like, it skips 9mm, 11mm, 15mm, 16mm and 18mm. I'm also not sure what the included the 5.5mm wrench would actually be used for. I hate skipped sizes.

The Nepros also look on the short side to me, although I can't say for sure if that's reality or just online pictures.

The Snap On, while more expensive, is a "more traditional" 10mm-19mm set with no skipped sizes. You would have to buy any needed smaller or larger sizes individually however.

I can't speak to quality or design. I don't own and have never used anything made by Nepros, including those wrenches.

I do however have Snap On wrenches from 8mm to 24mm (only skipping 20mm) and have been using them for several years with absolutely no complaints.

I've also used every size, but your experience may be different depending on what you work on.

 

[AEAdam]

FWIW - what you are really asking is, who makes the best open end.

If you are looking for a wrench performance upgrade (I would define "wrench performance" as strength, design (accessibility), ergonomics/ease of use), the long pattern double box ends are the way to go. I have Snap On. ICON make a copy set, but various other brands out there make them, KABO, etc, all for significantly less money than Snap On.

If you really want combos, read this thread, but beware of the rankings. Many of the top brands many of us know and love, lost out in the strength test to thicker wrenches (such as Wright Grip). The numerical rankings strongly prioritized strength. So you might want to look closely at the data (specifically hardness and strength/thickness). The quick answer is, Snap On remains top dog. But because "top dog" comes at a "top price", is that the best option for you?

If you've got plenty of money and just want a great set of wrenches, the long pattern Snap On's SOEXLM represent a significant performance upgrade over, probably, all wrenches ever made. Their business ends are thin and tenacious, and their length can help reach areas and provides a little less fatigue to use. They are my daily drivers for automotive. But I would say, I also have 0 and 15 degree double box ends, what Snap On calls their "hi performance" wrenches. That is a descriptive name. I use those pretty frequently as well.

If its an automotive application, I'd vote Snap On combos, I have a preference for long, but you choose, then I'd pick Snap On's "hi performance" double box ends in the sizes you need for your most likely application. Snap On seems to be favoring the Asian car mechanics with their sizing offering 10-12 12-14, pretty sure 14-17 BDE.



14-17 confirmed! It's in my roll cart! (top wrench in pic above)

Snap On if you are listening, the DBE combos are nice, but why not offer some for Euro people? I'd like a 10-13 please. 15-16 makes a lot of sense for US cars. You will get it wrong every time, but at least you have the right tool in your hand.

The set of wrenches above has been a very capable, and can be recommended. I bought all these wrenches second hand and they were pretty cheap at the time. My main box, well here it is here...



...has the long combos. You can compare them visually with the ratchets, upper right. Note a full set of the 15 DBE is only 5 or 6 wrenches, so maybe a pretty good value?? if such a thing exists from Snap On. The 0 degrees (top left) are coupled with ratchet ends I don't trust and don't feel great to me. These are an older generation. That said, the idea is sound, crack it free with the fixed end, then flip the wrench to finish.

Even for simple jobs like replacing a Honda alternator, I was in this box to find a couple silver bullet wrenches. The idler/tensioner pulley is just inboard of the frame and pretty hard to get to from above at least. I think some modern cars are legitimately designed to be maintained by people with lifts etc. It's accessible, just not easily accessible. Thus the special wrenches.

So, full circle, when you talk about "upgrading" wrenches and "quality", if you are talking about finish quality, maybe Nepros is what you are after. I hear they are jewel-like. If you are thinking about a "wrench performance upgrade", you need to read this post again and ask (yourself, then us) some different questions. For example: What constitutes a "better" wrench? Is the strongest wrench the "best" wrench? What features of the design of a wrench effect us most? Is length the attribute we respond to most (i.e. more than strength? Or how it feels in our hands? Do you hit your wrenches with hammers (I do not, tho I have). I think most of the wrenches in the test are stronger than we are. Unless you are hitting your wrenches with hammers or using extenders. they are likely all "strong enough". Point is, don't let strength alone be the only measure of a great wrench.

My solution was to buy everything. So I get to pick and choose what works best for me on a case by case basis. This is not efficient. But for me, my "speciality" tools (including and especially my beloved FHLF80 and SHLF80 ratchets) are less about their functional performance and more about where my hand has to be, and how bent my back is and for how long. I literally can not be doubled up over an engine bay for hours anymore. I know it's a little counter intuitive, (like to hear others opinions) when access is tight, sometimes longer tools are better. They get your hand to a place where you can be comfortable. So my box has a lot of long tools for that reason, particular long extensions, wrenches, long handled ratchets etc. For me length is a performance discriminator.

Sorry for the long post, hope this helped.

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Pretty much what AEAdam said. But also note that the Nepros set is a lot better value. Price up the 21mm, 22mm and 24mm wrenches from Snap-On. I bet just two of them will cost more than the whole Nepros set costs.

 

[Dave455]

First observation is that the Snap On Flank Drive, as opposed to Flank Drive plus, are probably a better direct comparison, and slightly cheaper. I personally, dislike the teeth in the open end (even though I know they grip better) so on that basis alone would go Nepros, but if the regular Flank Drive set was an option, that might be my choice.

Secondly, what do you work on? If you work on anything European you will need to add a 16 and 18 to the Nepros set, and possibly a 15. On that basis, go for the Snap On. 10-19 with no skips is a sensible option, although you may never use the 11!

Adding 21, 22 and 24 wrenches to the Snap On set will be getting very costly though, so it would definitely be more cost effective to add the 16 and 18 to the Nepros.

I have some Nepros wrenches and the quality is very high. Finish is awesome, and incredibly tough. Snap On are probably the best out there, and well proven, and a frac longer.

AE Adam makes very valid points, as always. How often do you use an open end? When you do, would a flare nut wrench be better? If the answer to the first question is “not often”, then a better upgrade might be to get some decent box end wrenches. You will need half the number than you would combination wrenches, so that’s a saving for a start.

The long “high performance” box ends are superb tools in every respect, and a real upgrade. There is nothing better for things like cam belt tensioners, and I wouldn’t be without mine. Both Snap On and Nepros offer this pattern.

Ultimately, you are trying to choose between probably the two best options out there, and neither would be the wrong choice.

 

[mreisner]

I’m currently looking to upgrade my wrenches to something of higher quality and am debating between the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus 10-piece metric set SOEXM710 and the Nepros NTMS212 12-piece set. I’m planning to purchase either one in Japan, as they’re cheaper there. The Nepros set costs approximately $574 AUD, whereas the Snap-On set is $732 AUD.

Is the Snap-On option worth the extra cost?

There is a new sealed set of the snap-ons on eBay right now for approximately 540 Australian dollars. It would probably cost about $40 to get them shipped to you

 

[Banjorear]

Recently upgraded to Snap On wrenches and have not regretted it for one second. In this case, you do get what you pay for in my opinion.

 

[AEAdam]

AE Adam makes very valid points, as always. How often do you use an open end? When you do, would a flare nut wrench be better? If the answer to the first question is “not often”, then a better upgrade might be to get some decent box end wrenches. You will need half the number than you would combination wrenches, so that’s a saving for a start.

The long “high performance” box ends are superb tools in every respect, and a real upgrade. There is nothing better for things like cam belt tensioners, and I wouldn’t be without mine. Both Snap On and Nepros offer this pattern.

I know you know this, but for anyone else:

I grew up with Craftsman wrenches and their open ends were notoriously ill fitting and weak. Consequently, I never really used open ends and thought they were only for working on Model Ts.

High quality open end wrenches can be faster to use than a box wrench and are 0 degree offset tools, which not everyone has in their wrench drawer otherwise. So I think it's wise to spend your money and get quality at both ends of your wrench.

If you'd asked me 25 years ago if I'd pay more for an open end wrench, I would have said "no, I have no use for them. Open end wrenches spread". Having had Snap On FD+ and FD for the last 15 years or so, I now have a very different view of that end of the wrench. Combination wrenches are often the first wrench I pick up and sometimes the first tool I use. Not uncommon for me to use wrenches coupled with a 1/4" ratchet.

 

[Dave455]

I know you know this, but for anyone else:

I grew up with Craftsman wrenches and their open ends were notoriously ill fitting and weak. Consequently, I never really used open ends and thought they were only for working on Model Ts.

High quality open end wrenches can be faster to use than a box wrench and are 0 degree offset tools, which not everyone has in their wrench drawer otherwise. So I think it's wise to spend your money and get quality at both ends of your wrench.

If you'd asked me 25 years ago if I'd pay more for an open end wrench, I would have said "no, I have no use for them. Open end wrenches spread". Having had Snap On FD+ and FD for the last 15 years or so, I now have a very different view of that end of the wrench. Combination wrenches are often the first wrench I pick up and sometimes the first tool I use. Not uncommon for me to use wrenches coupled with a 1/4" ratchet.

All agreed!

My only observation, not wishing to deviate from the O.P.’s original question, is that I only ever generally find myself needing one type of open end. It could be double open ender, or the open end of a combination wrench.

If I do need a second option for an open ender (assuming the first are decent quality) it’s usually an extra slim.

Box ends however, I find myself using several different patterns - standard length shallow offset, short shallow offset, and extra long, all see regular use. I’ve got other‘s too, such as zero offset, deep offset, and 6 point.

Just something to think about, rather than several sets of combination wrenches with essentially “duplicate” open ends.

 

[bleep4032]

FWIW - what you are really asking is, who makes the best open end.

If you are looking for a wrench performance upgrade (I would define "wrench performance" as strength, design (accessibility), ergonomics/ease of use), the long pattern double box ends are the way to go. I have Snap On. ICON make a copy set, but various other brands out there make them, KABO, etc, all for significantly less money than Snap On.

If you really want combos, read this thread, but beware of the rankings. Many of the top brands many of us know and love, lost out in the strength test to thicker wrenches (such as Wright Grip). The numerical rankings strongly prioritized strength. So you might want to look closely at the data (specifically hardness and strength/thickness). The quick answer is, Snap On remains top dog. But because "top dog" comes at a "top price", is that the best option for you?

If you've got plenty of money and just want a great set of wrenches, the long pattern Snap On's SOEXLM represent a significant performance upgrade over, probably, all wrenches ever made. Their business ends are thin and tenacious, and their length can help reach areas and provides a little less fatigue to use. They are my daily drivers for automotive. But I would say, I also have 0 and 15 degree double box ends, what Snap On calls their "hi performance" wrenches. That is a descriptive name. I use those pretty frequently as well.

If its an automotive application, I'd vote Snap On combos, I have a preference for long, but you choose, then I'd pick Snap On's "hi performance" double box ends in the sizes you need for your most likely application. Snap On seems to be favoring the Asian car mechanics with their sizing offering 10-12 12-14, pretty sure 14-17 BDE.



14-17 confirmed! It's in my roll cart! (top wrench in pic above)

Snap On if you are listening, the DBE combos are nice, but why not offer some for Euro people? I'd like a 10-13 please. 15-16 makes a lot of sense for US cars. You will get it wrong every time, but at least you have the right tool in your hand.

The set of wrenches above has been a very capable, and can be recommended. I bought all these wrenches second hand and they were pretty cheap at the time. My main box, well here it is here...



...has the long combos. You can compare them visually with the ratchets, upper right. Note a full set of the 15 DBE is only 5 or 6 wrenches, so maybe a pretty good value?? if such a thing exists from Snap On. The 0 degrees (top left) are coupled with ratchet ends I don't trust and don't feel great to me. These are an older generation. That said, the idea is sound, crack it free with the fixed end, then flip the wrench to finish.

Even for simple jobs like replacing a Honda alternator, I was in this box to find a couple silver bullet wrenches. The idler/tensioner pulley is just inboard of the frame and pretty hard to get to from above at least. I think some modern cars are legitimately designed to be maintained by people with lifts etc. It's accessible, just not easily accessible. Thus the special wrenches.

So, full circle, when you talk about "upgrading" wrenches and "quality", if you are talking about finish quality, maybe Nepros is what you are after. I hear they are jewel-like. If you are thinking about a "wrench performance upgrade", you need to read this post again and ask (yourself, then us) some different questions. For example: What constitutes a "better" wrench? Is the strongest wrench the "best" wrench? What features of the design of a wrench effect us most? Is length the attribute we respond to most (i.e. more than strength? Or how it feels in our hands? Do you hit your wrenches with hammers (I do not, tho I have). I think most of the wrenches in the test are stronger than we are. Unless you are hitting your wrenches with hammers or using extenders. they are likely all "strong enough". Point is, don't let strength alone be the only measure of a great wrench.

My solution was to buy everything. So I get to pick and choose what works best for me on a case by case basis. This is not efficient. But for me, my "speciality" tools (including and especially my beloved FHLF80 and SHLF80 ratchets) are less about their functional performance and more about where my hand has to be, and how bent my back is and for how long. I literally can not be doubled up over an engine bay for hours anymore. I know it's a little counter intuitive, (like to hear others opinions) when access is tight, sometimes longer tools are better. They get your hand to a place where you can be comfortable. So my box has a lot of long tools for that reason, particular long extensions, wrenches, long handled ratchets etc. For me length is a performance discriminator.

Sorry for the long post, hope this helped.

I’ll be the first to admit that I won’t be testing wrenches for strength, as these will mostly be for personal use, with the occasional car or motorcycle repair, coffee machine maintenance, and general DIY.

When it comes to pricing, I know there are cheaper options, but I tend to prefer saving up for higher-quality tools. Even though it might be overkill for my needs, I find that a well-made tool is more likely to stand the test of time and, in many cases, could outlast me. And with some shopping around I can pick up the same set for similar pricing to the Nepros or just shy of it.

As for combo wrenches, that’s just what I’ve always used, and I do appreciate the versatility they offer. I often find myself reaching for both the open-end and box-end, which is why I gravitate toward them.

 

[Wamsutta]

My suggestion is don't buy FD+ unless you're removing fasteners with rounded off corners all day. For hexagon fasteners with healthy sharp corners, the FD+ open end gets caught on them. Very useful wrenches when you need them. Nerve racking when you don't.

No comment on the Nepros. Haven't tried them.

 

[AEAdam]

I’ll be the first to admit that I won’t be testing wrenches for strength, as these will mostly be for personal use, with the occasional car or motorcycle repair, coffee machine maintenance, and general DIY.

When it comes to pricing, I know there are cheaper options, but I tend to prefer saving up for higher-quality tools. Even though it might be overkill for my needs, I find that a well-made tool is more likely to stand the test of time and, in many cases, could outlast me. And with some shopping around I can pick up the same set for similar pricing to the Nepros or just shy of it.

As for combo wrenches, that’s just what I’ve always used, and I do appreciate the versatility they offer. I often find myself reaching for both the open-end and box-end, which is why I gravitate toward them.

Hit me in the face with a pie:

Undiscussed here, or not openly, is the relative "cool factor" of tools. Tools are consumer items. Some share a place of pride in our garages with our show cars (I don't have any at the moment), stored beautifully in expensive toolboxes. Not unlike fine kitchen tools, mechanical tools can be both joys to look at as well as use.

Not to hijack your thread, just maybe reading between the lines (of many threads), some tools are attractive to look at, very ergonomic, or just have a certain je ne said quoi that attracts people. Nepros are beautiful tools. Their slogan reads: "The World's Finest Tactile Tools". I get it.

I think Stahlwile and Hazet hold high cool factors for me. Facom are a slightly funkier version of the euro I-beam wrench cross section. All top performers. Snap On's vibe has always been full polish. The difficult-to-maintain "industrial finish" (black oxide) tools are attractive to some (me included). I like the black tools, tho the color alone can be a problem (losing tools).

So, I agree, I think it's wrong to assume the "best wrench" is the strongest wrench. Wondering if any of you have particular tools that you feel are high quality and also beautiful that this OP or some other reader looking at high end wrenches should consider.

 

[AJHD]

My suggestion is don't buy FD+ unless you're removing fasteners with rounded off corners all day. For hexagon fasteners with healthy sharp corners, the FD+ open end gets caught on them. Very useful wrenches when you need them. Nerve racking when you don't.

Ok, I need to get something off my chest real quick...

I've never understood comments like the one above or comments about maring fasteners. I question if people making these comments have actually ever owned and used a FD+ wrench (or a similar design with teeth).

Maybe I'm a unicorn, but I doubt it. I have owned my set of FD+ for probably 7 years. It was one of the first things I bought when I started wrenching, and Snap On has been selling FD+ for even longer. There have to be tens of thousands (likely more) of these sets in use around the world.

My set ranges from 8mm to 19mm with no skipped sizes and all of them are FD+ (my 21mm, 22mm and 24mm are not). I have used every single size. I cannot recall a single issue over those 7 years of getting stuck on a fastener or damaging it as a result on the teeth on the open end. The are designed to grip the bolt or nut.

I live in Arizona, we don't wrench on rusty **** here either. I've had more issues with manufacturers using cheap soft Chinese pot metal fasteners than I ever have a tool (wrenches in this case).

This isn't my opinion, it's years of actual experience based on actual professional wrenching in an actual shop environment on everything from 2-door sports cars to heavy equipment the size of a small building.

Maybe your experience has/is/will be different, I don't know....

/ end rant

 

[Dakotadadv8]

OP interesting why did you choose SO and Nepros as the 2 options? Happy with my SO FD set 10 to 22 metric, pros use them and they are made in the US, both criteria when I upgraded. Did not go into analysis paralysis.

 

[JradM]

Hit me in the face with a pie:

Undiscussed here, or not openly, is the relative "cool factor" of tools. Tools are consumer items. Some share a place of pride in our garages with our show cars (I don't have any at the moment), stored beautifully in expensive toolboxes. Not unlike fine kitchen tools, mechanical tools can be both joys to look at as well as use.

Not to hijack your thread, just maybe reading between the lines (of many threads), some tools are attractive to look at, very ergonomic, or just have a certain je ne said quoi that attracts people. Nepros are beautiful tools. Their slogan reads: "The World's Finest Tactile Tools". I get it.

I think Stahlwile and Hazet hold high cool factors for me. Facom are a slightly funkier version of the euro I-beam wrench cross section. All top performers. Snap On's vibe has always been full polish. The difficult-to-maintain "industrial finish" (black oxide) tools are attractive to some (me included). I like the black tools, tho the color alone can be a problem (losing tools).

So, I agree, I think it's wrong to assume the "best wrench" is the strongest wrench. Wondering if any of you have particular tools that you feel are high quality and also beautiful that this OP or some other reader looking at high end wrenches should consider.

Excellent points. Nepros is jewelry-grade. There's no higher tier in terms of finishing. That's a reason to get them, if that's what tickles your fancy (and to be clear, I'm not saying that tongue-in-cheek - I genuinely think that's a valid reason to choose them).

The obvious third option in my mind is Proto. Their ASD open-ends perform like Flank Drive +, but with less fastener damage. Their ratcheting ASD combo wrenches are my absolute favorite and their finishing (e.g. chrome and polish) are also very high. The I-beam design of the chrome ones may or may not appeal to you.

I quite like the black chrome "regular" style ones, but black doesn't have the same visual appeal.


You don't HAVE to get ratcheting wrenches - but that's my impulse if spending big money on my main set. Proto's ratchet wrenches are great.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have the black Proto ratcheting wrenches. I actually like the spline ratcheting part, but the open ends ****. They feel soft. I always go for a different open end wrench.

 

[JradM]

I have the black Proto ratcheting wrenches. I actually like the spline ratcheting part, but the open ends ****. They feel soft. I always go for a different open end wrench.

Yet TTC ranked Proto ASD wrenches the highest of the 33 wrenches they tested (besting Snap-on flank drive +). Here's a link to a post by qqzj where he conveniently combines the results from all the TTC videos and lists the open-end wrench torque ratings from lowest to highest.

Maybe it's the black coating that gives you that feel? I have some chrome and some black ones and don't notice a difference on the fastener - but I might not be paying attention. I do feel like the black versions are grippier-feeling, not quite so slick as chrome. Might be a reason to select the chrome version.

 

[AEAdam]

Ok, I need to get something off my chest real quick...

I've never understood comments like the one above or comments about maring fasteners. I question if people making these comments have actually ever owned and used a FD+ wrench (or a similar design with teeth).

Maybe I'm a unicorn, but I doubt it. I have owned my set of FD+ for probably 7 years. It was one of the first things I bought when I started wrenching, and Snap On has been selling FD+ for even longer. There have to be tens of thousands (likely more) of these sets in use around the world.

My set ranges from 8mm to 19mm with no skipped sizes and all of them are FD+ (my 21mm, 22mm and 24mm are not). I have used every single size. I cannot recall a single issue over those 7 years of getting stuck on a fastener or damaging it as a result on the teeth on the open end. The are designed to grip the bolt or nut.

I live in Arizona, we don't wrench on rusty **** here either. I've had more issues with manufacturers using cheap soft Chinese pot metal fasteners than I ever have a tool (wrenches in this case).

This isn't my opinion, it's years of actual experience based on actual professional wrenching in an actual shop environment on everything from 2-door sports cars to heavy equipment the size of a small building.

Maybe your experience has/is/will be different, I don't know....

/ end rant

Same and wanted to say the same thing. I have both FD+ and FD.

For automotive work, I'm honestly not sure I recognize any difference getting the open end on, which is what @Wamsutta actually said. He didn't mention marring fasteners, tho I too have heard that many times before.

Not saying anyone is wrong. I have a lot of respect for @Wamsutta, and if he doesn't like them, I'll be more sensitive next time I use mine to see if I'm actually having a problem and it didn't register with me.

I will say, after all the comments I've heard about FD+ marring fasteners etc, I just don't see it. Maybe if I pulled harder? But I'm pulling as hard as I need to. I would say the exact same things about wobble plus. People say if it's in wobble you jam it on and it becomes fixed. Doesn't happen to me. I may be using my hand to guide it. I don't love them as wobbles. When I need a wobble desperately, I typically go get a real wobble. But for any average job, I find the wobble plus to be kinda helpful. Like, "I think I need a longer extension for this one water pump bolt. Hang on, if I engage the wobble, now I can do it". Works great. It doesn't automatically change if you bump it or... Could be that the fit between a Snap On wobble plus and a Snap On socket is tight enough that it isn't an issue for me.

 

[Wamsutta]

Ok, I need to get something off my chest real quick...

I've never understood comments like the one above or comments about maring fasteners. I question if people making these comments have actually ever owned and used a FD+ wrench (or a similar design with teeth).

Maybe I'm a unicorn, but I doubt it. I have owned my set of FD+ for probably 7 years. It was one of the first things I bought when I started wrenching, and Snap On has been selling FD+ for even longer. There have to be tens of thousands (likely more) of these sets in use around the world.

My set ranges from 8mm to 19mm with no skipped sizes and all of them are FD+ (my 21mm, 22mm and 24mm are not). I have used every single size. I cannot recall a single issue over those 7 years of getting stuck on a fastener or damaging it as a result on the teeth on the open end. The are designed to grip the bolt or nut.

I live in Arizona, we don't wrench on rusty **** here either. I've had more issues with manufacturers using cheap soft Chinese pot metal fasteners than I ever have a tool (wrenches in this case).

This isn't my opinion, it's years of actual experience based on actual professional wrenching in an actual shop environment on everything from 2-door sports cars to heavy equipment the size of a small building.

Maybe your experience has/is/will be different, I don't know....

/ end rant

I don't think you understood what I said. Let me simplify it: on a brand new hexagon nut or bolt head that does NOT have rounded off corners, the FD+ wrench will get caught on the corners as you're pulling the wrench away. Think about it. You have made your turn on the nut and are pulling the wrench away to make another turn. The wrench is made for nuts with rounded off corners. I have some of these wrenches and have used them. They work very well for turning nuts or bolts with rounded off corners. Anything about marring fasteners is not the point I'm making.

 

[JradM]

I said the words "fastener damage". I don't own FD+ wrenches, so I'll take the fall for that. I shouldn't have mentioned it - it's oft repeated but I haven't experienced it first-hand.

I guess the better way to phrase what I was getting at, or at least what I should have been pointing to, was to say that even though Proto ASD (anti-slip design) wrenches appear way less aggressive than FD+, they work just as well.

If the OP was contemplating FD+ for their excellent ability to remove even rounded fasteners, consider that Proto is just-as-good or even better. Proto may have come out on top in TTC's testing, but FD+ also performed extremely well. There may not be an appreciable difference in-use.

 

[toddmorr]

The SO are distinctly uncomfortable with the rather sharp edges on the i beam. No idea on the nepros

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Yet TTC ranked Proto ASD wrenches the highest of the 33 wrenches they tested (besting Snap-on flank drive +). Here's a link to a post by qqzj where he conveniently combines the results from all the TTC videos and lists the open-end wrench torque ratings from lowest to highest.

Maybe it's the black coating that gives you that feel? I have some chrome and some black ones and don't notice a difference on the fastener - but I might not be paying attention. I do feel like the black versions are grippier-feeling, not quite so slick as chrome. Might be a reason to select the chrome version.

I've seen those tests. These wrenches are Taiwanese made, so not the same per se. I have a feeling the open end is thinner than a standard Proto ASD combination wrench. I'd be glad to measure some if anyone has the metric equivalents to compare.

FWIW, I just bought all new Wright Grips to replace my current wrenches.

 

[AEAdam]

The SO are distinctly uncomfortable with the rather sharp edges on the i beam. No idea on the nepros

I don't agree, but I appreciate this post. I think it matters how it feels.

FWIW, I typically grab the opposite head of the wrench and pull/push on that, not the shaft/shank whatever. The shaft could be a knife's edge for all I care. Where I grab a wrench, all wrenches are identical. But that's just me. I'm not sure I even understand why anyone would pull/push on the shaft of a wrench. You want to apply your effort as far from the business end as possible.

 

[Banjorear]

I have also not found SO wrenches to be uncomfortable. The SO set I bought replaced fully polished CM Professionals, so those are the only two examples that I've used for a combined 30 plus years.

I will say that the SO wrenches feel way more "secure" in that you know they aren't going to come off when applying heavy torque trying to remove or clamp down on a fastener.

 

[JradM]

I've seen those tests. These wrenches are Taiwanese made, so not the same per se. I have a feeling the open end is thinner than a standard Proto ASD combination wrench. I'd be glad to measure some if anyone has the metric equivalents to compare.

FWIW, I just bought all new Wright Grips to replace my current wrenches.

That's a fair question. The Taiwanese Proto wrenches are very well-regarded, but if a person wants a USA-made wrench, one of the chrome lines is an option.

I can't imagine Proto's USA-made ratchet wrenches are any worse than their USA non-ratcheting wrenches, but it's correct to point out that TTC only tested the latter. Also, it was me who started suggesting ratchet wrenches - because that's what I would want. If the OP doesn't want ratchet wrenches, then that data definitely applies to the regular Proto combos (which are probably a better comparison to what he was considering).

 

[Wamsutta]

The SO are distinctly uncomfortable with the rather sharp edges on the i beam. No idea on the nepros

They have been quietly making them thicker with rounded edges. They're not advertising it.

 

[AJHD]

The SO are distinctly uncomfortable with the rather sharp edges on the i beam. No idea on the nepros

Another one I don't understand...

I don't when the design changed, but that's not a reality anymore and has not been for at least 10 years. Not sure I've handled any wrenches older than that.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Another one I don't understand...

I don't when the design changed, but that's not a reality anymore and has not been for at least 10 years. Not sure I've handled any wrenches older than that.

I haven't handled any in quite a few years, but the ones I used to felt like knives on the regular combo wrenches. (early 2000's) The open end flare nut wrenches (the snap on ones I had) were a lot more comfortable.
But no longer working in a garage, makes it a lot harder to feel the Snap on's before buying for me (and why I recommend the OP see what feels good to him), so I ended up with Wrightgrip from HJE, in addition to all my others (Craftsman Pro's for smooth jaw, Blackhawks, other brands, other wrench styles, etc)

 

[Wamsutta]

I haven't handled any in quite a few years, but the ones I used to felt like knives on the regular combo wrenches. (early 2000's) The open end flare nut wrenches (the snap on ones I had) were a lot more comfortable.
But no longer working in a garage, makes it a lot harder to feel the Snap on's before buying for me (and why I recommend the OP see what feels good to him), so I ended up with Wrightgrip from HJE, in addition to all my others (Craftsman Pro's for smooth jaw, Blackhawks, other brands, other wrench styles, etc)

When they started bending the wrenches after the forging process, they made them a little thicker. It was back when the bend was made at the same time as the forging process is when they were like butter knives. I actually prefer the wrench to have its bend made during the forging process because it gives it a very short bend radius.

 

[Rusted Nut]

My kid is a dealer tech, works mostly on newer vehicles; not in the rust belt. He swears by Snap-On FD.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Heavy snap-on tool user here , I personally dislike snap-on wrenches due to being slim and uncomfortable. Used almost all the line except for the extreme FXD+ or whatever they call it.

Much prefer the proto ASD line and MAC PT. I've held the nepros wrenches, they are eye candy. Can't comment on the usability as I haven't used them. I think they are very similar in design. It's just up to what you want on the open end.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I use the open ends of wrenches all day at work. Almost never use the box end. I hate Snap-on FD+. In fact, I have grown to hate all non-slip open ends. My Wright and Williams wrenches were so stupid tight that it was a nightmare getting the open ends on/off. Same with the Snappys. And they all freaking chew up soft fasteners like brass and aluminum. The Snappys feel like you’re cranking on square stock that hasn’t had any corners broken. My Proto ASD are the only non-slip wrenches that don’t drive me nuts but I still reach for a regular open end wrench over them every freaking time. The other downside to all my American wrenches are their thick *** heads.

 

[cherrybomb]

A great discussion, lots of good replys.I'm all in for saving up and buying the best wrenches for what I work on.IMO their is just so many other quality sets out there I would expand my search,It is a competitive market,good luck,,let us know,how you made a decision

 

[NHtoolguy]

Heavy snap-on tool user here , I personally dislike snap-on wrenches due to being slim and uncomfortable. Used almost all the line except for the extreme FXD+ or whatever they call it.

Much prefer the proto ASD line and MAC PT. I've held the nepros wrenches, they are eye candy. Can't comment on the usability as I haven't used them. I think they are very similar in design. It's just up to what you want on the open end.

Another vote for Proto ASD combos. Tight tolerances, great finish, and comfortable to hold. I have the full polish, non-ratcheting set.

 

[Sbusmech]

I guess I'll throw in my two cents. Almost all my wrenches under 27mm & 1 1/16" are Snap-On. I've owned and used them well over a decade now and are great tools. I haven't used or seen a Nepros in person, but have heard good things. You did mention purchasing them in Japan. Just wondering where you'll be using them for ease of warranty if ever needed.

 

[F-22]

Probably mentioned already, but USAG 285 X or Facom 441

I got my USAG set for 80€. And two extra sets of the Facom 440XL for about the same. Very tight competition to Snap On in performance and finishing, but the price is just absurdly low. 440XL for general use, 441 or the 285 X for anti-slip. As long as it is possible to get these under ~150€ I don't see a point in even considering Snap On except if you just want to be loyal to them.

 

[bleep4032]

Thanks, everyone! All the information was quite helpful. I ended up going for some Snap-on Flank Drive wrenches, specifically the OEXM710B, through Yahoo Auctions Japan to save a bit. I didn’t really need the extra gripping power of Flank Drive Plus, as it’s highly unlikely I’ll ever be pushing the wrenches to their limits. Fixing espresso machines and maintaining my roasting equipment isn’t really a high-torque situation, and I didn’t want to risk potentially marring or stripping bolt heads on $80K+ Loring roasters with the gripping feature of flank drive plus.

 

[nicks78camaro]

10-19 Snap On and get a 21, 22, and 24 from some other cheaper manufacturer. With those bigger sizes it's not as important to have the absolute best like Snap On, Wright, etc.

 

[DarryT]

10-19 Snap On and get a 21, 22, and 24 from some other cheaper manufacturer. With those bigger sizes it's not as important to have the absolute best like Snap On, Wright, etc.

Carlyle would be a good option to fill in larger sizes, I love mine. There is a full 6-24mm set with non slip open end on Ebay for $100.

The 6-19mm sizes would make a killer trunk set.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I just picked up some old KD polished wrenches on ebay in 27mm, 30mm, and 32mm to go with my new polished Wright set (Wright doesn't go above 24mm in polished). Big wrenches are pricey, and I don't use metric enough to go new.