Tools of Japan

[civion]

I have been looking at purchasing some Koken and Nepros, I live in England and UKtools are able to supply a goodly amount of Koken stuff, however the availability of Nepros here leaves a lot to be desired, so I reached out to KTC Japan for more info and this is the reply...


We currently do not have an authorized distributor in UK.
If you want to have our tools, we would like to introduce our web site where you can select our tools.

Our web site: https://neprostools.com/

If you still can accept our web site (shipment comes from Japan to UK), we sincerely hope you like our tools and use them for a long time.


So if anyone in the UK (or rest of world in a country without a supplier) really wants Nepros, and Amazon Japan does not list what you are after, then at the moment direct from manufacturer seems to be the option.


Big thanks to Sho Kodama from KTC for responding so fast to my enquiry.


Time to dig out the credit card.........

 

[Dave455]

I have been looking at purchasing some Koken and Nepros, I live in England and UKtools are able to supply a goodly amount of Koken stuff, however the availability of Nepros here leaves a lot to be desired, so I reached out to KTC Japan for more info and this is the reply...


We currently do not have an authorized distributor in UK.
If you want to have our tools, we would like to introduce our web site where you can select our tools.

Our web site: https://neprostools.com/

If you still can accept our web site (shipment comes from Japan to UK), we sincerely hope you like our tools and use them for a long time.


So if anyone in the UK (or rest of world in a country without a supplier) really wants Nepros, and Amazon Japan does not list what you are after, then at the moment direct from manufacturer seems to be the option.


Big thanks to Sho Kodama from KTC for responding so fast to my enquiry.


Time to dig out the credit card.........

The Nepros website works just fine. I’ve never used Amazon Japan as I’ve never really seen any advantage in doing so.

Although some countries seem to have a couple of dealers I think KTC’s intention is that the majority of customers get their tools direct. The website is decent, the service is relatively fast, and everything is superbly packed.

Another site I use a lot is Webike ( japan.webike.net ) I get bike parts from them sometimes, but they also offer KTC (including Nepros) and a lot of other Japanese tools. Their prices are very competitive, although Nepros is equally costly everywhere! You’ll see why when you get some…

 

[Ruxpin]

Agreed that the Nepros website works fine for UK orders, however just remember that import fees are also applicable once goods arrive on our shores.
I don't regret the outlay, given the quality of tool.

 

[F-22]

Yes, with Amazon you pay the import stuff up front and it is processed much faster.

 

[civion]

I was having a browse around the Koken.jp website, and I might be mistaken as I do not speak Japanese but this looks like a product recall that came out two weeks ago on some of the 1/4" Z series ratchets, can anyone shed any light on this, don't want to be purchasing something that has a known defect ?

https://www.koken-tool.co.jp/panflets/KOKEN20230629_RECALL.pdf

 

[Jackmugen02]

I was having a browse around the Koken.jp website, and I might be mistaken as I do not speak Japanese but this looks like a product recall that came out two weeks ago on some of the 1/4" Z series ratchets, can anyone shed any light on this, don't want to be purchasing something that has a known defect ?

https://www.koken-tool.co.jp/panflets/KOKEN20230629_RECALL.pdf

From the Google translation:
Dear Customer,
June 29, 2023
Yamashita Industrial Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Apology for product defects and request for recall
Dear Sir, I would like to express my congratulations on your continued prosperity and prosperity.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage of Ko-ken products.
This time, when an object such as a socket is inserted into the Z-EAL series product with a lock mechanism,
We have found that some products cannot be locked.
Therefore, after collecting the target product, we will carry out the refund procedure, so we apologize for the inconvenience.
We would like to ask you to send it to the following address by "cash on delivery".
I would like to express my gratitude.
In addition, we have decided to discontinue sales of the affected products until there is a prospect for improvement.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers.
We will review the verification process and strive to prevent recurrence so that such problems do not occur in the future.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Very truly yours
Record
◆ Applicable products
① Z-EAL series 1/4"SQ.DR. ratchet handle/repair kit (push button type)
Product number: 2725ZB/2725ZB-160/2726ZB/2726ZB-160/2725BRK
② Z-EAL Series 1/4"SQ.DR. Locking Extension Bar
Product number: 2760LZ-50/2760LZ-100/2760LZ-150
◆ Address and method
656 Nakakata, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture 437-1402
Yamashita Industrial Research Institute Co., Ltd. Domestic Sales Section
TEL: 0537-74-2171
When returning with "postage cash on delivery", please fill in the necessary information on the separate "return statement"
Please fill it out and enclose it.
◆ Refund method
After the product arrives at our company, we will process the refund as soon as possible.
We will refund (transfer) the product price to the refund destination specified in the attached "Return Statement".
◆ Inquiries
Yamashita Industrial Research Institute Co., Ltd. Domestic Sales Section
TEL: 0537-74-2171 FAX: 0537-74-3746
Email: [email protected]
that's all
In the "Return Statement" below, return source, product number/quantity of the product to be sent, refund destination (transfer address)
, cut it off with a cut line, and send it back together with the product to the following address by cash on delivery.
please.
After the product arrives at our company, we will refund the refund amount (suggested retail price) below.
Return address
656 Nakakata, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture 437-1402
Yamashita Industrial Research Institute Co., Ltd. Domestic Sales Section
TEL: 0537-74-2171
(Notes and requests)
・Please keep a copy of the "return statement" as a copy for the customer just in case.
Please.
・Please double check that the product you are sending is an eligible product before sending it.
* Personal information received from customers will not be used for any purpose other than the purpose of this matter.
not.
〒
Quantity Quantity
Nominee
Place of purchase
2760LZ-100 (Refund amount \4,970-)
2760LZ-50 (Refund amount \4,500-)
2725BRK (Refund amount \4,250-)
2726ZB-160 (refund amount \16,400-)
2726ZB (Refund amount \14,700-)
2725ZB-160 (Refund amount \12,000-)
2725ZB (refund amount \8,770-)
FAX
return statement
Sending instructions
Shipping details
Return date
Address
Company name
Your name
TEL
2023 month day
--------------------------- Cut line ------------------ ---------
Account type Account number
Product number (Refund amount) Product number (Refund amount)
Refund destination (transfer destination)
Financial institution name Branch name
2760LZ-150 (Refund amount \5,480-)
(furigana)
* The product stamp is 2725Z, but the target product is the product with the gear part push button mechanism.
* The product stamp is 2725Z-160, but the target product is the product with the gear part push button mechanism.
* The product stamp is 2726Z, but the target product is the product with the gear part push button mechanism.
* The product stamp is 2726Z-160, but the target product is the product with the gear part push button mechanism.
Product to be recalled (details)
2725BRK Repair Kit
(push button type)

 

[Toyo72]

Was at Northern Tool today and saw these Craftsman-rebrand of Vessel screwdrivers. $7.99, they have them in three colors. https://www.northerntool.com/produc...versible-philips-bit-red-model-9-12159-113952
It shows Made in Japan on the back of the package.

 

[Toyo72]

 

[Andres26tnt]

Wow they still have nos items for sale. Sears rebranded a few vessel models. Most notably this one and the impacta

 

[genog]

I am quite fond of this style of nail puller
Very handy, easy to use and they really work well in digging out nails

Had these for quite a few years and noticed today that the Vaughn was Made in Japan and the two blue ones are Yamaguchi, also Made in Japan.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have very few Made in Japan tools. It just worked out this way. There was never an attempt to avoid Japanese tools. One of the only Japanese tools I have came from my Dad. It is a "C" clamp automatic adjusting Vise Grip style locking pliers. There is a knurled adjuster in the tool that controls the clamping force. This tool will automatically adjust to any size and set the right tension. The quality is very high. I have used this tool. It works really well. This tool has red handle grips.

 

[kanai]

Project Farm did a broad test of 1/4" ratchets and the Made in Japan ones did pretty poorly.
I know that failure load is not necessarily the key factor for selecting a ratchet, the Japanese ones did the worst by quite a bit.

 

[F-22]

Project Farm did a broad test of 1/4" ratchets and the Made in Japan ones did pretty poorly.
I know that failure load is not necessarily the key factor for selecting a ratchet, the Japanese ones did the worst by quite a bit.

I think the comparison did not tell much. Most sets of 1/4" ratchets come with sockets up to 13mm. So you can tightern M8 screws. All the ratchets in the test were strong enough to tighten an M10 high tension 12.9 grade screw to it's max torque (a screw that requires normally a 14mm or 17mm socket). The weakest one - the Koken, would break off when it reaches around ~140% of the M10 max torque. None of the ratchets were able to tighten the next size to its max torque (M12, which normally requires a 19mm socket).

Over time ratchets fail due to wear. Breaking torque is not what will make it fail.

Backdrag was good on the japanese ratchets out of the box, though it changes after some use too (which would be interesting to see - e.g. spin it for 20 minutes with a power drill and then try it).

In regard to using it in a narrow area, not sure why he didn't get a high tooth count Koken Z series for that. It is designed to be used in narrow areas, with a small ratchet head and tight tolerances. Of course the low tooth count standard version requires more space to be used... It performed the worst on that test because it was the only low tooth count ratchet he tested.

In regard to how easy the lever is to flick, I already wrote in another comment - I wouldn't be surprised some brands design the lever to require a specific amount of force to flick over, not always the least amount possible. At some point it gets meaningless, and it may be nicer for it to require more force to flick over as long as the lever is designed in a way that allows it to be easy to apply the force on it with your thumb...

I can understand PF needs content and needs to compare something. But what he says is "best" is not necessarily really the "best". If the lever flicks over on its own it can even be worse to live with. Or on some ratchets, the lever may not engage all the way and depending on the mechanism design the teeth might skip over easier due to that. Stuff like that is hard to condense on a list of comparisons. But PF needs content that can be presented in a certain way....

 

[teagueo]

Over time ratchets fail due to wear. Breaking torque is not what will make it fail.

Non-sense. They do fail from high torque as well as a bunch of other failure modes. Flex head pins shear, heads fatigue and fail...etc.

If you're in a spot where only a 1/4" ratchet head will fit, but there's a rusty M12 fastener (large thread diameter for a small ratchet), you're going to use what fits. And in that case, the Nepros and the Koken will, in all probability, fail a bit earlier than the other ratchets tested. The Koken Zeal 36/72 teeth version will likely be much stronger than the one PF tested.

This doesn't mean they're not as good, it just means they can handle less maximum torque. The gear mechanisms may wear better and have better fatigue resistance, but they can't stand as high a maximum torque. Maybe the guy sabotaged the Nihon gears, who knows lol.

Maximum torque tests are more to eliminate really poorly made gear sets. The Koken and Nepros were still pretty much in line with the others and still do the job a 1/4" drive would be expected to do. A result of 40 ft-lbs or something way lower than the average of around 70 ft-lbs of torque would likely fail much earlier during normal 1/4" use.

 

[F-22]

If you're in a spot where only a 1/4" ratchet head will fit, but there's a rusty M12 fastener (large thread diameter for a small ratchet), you're going to use what fits.

Yes but that still seems like a very edge niche use case, it's probably very hard to even find an 18 or 19mm socket for a 1/4" drive... Maybe with an adapter... Even then, they'll be good enough to tighten the majority of M12 fasteners except for a proper high tension one. The drive end of a 1/4" ratchet is 6.3mm square, and we both know practically no mechanic will ever use them to tighten up 19mm hex screw heads.....

As you say, all the ratchets performed well. Saying Koken performed the worst is true, but ranking them based on that isn't really sensible cause it's a use case 99% of ratchets will never experience.

 

[rick carpenter]

Warning: The Japanese connection is tenuous at best!

These S2 5/16" hex 36mm & 80mm +2 and +3 "JIS" bits made in PRC (an identical Japanese set is listed in Amazon but is always unavailable) came in today. I never would have known to purchase them if I hadn't started using Japanese screwdrivers and bits. Should be useful in construction. And, if it counts, Ryobi is hq'ed in Japan.

 

[bpwoodworking]

I just can’t see a situation where I’m putting 65ft lbs on a 1/4” ratchet. If I need to do that in a tight space, I’d probably use a breaker bar.

 

[teagueo]

Yes but that still seems like a very edge niche use case, it's probably very hard to even find an 18 or 19mm socket for a 1/4" drive... Maybe with an adapter... Even then, they'll be good enough to tighten the majority of M12 fasteners except for a proper high tension one. The drive end of a 1/4" ratchet is 6.3mm square, and we both know practically no mechanic will ever use them to tighten up 19mm hex screw heads.....

As you say, all the ratchets performed well. Saying Koken performed the worst is true, but ranking them based on that isn't really sensible cause it's a use case 99% of ratchets will never experience.

Imagine instead a 13 mm socket was required on a stubborn fastener. You get the point.

I own several Koken and Nepros Ratchets, and they're nice - no need to explain away the slightly lower ultimate failure torque compared to the rest. They may excel in a long-term cyclic fatigue test at a lower torque - 20,000 cycles at say 20 ft-lbs. Who knows?

I just can’t see a situation where I’m putting 65ft lbs on a 1/4” ratchet. If I need to do that in a tight space, I’d probably use a breaker bar.

I personally can't either, but people probably have on longer handled ones.

 

[Steve_P]

I just can’t see a situation where I’m putting 65ft lbs on a 1/4” ratchet. If I need to do that in a tight space, I’d probably use a breaker bar.

If you watch the ratchet destruction tests on youtube, the anvil / square drive end is typically what fails on most of the quality modern 90T ratchet- not the gears. So a breaker bar will fail at the same point if it has the same material and heat treat anvil.

 

[F-22]

If you watch the ratchet destruction tests on youtube, the anvil / square drive end is typically what fails on most of the quality modern 90T ratchet- not the gears. So a breaker bar will fail at the same point if it has the same material and heat treat anvil.

Depends on how nicely designed it is. I think at some point the notching effects have the biggest impact - how smoothly it transitions from the square drive. Cause it will typically snap at some geometric transition.

 

[bpwoodworking]

Given how compact most breaker bars are, it would give the clearance necessary to increase the drive size.

 

[Steve_P]

Depends on how nicely designed it is. I think at some point the notching effects have the biggest impact - how smoothly it transitions from the square drive. Cause it will typically snap at some geometric transition.

We can debate the designs, or actually watch the failure videos. If you watch the failure videos, most snap off the anvil as I said.

 

[Steve_P]

Given how compact most breaker bars are, it would give the clearance necessary to increase the drive size.

The Gearwrench 90T and Matco 88T designs are slightly thinner than my SK and Williams breaker bars, in the same drive size. Look up the specs online and compare them to your breaker bars; you'll be surprised.

I can't remember the last time I used a breaker bar, other than setting up a pinion gear- since I don't have a 3/4" drive ratchet with a 36" long handle.

 

[bpwoodworking]

Good point, if the drive is the failure point on 90t ratchets, then no a breaker bar is not an improvement.

I have a habit of using a breaker bar to free bolts that are impractical to remove with any impact, but perhaps it is not a necessary step.

 

[victor252]

There's a very good deal on Trusco 18" tool boxes. I'll post it here since you guys will appreciate it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5U39G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5OBL2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Toyo72]

So tempting.

 

[victor252]

So tempting.

With a name like Toyo, you better buy one of these Toyo Steel re-brands for ten bucks! I have a couple other models I like a lot.
Here's another crazy deal on a cantilever model.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5VXWM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Toyo72]

I love the 2-tier model.

 

[rick carpenter]

Help please on re-calibrating Mitutoyo dial calipers.

The procedure noted in the "Zero set for 505 series" pdf at the Mitutoyo website did not work on my 505-732 caliper. I am off by about 2mm. The caliper did not come with tool #142115 so I am using tools from my 505-626-50 caliper. It should adjust by taking out the bezel clamp screw and inserting their tool (Fig 6) or by inserting their tool into the groove at the top of the bezel (Figs 7&8). There were no 'holes' in either location that the tools would engage. I hope this means I did not purchase a counterfeit product.

 

[merkyworks]

fully closed you set zero by unscrewing bezel/dial screw, then turn bezel/dial till needle in on zero. Then tighten back down bezel/dial screw.

 

[rick carpenter]

fully closed you set zero by unscrewing bezel/dial screw, then turn bezel/dial till needle in on zero. Then tighten back down bezel/dial screw.

I used it like that til I started wanting it straight up and down. Crooked bothers me. It's a very small problem to have, yet it's a Mitutoyo so there has to be a way to align it to 0 degrees (like my SAE Mitutoyo 505-626-50)... unless I bought a counterfeit.

 

[merkyworks]

No analog caliper will ever be perfectly straight up and down. If crooked bothers you that much than you need to buy digital.

edit; you didn’t buy a counterfeit & use inches like a proper Texan lol

 

[rick carpenter]

No analog caliper will ever be perfectly straight up and down. If crooked bothers you that much than you need to buy digital.

edit; you didn’t buy a counterfeit & use inches like a proper Texan lol

Further digging turned up http://www.longislandindicator.com which is dedicated to Mitutoyo, TESA, B&S, Starrett, etc measuring devices. On the Mitutoyo dial caliper page the dude notes that newer calipers like mine (2015+) do not have the zero re-set adjustability like the older ones such as my SAE Mitutoyo calipers. That explains why no adjustment tools were included. So I guess I'll live with crooked, oh well.

He interestingly said even though Mitutoyos are the "best choice in dial calipers at the best prices available", due to their low price treat them as throw-aways because repairs are not economical vs buying brand new. He no longer repairs dial calipers.

 

[CR888]

I used to cower, run & sometimes hide from evil dreaded rusty, crusty, corroded, loctite infested over tightened fasteners. With Attack in hand, step forth & fear no Evil.

 

[F-22]

We can debate the designs, or actually watch the failure videos. If you watch the failure videos, most snap off the anvil as I said.

Sorry I did not mean to make you uncomfortable? I'm the kind of person that is interested in why something breaks, not just watching a video and saying X brand is magically better. I didn't say they don't snap off at the anvil, I just "debated" why it happens at different torque from different brands (besides just the difference in material).

 

[victor252]

There's a very good deal on Trusco 18" tool boxes. I'll post it here since you guys will appreciate it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5U39G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5OBL2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I thought I should update this with a warning. My tool box shipped but at a total cost of $40, not $10. Amazon charged $30 in shipping which really surprised me. So much for a good deal.

 

[CR888]

I thought I should update this with a warning. My tool box shipped but at a total cost of $40, not $10. Amazon charged $30 in shipping which really surprised me. So much for a good deal.

Not sure if it was a private seller but if it was an Amazon listed product the shipping on this one item alone could pay for several months of Prime membership which gives u free shipping. May or may not be worth a look, Prime is fantastic if u purchase off Amazon regularly. I got some Toyo boxes and rebrands under the Trusco label and got free shipping. Love the small T-190 ones, very nice.

 

[victor252]

Not sure if it was a private seller but if it was an Amazon listed product the shipping on this one item alone could pay for several months of Prime membership which gives u free shipping. May or may not be worth a look, Prime is fantastic if u purchase off Amazon regularly. I got some Toyo boxes and rebrands under the Trusco label and got free shipping. Love the small T-190 ones, very nice.

You are correct. I have two Trusco boxes from Amazon and got free shipping with Amazon Prime. The issue I have is that it was advertised as "75% off" on Prime Day and I bought it with that understanding. I looked to see if it was a third party seller but it seemed like it was actually Amazon. I know 3rd parties do charge shipping and it is usually obvious. The product shipped after a week of me ordering it and now says $30 in shipping. Totally unacceptable in my opinion.

I'd say since the pandemic, there have been fewer and fewer deals on Amazon or the usual suspects like HD and Lowes. Too bad, I like scoring a deal as much as the next guy, but I have no patience for deceptive advertising.

 

[LHSA]

By the way, the seller is Amazon Japan and it seemed clear to me that the shipping was excessive for boxes with super-low prices.

When I clicked on the linked Trusco boxes, there were several options to buy. The ones with the crazy low prices cost 2-3X in shipping. There were others that shipped free with Prime, but the overall cost was the same. I think those bundled the shipping cost into the total price.

 

[Reed Prince]

If you buy direct from Amazon Japan, you at least can have a number of items shipped together, which makes shipping somewhat less expensive.

The box I recently ordered came from another source, and was shipped directly from Amazon. I ordered it Saturday and it arrived Sunday morning.