Tools of Japan
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rick carpenter
Well-known member
Watch out for rust on black carbon Olfa blades. No bueno if you EDC in your shirt pocket! The blades in the carrier have an oily coating so they haven't rusted, but the wiped blade in my SVR-2 has rusted badly. Just noticed that today. It's always very humid here in East Texas, and it's been pretty rainy lately but I don't carry it out in the wet. Can't have an oily or a rusty blade in my shirt pocket so it's back to ss blades for me.
Madjik Man
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That knife is art.
I don't know if I'd be able to coordinate my brain and left hand to manually shift a RHD vehicle.
I don't know if I'd be able to coordinate my brain and left hand to manually shift a RHD vehicle.
It's not too bad after some seat time...just be glad the pedals aren't mirrored!
Thank you for the detailed follow up.
Nakiri looks mega.
Fun2Drive are on my list for the future!
Madjik Man
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I ordered mine from jp-carparts.com with no issues.
81malibu81
Member
Koken Z-series 3756z vs Nepros NBE38
Which do you guys prefer for a 3/8 drive quick spinner? These would pair with Koken z-series ratchets. What do ya think? Keep it all in the family with the Koken or is the Nepros nicer (looks nicer in photos at least)
Which do you guys prefer for a 3/8 drive quick spinner? These would pair with Koken z-series ratchets. What do ya think? Keep it all in the family with the Koken or is the Nepros nicer (looks nicer in photos at least)
Wattsb1105
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I like the Nepros spinners the best on my Nepros and Snap On ratchets, but prefer the Koken spinners on my Z series ratchets.
For me, the Nepros is just a touch big on Koken ratchets and the Koken spinner is a little too small for the other ratchets. The Nepros spinner is about 4mm larger in diameter than the Koken. Overall, I like the Nepros spinners the best though.
How? Their website *****.
Lol. Yeah their site isn't the greatest but it wasn't hard to order from them. Just follow the how to buy instructions & they'll get back to you. I got my Toyota/OH Industrial ball peen hammers through them.
I like really like my Nepros stuff but I prefer the Koken quick spinners. The metal knurling is just more practical and better wearing than rubber.
Is there a part # for them?
Madjik Man
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Yeah I've seen better website design and functionality back in 1988.
But if you have the part number(s) just enter it in their order/inquiry form. Then they send you an email with a proforma invoice. Once you provide payment the items ship.
Madjik Man
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Does anyone know if the Vessel Nut Drivers are hollow shafts?
garfunkle24
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Given the diameter of the shafts compared to the drive end (and also the fact that the shafts are hexagonal), I'm going to GUESS that's a no.
4xdog
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Vessel nut-drivers have a solid hex steel shaft with a deep(ish) socket on the end.Does anyone know if the Vessel Nut Drivers are hollow shafts?
Madjik Man
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That's what I thought. Also realize this is probably the case with their power socket set too.
rick carpenter
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I'm starting to build two Trusco T-320 tool boxes for my grandchildren. They're both 2-1/2 so I'm taking my time. First, looking for small not expensive COO Japan locking pliers, and don't need screw grip capability. KTC?
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
Does any of the Mak. drill bit sets offered here stateside, is made in Japan...
I just want to add a spare all around -general use- drill bit to the weekend warrior carryon bag
Otherwise, I'll just grab some -big box- fathers day special for this use application
I just want to add a spare all around -general use- drill bit to the weekend warrior carryon bag
Otherwise, I'll just grab some -big box- fathers day special for this use application
Picked up a few Ko-ken things from drpd on the Memorial Day sale. Just got around to opening the box.
Finally got one of their ratchets with the quick release button (3725ZB). I like it, the button sticks out quite a bit, unlike Nepros ratchets where the button is flush. Much easier to depress the button. Might not be ideal if you’re working in a tight area where there is a chance of something hitting that button. For that scenario, I have other ratchets. My old 36 tooth 3/8 ratchet will get relegated to my car tool kit.
Finally got some 3/8 SAE Ko-ken sockets. Now all my old Craftsman tools can go to the basement.
Now onto the “quick spinner” 4711XZ. This is my first disappointment in a Ko-ken tool. Where to begin:
1) The grip portion has some play in it. It wobbles a bit. This is supposedly better than the non-Z version, so that one must have been really bad.
2) Looking at listings on ebay, it is advertised with a Ko-ken-branded cloth case/roll for it. Mine did not come with one, just the typical Ko-ken plastic zip-lock packaging. I thought about returning it because of no case, but DRPD did not advertise it with one, and I didn’t want to go through the hassle.
3) The lever bar is too short for removing lug nuts, plain and simple. I tried it on both my BRZ (M12x1.25 studs) and my 4Runner (M14 studs I think…). I torque both to 90 ft-lbs when I change wheels. BRZ came loose with a moderately high effort (“this *****, I wouldn’t use this”). 4Runner lugs required way too much effort (“f-this, never again”).
4) The handle you yank on has no grip section, and since it is oval, your hand is actually on the narrow side, if that makes sense. So it’s worse than no grip, it’s actually like yanking on a smaller diameter bar. I tried my 3/8 z-series breaker bar that has a handle and is about 2” longer, and it was a much better experience.
5) It’s quite expensive, which is why I held off on it so long. You can find it for about $100 on ebay, DRPD was more expensive, around $120 on sale. I recently had a bad experience buying something from Amazon Japan, and was willing to pay the $20 for an American seller and it got me free shipping on the other stuff.
I suspect if this “quick spinner” is not meant for our market, at least not for removing lug nuts. This might be suitable for a kei-car with smaller wheel studs. But I would not want to rely on this for changing a wheel on the side of the road at night in the rain or snow. An 18” breaker bar is far cheaper, more versatile, more comfortable to use, and mechanically simpler.
Where this quick spinner could be useful would be threading on lug nuts prior to torquing. But with how cheap cordless impact wrenches have become, everyone who regularly changes wheels at home should have one. I would not recommend this 4711XZ to anyone, other than a collector.
BlitzcrankJapan
Well-known member
I have the Koken 4711X and have no problem taking lug nuts off of Subarus. They are M12x1.25 studs.
It looks like 4711X is 280x350 and the 4711XZ is 260x350 so both should have the same leverage (350mm) for loosening lug nuts.
I find the 4711X suitable for use on small and medium size cars.
Do you use the wrench at the end position and just pull one side or in the middle position and do a push/pull like a traditional fixed cross wrench?
P.S. it should also be noted that (in my opinion) this tool is designed as a compact tool to keep in your spare tire well for emergency use. Not as a workshop tool for everyday tire changing. That is the whole purpose of having it disassemble.
Also the oval bar is orientated in the direction which gives maximum strength, allowing a lighter shaft to be used. If it was orientated 90* to where it is then you would need a thicker shaft.
It looks like 4711X is 280x350 and the 4711XZ is 260x350 so both should have the same leverage (350mm) for loosening lug nuts.
I find the 4711X suitable for use on small and medium size cars.
Do you use the wrench at the end position and just pull one side or in the middle position and do a push/pull like a traditional fixed cross wrench?
P.S. it should also be noted that (in my opinion) this tool is designed as a compact tool to keep in your spare tire well for emergency use. Not as a workshop tool for everyday tire changing. That is the whole purpose of having it disassemble.
Also the oval bar is orientated in the direction which gives maximum strength, allowing a lighter shaft to be used. If it was orientated 90* to where it is then you would need a thicker shaft.
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Deen.J branded electric screwdrivers. Generic cases for the screwdrivers which are copies of the Vessel ones but these were cheaper & I don't have the Vessel USB220s. None of which are made in Japan but they are only sold in Japan.
Deen bit holders, well these are from their hook & pick sets but I bought only the handles to use as mini screwdriver handles. Vessel spring bits & Makita bit pieces.
I could have made these bit pieces on the lathe but they were only $1.01 ea so it was worth it to me. I'm sure you guys know but for those that aren't aware these are to "convert" Japanese collets to use "regular" E6 bits.
Deen bit holders, well these are from their hook & pick sets but I bought only the handles to use as mini screwdriver handles. Vessel spring bits & Makita bit pieces.
I could have made these bit pieces on the lathe but they were only $1.01 ea so it was worth it to me. I'm sure you guys know but for those that aren't aware these are to "convert" Japanese collets to use "regular" E6 bits.
Deen bit holders, well these are from their hook & pick sets but I bought only the handles to use as mini screwdriver handles. Vessel spring bits & Makita bit pieces.
I could have made these bit pieces on the lathe but they were only $1.01 ea so it was worth it to me. I'm sure you guys know but for those that aren't aware these are to "convert" Japanese collets to use "regular" E6 bits.
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How do the spring work?
Seth
If you mean in the Vessel bits, it's just a spring that takes up any slack of the bit sliding in/out in the collet. The spring is made of plastic so they don't provide a lot of tension.
I seen em a while back & was just curious about them. They work but not that effective IMO. I won't ever buy them again.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Love your collection, I can’t find those DEEN.J electric screwdrivers on Amazon Japan. Where did you get them? Thank you for sharing.Deen.J branded electric screwdrivers. Generic cases for the screwdrivers which are copies of the Vessel ones but these were cheaper & I don't have the Vessel USB220s. None of which are made in Japan but they are only sold in Japan.
Deen bit holders, well these are from their hook & pick sets but I bought only the handles to use as mini screwdriver handles. Vessel spring bits & Makita bit pieces.
I could have made these bit pieces on the lathe but they were only $1.01 ea so it was worth it to me. I'm sure you guys know but for those that aren't aware these are to "convert" Japanese collets to use "regular" E6 bits.
DEEN.J 電動グリップフィットドライバー DNJ-LSD004
ec.f-gear.co.jp
Deen.J is factory gear brand
Deen & Deen.J are house brands of Factory Gear & is where I got them from.
工具用品専門通販はファクトリーギア【公式】
5,500円以上で送料無料。工場、作業現場、ガレージなどものづくりの現場で必要な工具、DIY用品、作業着などを販売。整備事業者から趣味人まで作業用品ならなんでも揃うファクトリーギア公式通販。
ec.f-gear.co.jp
I just visited their site right now & looks like they setup a global shipping program. That's new, when I inquired they told me they were not setup for international shipping.
Deen/FG doesn't actually make their own tools. Many are made in Taiwan I believe but not all. Like some of their pliers are made in Germany. I'm not for sure but I think Deen.J are just rebrands where as Deen tools are made for them.
For example, the Deen.J electric screwdrivers, here's the same one (looks the same) on Amz.jp.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Thank you for taking the time to respond.Deen & Deen.J are house brands of Factory Gear & is where I got them from.
工具用品専門通販はファクトリーギア【公式】
5,500円以上で送料無料。工場、作業現場、ガレージなどものづくりの現場で必要な工具、DIY用品、作業着などを販売。整備事業者から趣味人まで作業用品ならなんでも揃うファクトリーギア公式通販。
I just visited their site right now & looks like they setup a global shipping program. That's new, when I inquired they told me they were not setup for international shipping.
Deen/FG doesn't actually make their own tools. Many are made in Taiwan I believe but not all. Like some of their pliers are made in Germany. I'm not for sure but I think Deen.J are just rebrands where as Deen tools are made for them.
For example, the Deen.J electric screwdrivers, here's the same one (looks the same) on Amz.jp.
BlitzcrankJapan
Well-known member
What is the drive size? 1/2 or 3/4?
3/4".
riceaterSLC
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- Jun 23, 2011
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Going to Tokyo for a couple days next month. What are the best tool stores? Looking to add to my Koken/Nepros collection or anything else cool.
I know there have been a couple posted in this thread but I can’t seem to find them
I know there have been a couple posted in this thread but I can’t seem to find them
ReceaterSLC, if you go shopping in Tokyo, can you make a lot of pictures and include some prices with the conversion ration? (I just wonder how much cheaper are the tools over there (Japan is a very expensive country - thus want to compare in case I go there one day...))
Reed Prince
Well-known member
There was a thread a couple of years ago about the new Factory Gear Tokyo store. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...store-seafort-square-mall-tennoz-isle.482723/
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Wouldn't it be cool if they opened up some Factory Gear stores in the US?