Ko-ken Tools -- What Makes this Brand Special !?!?

[Wakefield]

Those nut-grip sockets look tempting-

 

[92integra]

E torx nut grips would be amazing. Uhg I'm just to lazy to make the order.

 

[superautobacs]

superautobacs,


Who is the manufacturer and what is the model # of the long rotator ratchet you used in the video?


Thanks,

Dave

I can't remember who the Taiwanese manufacturer is, but it's sold under different brand names (SW Stahl, Deen, etc). In my case it's Princess Auto's house-brand called "Powerfist".
I hated the original handle so I gave it a square shaped hard handle which I predicted would give me more control with rotating the handle back and forth.

E torx nut grips would be amazing. Uhg I'm just to lazy to make the order.

They do make E-torx nut grips as well.

 

[Negen]

Those nut-grip sockets look tempting-

lol most the new koken stuff is temping. Time to look for a credit card that does not have a "international" processing fee.

 

[rmsg0040]

how long is that ratchet and what drive size?

Thanks

 

[superautobacs]

how long is that ratchet and what drive size?

Thanks

Mine is a 1/4 drive and it's about 10-11" long. They offered it in 3/8 and 1/2 drive sizes as well.
I looked through the PA online catalogue for a link, but I couldn't find them.

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ nice, if I could find it I would buy it right away

 

[gbh]

New arrival. RS3305M/12
Metric 12 point deep sockets.
I think I'll have to order the Ko-ken magnetic socket holders to go with these.

 

[Negen]

New arrival. RS3305M/12
Metric 12 point deep sockets.
I think I'll have to order the Ko-ken magnetic socket holders to go with these.

What made you decide to get the 12 points vs the 6 points RS3300MZ/12 or RS3300M/12?

 

[Air21]

I did a teardown on an EZ-Red ratcheting handle a while back, here.

I've been emailing with a rep from Koken USA who is supposed to be finding a distributor local to me here in TX. I'll let you all know what comes of that

 

[gbh]

What made you decide to get the 12 points vs the 6 points RS3300MZ/12 or RS3300M/12?

I guess everyone has a preference and after discussing with someone who does a lot more work on vehicles than I do I chose the 12 point for my deep sockets.
The thought was that in difficult to reach or confined areas it's easier to get a bite on the bolt so to speak than with a 6 point. I did also buy an RS3400MZ/12 set of shallow 6 points recently. There's possibly going to be a day when I need a 6 point deep socket or a 12 point shallow (though I have 12 point standard length SO) but I think I'm pretty well covered for now.

 

[MaineGuide]

I really want a set of the 3/8 wobble extensions, but it's hard to justify as I've managed to get by without any wobble extensions.

They're just so pretty...

 

[dede2897234]

I did a teardown on an EZ-Red ratcheting handle a while back, here.

I've been emailing with a rep from Koken USA who is supposed to be finding a distributor local to me here in TX. I'll let you all know what comes of that

Air21,

LevelChrome stocks Ko-ken and they are out of Texas. Here is a link to their contact page with this information: LINK. LevelChrome's owner, Alan, will price match Frankstools.com. Just contact Alan via the e-mail address on the contact page.


Dave

 

[gbh]

I really want a set of the 3/8 wobble extensions, but it's hard to justify as I've managed to get by without any wobble extensions.

They're just so pretty...

I have 3 wobble head extensions, I really like the knurling too.
Now my Snap On extensions never get used.

 

[RXtacy]

I really want a set of the 3/8 wobble extensions, but it's hard to justify as I've managed to get by without any wobble extensions.

They're just so pretty...

Just picked that set up. Very happy with it.



Also got some Koken rails to reorganize the socket drawer.

 

[yowzer]

Just got my first Ko-Ken tools, after learning about them here, I splurged on a bunch of stuff.

Used a few pieces already. Very, very nice.

 

[92integra]

How's the knurling on those extensions? Any comparison to mac's knurling? Looking to grab some hight quality wobbles but am a suker for mac's knurling

 

[RXtacy]

How's the knurling on those extensions? Any comparison to mac's knurling? Looking to grab some hight quality wobbles but am a suker for mac's knurling

I much prefer the Ko-Ken knurling personally. It is much more aggressive than MAC or just about anyone else. That being said as you can see it does not have the mid point knurling that MAC does. Don't know if that is a factor for you.

 

[beatcad]

i've got enough sockets to last 2 lifetimes.
ive read plenty of good things about koken(probably here) so i gave 'em a shot.
i finnally decided to get a whitworth set and went w/ koken.
i've been using the hell outta them for weeks now and i'm happy w/ 'em.

 

[superautobacs]

MAC extensions will be even better if they had Ko-ken's patented knurling.
Ko-ken's extensions will be even better if they added knurling along the shaft like MAC.

 

[yowzer]

How's the knurling on those extensions? Any comparison to mac's knurling? Looking to grab some hight quality wobbles but am a suker for mac's knurling

None of my normal extensions have knurling, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. The Koken stuff seems like it'd be pretty grippy even with oily greasy hands, though. Reminds me of old Surefire flashlights.

 

[kunkernator]

i've got enough sockets to last 2 lifetimes.

ive read plenty of good things about koken(probably here) so i gave 'em a shot.

i finnally decided to get a whitworth set and went w/ koken.

i've been using the hell outta them for weeks now and i'm happy w/ 'em.

Just curious, cause i havent heard anyone mention whitworth sockets in a while. What do you use them on? I thought that was an outdated standard (i could be wrong).


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[jeremyillingworth]

I had never heard of Koken before but I needed a set of Whitworth sockets. I ordered a set with an order of parts for my BSA. The supplier had cheap Chinese twelve points but I wanted six point sockets and got Koken. They haven't had a ton of use yet but I'm very happy with them.

jeremy

 

[Dave455]

I had never heard of Koken before but I needed a set of Whitworth sockets. I ordered a set with an order of parts for my BSA. The supplier had cheap Chinese twelve points but I wanted six point sockets and got Koken. They haven't had a ton of use yet but I'm very happy with them.

jeremy

They're good!

I've used mne a hell of a lot setting up machines where one size always seems to get the most use and I didn't want to wear my old Britool ones. They really seem to last well!

It's a nice bonus to be offerred 6 point or 12, and KoKen offer deep sockets in Whit as well. (Also, in the latest catalogue, Whitworth universal sockets)!

In recent years, in the U.K, this sort of stuff has been handed down from father to son, and stored in that special box together with other irreplacables such as the Whitworth Crowfoot wrenches and Dad's IWC! Don't need to now!

 

[jeremyillingworth]

I would actually like a single Whitworth crowfoot wrench, so I can torque the nuts on the bottom of the barrels. So far I can't even find used or old ones.

jeremy

 

[superautobacs]

Got a small package brought back from Japan which includes a few assorted Ko-ken items.

This little box caught my attention with a sticker that I've never seen before.

The underside had this to say:

Is it suggesting that counterfeits exist?




My first Torx-plus bits:

I needed a 5/16" bit holder for a 1/4" drive:

The bit is secured only by a circular retaining spring. It's secure enough, but with a little bit of fore/aft play (definitely not as bad as a 1/4" hex chuck)

 

[superautobacs]

1/4" square end:

With a 5/16" bit inserted:

1/4" drive Torx bit sockets:

16mm nut-grip socket:

a couple 1/2" drive 12pt impacts:

Socket date stamped in June 2015 :

 

[superautobacs]

Last but not least, I added another Ko-ken wrench. A deep offset DBE wrench:

 

[dutchgray]

I would actually like a single Whitworth crowfoot wrench, so I can torque the nuts on the bottom of the barrels. So far I can't even find used or old ones.

jeremy

Britool made box end crows feet in Whitworth, I have a partial set and they come up on eBay occasionally. I bet its not one of the sizes that's close to something else.
View media item 52384Yes I know this shouldn't be in the Koken thread.

 

[BK13]

Super: how are the KoKen Torx bits? I have a rusty old Jeep that is loaded with Torx. I've been eyeing the Snap On gold Torx sets, but if the KoKen is as high of quality and priced lower....

 

[Negen]

Super: how are the KoKen Torx bits? I have a rusty old Jeep that is loaded with Torx. I've been eyeing the Snap On gold Torx sets, but if the KoKen is as high of quality and priced lower....

I have the koken zeal torx socket set. They seem to be great. No twisting or stripping yet. I use them on Volkswagen's.

 

[BK13]

Cool, thanks!


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[Monte]

Koken Italy

 

[rice rocket]

Yeah those look suspiciously like my Betas.

 

[maico]

Koken certainly like to cover all bases. Although Whitworth is the sizing standard of the Gods the demand for new Whitworth swivel sockets must be close to zero....

 

[bonneyman]

Britool made box end crows feet in Whitworth, I have a partial set and they come up on eBay occasionally. I bet its not one of the sizes that's close to something else.
View media item 52384Yes I know this shouldn't be in the Koken thread.

Love the crowfoot holder. Never seen that design before. Bet it would work well on box wrenches and sockets, too.

Where did you get it?

 

[hangfirew8]

Whitworth swivel sockets. Shut down the internetz, I've seen it all now.

-HF

 

[dutchgray]

Love the crowfoot holder. Never seen that design before. Bet it would work well on box wrenches and sockets, too.

Where did you get it?

It came with the crowsfeet when I bought them secondhand. Its been modified for the purpose, the handle is just a small bit of plastic pipe.

 

[dutchgray]

Whitworth swivel sockets. Shut down the internetz, I've seen it all now.

-HF

King **** does Whitworth ratchet wrenches. Can't be much demand for those either.

 

[superautobacs]

Those Britool boxed crowsfoot are neat! I also like the fact that the square is offset to allow for narrower working angles. I don't think I've ever seen that. Clever




Ko-ken and Beta worked together in the 90's, IIRC. Beta offered Ko-ken socketry items in their lineup, and in exchange, Koken got their wrenches.
So, if you see any Ko-ken branded wrenches for sale, they are NOS pieces.


This is the other Ko-ken (Beta) wrench I have. A 22x24 DOE wrench that I beat on a lot and I'm really happy with it's durability, despite it being such a thin wrench on the business ends. (picture is from when it was new)

Super: how are the KoKen Torx bits? I have a rusty old Jeep that is loaded with Torx. I've been eyeing the Snap On gold Torx sets, but if the KoKen is as high of quality and priced lower....

I'm quite happy with my Torx bits. I have 1/4 bits and bit sockets, 5/16 impact rated bits, and 1/2 drive bit sockets. All are doing very well. .....although, I don't work with rusty components, so keep that in mind.


An independent testing graded Ko-ken's standard and Zeal hex bit sockets to be among the best in the market.