Tools of Japan

[Qualitytools]

Some of my pencil addiction:






All metal made in Japan pencil sharpener, the Carl Angel-5 Royal. Super high quality, and does the job. Take care - there is a US market model called Carl Angel-5 that is made in China. Also all metal, but somewhat lesser quality overall. The Royal-5 Angel model is made in Japan for the Japanese market but you can get it on their amazon website for about the same money as the chinese model.



Point before using the Carl, just made with a German hand-sharpener - very off centre and short:



Point after using the Carl - centered and long:




Really want to try some US pencils as well. But paying 3-4 times as much on amazon seems crazy for the quality Mitsubishi offers. Blackwings are cool but so overpriced. I heard Musgrave is cool to try out.

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in the Carl Angel-5 Royal. You stated you can get it from Amazon Japan. However, how about the power and electrical plug for use in the US?

 

[jgeoffr]

Some of my pencil addiction:






All metal made in Japan pencil sharpener, the Carl Angel-5 Royal. Super high quality, and does the job. Take care - there is a US market model called Carl Angel-5 that is made in China. Also all metal, but somewhat lesser quality overall. The Royal-5 Angel model is made in Japan for the Japanese market but you can get it on their amazon website for about the same money as the chinese model.



Point before using the Carl, just made with a German hand-sharpener - very off centre and short:



Point after using the Carl - centered and long:




Really want to try some US pencils as well. But paying 3-4 times as much on amazon seems crazy for the quality Mitsubishi offers. Blackwings are cool but so overpriced. I heard Musgrave is cool to try out.

Made me think about my Mitsubishi ES10 sharpener that I acquired from work. We switched from 110V to 220V so it was no longer needed. Happy for it to come home with me.

 

[jgeoffr]

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in the Carl Angel-5 Royal. You stated you can get it from Amazon Japan. However, how about the power and electrical plug for use in the US?

Japan uses 100/110V and the US-style plug. One of the advantages of the US leasing reconstruction after WW2.

 

[CR888]

Anyone know where to source Vessel Ball Torsion bits in +1 and +3 in packs of preferably quantity 5-15? Length is not really an issue (let the jokes commence) as long as they're 50mm or more. I have two 25pc packs of +1x50 and +3x50 and two +1/+2/+3 x50 five pc assortment packs in my Amazon cart right now.

They have +3x90 in five pc assortment packs, so I know they make these too.

Hmmm well the ones u posted in a photo earlier "I think" looked to be the euro anvil which are for markets outside Japan. Generally that style of ball torsion I've seen are for outside markets. I know AmazonJP often has many offering within a listing including length or quantity of a listed product. But perhaps U might want to check your getting the anvil type U desire. Otherwise they won't lock into your impact collet. Is it euro short anvil or the 13mm Japanese anvil your looking for.

 

[CR888]

Kinda stretching the boundaries of the definition of "tools" (brushes are tools?) but I thought some of you might appreciate these pics from a high end art store in Tokyo called "Pigment Tokyo". The 2 pics with the big glass jars and samples in frames are animal parts that are bought dried and ground up to make different natural hide glues. The wall of colored jars are raw granular watercolor pigments that can be purchased by the gram.

What W beautiful store. They probably wrap your order in brown paper & tie it up with string.

 

[F-22]

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in the Carl Angel-5 Royal. You stated you can get it from Amazon Japan. However, how about the power and electrical plug for use in the US?

That's a manual hand-crank grinder, so no issues with power

I like to use pencils, but I do not use them enough to really need an electrical sharpener. The big manual one sits on my desk and does not get lost like the handheld ones all inevitably do.

 

[Odd-job]

Amazon US seems to be price competitive with Amazon Japan these days once shipping is factored in? I wonder if CA sales tax is what really screws me...

 

[mobiledynamics]

This thread is a complete fail
It has put such a hole in my pocket and I've got 3 more boxes coming from Kex Express this week again...

 

[Madjik Man]

Okay, I need help with Vessel precision screwdrivers. The current Husky ones I have are such garbage. I hate them. I'm pretty set on going with Vessel with the precision screwdrivers as they are very affordable and I'm assuming good quality.

TL;DR - can someone help me find Vessel pentalobe precision screwdrivers that work for Macbook Air and iPhones?

For the core set I'm going with this $15 one which includes:

Flat -0.9, -1.2, -1.8, -2.3,
Crosshead: 00, 0

Amazon.com

Then I'm going to supplement the set with these individuals:

Crosshead: 000, 0000
Flat: -.07

But where I need help is with pentalobe. I do occasionally take my Macbook Air and iPhone apart for maintenance or battery replacements. What's confusing is if Vessel truly makes a pentalobe driver. I read the following thread on GJ hoping to gain insight but left only more confused.

Pentalobe Drive: Sizes Not Standardized Across Brands!

i'm hoping to make a reference to compare pentalobe drive sizes across the major brands. if any can chime in with more datapoints, that would be great. MacBook Pro/Air: Wiha PL4 = PB Swiss 1.2mm = ifixit P5 = TS4 jPhone: Wiha PL1 = PB Swiss 0.8mm = P2 = TS1 not sure about Wera yet, but they...

www.garagejournal.com

I know Vessel markets their head as "torx plus" which is deemed not the same as pentalobe in the thread above. But when I look at the authorized USA seller of Vessel's website, the fastener cross section image sure does look like pentalobe to me.

TD-54 Series - Pentalobe

TD-54 Series - Pentalobe Precision Torx Plus Micro Tip Screwdriver with Swivel Cap

www.vesseltools.com

But then I don't know what size to get as their nomenclature differs from the "PL4," "P5," and metric values of other brands. They use "1IPR" and "4IPR" which upon further investigation seem to be different than pentalobe.

I'm so confused.

 

[Qualitytools]

Japan uses 100/110V and the US-style plug. One of the advantages of the US leasing reconstruction after WW2.

Thank you for that information. So I can buy electrical items from Japan and they will plug right into an electrical outlet here in the US without an adapter or a converter. I learned something new. Thanks again!

 

[Qualitytools]

That's a manual hand-crank grinder, so no issues with power

I like to use pencils, but I do not use them enough to really need an electrical sharpener. The big manual one sits on my desk and does not get lost like the handheld ones all inevitably do.

Thank you for clarifying.

 

[jgeoffr]

Picked up a few more pairs of Fujiya pliers and nippers, a Vessel soft face hammer and air gun, and the Anex 90° clip removers.

 

[CR888]

Okay, I need help with Vessel precision screwdrivers. The current Husky ones I have are such garbage. I hate them. I'm pretty set on going with Vessel with the precision screwdrivers as they are very affordable and I'm assuming good quality.

TL;DR - can someone help me find Vessel pentalobe precision screwdrivers that work for Macbook Air and iPhones?

For the core set I'm going with this $15 one which includes:

Flat -0.9, -1.2, -1.8, -2.3,
Crosshead: 00, 0

Amazon.com

Then I'm going to supplement the set with these individuals:

Crosshead: 000, 0000
Flat: -.07

But where I need help is with pentalobe. I do occasionally take my Macbook Air and iPhone apart for maintenance or battery replacements. What's confusing is if Vessel truly makes a pentalobe driver. I read the following thread on GJ hoping to gain insight but left only more confused.

Pentalobe Drive: Sizes Not Standardized Across Brands!

i'm hoping to make a reference to compare pentalobe drive sizes across the major brands. if any can chime in with more datapoints, that would be great. MacBook Pro/Air: Wiha PL4 = PB Swiss 1.2mm = ifixit P5 = TS4 jPhone: Wiha PL1 = PB Swiss 0.8mm = P2 = TS1 not sure about Wera yet, but they...

www.garagejournal.com

I know Vessel markets their head as "torx plus" which is deemed not the same as pentalobe in the thread above. But when I look at the authorized USA seller of Vessel's website, the fastener cross section image sure does look like pentalobe to me.

TD-54 Series - Pentalobe

TD-54 Series - Pentalobe Precision Torx Plus Micro Tip Screwdriver with Swivel Cap

www.vesseltools.com

But then I don't know what size to get as their nomenclature differs from the "PL4," "P5," and metric values of other brands. They use "1IPR" and "4IPR" which upon further investigation seem to be different than pentalobe.

I'm so confused.

Vessel has a few styles of micro drivers. If U want the style similar to the set you mention which I'm guessing is the TD56 they have a similar set with the 0.8mm Pentalobe drive that U Ned for iPhone and the 1.2 Y driver it's the TD57 or TD58. Also in Japan the translation on Amazon often isn't 'pentalobe' it can be '5 robe' so try that in your search. Alternatively Vessel just released a 1/8 drive bit set that likely has all U need and more. Here is an image, but it's made in Taiwan.
Also the G-grip Micro drivers from Vessel look very nice, not sure they offered Pentalobe or not. But U need the correct size Pentalobe and correct size Y driver which is usually described in mm but can also be 0 00 000.

 

[mobiledynamics]

While I did note in a previous response, the handles on the KTC clip tools was a bit smaller than expected, the plastic pry tools are easily 2X-3X larger than my current Banjo set. Ha, so hard when doing a blind buy of tools - not really looking at the paper specs of -dimensions- of these things. Searching on Amazon.Jp with correct keywords is somewhat a challenge in itself

 

[rick carpenter]

Kinda stretching the boundaries of the definition of "tools" (brushes are tools?) but I thought some of you might appreciate these pics from a high end art store in Tokyo called "Pigment Tokyo". The 2 pics with the big glass jars and samples in frames are animal parts that are bought dried and ground up to make different natural hide glues. The wall of colored jars are raw granular watercolor pigments that can be purchased by the gram.

When art supply is art itself.

 

[rick carpenter]

Hmmm well the ones u posted in a photo earlier "I think" looked to be the euro anvil which are for markets outside Japan. Generally that style of ball torsion I've seen are for outside markets. I know AmazonJP often has many offering within a listing including length or quantity of a listed product. But perhaps U might want to check your getting the anvil type U desire. Otherwise they won't lock into your impact collet. Is it euro short anvil or the 13mm Japanese anvil your looking for.

I didn't make that clear. I'm looking for 9mm anvil bits primarily for my Milwaukee impact drivers.

 

[four.cycle]

(brushes are tools?)

brushes are most definitely a "tool" by definition.
the Japanese have a completely different approach when it comes to how a brush should be constructed.
those wide, flat, square-cut models are fabulous for doing large watercolor washes.
the most interesting development I've seen lately, however, were some silicone models made in China (PRC) they looked like they'd be fabulous for oils or heavy-bodied acrylics.
you can order powdered pigments from Daniel Smith in Seattle. they don't really have a "retail store" any more - almost all of their sales are online now. I have a jar of their metallic gold pigment - something I like to play with.

years ago, in an NEA-funded summer arts program, Larry Anderson taught two classes: one in which we worked with powdered pigments and egg yolk ("egg tempera"), the other with powdered pigments and molten beeswax (developed by the Copts way, way back.) Both fascinating mediums to work in.

 

[Jeff]

I made a small kit for my best bud for Xmas.

 

[Stubby1743]

Very nice present.

 

[gizardlizard]

My wife will be in Japan next month for work. Maybe I better make a wish list.

 

[Caa311]

I made a small kit for my best bud for Xmas.

That's a nice gift. I'm doing something similar for my brother.

 

[CGarage]

My wife will be in Japan next month for work. Maybe I better make a wish list.

I think that is a bad idea to burden her with picking up items that are available to you off of Amazon US and Amazon Japan. Let her enjoy herself without having to worry about navigating a foreign land to buy items available with a mouse click. Even to save 5 or 10 percent, there are better things for her to do with her time.

 

[F-22]

I think that is a bad idea to burden her with picking up items that are available to you off of Amazon US and Amazon Japan. Let her enjoy herself without having to worry about navigating a foreign land to buy items available with a mouse click. Even to save 5 or 10 percent, there are better things for her to do with her time.

Well, unless you order it on amazon.co.jp to her hotel address. She wouldn't have much work with it then and you avoid the shipping and customs costs.

 

[gizardlizard]

Well, unless you order it on amazon.co.jp to her hotel address. She wouldn't have much work with it then and you avoid the shipping and customs costs.

Genius idea. Super cool. Thank you. I knew there was Japanese Amazon but never looked at it until now.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Isn't it just a wash then. Shipping for me is about the somewhere from 8-10% on average of my orders, so I basically approach it like if I was buying something here stateside and just getting charge the local state tax anyhow

 

[banditbigdog]

Recently acquired KTC toolbox.
Used with a $27.00 amazon luggage carrier.
My mobile tool solution at one of the facilities I work in.

 

[CR888]

I think that is a bad idea to burden her with picking up items that are available to you off of Amazon US and Amazon Japan. Let her enjoy herself without having to worry about navigating a foreign land to buy items available with a mouse click. Even to save 5 or 10 percent, there are better things for her to do with her time.

Better things to do than make her husband happy? She is there for work so seeking out some tools for the most important person in her life might be something she'd enjoy. I know they are a rare breed these days but the extra good ones do exist.

 

[CGarage]

Better things to do than make her husband happy? She is there for work so seeking out some tools for the most important person in her life might be something she'd enjoy. I know they are a rare breed these days but the extra good ones do exist.

Unless she is Japanese and comfortable speaking the language and navigating around industrial areas, you are over-burdening someone on business travel for juice that is hardly worth the squeeze- really, saving a few percentage points in price at great inconvenience to someone who likely isn’t Japanese seems very self-centered to me, and shows a lack of awareness to the challenges that exist for a non-local with this request.

My honest opinion.

 

[kyrbz]

Some pics from my recent visit to the Factory Gear store in Tokyo. They carry several European brands such as Hazet, PB Swiss, Knipex, and USAG, as well as Snap On, but what I was really there to see were the Japanese brands. They carry an extensive inventory of Nepros, Koken, KTC and Deen which I believe is their own private label line of Japanese made tools.

 

[Jeff]

Some pics from my recent visit to the Factory Gear store in Tokyo. They carry several European brands such as Hazet, PB Swiss, Knipex, and USAG, as well as Snap On, but what I was really there to see were the Japanese brands. They carry an extensive inventory of Nepros, Koken, KTC and Deen which I believe is their own private label line of Japanese made tools.

I just wet myself looking at all those Ko-Ken wrenches.

 

[kyrbz]

And some more Factory Gear pics

 

[DekNgo]

Some pics from my recent visit to the Factory Gear store in Tokyo. They carry several European brands such as Hazet, PB Swiss, Knipex, and USAG, as well as Snap On, but what I was really there to see were the Japanese brands. They carry an extensive inventory of Nepros, Koken, KTC and Deen which I believe is their own private label line of Japanese made tools.

Based on the reports from @superautobacs , the Deen tools are mostly made in Taiwan. They are Factory Gear's in-house brand, though.

 

[Fedwrench]

And some more Factory Gear pics

Thanks for sharing!!! Simply beautiful tools some bordering on being works of art. It's a good thing there isn't a Factory Five store anywhere close to me.

 

[Jeff]

Thanks for sharing!!! Simply beautiful tools some bordering on being works of art. It's a good thing there isn't a Factory Five store anywhere close to me.

Back up buttercup, I was first in line

 

[steve855]

Koken 2726ZB-3/8 arrived on 12/23, I had ordered it from amazon.jp 10/11/2023.
Shipping was fairly quick, it was on backorder for a while, almost forgot I ordered it.
Nice little ratchet.

edit 12/27/2023, add photo with snap-on ratchet

 

[190Octane]

Engineer baby nut rounder, will round nuts up to 24 mm in size and yet fit easily in your pocket.

 

[rick carpenter]

Tsunoda CP-125. Have been in lust for a pair of mini lineman's this size ever since I got my paws on an old Japanese-made pair of Oxwall 1858 combo pliers at work.

EDIT: @Dave455 alerted me that they are combo pliers

 

[Dave455]

Tsunoda CP-125. Have been in lust for a pair of mini lineman's this size ever since I got my paws on an old Japanese-made pair of Oxwall 1858 combo pliers at work.

For what it’s worth, those are actually combination pliers, though I know that’s an uncommon pattern in the U.S.

Tsunoda do offer Linemans pliers as well, but only down to 6 inch.


The combination pliers are probably a better choice for general use.

 

[4xdog]

Engineer baby nut rounder, will round nuts up to 24 mm in size and yet fit easily in your pocket.

The jaws look thin enough that that little nut-rounder might work as a bicycle hub cone wrench.

 

[rick carpenter]

For what it’s worth, those are actually combination pliers, though I know that’s an uncommon pattern in the U.S.

Tsunoda do offer Linemans pliers as well, but only down to 6 inch.

The combination pliers are probably a better choice for general use.

Thanks, I stand corrected.