Tools of Japan

[american lockpicker]

Diggin up an old post, but I just found a 1/2" drive set from Japan that looks exactly like this but has H.T714 on the selector. It also says Cro-Mo Steel H on the handle. I found these in the basement of my house, no idea what it is.

It's a complete set with metal case, ratchet, two extensions, and 12-27 (skips some sizes).

Anyone have name, history, etc of this set?

I might be able to shed some light on this later... I think the case has a label inside it. Also I have some fun nontool items from Japan.

 

[american lockpicker]

Ok went and got the box from the garage. Looks like the set was made for Sears and marketed as Champion price was $49.95. My guess is its from the 80s but might be from late 70s. My dad has had this in use for as long as I've been alive.

Markings on the sockets varied or were nonexistant so some might not be original.

This was the nicest and only one was in there.

There was a few of these.

The majority were these.

Heres a nice affordable mechanical pencil. When purchasing it I noticed a lot of Japanese writing insturments were outsourced to Indonesia or China now.

Lastly I have this.

I had been looking for a shortwave radio for over a year now and decided on this one as it was made in Japan(rest were chinese even Grundig...) When I got it the quality blew me away I will even go as far to say its better than the electronics I get from Germany and Austria.

 

[bradleykd]

Can you get Tone open ended wrenches?? Specifically 17/19 and 22/24mm at 10/13 would be awesome too...

 

[pirana]

Do you have some photo's to share?

Sorry, my digital camera is in Peru with my wife until next week. The sockets I have are in the 20mm + range & are well made & have a shallow groove machined into them near the bottom for easier gripping with greasy hands. I'm almost certain that I bought them at a Hi-Lo autoparts which is now Oreilys.

 

[mofo62]

Ok went and got the box from the garage. Looks like the set was made for Sears and marketed as Champion price was $49.95. My guess is its from the 80s but might be from late 70s. My dad has had this in use for as long as I've been alive.


Lastly I have this.

I had been looking for a shortwave radio for over a year now and decided on this one as it was made in Japan(rest were chinese even Grundig...) When I got it the quality blew me away I will even go as far to say its better than the electronics I get from Germany and Austria.

Congratulations...


I Love Sony ,Made in Japan ,I Love Japan...


V!

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Hozan

 

[american lockpicker]

Found this in my grandmother's basement.

These were part of the set.

This wasn't but I found a few in there.

I found this old mechanical calculator which I have no idea how to use.

 

[dede2897234]

The OEM for the "BF" stamped Craftsman/Sears branded wrenches is Kyoto Tool Company (KTC), during the days when the Japanese Yen/American dollar exchange rate favouring the US.

Suekage Tool Co. (SEK) was a big OEM during those times as well, namely for Truecraft.


Here's some "3 Peaks" items I have:
IIRC, 3 Peaks became famous for their oil filter wrenches.

Superautobacs,

Have you put the "3 Peaks" DS-130 locking plier to use?

If yes, does the DS-130 plier work better in removing damaged fasteners than Engineer's screw removing pliers (PZ-55, PZ-58)?

If yes, how much of a performance improvement have you noticed with the DS-130 plier?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[AutomatiquE]

Keiba 150mm side cutter

 

[american lockpicker]

I seem to remember since those have that brass ring in them they can completely rust and still be fully functional.

 

[superautobacs]

Superautobacs,

Have you put the "3 Peaks" DS-130 locking plier to use?

If yes, does the DS-130 plier work better in removing damaged fasteners than Engineer's screw removing pliers (PZ-55, PZ-58)?

If yes, how much of a performance improvement have you noticed with the DS-130 plier?


Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave,

I haven't had the need for the DS-130 plier yet.

Here's my take on it though:
By having a locking type, I can concentrate my efforts in the pulling/rotating motion without having to deal with exerting the strength needed to grip that buggered up fastener.

Although it's the smallest size offered, the downside to it is that I may run into a situation where the bulky head will not allow me to engage the fastener. So, in that situation I'll resort to their standard model: DS-150



AutomatiquE,

Nice pliers! Please tell us what you think about the quality of the pliers in fit/feel/finish, compared to the popular European brands you have.

 

[AutomatiquE]

AutomatiquE,

Nice pliers! Please tell us what you think about the quality of the pliers in fit/feel/finish, compared to the popular European brands you have.

In terms of quality this Keiba is simply the best pliers i ever had. They're obviously made from an high grade steel, they're well balanced and the gun metal joint is also a very good idea : they always open/close flawlessly. I have a few other Japan tools but judging by their quality i think i'll certainly buy more in future

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Anyone have this ratchet, could you post some pictures?

 

[superautobacs]

In terms of quality this Keiba is simply the best pliers i ever had. They're obviously made from an high grade steel, they're well balanced and the gun metal joint is also a very good idea : they always open/close flawlessly. I have a few other Japan tools but judging by their quality i think i'll certainly buy more in future

That's good to hear.
Unlike the many automated production stages found in the majority of plier manufacturers today, a lot of their production process is still done by hand, and before anything gets packaged, each plier is tested by a skilled craftsman. It looks like the old-school way is still able to keep up with (or is better than?) the modern production processes. Whether it's better or not, there's something about a tool that's forged, heat treated, grinded, adjusted, and tested by the hands of professional craftsmen.

Anyone have this ratchet, could you post some pictures?

I don't have the ratchet, but here's a couple more pictures:

 

[AutomatiquE]

Unlike the many automated production stages found in the majority of plier manufacturers today, a lot of their production process is still done by hand, and before anything gets packaged, each plier is tested by a skilled craftsman. It looks like the old-school way is still able to keep up with (or is better than?) the modern production processes. Whether it's better or not, there's something about a tool that's forged, heat treated, grinded, adjusted, and tested by the hands of professional craftsmen.

+1

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Cool thread.

Those Nepros ratchets are gorgeous.

Here's a hndful of the random tools I picked up in our three years there (and still use today). We lived two blocks from Homac, which is a large home store similar to HD or Lowes so we went there more than a few times a week. The toughest thing was reading the directions & product labels to be certain I had the item I needed. I used a lot of consumables (paints, glues, lumber, etc).

Nothing fancy or flashy, just stuff I bought to use:

 

[american lockpicker]

Interesting stuff. Is that meter made in Japan?

 

[kissmeimgerman]

That's good to hear.
Unlike the many automated production stages found in the majority of plier manufacturers today, a lot of their production process is still done by hand, and before anything gets packaged, each plier is tested by a skilled craftsman. It looks like the old-school way is still able to keep up with (or is better than?) the modern production processes. Whether it's better or not, there's something about a tool that's forged, heat treated, grinded, adjusted, and tested by the hands of professional craftsmen.






I don't have the ratchet, but here's a couple more pictures:

Thanks! I may have to try one out!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Interesting stuff. Is that meter made in Japan?

As far as I can tell. I can't find a 'Made in' stamp on the unit. But I believe the company has a Thailand ltc.

Here's the back of the booklet:

http://www.kaise.com/NewEnglish.htm


I purchased this from Homac when I was working on the switches on my motorcycle. As I moved to using it for larger projects like troubleshooting a battry/ignition issue on DH Rocky I said a little prayer and hoped the machine would burn before I did. It's good that electrical signs and abbreviations are fairly universal. I know my Kana so I was able to translate the majority of what I read and fill in the rest.

 

[superautobacs]

Heres a nice affordable mechanical pencil. When purchasing it I noticed a lot of Japanese writing insturments were outsourced to Indonesia or China now.

OMG, I have the same one. I think I've had it since junior high!
Too bad they are getting outsourced.



The Kaise stuff should be made in Japan.


@Automatique,
Can you post some more detailed photos of the Keiba pliers?

 

[american lockpicker]

Ha I have another Japanese mech pencil that I've had since junior high.

The black one was converted to 0.9mm and I got the blue one recently as apparently they go for a lot of money on Ebay now.

 

[chickenfarmer]

My Japan made Craftsman wrench. Found it while cleaning one day and had one of those WTF? moments

 

[Skysurfer]

Every thread needs a vise picture.

Got this from my father-in-law, don't know anything about the brand but it's going to be a mini-me to the Yost 206 arriving tomorrow.

 

[superautobacs]

Every thread needs a vise picture.

Never heard of the brand "GL".

 

[NastyNate]

Ahh here we go. This has been stumping me for quite some time. I have posted this on other forums with no prevail.

I know they are pull saws for furniture making but other than that I have little to go on. Looking for when they might have been made, who made them, and value.
Thanks

 

[superautobacs]

Not much of any help here, but it's probably fully hand-crafted in the city of Sanjo, in northern Japan.

No idea about the craftsman, vintage, or value.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Cool thread.

Those Nepros ratchets are gorgeous.

Here's a hndful of the random tools I picked up in our three years there (and still use today). We lived two blocks from Homac, which is a large home store similar to HD or Lowes so we went there more than a few times a week. The toughest thing was reading the directions & product labels to be certain I had the item I needed. I used a lot of consumables (paints, glues, lumber, etc).

Nothing fancy or flashy, just stuff I bought to use:
A whole bunch of pics I cannot see

GirlnAgarage, I don't suppose you've reorganised your pics with your pic hosting service? They're all coming up blank for me...

 

[GirlnAgarage]

GirlnAgarage, I don't suppose you've reorganised your pics with your pic hosting service? They're all coming up blank for me...

yeah, just cleared them from the album. I forgot

 

[Frankstools]

New Multi-Purpose Pliers from Lobster. Screw & Hybrid Water Pump Pliers

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the day

 

[markw365]

Nice, you've got a PM, I'm tool shopping this week in Tokyo. Figured I'd get some Vessel megadora's before I head back to the states.

 

[markw365]

Scored these today. I had to buy something while I was here. Just tested it on the hotel room door and I can tell they have more grip for JIS phillips. My honda's and dirt bikes will be happy now.

 

[Frankstools]

Nice buy Mark..!

 

[Wiggum]

Nice find Mark!

If you run across Megadora torx i'll make it worth your while to bring them back!

 

[Lost Road]

I just sold a lot of Japanese woodcarving knives. Very good quality! Sorry, no pics.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Interesting threads, learned alot about Japanese tools! I have several Japanese wood saws, second to no other saw that i have!

 

[Sick Puppy]

Nice find Mark!

If you run across Megadora torx i'll make it worth your while to bring them back!

Uh-oh, please don't tell me there is a JIS standard for torx too, my budget just isn't that high! lol j/k

Seriously, I take it you've used them, so what are they like?

 

[CAOS]

The top wrench is a 24" Lobster made in Japan after being picked up at a garage sale.

This is after giving them an acid bath.

 

[Wiggum]

Uh-oh, please don't tell me there is a JIS standard for torx too, my budget just isn't that high! lol j/k

Seriously, I take it you've used them, so what are they like?

Never used the torx.... But the megadoras are awesome!

 

[Frankstools]

Nice vintage Lobsters, they still are making the finest adjustable wrenches around