Tools of Japan

[T45]

Another thread mentioned those were medical grade stainless, so context sprecific design. Also, seems easier to clean (autoclave?). Look is very unique tho, regardless !

 

[txusa03]

Standard cutter by olfa at HD.

 

[Miskin]

BTW, what do the jaws look like now?

View media item 60929
I used them a few times, but not only with soft screws, but also tried to extract hardened pins. I think are in good condition.

 

[superautobacs]

I used them a few times, but not only with soft screws, but also tried to extract hardened pins. I think are in good condition.

Looks like it's still in decent shape. I was somehow expecting some heavily mutilated jaws.

Thanks for the photo.

 

[Miskin]

After the initial deformation, jaws showing greater durability. Perhaps this is the reason of low hardness. Better a deformed jaw, than a broken one!

 

[superautobacs]

Interesting point you make. Do you have the ability to take HRC measurements again? I'm curious whether the HRC varies quite a bit from the contact points to the 'meat' of jaws.

 

[Miskin]

Interesting point you make. Do you have the ability to take HRC measurements again? I'm curious whether the HRC varies quite a bit from the contact points to the 'meat' of jaws.

It is a fact for all pliers that the HRC varies from the jaws to the outer area. The first measument i did was 15 HRC. The second one, nearer to the jaws was 25 HRC.
Unfortunately i don't have the ability anymore for such measurements.

 

[superautobacs]

Yes, what you said is a fact. ...Too bad we can't see it in terms of numbers.
Darn...I had a feeling you did change your job not too long ago and hence, no more access to a tester.

 

[hautpot]

Hey Superautobacs,

Of all those unusually pointy Japanese Pliers (from the other thread), which one would you recommend? I think Keiba called it diagonal nipper.

And my eyes have seen hundreds of thousands of tools this past week, but it is super hard to locate those Anex stubby bits (and toptul for that matter).

 

[superautobacs]

Hautpot,

Yes, in Japan, they call diagonal cutters, nippers. As for a recommendation...are you talking about precision cutting pliers, or more standard sized pliers that are flush-type cutters for softer materials like plastics?

You've experienced tool nirvana haven't you.

I would've thought that Factory Gear would have the Anex stubby bits. You gotta find them!

Yeah, Toptul isn't really for the Taiwanese domestic market eh.

I hope you have enough space in your suitcases to bring home all the goodies!

 

[superautobacs]

Hautpot,

I don't own one of that type and I don't know enough to say anything about them. I believe each of the Japanese plier makers offers them. There seems to be choices available to you in Taiwan, so take them out of the package, inspect and feel them in your own hands and decide.

KFC and Made in Japan!? I've never heard of them. ....and you're sure it wasn't KTC?

 

[superautobacs]

I hope KFC tools are Finger Lickin' Good!
















Some of the precision pliers that I own:

 

[gonmad54]

I'll add this to this thread also. Kowa snap ring pliers purchased online from Japan. Love that they are actually stamped Honda.


#54

 

[kblee27]

I've got a go-through slotted screwdriver.
The shaft is a 8mm square imprinted with "HARDENED & TEMPERED".
The handle says "JUPITER" "MADE IN JAPAN"
It looks pretty solid.

Anyone familiar with this brand ?

 

[superautobacs]

gonmad54,

It looks like it's for a snap-ring that's in a deep recess. Specific for a certain Honda bike (I assume?)?





kblee27,

They remind me a Tokoma or Sunflag screwdriver. Never heard of Jupiter though.




hautpot,

I look forward to seeing some Japanese and European wannabe tools.










Some magnetic/nut-holding drivers I use. These are all 10mm.

From top:

Engineer spring retention driver

Ko-ken magnetic driver

Ko-ken nut-catcher socket

Ko-ken nut-catcher driver

Close-up:

 

[gbh]

I'll add this to this thread also. Kowa snap ring pliers purchased online from Japan. Love that they are actually stamped Honda.


#54

I bought some inner and outer snap ring pliers from Kawasaki around 10 years ago using their part numbers. What I received was an item identical to yours except instead of "Honda" it had the Kawasaki part number stamped into the side of each tool in the same place. So they're made by Kowa?

 

[gonmad54]

I bought some inner and outer snap ring pliers from Kawasaki around 10 years ago using their part numbers. What I received was an item identical to yours except instead of "Honda" it had the Kawasaki part number stamped into the side of each tool in the same place. So they're made by Kowa?

If you have a picture I would love to see them. Other than the T-handles is seems like Kowa is pretty hard to come by in the States nowadays.

I just ordered the other set of snap ring pliers to go with them.

Some good info on Kowa...
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/kowa_tools.html

Here is the link where I purchased mine.
http://japan.webike.net/ps/#!p.b=368&p.c=9900


#54

 

[superautobacs]

For sure I will try to snag more pictures! The only problem is that the faux or copycat stuff is usually at shops run by old people who don't like Photos.

This is an a really good oppourtunity to obtain some faux VDE Weras and put them to a live voltage.

Interestingly, I never had a problem at any of the tool stores i visited in Japan. In France and Germany, I was either told no photos or there were signs warning you. I still managed to take photos though.








gonmad54,

Thanks for the first link to the Motorcycle Project.

I don't have very many Kowa tools (screwdriver and wrenches), but they were all from purchased via Webike.

If Kowa T-handle drivers are unavailable, there's a few options out there from other Japanese tool manufacturers. There's Ko-ken, KTC, Mitoloy, TOP (there's probably others).

 

[hautpot]

Yhat is how I managed to take so many pictures at Factory Gear! The owner didn't mind and was carefully explaining me how the tools work and what brands are popular!

 

[superautobacs]

Cool! Did the people at FG speak English pretty well?

 

[gbh]

If you have a picture I would love to see them. Other than the T-handles is seems like Kowa is pretty hard to come by in the States nowadays.

I just ordered the other set of snap ring pliers to go with them.

Some good info on Kowa...
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/kowa_tools.html

Here is the link where I purchased mine.
http://japan.webike.net/ps/#!p.b=368&p.c=9900


#54

Thanks for the links.

Sorry I don't have any pics and the pliers are in my storage back in Australia. I can say that I'm pretty sure the inner pliers have blue rubber handles and the part number was 57001-143, cost about $35. The outer have red handles like yours and probably the same price, not sure of the part number.
I have seen better quality items than these at much lower prices and only ordered these because I thought they'd be good quality like the other factory tools. At the same time I ordered jen u wine Kawasaki gasket cement (because of my inner anorak) and I received threebond at a horrendous price but it did come with a genuine Kawasaki parts lable pasted on the side.

 

[gbh]

Couldn't help myself when I saw this 1/4 set of metric shallow sockets. 14mm (3/8 drive)Snap On for size comparison.

 

[rice rocket]

The ZEAL sockets are gems. Love the little bump at the bottom that make it much easier to take off non-QR ratchets. I have the 1/4 and 3/8 sets, ordering the 1/2 soon. The finish and attention to detail blows away anything I've ever seen.

Some people say the shallow height makes it a specialty socket, but I use them on just about everything that doesn't require a deep.

 

[Qualitytools]

I Love my Koken Zeal Set! Mostly the snug fit to the fastener.

 

[1foxracing]

Kowa T-Handle 7-Piece Set
These are prized by most motorcycle folks, I purchased mine direct from Japan and received them in 5 days. They are available from Pro Circuit here in the US but cost $25 more then I paid.
Link if anyone else is interested http://japan.webike.net/products/1347662.html

 

[mrborohachi]

View media item 61369

I just scored one of these from eBay for $40 shipped. I just got off the phone with Tohnichi USA inquiring about purchasing a case to protect it. Unfortunately those asshats do not make one.
Im planning on using this wrench for top end engine work.
Some guy off craigslist near me has a clicker type for sale. I'm hoping to score that one also

 

[superautobacs]

Those Kowa T-handles look good, but for the most premium T-handles, Nepros is a standout.

• Weighted handle ends for speedy operation

• Flatenned center section on the handle for comfortable operation/use on the palm

• Magnet rings on the drive ends for secure holding of fasteners

• N-Power Fit profile which greatly reduces the marring of fasteners (unlike conventional off-corner engagement; aka flank-drive profile)

• The low chamfer angle provides greater surface area engagement with fasteners

Comparing with regular T-handles:

Mrborohachi,

$40 sounds like a good score!

 

[dutchgray]

A set of Nepros T handles is on my list of tools to spend too much money on.

 

[gonmad54]

Thanks for the links.



Sorry I don't have any pics and the pliers are in my storage back in Australia. I can say that I'm pretty sure the inner pliers have blue rubber handles and the part number was 57001-143, cost about $35. The outer have red handles like yours and probably the same price, not sure of the part number.

I have seen better quality items than these at much lower prices and only ordered these because I thought they'd be good quality like the other factory tools. At the same time I ordered jen u wine Kawasaki gasket cement (because of my inner anorak) and I received threebond at a horrendous price but it did come with a genuine Kawasaki parts lable pasted on the side.

Did your blue handle ones look like this? Finally showed up today to go with the other Honda pliers.




I also grabbed some wood handle screwdrivers. These will just be used for decoration. I have 5 bikes that are all Honda so they will fit in nicely.




#54

 

[gonmad54]

Those Kowa T-handles look good, but for the most premium T-handles, Nepros is a standout.

• Weighted handle ends for speedy operation
  

• Flatenned center section on the handle for comfortable operation/use on the palm
  

• Magnet rings on the drive ends for secure holding of fasteners
  

• N-Power Fit profile which greatly reduces the marring of fasteners (unlike conventional off-corner engagement; aka flank-drive profile)
  

• The low chamfer angle provides greater surface area engagement with fasteners
  

!

Those look amazing.
Is there anywhere to pick these up where they aren't $50 a piece?


#54

 

[superautobacs]

A set of Nepros T handles is on my list of tools to spend too much money on.

I know everything from Nepros isn't cheap, but after checking out how much they go for on the nepros.net site (http://www.nepros.net/?cat=3&grp=18).....mmm, yeah the price definitely isn't easy to swallow! I'm glad I don't work on any motorbikes, so I'm safe

Those look amazing.
Is there anywhere to pick these up where they aren't $50 a piece?


#54

Try emailing Frank at Frankstools: [email protected]


BTW, my "honda" screwdriver (OEM is Anex)

 

[Hephaestus29]

My 10" Yuasa Rotary Table "The Pillar of Quality"

 

[gbh]

A few things I bought today. 1/2 to 3/8 Tone socket adapter, Keiba "nippers" and Fujiya needle nose pliers. I usually suspect that tools that have "Japan" on them rather than "Made in Japan" may be made outside of Japan but these Keiba have made in Sanjou Japan written on the box.

 

[gbh]

Another pic.

 

[gbh]

Did your blue handle ones look like this? Finally showed up today to go with the other Honda pliers.

Yes, pretty sure they are identical to those.
Superautobacs, those Nepros T handles are beautiful!

 

[1foxracing]

Those Kowa T-handles look good, but for the most premium T-handles, Nepros is a standout.

• Weighted handle ends for speedy operation

• Flatenned center section on the handle for comfortable operation/use on the palm

• Magnet rings on the drive ends for secure holding of fasteners

• N-Power Fit profile which greatly reduces the marring of fasteners (unlike conventional off-corner engagement; aka flank-drive profile)

• The low chamfer angle provides greater surface area engagement with fasteners

Comparing with regular T-handles:

Those are gorgeous and I'm sure they are a top shelf tool. Would love to see somebody using those at the MX track and drop one in the mud then, it would be enough to make me cry.

 

[M6erfan]

Agreed those Nepros T handles look beautiful and functional. Wish they offered a 1/4" drive model, I'd have one in a second

 

[mercucho]

Those Kowa T-handles look good, but for the most premium T-handles, Nepros is a standout.

• Weighted handle ends for speedy operation

• Flatenned center section on the handle for comfortable operation/use on the palm

• Magnet rings on the drive ends for secure holding of fasteners

• N-Power Fit profile which greatly reduces the marring of fasteners (unlike conventional off-corner engagement; aka flank-drive profile)

• The low chamfer angle provides greater surface area engagement with fasteners

Comparing with regular T-handles:

Very nice these Nepros T-handles.
They make you want to take them and use them

 

[superautobacs]

A few things I bought today. 1/2 to 3/8 Tone socket adapter, Keiba "nippers" and Fujiya needle nose pliers. I usually suspect that tools that have "Japan" on them rather than "Made in Japan" may be made outside of Japan but these Keiba have made in Sanjou Japan written on the box.

I was gonna write about Fujiya and their COO...but remembered that I had already discussed that in the recent past with you
You can be rest assured that all Keiba pliers (perhaps with a few exceptions??) are all made in Sanjo, Japan, from start to finish.
As a name, Keiba (and a few other plier makers in Niigata/Sanjo) doesn't have the brand recognition that plier makers based in Osaka have, and just like Ko-ken, have a much bigger presence outside of Japan. Like Knipex, there are fake Keiba pliers in the global market.

An interesting fact about Keiba is that at one point, they had an office in Los Angeles. They took the opportunity to train the craft of precision pliers making, but it ultimately ended without success. Why? Because no matter how much they trained them, they simply could not make an end product equal in precision and quality.


I'm not sure if I ever posted these here (from Factory Gear Magazine (2010 edition):

 

[superautobacs]

As evident by those images from the Keiba factory, things are still very analog, with very few automation. That's in stark contrast to, for example, a Knipex factory where automation is seen in so many of the manufacturing stages. Yes, the scale of production between two companies is totally different, but they still produce the same type of tool.
Which is better.....the state of the art manufacturing facility where robotic arms/automation takes over the human in many places of the production process, or the age old tradition of employing the skills from a team of dexterous craftspersons.