@@GarnettTools My 1/4" Nepros flex head is kinda beat up (because I use it whenever I can). It's too nice to NOT to use it! Also, Snap-On seems to have weird metal handles. The handle on my FLF80 is too small and I have small hands. The handle doesn't seem like it was designed by/for humans.
My snap off 3/8 does that too. When it starts doing that I takes the fork apart and clean the grease and junk off the fork and the screw. I've been told to try a drop of blue lock tite on the screw body. It supposedly fills up the ga
I appreciate that you aren’t a snap-on snob. So sick of people saying every SO tool is superior to every other manufacturer’s version of said tool. I definitely prefer my snap-on pistol-grip pliers but when it comes to ratchets, I will always reach for my koken or nepros over the SO. I have a long handle 3/8” fixed-head nepros and the short 3/8” flex-head koken. I typically don’t need that buttery smooth, low back drag on the higher torque/longer reach fasteners so my SO vs Nepros all comes down to ergonomics. Sadly, my 2 snap on ratchets are collecting dust in favor of my 4 Japanese-made ratchets. I hate to admit, my snap ons are in the back of my toolbox next to my Chinese-made husky ratchets. That’s what I grab when I intend to abuse a tool…
Well I always loved the Snap On Flex head and thought it was amazing. I decided to order the SK 11 inch flex head the other day. I was having buyers remorse immediately after placing the order. Now im excited to use it. I like your reviewing style a nice change over the stuff ive seen.
I read somewhere that the average Tech has 18 ratchets. I put the Nepros up there with Snap On quality. I bought one just to see and they have some good features. I also bought a Koken and it is also pretty good. I have a drawer full of Snap Ons but my go to is a Matco locking flex head. It feels good in hand. Most people do not maintain their darn flex head, tighten the screw.
The screw is not what keeps the head from flopping on a flex head. There is a spring washer embedded inside the hinge that does that. If you disassemble a SnapOn flex head you will see this. Taking a pair of pliers and spreading that spring washer apart will make the head tighter.
@@deltahawk1001 You're right, there's no way that little screw can exert enough pulling force to pull the prongs of the fork in tighter. I've tried tightening flex-head ratchets like that and it doesn't work.
I’m a snap on ratchet guy. I have like 12 snap ok ratchets. But I’ve always started collecting other ratchets from Matco (because they look cool) mac, koken, etc. always looking to expand my ratchet collection, even if they don’t get used as often as the snap on ratchets
Dude the sk LP90 handles rock, unfortunately both of the ones I bought suffered from consistent lockups even after cleaning and relubing 😐 ended up selling them...
Nice selections. Very interesting how the Proto version of the axis has that knurling, ima have to track one of those down. It’s always interesting to hear peoples opinions on the Matco ratchets, idk if I’m just lucky or what but I have 4 of them and they’re my most used ratchets and never once have any of them been rebuilt and some are as old as 8 years.
Awesome video! I am pretty sure if u take the head off the snap on flex ratchets there is a small spring in there and if u take it out U can tighten the head tighter to the handle so it won’t flop.
What did you pay for that homak cart and how do you like it? Someone’s selling one with the split side top near me on marketplace for $600 asking price in green. Gonna try to get it for $400 in a couple weeks if it’s still up.
If space is a concern you should condense some things :p those extension in their plastic case seems inefficient, also try the old koken extensions! They are beautiful, their zeal is nice too but i prefer the old stuff for its knurling. Stahlwille has been very disappointing to myself and shop, looking at you xavier of stahlwille customer support :p koken ratchets have become my favorite to use, nepros are beautiful, i have some chromies like yours and some special editions, a gold plated one and a wooden/brass grip. They have so many special and weird editions over the years! So cool! Their urushi stuff is insane, check it out! Thousands for a single ratchet right now at the vurrent conversion rate but its japanese art
I've been waiting for someone to do an actual review on a Stahlwille ratchet. Thanks for reviewing yours! Just about every review I've seen is exclusively from european tool reviewers that dont really seem to use their tools Would you say the "performance" is similar to your more premium ratchets, or closer to the budget ones? Also, do you know what's goin on with SK atm? Pretty much everything on their site seems to be out of stock, and I was looking forward to buying some stuff from them
Glad I could help, but it seems to be "tight" in the mechanism, probably one of the best machined anvils as it fits sockets a lot better than my other ratchets. So I'd say performance is closer to premium but there's also some budget thrown in there because they decided to use a plastic cover plate for the mechanism. I guess only time will tell how well it holds up
If you go for stahlwille, stay away from the flex heads. They become floppy quick because they use a washer for the friction. I own the 3/8 locking version, excellent mechanism, no worries about the plastic cover, its primarily geared for aviation. The only drawback is the pin/washer, not sure why they chose this style when the rest of the industry is using a bolt.
@@andrestnt large legacy carrier employee entire shop got stahlwille torque wrenches every single on broke, i bough a full set of flex heads all broke in various ways and stahlwille support is 💩 but they are cheap as heck so whatever makes you happy but im done with em
I've been a SK guy for decades now & i to love my lp90! ...in fact, i watched one of ur old videos, a review u did on it, before i bought it... thank u sir
@@GarnettTools hate to disagree but they where not on a huge trajectory. They were on a downward spiral and had huge quality control issues, not to Mentions the super slow release process of new tools. I own the lp90, awesome ratchet when it worked. It got frustrating when the replacement had the same issue.
@@andrestnt of course everyone will have their own experience BUT I've actually experienced their quality issues first hand, but I've also experienced them fix those issues with it being very apparent that their QC on tools had improved over just the last 5 years. Using that same 5 years as a constant, who took more strides towards innovating and updating their product line than SK? Not Wright, Not Cornwell, Not Matco, probably not even Mac tools. One might argue TEKTON but they only started dipping their toes Into USA made and has no where near the USA catalog that SK has
@Garnett-Tools the issues were never fixed. To this day people complain about the LP90 locking issue, my second replacement had the same issue. Not going list the sk issues, they are very well documented. As for strides, what strides? I took them those 5 years to release the rest of the LP90 line. Making tools in the USA doesn't equal "huge trajectory". I mean come on where is SK now? Did idial sell off their most profitable company?
Profits don't necessarily equate to progress, and to be honest is a completely different subject but yes socket quality was fixed, chrome plating issues were fixed, they released DT, Lp, new socket lines, x-frame and a few other innovations that finally put them in the same space as an automotive hand tool manufacturer. 5-10 years ago everyone considered them "industrial only" and that itself is progress. the locking issue hasn't presented in any of my current lp's I only had the issue with the first one. Hell even when Snap on came out with the dual 80 they had similar issues so I wouldn't hold that against them too much it's just the way manufacturing works
Bsckdrag on high tooth ratchets is kind of a catch 22, unfortunately. Too many folks only find out afterwards and they're stuck with it. There's no free lunch...
Another great vid. What are your thoughts on sk no longer being made in usa under the ideal umbrella? I have some older Armstrong made Matco ratchets and they’re phenomenal, however the newer selections are terrible. I’ve rebuilt them countless countless times, a lot of times with gearwrench guts to get me to the next week for warranty
GreatStar says they will still be made in the USA. There is a chance that they will stay good and stay USA made despite the change in ownership. This happened with Greenfield Tap and Die when TDC bought them. Hopefully SK has the same fortune.
@@GarnettTools 100% get one. It changed my opinion and preferences for low tooth count ratchets. Never felt such a smooth low backdrag, tho I would say the comfort handle is not really one. It's skinny and small, so might fit on the box.
@@GarnettTools the koken soft grips are pretty narrow and might fit ib your box, not too pricey and they have become my favorite ratchet to use. They are not beautiful to my eye but their feel while working has made them my go to, i just use other brands cause im an addict
I appreciate real world reviews. Mobile tech like yourself has no time/room for tools that don’t work great.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head, can't tell you how many tools have been cycled out of here simply because I can't really expand my toolbox
That's gotta be the most used nepros ratchet on RUclips. I like seeing tools actually used.
LMAO 🤣 yeah I buy em to use em. It disappoints me to see guys say they're too nice to use.
Damn right! Love seeing tools that have served time in an actual used tool box!
@@GarnettTools My 1/4" Nepros flex head is kinda beat up (because I use it whenever I can). It's too nice to NOT to use it!
Also, Snap-On seems to have weird metal handles. The handle on my FLF80 is too small and I have small hands. The handle doesn't seem like it was designed by/for humans.
You clearly actually use the tools you review. Imagine that! Thanks.
That nepros stubby is nice! 👍
My snap off 3/8 does that too. When it starts doing that I takes the fork apart and clean the grease and junk off the fork and the screw. I've been told to try a drop of blue lock tite on the screw body. It supposedly fills up the ga
So addicted to these videos. Thanks for sharing with us.
Cool. I hear that the koken ratchets have the lowest backdrag.
I appreciate that you aren’t a snap-on snob. So sick of people saying every SO tool is superior to every other manufacturer’s version of said tool. I definitely prefer my snap-on pistol-grip pliers but when it comes to ratchets, I will always reach for my koken or nepros over the SO. I have a long handle 3/8” fixed-head nepros and the short 3/8” flex-head koken. I typically don’t need that buttery smooth, low back drag on the higher torque/longer reach fasteners so my SO vs Nepros all comes down to ergonomics. Sadly, my 2 snap on ratchets are collecting dust in favor of my 4 Japanese-made ratchets. I hate to admit, my snap ons are in the back of my toolbox next to my Chinese-made husky ratchets. That’s what I grab when I intend to abuse a tool…
Well I always loved the Snap On Flex head and thought it was amazing. I decided to order the SK 11 inch flex head the other day. I was having buyers remorse immediately after placing the order. Now im excited to use it. I like your reviewing style a nice change over the stuff ive seen.
of the ratchets you use which has the least amount of backdrag?
I read somewhere that the average Tech has 18 ratchets.
I put the Nepros up there with Snap On quality. I bought one just to see and they have some good features. I also bought a Koken and it is also pretty good.
I have a drawer full of Snap Ons but my go to is a Matco locking flex head. It feels good in hand. Most people do not maintain their darn flex head, tighten the screw.
The screw is not what keeps the head from flopping on a flex head. There is a spring washer embedded inside the hinge that does that. If you disassemble a SnapOn flex head you will see this. Taking a pair of pliers and spreading that spring washer apart will make the head tighter.
@@deltahawk1001 You're right, there's no way that little screw can exert enough pulling force to pull the prongs of the fork in tighter. I've tried tightening flex-head ratchets like that and it doesn't work.
Do you think you will buy more stahlwille tools? I have their 14 series extra long spanners I love them. Love your toolbox by the way excellent video.
I’m a snap on ratchet guy. I have like 12 snap ok ratchets. But I’ve always started collecting other ratchets from Matco (because they look cool) mac, koken, etc. always looking to expand my ratchet collection, even if they don’t get used as often as the snap on ratchets
Do you have issues with your flex head sk locking up after you pull in it and go to go back to ratchet?
I like the Sk ratchets and how they feel in the hand. I really want some proto ones
Dude the sk LP90 handles rock, unfortunately both of the ones I bought suffered from consistent lockups even after cleaning and relubing 😐 ended up selling them...
@@thedewdster that sucks to hear.
Hopefully they ca warranty it
I had the same issue with my first one (ended up warrantied) but every subsequent one never locked up on me.
Was this the one with the green switch?
Nice selections. Very interesting how the Proto version of the axis has that knurling, ima have to track one of those down. It’s always interesting to hear peoples opinions on the Matco ratchets, idk if I’m just lucky or what but I have 4 of them and they’re my most used ratchets and never once have any of them been rebuilt and some are as old as 8 years.
Awesome video! I am pretty sure if u take the head off the snap on flex ratchets there is a small spring in there and if u take it out U can tighten the head tighter to the handle so it won’t flop.
What did you pay for that homak cart and how do you like it? Someone’s selling one with the split side top near me on marketplace for $600 asking price in green. Gonna try to get it for $400 in a couple weeks if it’s still up.
Almost all my retchets are Gedore and stahlwille i realy like them 👍👍
Agreed. Gedore and Stahlwille are seriously tough along with Hazet.
My box is all pitsburgh pro a couple craftsman and a 1/2” locking flex head husky. Don’t hate!!
If space is a concern you should condense some things :p those extension in their plastic case seems inefficient, also try the old koken extensions! They are beautiful, their zeal is nice too but i prefer the old stuff for its knurling. Stahlwille has been very disappointing to myself and shop, looking at you xavier of stahlwille customer support :p koken ratchets have become my favorite to use, nepros are beautiful, i have some chromies like yours and some special editions, a gold plated one and a wooden/brass grip. They have so many special and weird editions over the years! So cool! Their urushi stuff is insane, check it out! Thousands for a single ratchet right now at the vurrent conversion rate but its japanese art
Koken warranty is crap.
I've been waiting for someone to do an actual review on a Stahlwille ratchet. Thanks for reviewing yours! Just about every review I've seen is exclusively from european tool reviewers that dont really seem to use their tools
Would you say the "performance" is similar to your more premium ratchets, or closer to the budget ones?
Also, do you know what's goin on with SK atm? Pretty much everything on their site seems to be out of stock, and I was looking forward to buying some stuff from them
Glad I could help, but it seems to be "tight" in the mechanism, probably one of the best machined anvils as it fits sockets a lot better than my other ratchets.
So I'd say performance is closer to premium but there's also some budget thrown in there because they decided to use a plastic cover plate for the mechanism. I guess only time will tell how well it holds up
If you go for stahlwille, stay away from the flex heads. They become floppy quick because they use a washer for the friction. I own the 3/8 locking version, excellent mechanism, no worries about the plastic cover, its primarily geared for aviation. The only drawback is the pin/washer, not sure why they chose this style when the rest of the industry is using a bolt.
@@andrestnt large legacy carrier employee entire shop got stahlwille torque wrenches every single on broke, i bough a full set of flex heads all broke in various ways and stahlwille support is 💩 but they are cheap as heck so whatever makes you happy but im done with em
I like your ideas, I'm the same way,44 years in aviation, you have hit it on, Eck usmc
Great footage!
I've been a SK guy for decades now & i to love my lp90! ...in fact, i watched one of ur old videos, a review u did on it, before i bought it... thank u sir
I hope ChiCOM actually continues the success they were having cuz SK WAS on a huge trajectory
@@GarnettTools hate to disagree but they where not on a huge trajectory. They were on a downward spiral and had huge quality control issues, not to Mentions the super slow release process of new tools. I own the lp90, awesome ratchet when it worked. It got frustrating when the replacement had the same issue.
@@andrestnt of course everyone will have their own experience BUT I've actually experienced their quality issues first hand, but I've also experienced them fix those issues with it being very apparent that their QC on tools had improved over just the last 5 years.
Using that same 5 years as a constant, who took more strides towards innovating and updating their product line than SK? Not Wright, Not Cornwell, Not Matco, probably not even Mac tools. One might argue TEKTON but they only started dipping their toes Into USA made and has no where near the USA catalog that SK has
@Garnett-Tools the issues were never fixed. To this day people complain about the LP90 locking issue, my second replacement had the same issue. Not going list the sk issues, they are very well documented. As for strides, what strides? I took them those 5 years to release the rest of the LP90 line. Making tools in the USA doesn't equal "huge trajectory". I mean come on where is SK now? Did idial sell off their most profitable company?
Profits don't necessarily equate to progress, and to be honest is a completely different subject but yes socket quality was fixed, chrome plating issues were fixed, they released DT, Lp, new socket lines, x-frame and a few other innovations that finally put them in the same space as an automotive hand tool manufacturer. 5-10 years ago everyone considered them "industrial only" and that itself is progress. the locking issue hasn't presented in any of my current lp's I only had the issue with the first one. Hell even when Snap on came out with the dual 80 they had similar issues so I wouldn't hold that against them too much it's just the way manufacturing works
If sk had the knurled handles ball detent on the flex joint and a slightly thinner head it would be the best out there
I thought you was a fan of the "floppy" Harbor freight ratchet!!! Even made a video or two about their greatness.
Bsckdrag on high tooth ratchets is kind of a catch 22, unfortunately. Too many folks only find out afterwards and they're stuck with it. There's no free lunch...
They should have made the snap on handles (fist part) the same size
Conclusion I'll buy just as much ratchets😂
You’re the reason I bought the lp sk long handle had the original round head one but seen your video about the new lp one so I order it
Great review!
I like your thinking
Nice job!
Appreciate it bud! 💯
Another great vid. What are your thoughts on sk no longer being made in usa under the ideal umbrella? I have some older Armstrong made Matco ratchets and they’re phenomenal, however the newer selections are terrible. I’ve rebuilt them countless countless times, a lot of times with gearwrench guts to get me to the next week for warranty
GreatStar says they will still be made in the USA. There is a chance that they will stay good and stay USA made despite the change in ownership. This happened with Greenfield Tap and Die when TDC bought them. Hopefully SK has the same fortune.
Another great video! It’s been too long since we’ve seen you.
Appreciate it, I only took a month break because we had a baby but I've been trying to push a lot more content lately
Ko-Ken!
But you moved to bigger equipment? Where's your longer 1/2?
Have you any Wright Tools ratchets?
No Koken? Legendary knurling. Especially love their extensions.
He loves metal handles, kokens Z series only come with comfort handles.
Yep, if I was able to lay my ratchets out in a bigger box I'd probably have more comfort handle options. Might have to pick one up for my backup box.
@@GarnettTools 100% get one. It changed my opinion and preferences for low tooth count ratchets. Never felt such a smooth low backdrag, tho I would say the comfort handle is not really one. It's skinny and small, so might fit on the box.
@@GarnettTools the koken soft grips are pretty narrow and might fit ib your box, not too pricey and they have become my favorite ratchet to use. They are not beautiful to my eye but their feel while working has made them my go to, i just use other brands cause im an addict
I love my Koken ratchets and knurled extensions, the ratchets are the smoothest I've ever used.
I want you to sell SK in Japan as well.
👍👍
How’s the nepros compare to the kobalt? Look the same.
You got to be kidding, they're not even remotely close.
hmm
???