Tools of Japan

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day from Frankstools..

 

[gbh]

Those Fujiya brand tools are great quality. However, recently I'm seeing some without the "Made in Japan" marked on the tool itself.

 

[Frankstools]

Yes they are top notch...similar to 3Peaks.

I have not run across the no marking tools yet. Where have you seen the unmarked?

 

[gbh]

I thought I saw them unmarked at Viva home centre recently...BUT, I may be wrong.
I was at Tokyu Hands today and couldn't see them unmarked. If I see them again I'll be sure to take a pic and post.
I picked up these items today.

 

[Frankstools]

I thought I saw them unmarked at Viva home centre recently...BUT, I may be wrong.
I was at Tokyu Hands today and couldn't see them unmarked. If I see them again I'll be sure to take a pic and post.
I picked up these items today.

Nice tools, no worrys on Fujiya markings..I suspect to see less production outside the country, still think Fujiya is still a made in japan outfit. Tokyu hands is my favorire store to look around. Neat stuff!

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day, LOBSTER Hybrid Adjustable Angle Wrench. 8 - 36mm

 

[superautobacs]

GBH,

I like that Shinwa ruler. I think they do something that no one else has by placing a slight bend on the end so that it's easy to pick up from a flat work surface.

Frank,

One day, I'd like to try out one of Lobster's new Hybrid series. You don't see very many adjustable wrenches that have jaws with off-corner engagement, like a flank-drive wrench does.

How much slop/play is there on the moveable jaw? The TOP Exactwrench and Hyperwrench have less than 0.5mm in play (which btw is less than an Irega 92 Series).

 

[Frankstools]

GBH,

I like that Shinwa ruler. I think they do something that no one else has by placing a slight bend on the end so that it's easy to pick up from a flat work surface.

Frank,

One day, I'd like to try out one of Lobster's new Hybrid series. You don't see very many adjustable wrenches that have jaws with off-corner engagement, like a flank-drive wrench does.

How much slop/play is there on the moveable jaw? The TOP Exactwrench and Hyperwrench have less than 0.5mm in play (which btw is less than an Irega 92 Series).

There is no slop/freeplay in them. First class wrenches..They sell very well.

Frank

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day, Tone R30 Ratchet at www.frankstools.com

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the day. Koken Z-series ratchet at www.frankstools.com

 

[mercucho]

Measurement tools: Mitutoyo dial caliper and Tajima tape measure.

 

[marcone]

Measurement tools: Mitutoyo dial caliper and Tajima tape measure.

Got me one of those Mitutoyo dial caliper and I'm pleased with it with one exception: too much plastic! Don't like plastic on measuring devices, that's why I stayed away from a digital caliper who'd have been cheaper.

 

[d-rive]

I bought a Makita hammer drill and is not written anywhere that is manufactured in Japan. Only the adress of Makita headquarters in Japan.
On a leaflet is written: Made in P.R.C. (people republic of china)

Shame for the japanese for that such attempt to misinform.

 

[marcone]

I bought a Makita hammer drill and is not written anywhere that is manufactured in Japan. Only the adress of Makita headquarters in Japan.
On a leaflet is written: Made in P.R.C. (people republic of china)

Shame for the japanese for that such attempt to misinform.

Unfortunately not many power tools are manufactured outside of PRC these days. Almost bought at one point a Makita angle grinder for the sole motif of being made in the UK.

 

[Monte]

higher priced Makita tools often are still made in japan or the UK. Angle grinders, plunge saw, circ saw, sanders (with metal case) etc... some product categories are imported like recip saws.

 

[mercucho]

TOP adjustable wrench HY38S (8-38 mm)

Koken socket set 3201AMW:

More pics: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2833906&postcount=131

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

that wide jaw stubby adjustable wench can be useful.

 

[andermt]

Something a bit different.

A 'vernier' gauge the size and thickness of a credit card, lives in my wallet and gets well used at work. Checked it against a digital gauge and it's pretty accurate.

Bought in Tokyu Hands in Tokyo a few years ago.

 

[superautobacs]

Andermt,

Cool. I'll remember to look for that next time I go there.



Merchucho,

I've been wanting to get one of those stubby TOP adjustables. How do you like the quality of the movement?





An Asahi tools advertisement from 2007:

 

[mercucho]

superautobacs, although not long ago that I have them, I've checked that the ergonomics are very good.

Despite the short handle, the shape of the key allows considerable force.

 

[gmt]

Here are some pliers (Keiba, KTC, Lobster, and IPS) and screwdrivers (Vessel) that i have bought over the last year.

 

[superautobacs]

GMT,

How do you like the Keiba pliers? They are the only kind in the world that has that construction.

 

[gmt]

GMT,

How do you like the Keiba pliers? They are the only kind in the world that has that construction.

Superautobacs,
I haven't used them much yet. I only have had them for a week. The construction and finish of them are great.

 

[R25_GTS]

Hi,

Does anyone know who makes the Toyota Workshop OEM tools?
I have marked the nippers and pliers from the pdf file, it would be great to know who makes them, the dealership doesn't know anything about them, just to order and see what's in the package.

Thanks

 

[McRae]

I've been wanting to get one of those stubby TOP adjustables. How do you like the quality of the movement?

I have one of those, great piece of kit I must say. Really good quality etc. Use it a lot inside doors, for locks and window mechanisms, where it's very handy.

 

[gigamel]

Hi,

Does anyone know who makes the Toyota Workshop OEM tools?
I have marked the nippers and pliers from the pdf file, it would be great to know who makes them, the dealership doesn't know anything about them, just to order and see what's in the package.

Thanks

Most likely KTC/Nepros

http://en.ktc.co.jp/brand/motorsports.html

 

[superautobacs]

Hi,

Does anyone know who makes the Toyota Workshop OEM tools?
I have marked the nippers and pliers from the pdf file, it would be great to know who makes them, the dealership doesn't know anything about them, just to order and see what's in the package.

Thanks

I have no idea. It could be KTC/Keiba, Fujiya, Tsunoda, Merry, 3 Peaks, IPS, Victor, MTC

 

[jk47]

I have no idea. It could be KTC/Keiba, Fujiya, Tsunoda, Merry, 3 Peaks, IPS, Victor, MTC

I believe another fella had some "Toyota" branded Vessel screwdrivers. Me thinks he was from Australia... I can't remember which thread it was in.

 

[Van Steele]

I believe another fella had some "Toyota" branded Vessel screwdrivers.

I can confirm that the drivers currently sold by Toyota are from the Vessel Megadora range, I bought some last year, smuggled them into a spare parts order for - yet another - one of the missus' MR2's.
Some old sockets definitely seemed to be Ko-ken, while an equally old combination spanner seemed to closely resemble a Kabayashi, though I'm not certain on that one.

 

[superautobacs]

JK,

Yes, I do remember as well. I think it was member, Sick Puppy?


Van Steele,

Are you sure they are Ko-ken? KTC has had a long relationship with Toyota. AFAIK, they supplied the on-board tool kits for decades. It was this relationship, that started decades ago, that springboarded KTC in the hand-tool industry.

The KBS Kobayashi combo wrenches I've seen are the raised panel types (like Craftsman). Here's there offset DBE with the bowtie pattern...inspired by the Hazet 600N

 

[Van Steele]

Are you sure they are Ko-ken? KTC has had a long relationship with Toyota. AFAIK, they supplied the on-board tool kits for decades. It was this relationship, that started decades ago, that springboarded KTC in the hand-tool industry.

The KBS Kobayashi combo wrenches I've seen are the raised panel types (like Craftsman). Here's there offset DBE with the bowtie pattern...inspired by the Hazet 600N

Yeah, pretty sure. The shape and dimensions were exactly like the equivalent Ko-ken. The bit sockets though are most likely KTC, they have the same shape and that small bevel on the top of the socket and the bits held in by a set screw.
The raised panel is exactly what made me think of Kobayashi, I don't know of anyone else making them like that.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Supra90turbo is correct about this JIS screwdriver set from Hozan. I have this same set and they are excellent for removing and installing JIS screws and most of all you can't beat their price for them either.

I have a set of Hozan JIS screwdrivers. They
are very well made and really reasonably priced! Saved me a lot of time fighting with soft carburetor bowl screws that always strip, these are the solution.

 

[Autoguy]

Japaneese tools are of high qulity and cheap too compared to US and Europe counterparts

Iswitched to them when I bought my MM tools to service Toyotas and othe Japaneese cars.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

My Japanese set of Craftsman, 7 through 18. Bought them new in the mid-80's, when I was a broke college student. After all these years, still my go-to set.

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the Day, Asahi LVR3115

 

[superautobacs]

Yeah, pretty sure. The shape and dimensions were exactly like the equivalent Ko-ken. The bit sockets though are most likely KTC, they have the same shape and that small bevel on the top of the socket and the bits held in by a set screw.
The raised panel is exactly what made me think of Kobayashi, I don't know of anyone else making them like that.

Interesting! I didn't know Ko-ken offered tools for Toyota service kits. Do you remember what car and model year you found them in?

As for the raised panel combi. wrenches: there's a lot of brands that offered them like SEK, Aigo, Asahi(ASH), ABC, HIT etc. It seems like it was the standard design from back in the days to conform with JIS, just like many European wrenches which shares the same basic design based on the DIN standard.


Frank,

Cute stubby. Perfect for the road-going kit on a bike or car.
I have the 1/2" big brother as it's nice and light for its size, and the skeleton frame creates an interesting ring to it as you ratchet it.

 

[R25_GTS]

Hi all,

Haven't manage to find a picture with the pliers that comes from Toyota, so I have to place an order for them. At least I hope the pliers will come with some kind of PCV handle. Bare metal it's very uncomfortable for the hand.

Another question that i have is about the steel used for the tools.
Many manufacturers from Japan are using S58C steel. This AFAIK simple carbon steel. Quite an old material. European manufacturers are using Cr-Vanadium or Cr-Vanadium-Molybdenum. What do you think and know about this?

Is the S58C holding against intensive use?
Is anyone using everyday pliers (nippers) that are made from this steel?

Thanks

 

[Van Steele]

Interesting! I didn't know Ko-ken offered tools for Toyota service kits. Do you remember what car and model year you found them in?

These were part of one the general tool sets Toyota offers for dealership workshops, not from a car tool set.

As for the raised panel combi. wrenches: there's a lot of brands that offered them like SEK, Aigo, Asahi(ASH), ABC, HIT etc. It seems like it was the standard design from back in the days to conform with JIS, just like many European wrenches which shares the same basic design based on the DIN standard.

It was the shape and dimensions of the raised panel that led me to think they were KBS. As said though, not totally sure.

 

[Frankstools]

Tool of the day.