Tools of Japan

[Applesauce]

Just placed an order on some Vessel JIS screwdrivers:

What's the difference between JIS and normal (i.e., North American) screwdrivers? I'm curious in particular about JIS Phillips. I work on a lot of Japanese-made (and plenty of Malaysian) Shimano products, and the best tool I'm found to fit their Phillips-head screws is a #1 with just the tip ground off about .75 mm.

I'm thinking maybe all these screws that I've been working on for so many years are actually JIS?!

 

[Lexus]

 

[DpSyChO]

I have attached a photo of the Ko-ken Zeal 1/4 ratchet with the Zeal 10mm socket (on the right) next to the Snap-on T72 with a short length 10mm socket (right)

^_^

Does two rights make a left?

 

[NorthCountry]

Does two rights make a left?

Technically it would be 3 rights make a left two is just a 180


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[Lexus]

Does two rights make a left?

Oops!

Sorry the Snap-on T72 is on the right+right+right=left.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[bwringer]

What's the difference between JIS and normal (i.e., North American) screwdrivers? I'm curious in particular about JIS Phillips. I work on a lot of Japanese-made (and plenty of Malaysian) Shimano products, and the best tool I'm found to fit their Phillips-head screws is a #1 with just the tip ground off about .75 mm.

I'm thinking maybe all these screws that I've been working on for so many years are actually JIS?!

That's it exactly -- most Asian stuff uses JIS screws. JIS drivers make a huge difference in the amount of torque you can apply.

 

[Applesauce]

That's it exactly -- most Asian stuff uses JIS screws. JIS drivers make a huge difference in the amount of torque you can apply.

SWEET. More tools to buy! What's everyone recommend for #1 and #2 JIS screwdrivers? Where should someone in Canada get those Vessel drivers?

 

[Lexus]

I got mine ordered off ebay, here are two different sets:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/261179190207?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

http://m.ebay.com/itm/190941638123?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

 

[BK13]

Those sets both contain slotted drivers. Are the specs different between the Japanese and USA slotted models?

 

[Lexus]

No, just the "plus" (+) drivers

 

[Stokes_]

The Koken Zeal is the absolute BEST 1/4" ratchet in the world. I'd put it up against anything, SO doesn't even come close.

 

[Lexus]

The Koken Zeal is the absolute BEST 1/4" ratchet in the world. I'd put it up against anything, SO doesn't even come close.

I feel the same way! With Ko-ken Zeal, you can feel the difference.

Well my Vessel screwdrivers showed up, very comfortable and cant wait to use them tomorrow.

 

[Oily Nails]

Hi folks, just picked this ratchet set up at a clearance shop.View media item 36386
Anyone familiar/heard of SHIRA ?
The set looks to be early 90's.
It is completely unused and still has the cardboard sleeve, plastic tool cover and the spark plug socket still has its label intact!
Not the most refined construction but should stand normal work loads.
Google and eBay are slim on any info...
Only cost £10

 

[flyre17]

Hello, probably should have posted here instead of creating a new thread. Anyway, looking to get into Japanese made tools and I am looking for a recommendation between Ko-Ken and Nepros. The Nepros 90 tooth ratchets look great but so does the Ko-Ken stuff. Anyone have experience with both that can make a recommendation? Appreciate the help. Thanks!

 

[superautobacs]

I wrote a little bit about the Zeal and Nepros 90-tooth ratchet here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3413534&postcount=83

Both have their pros and cons, but overall, I think I like the Zeal ratchet more. Your preference may vary from mine though.

 

[kenburkholz]

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do. Ken

 

[Applesauce]

Could someone PLEASE post some pictures of the Zeal internals?? I'm dying!


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[steveo3002]

Hi folks, just picked this ratchet set up at a clearance shop.View media item 36386
Anyone familiar/heard of SHIRA ?
The set looks to be early 90's.
It is completely unused and still has the cardboard sleeve, plastic tool cover and the spark plug socket still has its label intact!
Not the most refined construction but should stand normal work loads.
Google and eBay are slim on any info...
Only cost £10

dad had that in the 80s ..cheapo stuff i think , non of it has survived

 

[Van Steele]

Could someone PLEASE post some pictures of the Zeal internals?? I'm dying!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

From the Ko-ken Z-eal flyer.

Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Oily Nails]

Hi folks, just picked this ratchet set up at a clearance shop.View media item 36386
Anyone familiar/heard of SHIRA ?
The set looks to be early 90's.
It is completely unused and still has the cardboard sleeve, plastic tool cover and the spark plug socket still has its label intact!
Not the most refined construction but should stand normal work loads.
Google and eBay are slim on any info...
Only cost £10

dad had that in the 80s ..cheapo stuff i think , non of it has survived

Cheers steveo3002, I figured they were a cheap set from around that time.
I find it weird that in all that time this set was never used!

 

[north]

Vessel P1 and P2 JIS screwdrivers from Levelchrome. Beautiful stuff. I did take a small file to the plastic edge on top of the handle as it felt a bit annoying. Just a slight rubbing and it was perfect.

 

[Biomed]

SWEET. More tools to buy! What's everyone recommend for #1 and #2 JIS screwdrivers? Where should someone in Canada get those Vessel drivers?

I LOVE my Vessel Tools Megadora JIS screwdrivers. I use them for everything, including non-JIS (standard phillips) screws.

Level Chrome http://www.levelchrome.com sells Vessel and JDV Products http://www.vesseltools.com claims to be the exclusive North American distributor for Vessel. Since Level Chrome claims to ship world wide and JDV Products claims to be the North American distributor for Vessel Tools you should be able to get some JIS screwdrivers from them.

 

[Applesauce]

From the Ko-ken Z-eal flyer.

Merry Christmas to all.

Thanks! I also found the Japanese blog with a complete disassembly, linked in a Koken tools thread somewhere on this board...pretty sweet! I think I'm going to have to give one a try.

 

[Lexus]

The Ko-Ken Zeal ratchets are smooth like butter! Used them when I was doing a motor swap on a Honda, clutch on a Toyota, timing belt on another Honda.. Using the Zeal ratchet and Zeal sockets you can get into those tight spaces and the action is sooo smooth that you dont have to hold the socket while removing or installing like you would with other ratchets.

 

[flyre17]

So, I ordered the Ko-Ken Z-EAL set 3285Z from Mutsuura (recommended by Cosmik in post #574) via Rakuten marketplace on Saturday night. I sent them an email this morning attempting to verify that they received my order. It's still incomplete pending final shipping details which Rakuten said the seller would contact me to arrange. No reply - it's Tuesday afternoon in Japan. Is this normal?

Item Purchased:
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/mutsuura/item/10012919/

 

[Applesauce]

So, I ordered the Ko-Ken Z-EAL set 3285Z from Mutsuura (recommended by Cosmik in post #574) via Rakuten marketplace on Saturday night. I sent them an email this morning attempting to verify that they received my order. It's still incomplete pending final shipping details which Rakuten said the seller would contact me to arrange. No reply - it's Tuesday afternoon in Japan. Is this normal?

Item Purchased:
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/mutsuura/item/10012919/

New Years, maybe?

 

[flyre17]

A possibility, I suppose.

 

[balrog]

Most Japanese companies shut down for several days during the New Year.

 

[flyre17]

I did a little looking and it appears that many businesses are closed from the 29th through the 3rd. I guess I'll wait and see.

 

[Van Steele]

KTC TBNS305W and BNS3-08W

Happy New Year

 

[wmartin]

Vessel P1 and P2 JIS screwdrivers from Levelchrome. Beautiful stuff. I did take a small file to the plastic edge on top of the handle as it felt a bit annoying. Just a slight rubbing and it was perfect.

That's the one (or two I guess) product on their site that really looks like a good idea to own.

 

[Van Steele]

So, I ordered the Ko-Ken Z-EAL set 3285Z from Mutsuura (recommended by Cosmik in post #574) via Rakuten marketplace on Saturday night. I sent them an email this morning attempting to verify that they received my order. It's still incomplete pending final shipping details which Rakuten said the seller would contact me to arrange. No reply - it's Tuesday afternoon in Japan. Is this normal?

Item Purchased:
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/mutsuura/item/10012919/

Their calendar on their Rakuten homepage says they're closed from the 28th of December untill the 6th of January.
Superb people to deal with btw.

 

[flyre17]

I wish I got a vacation like that!

 

[cosmik binturong]

I wish I got a vacation like that...

go work in Japan!

 

[steveo3002]

would anyone be willing to write a quick buyers guide for rakuten.com?

how do you pay , do they mark the customs form accuratly or lower value any thing a 1st time buyer would need to know

 

[cosmik binturong]

fill your shopping basket in the same Rakuten store(more stores = different shipper and so more postage), review your order, pay with a card, wait for the confirmation mail and then track your parcel.

value declared is not lower than what's inside the box, this is not fleabay, you're mostly dealing with real trade companies there.

that's it.

oh, and googre chlome blowsel with instant tlansration is youl fliend when blowsing.

 

[flyre17]

would anyone be willing to write a quick buyers guide for rakuten.com?

how do you pay , do they mark the customs form accuratly or lower value any thing a 1st time buyer would need to know

I'll let you know once I get my job in Japan!

 

[superautobacs]

KTC TBNS305W and BNS3-08W

Nice set, along with those Hyper Rev books.

 

[Van Steele]

Nice set, along with those Hyper Rev books.

Thanks, they are nice to use aswell.

Some comparison pictures: KTC vs King ****

The mooks technically belong to my missus, she's the one into MR2's. Pictures only for her though

 

[superautobacs]

Nice. I don't think I've ever factored in the length of a crowsfoot. So far I've only ever used them with an extension;not just on its own. I'll have to see if my KD/Easco set of crowsfoot wrenches can be mated to work with just a breaker bar or a ratchet. Would your King **** crowsfoot even work with a simple breaker bar? There's not much space between the broach and the square!