Tools of Japan

[Frankstools]

Duker, I will take a closer look and let you know what I find. Frank

 

[Frankstools]

Duker, I looked at my favorite home improvement store today and found some saws, they are all japanese, cheap cat ~$15~ medium ~$35~Highest ~$65~. The medium to high had replacement blades..

 

[Frankstools]

Japanese Saws cut on the pull stroke versus the push stroke of American or European saws. I like using a Japanese style blade because it is usually thinner so it makes makes starting a kerf easier and better for fine detail work like cutting thin pins for dovetails. A good Lie-Neisen backsaw is the next best push style saw I have found but still prefer the Japanese style saws.

If you find a quality import and can beat Japan Woodworkers prices or my current Bridge City blade costs I am a buyer.

Duker, I looked at my favorite home improvement store today and found some saws, they are all japanese, cheap cat ~$15~ medium ~$35~Highest ~$65~. The medium to high had replacement blades..

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day

 

[charle10]

The company that I work for has several machines from Japan, and the only tools that they came with that I like have been the Netsuren wrenches. They are super tough, and have held up for 20+ years of cheater bars, hammering, and all around abuse. Sorry don't have any pictures, but you can check them out here.

http://www.neturen.co.jp/product/contents/spanner01.html

 

[Frankstools]

Hello, I have never seen them before, I will check it out..Frank

 

[airbuff101]

The company that I work for has several machines from Japan, and the only tools that they came with that I like have been the Netsuren wrenches. They are super tough, and have held up for 20+ years of cheater bars, hammering, and all around abuse. Sorry don't have any pictures, but you can check them out here.

http://www.neturen.co.jp/product/contents/spanner01.html

Those are nice wrenches aren't they Charlie?
I gave my kid a couple in 27 X 30 & 30 X 32 for Beemer work.
Nice stuff.

airbuff

 

[Duker]

Frank, I am looking for a professional grade Dozuki saw usually around 240mm in length. These run between $100-150 in the states. If you can find a quality saw that can beat that price and it makes it worth your while for you to make some money I will buy one and maybe two. I have a list of other saws I would like but that is my most pressing need at the moment.

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day

 

[tonydanzah]

can you get deen tools, im interested in one of there curved ratchets

 

[american lockpicker]

Noticed these were Japanese when I was opening them.

Also I noticed in Woodcraft today quite a few nice Japanese tools but the labels were rarely in English is there any translation guides online for tool terms or could someone list them?

 

[superautobacs]

can you get deen tools, im interested in one of there curved ratchets

x2 on Deen tools.

tonydanzah, is it the standard length, USAG-looking one?


Attached are some random Japanese-made goodies.

 

[superautobacs]

Some picture of my own adjustable wrenches that I took some time ago:

I have some others from Sanki as well.

 

[superautobacs]

Some more:

Asahi Revowave
KTC ceramic scraper

 

[dede2897234]

Superautobacs,

How comfortable are the Asahi Revowave combination wrenches during use?

Have you put the KTC ceramic scraper to use to scrape automotive gaskets?

If yes, how many passes with the scraper does it take to remove the old gasket? Do you have to be careful with the KTC scraper so it does not damage the underlying aluminum surface on newer engines?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[ricleh]

Superautobacs,

How comfortable are the Asahi Revowave combination wrenches during use?

Have you put the KTC ceramic scraper to use to scrape automotive gaskets?

If yes, how many passes with the scraper does it take to remove the old gasket? Do you have to be careful with the KTC scraper so it does not damage the underlying aluminum surface on newer engines?


Thanks,

Dave

Try these for removing old gasket material on aluminum. 3M Roloc bristle discs. The ceramic scrapers will gouge aluminum if you are not very careful.

 

[toolfanatic]

"Star-M" adjustable circle cutter, a recent acquisition. Also available as optional extras are longer "trammel" bars enabling circles up to a dia. of 8" to be cut. I haven't used this yet but it is a solid piece of kit and comes with good, clear instructions for use.

 

[mfewtrail]

A few older Japanese made tools from my father's tool box. These were all purchased sometime in the late 70's to early 80's. I'll type out what's in the photos as I sized them a bit on the tiny side...I didn't look at the attachment limitations well enough to realize .jpg's only have a file size limitation and not a dimensional limitation.

In the photos:

-Craftsman pipe wrenches
-Sears brand 1/2'' combo wrench
-ACE Hardware brand adjustable wrench. I couldn't get a clear picture of the brand or Japan marking through the sheathing on it.

 

[Frankstools]

Nice cutter, I am presently buying wood tools for future projects..They have some neat tools

 

[toolfanatic]

Nice cutter, I am presently buying wood tools for future projects..They have some neat tools

Yeah, I look forward to using it. Had a quick look at their online catalogue, they produce some really good bits and cutting tools, including some impossibly long augers!

 

[Frankstools]

A few older Japanese made tools from my father's tool box. These were all purchased sometime in the late 70's to early 80's. I'll type out what's in the photos as I sized them a bit on the tiny side...I didn't look at the attachment limitations well enough to realize .jpg's only have a file size limitation and not a dimensional limitatio


In the photos:

-Craftsman pipe wrenches
-Sears brand 1/2'' combo wrench
-ACE Hardware brand adjustable wrench. I couldn't get a clear picture of the brand or Japan marking through the sheathing on it.

Nice tools, thanks for your post

 

[catfish]

frank what side cutting pliers and end cutting pliers do you have available?

 

[superautobacs]

Superautobacs,

How comfortable are the Asahi Revowave combination wrenches during use?

Have you put the KTC ceramic scraper to use to scrape automotive gaskets?

If yes, how many passes with the scraper does it take to remove the old gasket? Do you have to be careful with the KTC scraper so it does not damage the underlying aluminum surface on newer engines?


Thanks,

Dave

The Revowave wrenches are just another fine example of how a relatively low-profile tool company in Japan can gain exposure in a matured hand tool industry. It's not designed out of necessity, but more for promoting the name of the company through innovative designs. Almost every other tool
company does this to keep their product lineup "fresh" and "modern". It's just another wrench, but with some fancy lines. I was sucker who bought it just because I just had to have it. I have some other Asahi wrenches and overall I must say that the rings ends are not ground to perfection (if you care for that sorta stuff). It's quite obvious that the grinding is done manually. The standard KTC line has better overall finish quality than Asahi.


The scraper, which btw is made of zirconium oxide, is something like the next hardest thing to diamond. So, it's a very hard material that should never dull under normal useage; you definitely don't want to drop it onto a concrete floor or bash it against some hard object though.

I use it in a either a push stroke or side stroke. It works with minimal pressure and it's very efficient in removing silicone RTV, especially in confined spaces where you can't get a pneumatic or power tool to do the job. nothing beats a wheel, but where space doesn't allow, the scraper will do the job faster than a conventional steel/SS scraper. I give it a thumbs up.

-Craftsman pipe wrenches
-Sears brand 1/2'' combo wrench
-ACE Hardware brand adjustable wrench. I couldn't get a clear picture of the brand or Japan marking through the sheathing on it.

The Japanese tool manufacturer, KTC (Kyoto Tool Company) was a big-time OEM for foreign department stores, like Sears/Craftsman. Those pipe wrenches and Sears branded wrenches are mostlikely the product of KTC.

 

[american lockpicker]

The Japanese tool manufacturer, KTC (Kyoto Tool Company) was a big-time OEM for foreign department stores, like Sears/Craftsman. Those pipe wrenches and Sears branded wrenches are mostlikely the product of KTC.

Interesting. My uncle has a set of Japanese Craftsman wrenches, I'll try and get pics someday.

 

[american lockpicker]

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UmQ5LsNMXZ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Found this on another forum, think I seen a Vessel screwdriver or 2 in there...

 

[PepperCrab]

That is a hilarious machine!!! hahahaha

 

[dankicksass]

I don't know much about Fuller tools, but I have an old pair of linesman pliers of that brand made in Japan. I don't think I've ever seen that name in stores, but the catalog from their website looks like Thorsen and other generic imports.

 

[Frankstools]

Great!

 

[Monte]

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UmQ5LsNMXZ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Found this on another forum, think I seen a Vessel screwdriver or 2 in there...

rotfl

 

[dede2897234]

Last week, I received from an eBay seller a "Kimba" brand cable cutter plier. Here are some pictures of the plier:

The cable cutter plier easily cut through 18 awg, RG-6 coax cable. The eBay seller stocks other Kimba plier types here: http://stores.ebay.com/4discountshop/_i.html?_nkw=Japan&_sid=1010707026.


Does anyone know anything about the "Fong Song Co., LTD" and its "Kimba" brand?

What is their reputation and durability among the various Japanese plier manufacturers?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[mofo62]

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UmQ5LsNMXZ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Found this on another forum, think I seen a Vessel screwdriver or 2 in there...

Thats Nice.I love Japanese ideas


Thanks for video


V!

 

[superautobacs]

Dave,

I've never ever heard of that brand name. The word kimba means "gold teeth" in Japanese so that isn't totally bogus sounding, but when I read the manufacturer name I jumped to the conclusion that you got a falsely advertised product. Fong Song is definitely Chinese in name; not Japanese.

I looked at the Ebay listings. I cannot imagine any reputable Japanese brand being sold at those prices. The lineman's plier almost looks like a picture taken off a Knipex website.

 

[route246]

Just because something is made in Japan doesn't make it high quality. Many Japanese products in almost every sector can be characterized as sub-standard or not very competitive in the global market. There are also plenty of third and even fourth generation ethnic Chinese living in Japan.

Dave,

I've never ever heard of that brand name. The word kimba means "gold teeth" in Japanese so that isn't totally bogus sounding, but when I read the manufacturer name I jumped to the conclusion that you got a falsely advertised product. Fong Song is definitely Chinese in name; not Japanese.

I looked at the Ebay listings. I cannot imagine any reputable Japanese brand being sold at those prices. The lineman's plier almost looks like a picture taken off a Knipex website.

 

[Monte]

http://www.alibaba.com/member/jimtist.html

 

[cosmik binturong]

or it could also be the case that Fong Song is/was a trading company that had those pliers made in Japan by a reputable OEM... as for the price, well, i've seen brand new Knipex for way less(like my Cobra 250mm @ 5€] and those weren't stolen or counterfeit products either.


as usual Monte was faster and with a more pertinent result.

 

[CDD]

My Made in Japan Tools

Mitutoyo Digital Calipers 8" and 6"

Mitutoyo Digital Micrometer

Fuller 2" C-Clamp

And for last my nail clippers

 

[dede2897234]

I want to thank everyone who responded to my questions about Kimba.

Last month, I purchased from a Hong Kong eBay seller a Shell (made in Japan), 6" cable cutter plier. My plier looks exactly like the one posted by "mrtools" in the "Tools From the Old World" thread. I bought it for a total price of $8.98. Here is the eBay listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=260773342796&si=iPwa3yNAqV7zVpogbQJovouD7GA%253D&viewitem=.

If you search eBay, there are other Hong Kong sellers that offer the Shell 6" cable cutter plier for not much more than I paid for mine.


Dave

 

[superautobacs]

Just because something is made in Japan doesn't make it high quality.

Totally agree with you on that.

Many Japanese products in almost every sector can be characterized as sub-standard or not very competitive in the global market.

No doubt about that; that's why there's competition.

There are also plenty of third and even fourth generation ethnic Chinese living in Japan.

You're suggesting that they are really produced in Japan, JIS or not, and sold only for export?
There's nothing that comes up under a google.co.jp search with "フォング　ソング" (Fong Song) or "キンバ プライヤー" (Kimba pliers).



Cosmik,

That could be a possibility, but Fong Song/Kimba brand is so minor that I don't think it's the case here.

I'm not doubting you in any way, but there really are fake examples of Knipex or Keiba pliers, for example, that are out there, all coming from China.

 

[superautobacs]

I did some research on the company Shell.

Shell is also another Japanese brand that I've never heard of before Mr. Tools showed his. Curious about their website I browsed through it: http://www.e-osafune.com/index.php One of the first things I noticed were the pictures that appeared in the slideshow. There were two pictures: city street, and one city scape. Both are not in Japan!!!! What???? It's a Japanese company, but they used pictures of some city in China? After a bit more browsing, I learned that 50% of this company's business is exports and providing OEM services. They have one factory in Japan and the rest are in Taiwan, Thailand, and elsewhere.

If you look at this page: http://www.e-osafune.com/oem/index.html they show 4 photos. It's tagged under: Southeast Asia forging and assembly facility

Curious yet, I decided to search to see where Shell tools are available to purchase in Japan. My search did not result with any hits, and I'm not surprised as I've never heard of the brand before....but I learned something new today.

 

[superautobacs]

To get this back on topic with some pictures

Pull saws were mentioned some time ago here...
Here's one of my Japanese pull saws. The awesome HSSman The cutting is done by a welded strip of HSS.