Tools of Japan

[miladog]

Received my first new Tools of Japan today. I'd come across some previously by accident, but lately I'd been itching to try some Vessel screwdrivers with the wood COMPO handle. So, when this set got under $40 on Amazon, I couldn't resist any more:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083XJQKPP?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm a little disappointed that I can see and feel injection molding marks on all six handles, but I don't know what I was expecting. Overall, I really like them so far, but I haven't even turned a screw with them yet.

I was drawn to those for their look and was really curious how the grips were in person. I ordered one of the Wood Compo 8mm nut driver just to check it out. I noticed that obvious gate mark as well. It doesn't bother me too much personally... pretty cool set of drivers I think!

 

[HannibalLecter]

Those blades are great!

Nice, you have the special editions, japan exclusive

 

[Tynee]

That *****, Tynee. I've been eyeing that set for a while.

I still really like them. I took them home last night and piddled around with them, they are VERY nice, VERY well made screwdrivers.

I was drawn to those for their look and was really curious how the grips were in person. I ordered one of the Wood Compo 8mm nut driver just to check it out. I noticed that obvious gate mark as well. It doesn't bother me too much personally... pretty cool set of drivers I think!

Yeah, very cool and I love the feel. That mark was the only flaw, and I can live with that if it's the worst thing about them.

 

[johnson_n]

A family member will be visiting Japan (Osaka) in a few weeks. Will it be worth it for them to pick up some tools for me while they're there to bring back to the states? I have a Nepros NBR390L and want some Koken socket sets but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle vs ordering from Palmac.

 

[SwissMetric]

Also Tajima blades and scrapers are great, made in Japan, unfortunately Japanese hand tools are not that common here, most hand tools sold commonly are either Made in Europe or Chinese ****.

I mostly know Olfa, Stanley and, very good but not widespread, Tajima. Don't use others as long as I can find these brands.

 

[m6z]

Anyone know if there's an online source for those Snap-on marked Toyo boxes?

 

[HannibalLecter]

Also Tajima blades and scrapers are great, made in Japan, unfortunately Japanese hand tools are not that common here, most hand tools sold commonly are either Made in Europe or Chinese ****.

I mostly know Olfa, Stanley and, very good but not widespread, Tajima. Don't use others as long as I can find these brands.

My gripe with tajima is that most of the tools aren't made in Japan

 

[angusp]

A family member will be visiting Japan (Osaka) in a few weeks. Will it be worth it for them to pick up some tools for me while they're there to bring back to the states? I have a Nepros NBR390L and want some Koken socket sets but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle vs ordering from Palmac.

Factory Gear Namba is right there in the popular tourist part of Osaka. It’s a small store but has a decent stock and offers tax-free. If there’s something specific you want you could have them buy from that store if they have it in stock. You could also order some things from Amazon Japan and have the package delivered to their hotel or a nearby convenience store.

Factory Gear prices after tax-free are still around 10% higher than Amazon Japan prices with tax, but it’s easier to buy in-person in a store and with the exchange rate 10% sometimes isn’t that much.

Anyone know if there's an online source for those Snap-on marked Toyo boxes?

I haven’t seen any online. I saw these at a race track swag/gear store.

 

[Psiber]

Anyone know if there's an online source for those Snap-on marked Toyo boxes?

There's a red one on eBay currently for "only" $149 PLUS shipping. Found some other neat branded ones that I wasn't previously aware of, like a Suzuki Jimny one. But, at the asking prices I'll stick to the generic ones, which BTW are excellent.

 

[rick carpenter]

Today I finally received olfa black replacement blades. Seriously sharp

I have silver and black but use the silver. The black blades rusted a bit, which was very disappointing. Maybe I should hit them with 3-in-1 or fluid film?

 

[HannibalLecter]

I have silver and black but use the silver. The black blades rusted a bit, which was very disappointing. Maybe I should hit them with 3-in-1 or fluid film?

Hmm, yeah that can do the trick, but they are disposable, so no big deal imo. Also carbon steel in general cuts better than inox, so it's expected

 

[rick carpenter]

Its better to buy NiigataSeiki rulers, all made in Japan and the lines on the graduation have different length, easier to discern between two lines, really cool design

Thanks @HannibalLecter. I've read good things about NiigataSeiki and have seen positive video reviews of their rules even if I'm a little leery of a company with such a diversified product line. So probably will look into their measuring sticks them next time. But what do you make of their vernier calipers? Though they're verier calipers, I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea of quality sub-$20 calipers.

 

[F-22]

Staedtler is of course German, but I was a little surprised to see the V Ball is still made in Japan.

 

[SwissMetric]

IMO the Staedtler Mars plastic 526 50 (regular size 65x23x13 mm) is still the best eraser I know. No idea when it was introduced. Unfortunately there are also many copies.

 

[HannibalLecter]

Thanks @HannibalLecter. I've read good things about NiigataSeiki and have seen positive video reviews of their rules even if I'm a little leery of a company with such a diversified product line. So probably will look into their measuring sticks them next time. But what do you make of their vernier calipers? Though they're verier calipers, I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea of quality sub-$20 calipers.

Well, there is not that much to an analog vernier caliper. Even the mitutoyo ones are around 40euros I think. So I'd say they are legit. I wouldn't trust an analog vernier past the second decimal of course

 

[Dave455]

Staedtler is of course German, but I was a little surprised to see the V Ball is still made in Japan.

Most of the disposable pens I see from Japanese companies seem to be made in Japan. Namiki (Pilot) have a factory in France from where things like G2 gel pens sometimes originate, and you see the odd “Made in Thailand” but I would say the majority are from Japan.

 

[Outahere]

I didn't know Vessel made socket sets. This image is from an email, from Palmac, who have recently added Vessel to their inventory.

 

[four.cycle]

^ not all of the components in that Vessel socket set are Japanese-made, from what I understand.
It is, however, apparently the only way to get that "wood composite" type handle on a ratchet or spinner. (Discussed in another thread, if I'm not mistaken.)

 

[Andres26tnt]

^ not all of the components in that Vessel socket set are Japanese-made, from what I understand.
It is, however, apparently the only way to get that "wood composite" type handle on a ratchet or spinner. (Discussed in another thread, if I'm not mistaken.)

Correct, the ratchet is Taiwan, sockets also Taiwan. The only thing Japan is the bits. I have to double check once I go to dcm/Sunday improvement store.

 

[danski0224]

I just ordered a plastic Hozan tool case, with a strap and "document pallette" to use as a briefcase of sorts.

 

[SwissMetric]

My gripe with tajima is that most of the tools aren't made in Japan

Tajima is not widespread here, the larger scrapers and blades I meant were marked as Made in Japan.

The small usual branded cutters are mostly Olfa and Stanley but I suppose most average users just get some cheap ones made in China. In DIY chain stores like Obi (German group but sadly sort of a joint venture with Migros) you mostly find crappy tools made in China, Hornbach (German group), Jumbo (Coop, Switzerland) and Bauhaus (German group) are somewhat better. The problem with Obi is that Emil Lux (serial-importer of IMO among the worst Chinese tools found here) is co-owner. Some say that in Germany there are better Lux tools series but I don't know them and won't get any Lux tools anyway, all I ever got were awfully bad (using uncensored words).

 

[HannibalLecter]

A random tool assortment, all made in Japan

 

[Steve_P]

Well, there is not that much to an analog vernier caliper. Even the mitutoyo ones are around 40euros I think. So I'd say they are legit. I wouldn't trust an analog vernier past the second decimal of course

I have an old Mitutoyo 150 mm vernier caliper, so I just looked this up out of curiosity at McMaster (USA):
150 mm vernier is $111
150 mm dial caliper is $110-120
150 mm digital starts at $145

My eyes aren't terrible, but I recently replaced the vernier because it's getting more difficult to read each year.
Edit: I'm surprised that they actually still sell the vernier model; I'd bet they don't move too many of them.

 

[HannibalLecter]

I have an old Mitutoyo 150 mm vernier caliper, so I just looked this up out of curiosity at McMaster (USA):
150 mm vernier is $111
150 mm dial caliper is $110-120
150 mm digital starts at $145

My eyes aren't terrible, but I recently replaced the vernier because it's getting more difficult to read each year.
Edit: I'm surprised that they actually still sell the vernier model; I'd bet they don't move too many of them.

On amazon.de now it's 38€ (the analogue)
I wouldn't buy an 150mm digital one (too small imo)

 

[Steve_P]

On amazon.de now it's 38€ (the analogue)
I wouldn't buy an 150mm digital one (too small imo)

I wouldn't use Amazon as a gauge of price because of all of the counterfeit Mitutoyo items that have flooded the market; this is why I went with a legit source like McMaster. Oranges and pineapples.

I can find plenty of new $35 "Mitutoyo" digital calipers on ebay; vernier on Amazon is $39. No way I believe they're "real" Mitutoyo.

 

[snowblindb]

Any recommendations for a 4mm precision bit set with bit holder screwdriver? I’m looking something like the Vessel in picture.

 

[SwissMetric]

AFAIK there are some counterfeit Mitutoyo.

If you look very carefully you should possibly be able to tell the difference. The scale engraving of the original is extremely clean and very precise. I once checked one with a loupe (1/10 mm loupe scale reticle). The vernier can probaby be read around +/- 0.02 mm or so using a loupe (parallax-free scale, there are or were different versions, some have a small step which increases reading errors). Don't remember exactly, I made some tests a long time ago. The Etalon Roch were great too, as well as the mechanical Tesa.
There are also some German ones.

Digital ones should be waterproof, some miserably fail with the slightest drop of water or emulsion. For a long time I used digital ones and now I'm back to mechanical ones (as there's no need for fast measurements, in production I'd rather use good electronic ones).

 

[kyrbz]

 

[HannibalLecter]

I wouldn't use Amazon as a gauge of price because of all of the counterfeit Mitutoyo items that have flooded the market; this is why I went with a legit source like McMaster. Oranges and pineapples.

I can find plenty of new $35 "Mitutoyo" digital calipers on ebay; vernier on Amazon is $39. No way I believe they're "real" Mitutoyo.

Yes I'm with you on that, especially on eBay. I wouldn't dare to buy a digimatic from amazon. However maybe I'd risk it for an analogue one.
However, there is a site also, contortion.de that has the analogue one for about 44 eur as well. $111 is too much

 

[rick carpenter]

AFAIK there are some counterfeit Mitutoyo.

If you look very carefully you should possibly be able to tell the difference. The scale engraving of the original is extremely clean and very precise. I once checked one with a loupe (1/10 mm loupe scale reticle). The vernier can probaby be read around +/- 0.02 mm or so using a loupe (parallax-free scale, there are or were different versions, some have a small step which increases reading errors). Don't remember exactly, I made some tests a long time ago. The Etalon Roch were great too, as well as the mechanical Tesa.
There are also some German ones.

Digital ones should be waterproof, some miserably fail with the slightest drop of water or emulsion. For a long time I used digital ones and now I'm back to mechanical ones (as there's no need for fast measurements, in production I'd rather use good electronic ones).

This vid is about digital calipers but its collateral info on packaging etc convinced me my ~$100 Mitutoyo 505-732 metric dial caliper is authentic.

 

[HannibalLecter]

This vid is about digital calipers but its collateral info on packaging etc convinced me my ~$100 Mitutoyo 505-732 metric dial caliper is authentic.

Yes, I saw this video some time ago, very enlghtening

 

[Shelbylex]

cross posted in other threads as I never used "surface drive" - somehow got this while ordering regular Koken sockets. Considering return/exchange vs keeping (the latter might be the final decision as I am learning more about them)

The last picture is already posted earlier in this thread - it just took 2+ months to get the set which I am posting

 

[miladog]

A thread about roto head ratchets had me reconsidering my close minded stance on them. I’ve always unfairly discredited their functional value, just for being ugly as hell. So I spent some time on YouTube comparing them, and I’m giving one a home.

KTC BRSW3L. Not a blemish to be found. Nothing spectacular to say about the back drag, but it’s better than average and the mechanism feels pretty nicely refined. Photos with some other newcomers (that haven’t made it into the shop yet) just for scale. This unit is rather compact of a head, but of course it’s no tiny 1/4-body 3/8.

 

[GeoBruin]

A few things I've put together thanks in large part to this thread.

 

[miladog]

A few things I've put together thanks in large part to this thread.

How long ago did you pick up that Vessel 900ALWC? I was looking a couple weeks back. I think they are out of production. But a bunch of vendors on aliexpress claim to have some… though that site is not always easy to trust for legit parts.

 

[GeoBruin]

How long ago did you pick up that Vessel 900ALWC? I was looking a couple weeks back. I think they are out of production. But a bunch of vendors on aliexpress claim to have some… though that site is not always easy to trust for legit parts.

Two weeks ago from AliExpress. Although it was $16 and change and now appears to be over $20. I'd still buy it at that price. The lock up is great.

 

[F-22]

Some say that in Germany there are better Lux tools series but I don't know them and won't get any Lux tools anyway

There are the "5 star" lux tools that are supposed to be a bit better. They resell the Czech made York vises (the company which holds the first patent of the bullet vise that Wilton later blatantly copied). I have seen Lux 5 star pliers that were rebranded NWS pliers from Germany.

But overall yes - I would avoid them.

AFAIK there are some counterfeit Mitutoyo.

If you look very carefully you should possibly be able to tell the difference. The scale engraving of the original is extremely clean and very precise. I once checked one with a loupe (1/10 mm loupe scale reticle). The vernier can probaby be read around +/- 0.02 mm or so using a loupe (parallax-free scale, there are or were different versions, some have a small step which increases reading errors). Don't remember exactly, I made some tests a long time ago. The Etalon Roch were great too, as well as the mechanical Tesa.
There are also some German ones.

Digital ones should be waterproof, some miserably fail with the slightest drop of water or emulsion. For a long time I used digital ones and now I'm back to mechanical ones (as there's no need for fast measurements, in production I'd rather use good electronic ones).

I bought counterfeit Mitutoyo from Aliexpress. Intentionally. I paid 30€ at the time, not sure how much they are now. For that money it is actually really well made. Perhaps better than any sub-80€ digital caliper. It is absolute like Mitutoyo.

However there is a good giveaway. My real one stays off when you move it when off. The Chinese one goes on immediately when moved. Probably how they manage to make it absolute on the cheap. Probably also why the batteries don't last - it's practically always on, you only turn off the display. Also the set screw on the real one is riveted and won't fall out if unscrewed completely. The chinese one is not, you can remove it.

 

[Formerjeeper]

^ not all of the components in that Vessel socket set are Japanese-made, from what I understand.
It is, however, apparently the only way to get that "wood composite" type handle on a ratchet or spinner. (Discussed in another thread, if I'm not mistaken.)

I just bought 2 of the ratchets as single items so know they can be purchased separately.

 

[tamaraw]

^ not all of the components in that Vessel socket set are Japanese-made, from what I understand.
It is, however, apparently the only way to get that "wood composite" type handle on a ratchet or spinner. (Discussed in another thread, if I'm not mistaken.)

All four wood compo ratchets (standard and roto head in 1/4 and 3/8") can be bought individually. It's just the two 1/4" square screwdrivers (stubby and full length) that are exclusive to the socket sets.

 

[Qualitytools]

A thread about roto head ratchets had me reconsidering my close minded stance on them. I’ve always unfairly discredited their functional value, just for being ugly as hell. So I spent some time on YouTube comparing them, and I’m giving one a home.

KTC BRSW3L. Not a blemish to be found. Nothing spectacular to say about the back drag, but it’s better than average and the mechanism feels pretty nicely refined. Photos with some other newcomers (that haven’t made it into the shop yet) just for scale. This unit is rather compact of a head, but of course it’s no tiny 1/4-body 3/8.

Roto heads have their place, like you I had hesitated to get one for some time. I have 2 now and I find them quite useful.