the Nepros brand hand tool thread

[wornoutoldman]

Anyone know if the phillips head screwdrivers are JIS Japanese Industrial Standard (suitable for vintage Japanese Motorcycles)?

Another good Japanese brand: http://www.vesseltools.com/

 

[Monte]

New Nepros order finally got picked up !!!! Sorry the individual picks were to blurry to post tonight, only the family shot.

Look close and you can see the difference in size between the 1/4" an 1/2" breaker bars.... makes me wanna crack up laughing when I hold them together.

nice !! pls post some more pics !!!!

 

[Sick Puppy]

Anyone know if the phillips head screwdrivers are JIS Japanese Industrial Standard (suitable for vintage Japanese Motorcycles)?

Another good Japanese brand: http://www.vesseltools.com/

Apparently Koken Phillips screwdrivers are JIS, and Vessel screwdrivers are available from http://www.rjrcooltools.com/vessel.cfm

 

[jk47]

nice !! pls post some more pics !!!!

Sorry for the cell phone picks, but all funds are going into tool purchases.

I really like the grip ratchet

Also a pic of the 3/8" Tohnichi 50-225 kgf/cm I snagged from team torque, Nintendo DS shown for size reference. Not a bad deal for fine torque settings, roughly equal to 40-195 in/lbs.

 

[spv]

Nice buys! I have some Nepros on order. They were a little coy about sending them to Australia for some reason. Shipping was 2.5x the cost to the USA. I was a bit shocked about it. There are no dealers here, so I am not sure what is up with it.

 

[XtaC]

Nice buys! I have some Nepros on order. They were a little coy about sending them to Australia for some reason. Shipping was 2.5x the cost to the USA. I was a bit shocked about it. There are no dealers here, so I am not sure what is up with it.

I'm from Oz and am considering buying some of these bad boys .... how scary was the shipping exactly?

 

[spv]

I'm from Oz and am considering buying some of these bad boys .... how scary was the shipping exactly?

The total for the items was ~170 USD + 50 USD shipping. I was a bit shocked given the same shipping was $19.95 USD to the USA. I figured we would be about the same or less. I was told that the site is only for US clients. Which is a bit silly given they have no distributors here. I paid it because I liked the look of tools and the reviews here. That said, I can't say I was impressed with the jacked up shipping.

 

[Monte]

nice tools !!!!!!!!!

 

[sarel.wagner]

Like Monte said,

Got a few bits of Nepros myself

rgrds

 

[jk47]

The total for the items was ~170 USD + 50 USD shipping. I was a bit shocked given the same shipping was $19.95 USD to the USA. I figured we would be about the same or less. I was told that the site is only for US clients. Which is a bit silly given they have no distributors here. I paid it because I liked the look of tools and the reviews here. That said, I can't say I was impressed with the jacked up shipping.

Three years ago, I asked if they would ship to Canada, and they said no. So I consider you lucky to get them shipped to Oz. They must be losing money on shipping to the USA, my last order was 12kg, and was only $29.99 for 3 day shipping.

Look on the bright side, you're getting them for less than 1/2 price, compared to the street price in Japan

 

[sarel.wagner]

Three years ago, I asked if they would ship to Canada, and they said no. So I consider you lucky to get them shipped to Oz. They must be losing money on shipping to the USA, my last order was 12kg, and was only $29.99 for 3 day shipping.

Look on the bright side, you're getting them for less than 1/2 price, compared to the street price in Japan

Exactly why I had mine shipped to the USA, and then shipped again to RSA, still came out way less than Japan pricing

Rgrds

 

[spv]

Exactly why I had mine shipped to the USA, and then shipped again to RSA, still came out way less than Japan pricing

Rgrds

I was wondering if that is what some people in Japan would do.

 

[jk47]

Finally got the stripped screw out of my 3/8" Nepros ratchet !!!! Tried square head easy out's to no avail, then purchased a set of Alden micro easy outs, and they worked like a charm Eri Inoue was kind enough to send me a set of replacement screws in my last order

The ratchet was bone dry inside, and I certainly felt it when in use. So, in went the Permatex Ultra Slick Extreme Sport Synthetic Grease, what a mouth full... Big difference, smoooooth as butter now

Again a couple of crumby cell phone picks for your viewing pleasure.

 

[superautobacs]

jk47,

What province are you in, and did you get dinged by customs?

It's interesting to know that you felt the need to lube it up, as well as knowing that the ratchet came "bone dry", as you say. When I ordered the stubby 3/8" drive in 1/4" body, flex-head ratchet, I never opened it up to see for myself. That thought never ran across my mind. I assume you only placed the grease on the contact points?

According to KTC/Nepros' product engineer, all screws that attach the Nepros ratchet plates are treated with thread-lock during final assembly, and torqued down to a fixed value. If this seal is broken, they actually recommend you to order a renewal kit! If you happen to remove the screw without damage, and you apply your own thread-lock, they say there's a chance that the thread-lock will spread into adjacent components and stop the gear from rotating. Of course, these are just statements from the manufacturer and they are more or less liability statements.

Basically, they don't even recommend you to open it unless something breaks in there. The only maintenance required is simply to wipe the grease and grime off before storage.

 

[jk47]

jk47,

What province are you in, and did you get dinged by customs?

It's interesting to know that you felt the need to lube it up, as well as knowing that the ratchet came "bone dry", as you say. When I ordered the stubby 3/8" drive in 1/4" body, flex-head ratchet, I never opened it up to see for myself. That thought never ran across my mind. I assume you only placed the grease on the contact points?

According to KTC/Nepros' product engineer, all screws that attach the Nepros ratchet plates are treated with thread-lock during final assembly, and torqued down to a fixed value. If this seal is broken, they actually recommend you to order a renewal kit! If you happen to remove the screw without damage, and you apply your own thread-lock, they say there's a chance that the thread-lock will spread into adjacent components and stop the gear from rotating. Of course, these are just statements from the manufacturer and they are more or less liability statements.

Basically, they don't even recommend you to open it unless something breaks in there. The only maintenance required is simply to wipe the grease and grime off before storage.

I'm out in the Prairies at the moment, but get my tools shipped to a UPS store in the states. Got the PO Box when I moved north to work. No duty paid.

The 3/8" ratchet's action felt a little stiff when I got it, and I was curious to look at the guts. I used a toothpick and lightly coated the gears and ratchet body. The replacement screws KTC sent had a tiny amount of blue thread lock on the threads. There are no rubber gaskets or o-rings in the ratchet, so it's not a sealed unit. I stripped the original screw with a 1/4" philips bit attached to a drive adapter, attached to a 1/4" drive handle. Needless to say there was a bit of a wobble when I started to loosen the screw. The first one came out ok, but the second stripped almost instantly.

The 1/4" ratchet felt a lot smoother than the 3/8" when it arrived, and once opened up it did indeed have a small amount of oil coating the gears. It also got the light toothpick grease treatment, and felt better for it.

The 3/8" palm ratchet got greased too.

I have always greased the inside of my ratchets, and felt they performed better for it, less drag, and smoother. Mind you I have never owned a high tooth count ratchet, and from other members comments, it interferes with the finer teeth's action..

I was originally attracted to the Nepros ratchet handles, I like a more substantial size in that area, but I don't like rubber or plastic handles. The 36 tooth Nepros head appears smaller than a 70+ head from other manufactures. It has more of a tear drop shape compared to the slightly rectangular profile of others. With the bigger head of high tooth count ratchets, you almost need that smaller swing arc to make up for the difference in size. Just my 2 cents

 

[spv]

I thought I would post some photos of my recent Nepros purchase. Nepros are by far the best tools I have ever touched. The fit on bolts is pretty amazing. The finish on the tools is perfect. I had a number of "this will test the strength" tests with both the spanners and sockets and they performed flawlessly. Many bolts had not been touched for 35 years. I am placing my next order this week!

 

[jk47]

Niiiiiiiice pics

 

[blue dog]

SPV, i am real curious about this stuff, i ordered a catalog last week. couple of questions, how was the shipping cost? and can you post a full shot of that adjustable wrench?
Thanks in advance.

 

[spv]

SPV, i am real curious about this stuff, i ordered a catalog last week. couple of questions, how was the shipping cost? and can you post a full shot of that adjustable wrench?
Thanks in advance.

Shipping to Australia is not cheap. That said I added a heap to my order after the initial shipping quote and it was only a little more. So I was happy at the end of the day (note: these tools are way below retail. The socket set were ~$250, retail in Japan they are $775). Shipping to US is extremely cheap. I will post some more pics of the adjustable wrench.

One thing I would like to know from anyone "in the know"; What is the quality difference between KTC and Nepros outside of the finish? Are they the same metals, sizing, precision with the finish being the defining factor?

 

[spv]

My photos of the adjustable wrench really do not do it justice. It is pretty hard to get the lighting right. I did not make much of an effort as these were taken "during" an engine tear-down. It is a beautiful piece of work. One note, it does not have any teeth in the jaws. It is machined flat. I don't think I will use it in the workshop. It is far too "beautiful" to soil. I might have to buy another one for the workshop

 

[blue dog]

Sorry, i did not realize you were in australia. I too am curious about the difference between nepros and ktc. I ordered the nepros catalog and received a ktc one instead. Looks to me that the nepros is above the ktc in fit and finish. That adjustable is a beautiful piece. Thanks for the info and pics.

 

[Skin]

6 point box ends...yuk

 

[Monte]

wow ...very nice !!!!! Too beautiful to work with !!

 

[spv]

6 point box ends...yuk

On a test stand they are brilliant.

wow ...very nice !!!!! Too beautiful to work with !!

And that is the key problem They are amazing. Stahlwille, you get them, look at them, know they are functional and put them to work. Nepros, you know they are functional, but you can't help but admire the finish, they need a wall frame or something?

 

[Monte]

i would store the Nepros tools like this:

behind this:

 

[spv]

i would store the Nepros tools like this:

behind this:

Surely Nepros will stock these ancillary items

 

[dede2897234]

spv,

What were your reasons for purchasing the 6 point double box wrenches over the 12 point models? Have you noticed any limitations in the 6 point design when using the wrenches in a tight location?

I did some research on KTC's website. I noticed that the 6 point double box wrenches (starting at 10mm x 12mm) were about 4 inches shorter than the same size long box end, 12 point wrenches (model # NM11L).


Thanks,

Dave

 

[superautobacs]

...
I did some research on KTC's website. I noticed that the 6 point double box wrenches (starting at 10mm x 12mm) were about 4 inches shorter than the same size long box end, 12 point wrenches (model # NM11L).


Thanks,

Dave

The working angle for a 12-point is 15*; the 6pt is 30*. That means you need more room to be able to work with a 6pt. The reduced length is taken into account of those limitations....I presume.

To inform those that don't know....the 6pt wrenches are offset 15* from wrench beam. There was a thread that discussed this feature in depth, in the past. This feature is not found in most 6pt wrenches that have been produced in the past. Without this offset, you can't flip the wrench to be able to work a fastener at a 30* range.

The Nepros items are treated entirely different than the KTC line. Different forging dies, different materials, different operators, different material handling during the manufacturing, different requirements in the vibratory machine, extreme care to fit and final finish, and the highest standard in quality control (they'll stop any and all imperfections, as well as items out of their close tolerance range, from reaching the customer). They also seem to replace the forging dies before the normal rate of exchange--that's how they can maintain a close tolerance range with their products.

 

[tonydanzah]

I guess craftsman did something right. My 6pt combo have an offset.

 

[superautobacs]

I guess craftsman did something right. My 6pt combo have an offset.

Interesting; I recall seeing a 6pt Craftsman in person and it wasn't. Someone else noted the same thing too--that was one of the main reasons why he went with the Nepros.

 

[Infidel]

Please, does someone have a high res pic of the water pump pliers? I looked on the KTC website and found a pic of everything I wanted, but that. They are listed on nepros.net for $40 and i would really like to see high res pic of them, so I could at least see the features before I make a purchase.

 

[jk47]

I think the water pump pliers have been discontinued....

 

[spv]

The Nepros items are treated entirely different than the KTC line. Different forging dies, different materials, different operators, different material handling during the manufacturing, different requirements in the vibratory machine, extreme care to fit and final finish, and the highest standard in quality control (they'll stop any and all imperfections, as well as items out of their close tolerance range, from reaching the customer). They also seem to replace the forging dies before the normal rate of exchange--that's how they can maintain a close tolerance range with their products.

Thanks for the notes on the Nepros manufacturing.

 

[ricleh]

I just placed an order for some Nepros tools. I'll let you know my impressions once I get them.

 

[xroad]

Interesting; I recall seeing a 6pt Craftsman in person and it wasn't. Someone else noted the same thing too--that was one of the main reasons why he went with the Nepros.

That would be me. I was looking for FLAT 6-point double box with 15* offset. If it is not flat, you won't be able to flip it around to get the 30* working swing. You'll be stuck with 60* working swing. So so the 15* offset would not made any difference.

I did not find any Craftsman to fit what I want. I would have went with Craftsman if it was available. I spent a ton of money on 3 pieces of Nepros but the quality was tops. No slop!

 

[ricleh]

I received one of the three boxes of tools in my first order from Nepros. The tools are very fine quality and the packing is excellent. I hope to get the other 2 boxes later today and then I have another order coming in a little over a week. After seeing the quality of the tools I am going to place one additional order today.

 

[spv]

I received one of the three boxes of tools in my first order from Nepros. The tools are very fine quality and the packing is excellent. I hope to get the other 2 boxes later today and then I have another order coming in a little over a week. After seeing the quality of the tools I am going to place one additional order today.

What did you buy? Photos, photos, photos

 

[ace028]

+1 PHOTOS!!!PHOTOS!!!PHOTOS!!! lol

 

[Monte]

piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiics !!!!!!!!!!

 

[ricleh]

I received my first order of Nepros tools. I am very impressed with the quality. Now I am waiting on 3 additional orders I have placed. Here are some pictures of my first order.