the Nepros brand hand tool thread

[FuzzyTiger]

By the way - for anyone looking to purchase Nepros stuff in the short term. Get your orders in asap. Apparently they are very quickly selling out of their inventory this month for whatever reason. To quote an email I received from one of their representatives "We did not experience so many orders receiving last ten years".

I had an order in for their adjustable wrench but I had to cancel it because it was going to be a 3 month wait for them to be back in stock.

 

[pizza]

It really does look like that but actually no.

The 3/8" ratchet from Nepros is 30mm wide, 15mm tall for the head.

The 1/4" ratchet is 22mm wide, 11mm tall

The 1/2" are 39.5mm wide, 19mm tall

Different bodies for each of them and they are all mind bogglingly small for their size categories. The 3/8" is quite a bit smaller than most 1/4" ratchets I've seen from other companies... I haven't held their 1/4" but its on my shopping list. The 3/8" extended length flex head is first for me then I'll get their 1/4's.

i just had another look at their site

the normal 3/8" head is 30x15mm
the 1/4" head is 22x11mm
the compact 3/8" head is 22x11mm, same as the 1/4"

it does seem that the 3/8" compact head is a 3/8" kit in a 1/4" body or something like that.





also, lol
the first time i used my new 3/8" flex head was on car battery posts. it was the only wrench i had around. my hand slipped, and i shorted the battery on the wrench. ****, away fumed a small patch of beautiful chrome:



idk how i manage to **** up my nepros stuff on the very first use every time

 

[FuzzyTiger]

i just had another look at their site

the normal 3/8" head is 30x15mm
the 1/4" head is 22x11mm
the compact 3/8" head is 22x11mm, same as the 1/4"

it does seem that the 3/8" compact head is a 3/8" kit in a 1/4" body or something like that.





also, lol
the first time i used my new 3/8" flex head was on car battery posts. it was the only wrench i had around. my hand slipped, and i shorted the battery on the wrench. ****, away fumed a small patch of beautiful chrome:



idk how i manage to **** up my nepros stuff on the very first use every time

Huh. I never paid attention to that before but you're right. They offer a standard and compact head.

And Ugh. I've used my ratchets a couple times and both times it was because no other tool I had could get the job done. My breaker bar though - that thing is too precious to use with its **** leather wrapped handle. How do you explain that to other people even? "What is the nicest tool you own?" "My breaker bar"

 

[afazz]

I recently picked up a Nepros 1/4” drive long metric hex bit set and they’re beautiful! Here are some comparison photos to Snap-on. I can’t wait to start using them, I’m curious how the strength compares.

 

[speed88]

My first and definitely not my last

 

[mhejl]

My first and definitely not my last

I love those spinners! I have one of each size they make - much better grip than the Snap On (or Williams) I have.

 

[pizza]

By the way - for anyone looking to purchase Nepros stuff in the short term. Get your orders in asap. Apparently they are very quickly selling out of their inventory this month for whatever reason. To quote an email I received from one of their representatives "We did not experience so many orders receiving last ten years".

I had an order in for their adjustable wrench but I had to cancel it because it was going to be a 3 month wait for them to be back in stock.

i wonder if it's because of AvE's video.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

i wonder if it's because of AvE's video.

I suspect you're right. The Nepros folks have been asking how we discovered them. The AvE videos must be a few hundred thousand views? And anyone that watches his videos knows that he gives an honest opinion about anything he handles. If he says it's good and has no complaints, you know the thing is skookum as all heck.

I'm guessing that Nepros probably gets a few orders per day from international customers and now they are probably getting hundreds. Because honestly the tools are in a league of their own and price wise they are not that unreasonable for what they are.

If you want a set of mac or snapon sockets in Canada, that's about $500 CAD? I could buy the full range of shallow and deep sockets from Nepros + a few random doodads like quick spinners for that price. Their ratchets are also about half the price of Mac or snapon right now. Top tier quality for half the price of the closest competition? That's a pretty compelling deal.

 

[Wakefield]

I suspect you're right. The Nepros folks have been asking how we discovered them. The AvE videos must be a few hundred thousand views? And anyone that watches his videos knows that he gives an honest opinion about anything he handles. If he says it's good and has no complaints, you know the thing is skookum as all heck.

I'm guessing that Nepros probably gets a few orders per day from international customers and now they are probably getting hundreds. Because honestly the tools are in a league of their own and price wise they are not that unreasonable for what they are.

If you want a set of mac or snapon sockets in Canada, that's about $500 CAD? I could buy the full range of shallow and deep sockets from Nepros + a few random doodads like quick spinners for that price. Their ratchets are also about half the price of Mac or snapon right now. Top tier quality for half the price of the closest competition? That's a pretty compelling deal.

What do you think of their very long flat "aircraft" wrench such as NM11L-1719 has 17 and 19mm.ends compare to SnapOn HDHF

 

[FuzzyTiger]

What do you think of their very long flat "aircraft" wrench such as NM11L-1719 has 17 and 19mm.ends compare to SnapOn HDHF

No clue. Like all Nepros stuff though I'd say it will have a nicer fit and finish but their performance as tools is probably identical. If the Snap-On customer service/warranty matters to you then go with them. If you're a hobbyist you want something nice for yourself and it's about enjoyment then go Nepros.

Personally the Nepros wrenches are on my shopping list. The flat surfaces of a wrench will really highlight the finish of the tool and the quality of the chrome. They are probably visually stunning tools.

 

[dutchgray]

What do you think of their very long flat "aircraft" wrench such as NM11L-1719 has 17 and 19mm.ends compare to SnapOn HDHF

I bought the set a few years ago, they are not often used but when you need them they are excellent wrenches. Thin box ends very nicely broached, chrome is perfect.
I haven't had the Snap-On version in my hands to compare them.

 

[superautobacs]

Definitely swayed heavily by the Youtube tool community like AvE, MrSubaru, and KoonTrucking channels. AVE certainly wins in terms of exposure!

 

[tronstein]

I only became familiar with Nepros in the last 6 months or so and have been meaning to order some tools. As soon as I saw the AvE video, I thought to myself, "oh cool, Nepros stuff...wait, oh no, everyone's gonna want it now!"

 

[Stuey]

I only became familiar with Nepros in the last 6 months or so and have been meaning to order some tools. As soon as I saw the AvE video, I thought to myself, "oh cool, Nepros stuff...wait, oh no, everyone's gonna want it now!"

Sounds familiar. I placed my order Friday night, hoping it's not too late.

 

[m6z]

I recently picked up a Nepros 1/4” drive long metric hex bit set and they’re beautiful! Here are some comparison photos to Snap-on. I can’t wait to start using them, I’m curious how the strength compares.

Part number on that small round head ratchet?

 

[tronstein]

Part number on that small round head ratchet?

I don't want to misinform, as I'm not afazz, but I THINK that's TKN72 from Snap on.

 

[tronstein]

Does anyone know if one can disassemble the Nepros socket rails to add/remove individual clips?

 

[Stuey]

I received a similar note, politely informing me of potential delays and asking how I learned about the brand.

I wonder if we're not contributing to things - those of us in the "uh oh I'd better get my order in now!!!" camp.

I've put things off for a few years. I was about to order maybe a year ago, and then their website was down for a while, and put it off again.

 

[apereira123456]

To disassemble the rail you just have to remove a screw on the bottom.

 

[tronstein]

To disassemble the rail you just have to remove a screw on the bottom.

Great, thank you!

 

[Ralf11]

has anybody sent a link for this thread to Nepros?

 

[Refuse1]

Very good chance I'm missing this someplace, but exactly how do we order these tools ?

 

[mazdeuce]

nepros.net

 

[Refuse1]

nepros.net

Thank You !

 

[pizza]

going back to the topic of 3/8" compact head vs 1/4" from a page or 2 ago (e.g. see https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8747943#post8747943), i emailed nepros and asked if it's possible to convert a 1/4" into a 3/8" using the 3/8" compact head repair kit.

for example:

NBR290 + NBRC390-K = NBRC390 ?

(1/4" + repair kit = 3/8" compact head?)

nepros replied:

The repair kit for NBRC390 (3/8 compact head) can not be installed into NBR290 (1/4) as the component parts are different. Even if you can install the repair kit of NBRC390 into NBR290, we definitely can not recommend you to do so to avoid unexpected troubles during your work.

even though they say this, i want to believe it's possible because i'm eyeing some 1/4" blue iP (limited edition) ratchets i want to convert into 3/8". lol.

if any of you have both a 1/4" and a 3/8" compact head and are bored, could you take them apart and have a look? thanks!

 

[FuzzyTiger]

...because i'm eyeing some 1/4" blue iP (limited edition) ratchets...

Where are you seeing the blue ion stuff still available for sale? I can't find it anywhere; not even on ebay.

... Actually if I could find the black ion or the gold variants... Really any special edition Nepros stuff would be cool.

 

[pizza]

haha. you gotta dig deep

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Ugh. Deeper into my wallet and the internet now too. Could be really satisfying though when I finally find a piece a like after some serious searching.

 

[Tuc04]

I recently bought a NBRC390 (3/8" in 1/4" body). Here are the dimensions:

Gear = .667 D x .233 thick (#2 in pic)
Locating shoulder on back of ratchet = .383 D and .070 from face of gear (#1 in pic)
Anvil side shoulder = .521 D

It looks to me that as long #1 and #2 are the same size you should be good.

going back to the topic of 3/8" compact head vs 1/4" from a page or 2 ago (e.g. see https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8747943#post8747943), i emailed nepros and asked if it's possible to convert a 1/4" into a 3/8" using the 3/8" compact head repair kit.

for example:

NBR290 + NBRC390-K = NBRC390 ?

(1/4" + repair kit = 3/8" compact head?)

nepros replied:



even though they say this, i want to believe it's possible because i'm eyeing some 1/4" blue iP (limited edition) ratchets i want to convert into 3/8". lol.

if any of you have both a 1/4" and a 3/8" compact head and are bored, could you take them apart and have a look? thanks!

 

[pizza]

Tuc04

thanks for that info. great pic.

anyone got a 1/4 they can open up to compare against?

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Tuc04

thanks for that info. great pic.

anyone got a 1/4 they can open up to compare against?

I have both. I'll try to make time to do it latter this week.

 

[pizza]

I have both. I'll try to make time to do it latter this week.

thanks

ok, got a special treat today.

3/8" blue iP ratchet:

it's a thing of beauty, but i paid out the *** for it. $232 shipped.

let that be a lesson to you. if you like something that's limited edition, just buy the damn thing. if you wait, you could end up paying double. it was originally priced at 13k jpy ($125) + shipping.

edit:
hey look, the ejector pin has the iP finish, too

 

[16again]

Pizza that ratchet is a work of art! Wow that’s a big price tag.

 

[toddmorr]

gotta chuckle...only the Japanese would color the ejector pin special like that.
and i guess only Nepros, at that.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Also looks like they polished the area by the switch compared to the regular ratchet too.

That finish is just beautiful though. In retrospect, I would have totally bought the full set of the blue IP stuff.

 

[pizza]

Also looks like they polished the area by the switch compared to the regular ratchet too.

yeah, on my sample, it's a lot more polished than what i've seen on their normal ratchets, but it's not perfect:



i managed to get a pic that really emphasizes all the little surface irregularities even on the normal parts of the ratchets. in person, the ratchets look much more flawless and mirror-like.

so if you direct your attention to the recessed area by the switch, most of the surface has been polished on mine.
but you can see in the corner/edge, it's still rough. and curiously, it's rough in a different way from what i've seen in other ratchets. instead of being bumpy, it's more like circular milling marks or something. never seen that in pics or vids before.

i assumed they put in a little extra polishing effort to get a better result with the iP process (or maybe just because limited edition), but all the pics of blue iP ratchets i'm finding are rough/bumpy just like the normal ratchets. here's an example (not my pic):



or this: https://i.imgur.com/4f7yztg.jpg

i'm thinking maybe i just got lucky, and the guy working on my ratchet was really "feeling it" and put in some extra work.

or maybe there was a run in the beginning where they polished them more out of paranoia not wanting to ruin an iP batch.

who knows. whatever. mine's polished, and i dig it!

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Yeah. I've seen some of their standard and now a blue IP ratchet with that are polished and unpolished. I'm not sure what the difference is or why. I always assumed it was just a design feature because it seems like they could easily polish that entire area off if they wanted.

I wonder if it has to do with when the tools were manufactured? At some point they decided to just switch the process slightly?

Edit: actually it makes sense that there would be slight difference between batches of Nepros tools because I don't think they are in constant production. I believe they make a large batch every few months or maybe once a year or so.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

So the ¼ and ⅜ compact head long handles are identical and swapable.

The only difference is the ⅜'s has a slightly taller release button. The pawls, lever, bodies etc are all exactly the same. The only difference is the drive unit.
I swamped them on mine, reassembled and tested with no issues. I then swamped them back, so the model numbers are correct.

So it is possible to just order the parts to convert.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Does anyone own the ½ drive metric socket set? Would love to see some close ups. Even better if you could compare with Snap-On

 

[pizza]

So the ¼ and ⅜ compact head long handles are identical and swapable.

The only difference is the ⅜'s has a slightly taller release button. The pawls, lever, bodies etc are all exactly the same. The only difference is the drive unit.
I swamped them on mine, reassembled and tested with no issues. I then swamped them back, so the model numbers are correct.

So it is possible to just order the parts to convert.

awesome! thanks a bunch, Grant and Tuc04