lbgradwell
Well-known member
ricleh is new to tools and the few items he already had were very low-end pieces of ****; I can see how he needed some nice stuff!
the Nepros brand hand tool thread
- Thread starter TopFuel
- Start date
ricleh is new to tools and the few items he already had were very low-end pieces of ****; I can see how he needed some nice stuff!
steelespeed
Well-known member
for the guys in the states that have ordered nepros, is the KTC stuff available as well? i have been on the nepros site and saw the shopping cart feature, but nothing mike that on the main english version of the ktc site.
just wondering because it appears as though the main ktc line is much larger.
just wondering because it appears as though the main ktc line is much larger.
I'm not going to quote the pic...but that Nepros set really is nice looking. What's the box quality like there.
You know, if you were, say, a Datsun 510 guy, you could practically just buy that $1300 set and call it a day aside from odds and ends.
You know, if you were, say, a Datsun 510 guy, you could practically just buy that $1300 set and call it a day aside from odds and ends.
ricleh
Well-known member
Are the plastic trays hollow, ala Snap on and the like, or are they solid, like I've seen in Wurth, Wera, etc. boxed sets?
ricleh
Well-known member
I have ordered things that are not on the Nepros site - both discontinued Nepros tools, Nepros tools not on the website and KTC stuff. It is a little more difficult and the payment can be a little tricky, but it can be done. FYI the Nepros rep told me that the Nepros.net website would be updated in a few months with additional items.
ricleh
Well-known member
Yes, the box is made in Japan by KTC, the parent company of Nepros. The part number is SKX5206. You can look it up on the KTC website if you are interested in the specifications. It is very sturdy. I believe it weighs about 100 lbs. The ball bearing drawer slides are very smooth and the drawers have a nice latching system I have not seen before. I like the drawer latches a lot better than the Snapon system.
Hmmmmm... sounds good. So it actually has made in Japan on the box? I asked the Nepros rep if they would sell me just the box, but she seemed reluctant. She wanted me to buy the whole set...LOL. I have most of what's in the set, and more, but I didn't want their selection of wrenches. So it would have been a waste for me to buy the whole kitten kaboodle. I spent almost the same price as the set , but got the selection of tools that I needed(wanted). Maybe a little more begging would do the trick. If only they had it in black
I also urged her to sell the regular KTC line on the updated web site. If you guys want more stuff to choose from, it can't hurt to email her with requests. The bigger the demand, the better chance we have of seeing a broader selection on the new Nepros USA site
ricleh-
What made your order and payment method more difficult? What carrier did they use to send your toolbox?
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It is good to hear that they are going to expand their offerings on the website. Now this is just MY SPECULATION, but I wonder if the pricing in USD will go up. In the last year the dollar got a lot weaker against the yen. About a year ago it was 92 yen to one USD. Today it was 81 yen to the dollar.
A friend of mine is working in Japan and gets paid in USD but takes a beating when he exchanges it into yen to pay for things.
Usually when shopping in Japan, you order what is offered "on the menu". They have a term that translates to "the customer is god" and will go to great lengths to help a client. But sometimes requests that are "off the menu" are given a veiled response of no without actually saying "no". A lot of reading between the lines and saying things without opening your mouth.
This is one item I would be interested in buying, if Nepros.net made it available. It retails for $450-$500 usd, but would be very inviting in the $300-$400 range
It doesn't look as sturdy as a Hazet Assistant, but I want.
Full size pic here
http://www.ktc.jp/catalog/photos_l/skt23-m.png
It doesn't look as sturdy as a Hazet Assistant, but I want.
Full size pic here
http://www.ktc.jp/catalog/photos_l/skt23-m.png
Attachments
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ricleh
Well-known member
If an item is not listed on the Nepros.net site then you have to get an invoice quote for what you want. Then to pay you need to select items that add up to the same amount as the invoice from the Nepros.net site and pay for that order using WorldPay. Or else send a bank remittance for that amount to the KTC bank account in Japan. Not real difficult, but definitely not as easy as just ordering something from the Nepros.net site and using WorldPay. They sent my items using UPS since it was a large and heavy order. They use FedEx and DHL for smaller orders.
This is one item I would be interested in buying, if Nepros.net made it available. It retails for $450-$500 usd, but would be very inviting in the $300-$400 range
It doesn't look as sturdy as a Hazet Assistant, but I want.
Full size pic here
http://www.ktc.jp/catalog/photos_l/skt23-m.png
I placed an order for this tool cart to see how it compares to the Hazet version. The shipping is very expensive due to the weight, but it is still much cheaper than buying a Hazet Assistant and having it shipped from Germany.
ricleh
Well-known member
The tool cart was $358.40...shipping was $303.50. I haven't ordered any KTC tools except for the cart. The rest of the tools I have ordered are Nepros. I haven't seen anything on the KTC site yet that has made me want to place an order, but I am still looking. I am curious regarding the quality and I will wait until I get the tool cart to decide if I want to order anything else from the KTC site.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
look at the lower left. The drawer lock looks like a craftsman grip latch.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
looks like a cman box w/ a logical drawer size and layout (apparently unavailable from cman or waterloo)
nice tools too... i'm interested.
nice tools too... i'm interested.
OOOOOOOOOOW... I think that shipping charge just killed the dream. Funny how they charge $30 to ship a 100 pound tool set, and $300 for a 70 pound tool cart, oh well.
I wouldn't mind buying some of the regular KTC combo wrench's and offset box wrench's,
A. for the greater size selection, up to a 46mm wrench
B. for a mini vehicle tool kit.
C. well made import car specialty tools
The Nepros offset box wrench's have too many duplicate size's for my liking, 8x10, 10x12, 12x14 etc. KTC offers SAE offset box wrench's as well. Right now I'm considering buying the Stahlwille deep offset box wrench's, but if I can get the KTC for considerably less, that's the route I want to go.
17 years ago when I was working in a mechanics shop, there was a Japanese specialty repair shop across the back alley from us. All of the employees were of Japanese decent. They had a mixture of Snap On, Mac, Ko-ken and KTC tools. They spoke highly of the American brands, but also insisted that KTC, and Ko-ken should not be under estimated. They didn't have the flash or pizazz of the US tools, but would last for decades in a professional setting. I praised them for how quick and efficient they repaired anything from a stock family sedan to a tuned RX-7, they simply smiled and said "KTC specialty tools."
That image of a working man's tool has always stuck in my head, until I spotted the Nepros leather/wood handled ratchets in Tokyo years ago. I thought WTF, who makes such silly nonsense? Then I saw the KTC branding and held them in my hand. They just felt right at home, well balanced and beautifully finished. I was put off by the Snap On like pricing, until I found Nepros.net, and have been adding to the collection ever since
something wrong with the Cman Pros?
They seem to lack proper quality control as noted in another thread. Every time I've stopped by Sears, the sets on the shelf all have some thing not quite right. So I'm not going to even bother trying to order them online.
On another note, I will be buying the Cman premium ratchet's WHEN they go on sale, and not a moment before.
I'm not bashing Cman, I've owned the pro combo wrench's in the past, and quite frankly the Nepros are a vastly superior product for not that much more money.
Not that much more money? Are we looking at the same nepros site? A metric combo set with the same size as Cman would run you around $210+ shipping. Not close by any means except for maybe a failed math student.
The offset box wrenches similarly arent nearly as cheap, metric ONLY from Nepros [10-19mm] would be about $115 + shipping. Cman Pro Metric are $42 [can be inspected personally and purchased in store btw].
Its cool if you're worried about a quality issue and dont want to go through the hassel of a trip to sears to warranty on the very rare instance you find an issue, but dont delude yourself into thinking you arent paying through the nose for Nepros tools.
Personally, i'd buy Cman. Let me ask you something, what if you get a nepros wrench with an issue or it bends, going to ship it back to Japan? Other than being shiny I dont see the draw here. I'll also call BS on the vastly superior comment. There are many domestic outlets for finding quality tools in the US. No need to import them from Japan or Germany unless you just want to feel special having spent more than anyone else for a similar product. In this day and age steel is steel. I'd have no problem putting a Cman or Wright wrench up against a Stahlwille or Nepros any day of the week.
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From my experience Nepros are stronger than Cman pro's and fit the fastener tighter. My Cman pro combo wrench's would spread the open end under heavy load, and that's a fact. If I had to run to Sears to replace a bent wrench, that would have been money out of my pocket, for the simple fact that I would have to take non paid time to get the tool to get the job done. If the tool wasn't in stock, I would still have to wait for it to be shipped. That one trip would easily be the difference in price. If the wrench's aint turnin', I aint earnin' !!!!
Cman pro's are in a different category. Nepros are in the same class as Snap On, Mac used to be there, Hazet, Stahlwille, Cornwell, Armstrong, SK etc.
What I choose to spend MY MONEY on is my business, I'm not asking you to buy anything. Go start a Cman pro thread, and stop trolling. I think Sears is headed in the right direction with the new Premium ratchets, but the last several years have not been promising regarding Cman products. There are multiple threads on this very subject, so I'm not alone.
If you took the time to actually read my post before going off on your tirade, I actually inspected the offset's in store, that is why I DID NOT CHOOSE TO PURCHASE THEM !!! ALL THE SETS IN STORE HAD FLAWS!!!
In this day and age, steel is not steel. There are actually more variants than ever, and many different ways to manipulate the same steel, giving it different properties.
If I REALLY wanted to feel special, I would only buy SNAP ON !!!!!!!! But Nepros offers virtually the same performance if not better for half the price.
Sorry folks, for my anger... I expect to be banned shortly
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have lots of craftsman pro wrenches but they are no long a US item, so I don't see paying a higher price for a Sears wrench that is now just a china made tool. I am very unhappy they have gone that way I used to tell people it was hard top beat Craftsman tools a good tool and a good price made in the US and usually a standard tool for a low price and a pro tool for just a little more but I can't send people to sears anymore so what can i say.
All wrenches spread if you apply enough torque. I've seen all brands spread at one time or another. Most were mis-treated [linked or extended].
I dont care what you spend your money on, said as much. I only took you up on your claim of, to quote,
"Nepros are a vastly superior product for not that much more money."
i think most would agree that better than 100% markup is indeed quite a bit more money.
For quality tools, even asian ones, i beg to differ.
OK what ever, I have read your post's in other threads. It's plane to see you don't see the bigger picture. You are very narrow minded.
Congratulations, your trolling has succeeded. If you think spending an extra $50 in the short term to save busted knuckles and lost wages due to broken wrench's is more money. I beg to differ, the time lost dealing with the broken tool will cost you more than the difference in price. Unable to work due to injury, unable to complete job within time allotted. In the long run, the inferior product will cost you more $$$.
Of course all wrench's will spread, but not at the same torque!!! They also don't have to be linked to spread, or sniped. Some people just might be stronger than you.
I no longer wrench for a living. I make more money in my new profession, and I want the free time I have to wrench to be hassle and pain free. Do you pull wrench's for a living?
I have used Snap On, Mac, Sk, Cornwell, Armstrong, Grey, KTC, Stahlwille, Stanley, Husky, Kobalt, JH Williams, Cman rp's, Cman pro's and I've come to the conclusion Nepros are the best for me. Nicest finish, if you're into chrome, and snuggest fit to any fastener.
Have you ever actually used Nepros?
You are wrong thinking all steel is the same.... period.
dodge610
Well-known member
Does Nepros have a catalog that they will send i would like to get one if available im impressed so far.
i concede to your superior knowledge, i see now how not suggesting one japanese company but rather the many domestic options [quite a few whome apparently use **** metal made out of chinese tires and soda cans] is indeed very narrow minded of me as nobody sells an equal or better tool for the money than nepros.
Enjoy your tools! I'll enjoy mine even though they apparently make me prone to injury. We'll leave it at that, k?
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dodge610
Well-known member
Wo guess we opened up a small can of worms on that one but then again everyone is not going too see everything in the same light sorry if im stickin my nose and toes in were they dont belong but if the man wants to buy nepros tools that is his business to each his own.
i concede to your superior knowledge, i see now how not suggesting one japanese company but rather the many domestic options [quite a few whome apparently use **** metal made out of chinese tires and soda cans] is indeed very narrow minded of me as nobody sells an equal or better tool for the money than nepros.
Enjoy your tools! I'll enjoy mine even though they apparently make me prone to injury. We'll leave it at that, k?
You, mere mortal... amuse me
i dont care what anyone purchases, just didnt agree with calling them a little more expensive than Cman or saying that Nepros uses some ubuntanium metal that makes a combo wrench immune to deformation or damage to the level that it cant be matched by anyone else who makes a $15-$20 combo wrench. I do own a couple wrenches.
1. comfy
2. nice fit and finish
3. short and no domestic warranty.
i do not find myself favoring them to be honest but i'm sure once one of my Cmans or Armstrongs decides to spread and flys through my noggin i'll see the light.
I never claimed Nepros was made from super steel, only stated that not all steel is created or treated the same. You have quite the active imagination.
These days if you run in to Sears, there is a good chance that they wont have a replacement in stock, or it will be replaced by a tool made in the PRC. KTC ships very fast, and most likely lose money on shipping, that's customer service.
Lets see pics of your Nepros.
Armstrongs are also superior to Cman pro's.
You must have already been hit in the noggin by a flying wrench several times over, because your comprehension and reading skills are severely lacking.
The bottom line is that Cman pro's are in a different league, aimed at different users, compared to Snap On, Nepros, Stahlwille, Hazet etc.
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blue dog
Banned
I will attempt to get this thread back on topic. I am reluctant to purchase anything without being able feel it in my hand first, recently i ordered a Nepros catalog and received it and a ktc catalog in a matter of days, Along with a nice note from a rep. From what i have read on this site and looking at the fit and finish of the Nepros brand tools, at some point in the near future i am going to place a order for a few of there ratchets and a some wrenches. They seem to be made with very high standards. As far as having issues with a warranty if something fails, i am not concerned, just like am not concerned if a cman product fails and i go to the store and they want to replace it with a china made product, i have all ready gotten my money's worth from all my cman stuff.
dodge610
Well-known member
Ordered my nepros tool catalog late saturday night got a tracking # from fed ex today supposed to get catalog on tuesday looking to order from them soon after Top Fuel let us know how your tools have worked out hope you have used them seems to be pretty good quality from the pics ive seen on GJ hope I am not making the wrong decision here.
ricleh
Well-known member
ricleh
Well-known member
Has anyone bought any KTC tools? If so, what are your impressions of the KTC tools?
superautobacs
Well-known member
The regular KTC tools are still a fine tool, imo. I would rank them above the regular craftsman line of tools in finish. ...but that's just a general statement. Like Craftsman tools, KTC tools are sold in many hardware stores across Japan.
The "Powerfit" profiles/dimensions, are shared on both KTC and Nepros sockets and wrenches.
The differences are that the Nepros line is 100% hand inspected before it goes to final packaging; they replace the tooling dies more frequently so that dimensional accuracies can be better maintained; the steel alloy composition is different; the surface finishing goes through additional steps/hours; they are treated like jewels.
The forging/manufacturing on their sockets are excellent, imo. The finish is a non-dazzling matt chrome finish. Time will tell how durable their chrome plating is.
As a side note:
All of KTC's hardline products are 100% forged and finished within their own facility in Kyoto, unlike many other tool manufacturers in the world where tools are shipped from one facility to another during a particular production stage; outsourcing of smaller parts/components from different manufacturers. So, what that equates to is that they can manufacture with greater efficiency, and can maintain a more stringent quality control over their products.
ricleh
Well-known member
superautobacs, thanks for the information. I learned today that there is a distributor for KTC in the San Francisco Bay area. I emailed them and am awaiting a reply on some tools I would like to purchase. I received some additional Nepros tools and am awaiting delivery of the tool caddy that looks like the Hazet Assistant. I should be receiving the tool caddy sometime today. I will post some pictures after I receive my next Nepros order. So far all the Nepros tools are amazing in fit and finish. I will keep you posted.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Ricleh,
Would that be UltimateToolCo?
A tool caddy from KTC? Links?
Would that be UltimateToolCo?
A tool caddy from KTC? Links?