The_Inspector
Well-known member
I got a fair amount of Tsunoda TTS King pliers and really like them, they are very well made. These and my Knipex are the only two brands of pliers I use actually, sold all the others I had.
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
The_Inspector
Well-known member
Question because can't find it, maybe it doesn't exist. Does Koken make a bit ratchet?. I got one from Hazet, but would like the Koken one for my Vessel and Anex bits.
The_Inspector
Well-known member
Do you know the tooth count on the Koken ratchet?Late to this and CBA to trawl through 200plus pages.
Koken 1/4" square and female hex ratchet, both ends switch reverse. £30 and don't use the hex end.
Koken 1/4" bit socket £2.
Sykes Pickavant. British firm but these are Japanese made. Sykes P were never makers of hand tools as such, more workshop equipment.
Once owned by Facom or Stanley I think. These wrenches are identical to some S.K. 83-- spanners I had, same feel, very solid.
(bought a Sykes P ratchet along with these about 1986, ratchet cost £25 then. Left a job in 1999 and missed it and some sockets when
collecting my things)
ETC Industrial AF spanner. Had a few of these and again similar to the SP's.
Dave455
Well-known member
Did you not try typing "Koken bit ratchet" into google or any other search engine?
In addition to the ones Dave455 posted, there are also a few plate type ratchets.
The_Inspector
Well-known member
Thanks Dave, sorry I wasn't complete in my question, I mean the Zeal version of Koken.Yes! In fact they make four!
The_Inspector
Well-known member
Thanks Tamaraw, like I said to Dave, I forgot to mention the Zeal version, but thanks for the addition!Did you not try typing "Koken bit ratchet" into google or any other search engine?
In addition to the ones Dave455 posted, there are also a few plate type ratchets.
esben57
Well-known member
22 square end, 20 hex end.
Dave455
Well-known member
No, sadly there’s a very limited selection of tools in that range. They have introduced a lot more ratchets over the last 12 months, but don’t offer bit ratchets.
7 days ago I ordered a 15" long, 24-tooth, 1/2" drive Koken 4749N-380 ratchet from Amazon-US for a grand total of $62.79. It arrived today, from Amazon-Japan. I like the knurled handle, it grips well without being too aggressive and removing skin. The backdrag is low, as expected from Koken. The backdrag on my 1/2" drive flex-head 90T Gearwrench ratchet is significantly higher. Head width on the Koken and GW are equal, at about 44 mm. This ratchet uses the "S.O.D.H. System".
merkyworks
Well-known member
Got some z-series goodness. I know the whole point of z-series is smaller and thinner, but man these 1/4" shallows are tiny 
. Getting into tight places with these should be much easier.
. Getting into tight places with these should be much easier.The_Inspector
Well-known member
The_Inspector
Well-known member
Also had my first ratchet starter set from Koken, agree with what merkyworks said, these are really small. What I noticed right away is the (little) play on the ratchet. Is this normal? My Hazet has almost zero play. Because I have a bit handle from Anex that I really love using, I decided to give their Wanidora line a try, the handle is really nice and comfortable, bonus is the striking cap. for the money you really can't go wrong
Attachments
merkyworks
Well-known member
@The_Inspector how do you like that bit pegboard setup? Came across that on Amazon and it looks like it could work really well.
The_Inspector
Well-known member
I ordered two and am really pleased with it. Tried it on a metal surface and those 4 magnets stick really well, however my drawers are aluminium so will drill holes and attach them with screws. I have one I use for the Vessel and one for my PB Swiss bits. Highly recommend them
Got a few more "tools of Japan" today.
Some quick photos below but I can share impressions or take more photos if you are interested in something specific.
Asahi flare nut wrenches
Tsunoda pliers
Vessel 1/4" hex nut setters
KTC hand brush
KTC 13mm door hinge wrench (already had 12+14)
Super tool pipe cutter, Hozan reamer, Sunflag auto punch, Asahi quick spinner, KTC quick spinner
Some quick photos below but I can share impressions or take more photos if you are interested in something specific.
Asahi flare nut wrenches
Tsunoda pliers
Vessel 1/4" hex nut setters
KTC hand brush
KTC 13mm door hinge wrench (already had 12+14)
Super tool pipe cutter, Hozan reamer, Sunflag auto punch, Asahi quick spinner, KTC quick spinner
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And hailing from planet Keron:
God Hand plastic nippers, Keroro Gunso (aka Sgt. Frog) special edition. These are for trimming plastic model parts off of runners.
Cheap Bandai starter nippers to the right, fancy God Hand flat cut nippers to the left.
God Hand plastic nippers, Keroro Gunso (aka Sgt. Frog) special edition. These are for trimming plastic model parts off of runners.
Cheap Bandai starter nippers to the right, fancy God Hand flat cut nippers to the left.
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Also filled in all of the oddball sizes I was missing in Nepros 1/2" deep:
11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21
Complete lineup 10-24mm
(omitting the 20mm short which I do also have)
Also got the long 1/4" spinner handle, comparison with short spinner and "normal" length Bahco ratchet:
11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21
Complete lineup 10-24mm
(omitting the 20mm short which I do also have)Also got the long 1/4" spinner handle, comparison with short spinner and "normal" length Bahco ratchet:
CGarage
Well-known member
Which version/variant tool box is at MoMa???
The_Inspector
Well-known member
How do you like the Sunflag autopunch? does it leave a good enough imprint on metal?Got a few more "tools of Japan" today.
Some quick photos below but I can share impressions or take more photos if you are interested in something specific.
Asahi flare nut wrenches
Tsunoda pliers
Vessel 1/4" hex nut setters
KTC hand brush
KTC 13mm door hinge wrench (already had 12+14)
Super tool pipe cutter, Hozan reamer, Sunflag auto punch, Asahi quick spinner, KTC quick spinner
Hah, simple people think they get a good nipper when they buy knipex, not knowing they could literally wield the nippers from the hand of god, hand forged under the blessings of the sun.And hailing from planet Keron:
God Hand plastic nippers, Keroro Gunso (aka Sgt. Frog) special edition. These are for trimming plastic model parts off of runners.
Cheap Bandai starter nippers to the right, fancy God Hand flat cut nippers to the left.
Can it get any more Japanese?
Also, imagine a Western company describing a product as “For Beginner” (top-left of packaging).
Never mind Keron, Japan is another planet. ’Course I love it.
I’m in Europe and plan to attempt a one-off order from Amazon Japan. I’ve earmarked a few Koken items and Tsunoda pliers.
What would you fine folk recommend in terms of screwdriver bits for a Snap-on SSDMR4B ratcheting screwdriver? Any obscure bargains? Stick to Vessel?
Looking for bits to turn JIS screws, Pozidriv, and small Torx and hex SHCS.
What would you fine folk recommend in terms of screwdriver bits for a Snap-on SSDMR4B ratcheting screwdriver? Any obscure bargains? Stick to Vessel?
Looking for bits to turn JIS screws, Pozidriv, and small Torx and hex SHCS.
The_Inspector
Well-known member
I really like the Vessel bits, also a big selection in different sizes and lengths. Second I can recommend Anex bits, but even more the withholders from Anex, lots of grip and no play in the bit.
Dave455
Well-known member
If you wanted Japanese bits I’d stick to Vessel.
To be honest, while Vessel make some excellent fixed blade screwdrivers, and I really like their (JDM) impact driver bits, their 1/4” hex bits are nothing outstanding.
They’re not as good as PB Swiss, and I don’t think they are appreciably better than Wera. I find I can easily justify two grades of bits (you don’t want to use your best ones on screws with crappy heads) but I find that PB Swiss and Wera together, meet my requirements well.
I generally struggle to find Pozidriv’s from the Japanese makers too. They don’t even offer them as part of the (limited) range they generally offer here, which is madness, considering it’s the most common screw recess here!
PB Swiss (top), Vessel (mid) and a well used Wera (bottom).
Spongebob89
Well-known member
I see. Interesting.
Huh. I wonder why. Is Pozidriv not big in Japan?
I once built an IKEA chest of drawers for my sister, who didn’t have a single Pozidriv screwdriver in her house. The combination of a well-worn Phillips screwdriver, no power tools or ratchets, and IKEA’s pig-iron fasteners made for a needlessly frustrating afternoon.
CGarage
Well-known member
I like Facom for Pozidriv
Oh yeah! Not much to compare to but it is way stronger and more consistent than the crappy generic brass one I had before. The mushroom shape handle cap is also much nicer on the hands for repeated use. Supposedly you can unthread the handle to dial in the impact strength but I haven't messed with that much.
I got the carbide tip version but there is also a chrome/tool steel model, what appears to be a flat nose pin punch, and a narrow model available.
Incidentally, the carbide one is also rebranded by KTC in their lineup as "UDP-4":
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God Hand and Tamiya are the leading brands for plastic model nippers. God Hand in particular is more biased towards the hobby of gunpla, or gundam models. These come pre-molded in color and don't require paint, so trimming injection gates smoothly without leaving tears or lighter colored stress marks becomes more important.
On the higher end, you would be expected to use several different nippers depending upon the cut. Typically a more basic one to take the brunt of the wear (like this green Keroro model, a variant of pn-125) and then a separate sharper model for finishing work. Example comparison between two of their models:
And here's an example of all the things you shouldn't do with the higher end SPN-120 because they are too thin/brittle and would dull or break:
The other pair (red in my photo) are a specialty single bladed model that give crazy smooth cuts and are especially useful for trimming side gates on flat pieces. The flat jaw goes under the part and the sharp jaw makes a single slice so that there is no pinch or join mark between two blades.
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Pozidriv seems to be mostly European similar to Robertson being mostly Canadian. Just differences in what was adopted by industries in different regions.
See my other comment above for more details.
Also, funny note that the chevron symbol just to the left of the text is the mark for beginner drivers, although it has spread to also mean "beginner" in general, and is worn by one of the characters in Keroro Gunso.
Japan also has a system of separate bumper stickers to indicate elderly and hearing impaired drivers.
Dave455
Well-known member
No, pretty much non existent I think.
The Japanese adopted the “JIS Phillips” years back so use that.
They do make some Pozidriv’s - I have some Vessel Megadora’s which have nice tips, but the only Power Grip Pozidriv the offer has a polypropylene handle, and they don’t sell it in the U.K. or Europe, which are primarily Pozidriv!
I don’t think they really understand it!
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Igarashi/IPS seem to have the biggest regular non-cutting pliers selection. Anyone know where I can find an online catalog? I like the SF-165G and the HLB-300 that I have.
There is a link to a PDF catalogue under the pictures of the various pliers on this page:
プライヤー製品種類・通販 |
金属加工技術では国内でも名高い新潟県三条市において、 昭和15年に創業した国内唯一のプライヤーの専門メーカーです。 MADE IN JAPAN にこだわり、高品質、高付加価値を追求しプライヤー、ペンチなどの生産技術向上に努めてまいります。
ips--tool-co-jp.translate.goog
It seems to be current even though it dates from 2020. Alas, in Japanese. Maybe you’d already found that?
Looks like yet another intriguing Japanese tool company I’d never heard of. Love the photos on their website. Check out the picture of their factory on a wet day here: https://ips-tool.co.jp/company/ And the gritty interior photos. I’ve seen worse photos in an art gallery!
Pozidriv was fairly common on 1960s-70s American cars, back when sheet metal screws were used everywhere. Manufacturers commonly used pozidriv self-drilling screws on interior parts, and some exterior trim items, where the steel panel behind it wasn't drilled or punched to accept the screw- like for a door panel. It was quicker and easier to just use a self-drilling screw than to line up holes, and pozidrive is superior to phillips for a high torque application like a self-drilling screw.
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, it is.
It was introduced by Guest Keen and Nettlefold, then Britains biggest screw manufacturer, in the early 60’s.
It differs from Phillips in that it’s designed not to cam out, so it’s much easier to drive. If you’re using a mechanical driver though, it has to be torque controlled.
Pozidriv has pretty much replaced Phillips, and even slotted screw heads, in the U.K. and in much of Europe too. I haven’t seen a Phillips wood screw for decades.
I only encounter Phillips on aerospace components, some electrical components, and Japanese cars. Some European vehicles use them too.
Dave455
Well-known member
I didn’t know that! I’ve never seen a Pozidriv screw in the U.S.
Although, as nobody recognises them, I’ve often wondered if some of these folks complaining about badly fitting Phillips screwdrivers have actually found Pozidriv screws..?
Hytekrednek
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2015
- Messages
- 373
the adjustment screws on most concealed hinges for cabinets is usually posidriv. I had to get a posidriv screwdriver just for this use back when I built cabinets. A phillips will work in a pinch, but the posidriv screwdriver works so much better, especially if you get hinges with very tight adjustment screws. That is the only place I recall seeing posidriv here in the USA. I keep posidriv bits and screwdrivers around. I hate to run into a fastener and not have the proper tool for it. This is why I probably have a thousand or more premium insert bits of just about every type. its an ocd thing but it is handy to always have a bit that fits tightly. With a dozen or more differnt brands or types of phillips bits, one of them will almost always fit perfect. Perfect fit is important especially for the very cheap chineese screws.