Tools of Japan

[kblee27]

Got myself a cable cutter.
Is this M.M.M a Japanese company ?

 

[kblee27]

A chisel I have.
Mokuba, Made in Japan

 

[Qualitytools]

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!










That style of wrench, with the universal drive was originally made by a company called SUNKEY aka SANKI (I don't think they exist anymore). They got the Good Design Award back in 1991: http://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/17916?locale=en

I believe they were the OEM for Mitoloy

TOP, for example, offers it in deep offset:

It seems like companies like SK11 and SEK have decided to outsource this style of wrench from Taiwanese ODMs, and have them merge the deep offset pattern and the universal design into one wrench.


Since we're talking about SK11....yeah, I think most of their stuff is from Taiwan, including this set of wrenches I got. Nicely made and finished:





SK11 on the bottom:










I stand corrected! Thanks.

Nice thin Wrenches (what I need for some suspension work) BUT not in the sizes I need for the European cars

 

[rice rocket]

My father visited Japan in the early 90s and brought home a pair of scissors that remained sharp for 20-some years until they were lost in a move. They weren't too dainty, but weren't particularly brutish like you see most German and US-made scissors.

Any leads/preferences on good scissors?


Searching Google, I'm coming across mostly hair dressing scissors, which are $500-1500, not really looking to spend that kind of dough.

 

[Monte]

My father visited Japan in the early 90s and brought home a pair of scissors that remained sharp for 20-some years until they were lost in a move. They weren't too dainty, but weren't particularly brutish like you see most German and US-made scissors.

Any leads/preferences on good scissors?


Searching Google, I'm coming across mostly hair dressing scissors, which are $500-1500, not really looking to spend that kind of dough.

http://kaiscissors.com/

 

[losvre]

My father visited Japan in the early 90s and brought home a pair of scissors that remained sharp for 20-some years until they were lost in a move. They weren't too dainty, but weren't particularly brutish like you see most German and US-made scissors.

Any leads/preferences on good scissors?


Searching Google, I'm coming across mostly hair dressing scissors, which are $500-1500, not really looking to spend that kind of dough.

The one pair I have seen from close are the Japanese Jewels from a friend who is hairdresser. It has never been sharpened in 15 years and when cutting hair you cannot hear anything, because it is so sharp.

 

[dede2897234]

My father visited Japan in the early 90s and brought home a pair of scissors that remained sharp for 20-some years until they were lost in a move. They weren't too dainty, but weren't particularly brutish like you see most German and US-made scissors.

Any leads/preferences on good scissors?


Searching Google, I'm coming across mostly hair dressing scissors, which are $500-1500, not really looking to spend that kind of dough.

rice rocket,

GJ member "hautpot" visited Taiwan last May. From that trip, he purchased some high-end scissors last November. Here are some thread pictures and comments from those purchases:

- LINK1 (post# 26308)

- LINK2

- LINK3


Dave

 

[mercucho]

From amazon Japan this narrow-mouth adjustable wrench brand TOP HT-200B:

 

[kblee27]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

 

[Qualitytools]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

Getting in tight locations where a standard width is not practical, me thinks??

 

[dutchgray]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

Quite useful for those thin nuts you get on conduit fittings and cable glands.

 

[M6erfan]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

Suspension fasteners

 

[T45]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

Also, double nuts and locknuts.

this one also looks like it has an offset/angled head. so when you use the open end it has an offset like a box end on a normal combo.

 

[mercucho]

Wonder what's the thin mouth useful for ?

 

[paulsomlo]

Found these thin jaw adjustables, as well:

Just the thing for inner tie rod nuts.

 

[gbh]

Tried to load a video of my stroll through an aisle at a tool store in Nagoya, Japan yesterday but it wouldn't load so I'll put a link to Youtube.

And some Nepros.

 

[M6erfan]

Got my order from Franks Tools...



KTC TM510 Offset Box End Wrench Set
Koken 3/8" Wobble-Fix Extension Set
Engineer Screwdrivers

 

[BK13]

Got my order from Franks Tools...



KTC TM510 Offset Box End Wrench Set
Koken 3/8" Wobble-Fix Extension Set
Engineer Screwdrivers

I'm interested in how you like the extensions once you get some use on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

I'm interested in how you like the extensions once you get some use on them.

I've had the 1/4" set for over a year and like them a lot, I expect the same from these. I've played around with the new ones a bit today and no surprises, awesome tools.

 

[dutchgray]

View media item 67158Koken 1/4" & 3/8" metric deeps and Ferret ratchet. (I posted this yesterday in the new tools thread but it ought to be here as well.)
Sockets are really nice, consistent finish on all of them, nice size stamping. Ratchet will probably be useful, low tooth count but ridiculously low back drag even brand new. Can stick a drive tool or extension in the end or top hole.
Koken makes me wonder why I even look at other makes of sockets let alone buy them.

 

[M6erfan]

Koken makes me wonder why I even look at other makes of sockets let alone buy them.

Me too. I really like Ko-ken sockets, extensions, and ratchets. Their ratchets have ridiculously low back drag like you mentioned and the fit, finish, strength, of all their products are second to non IMO. Their knurling kicks **** too.

Recent strong dollar has made them an even better value here in the U.S., which was already stellar.

 

[dutchgray]

Unfortunately I can't say the same about the £ value, I should have been buying Koken 10 years ago. But its not expensive for the quality. That is my first non Zeal ratchet, of which I have a 1/4" and a 3/8" those are very nice, but the standard type is seriously smooth.

 

[M6erfan]

Unfortunately I can't say the same about the £ value, I should have been buying Koken 10 years ago. But its not expensive for the quality. That is my first non Zeal ratchet, of which I have a 1/4" and a 3/8" those are very nice, but the standard type is seriously smooth.

Curious what your thoughts are about the main differences in feel between the standard Koken and Zeal ratchets.

I've almost bought a Zeal ratchet but I'm so happy with the Ko-ken ratchets I cant justify it. Make me change my mind!

 

[dutchgray]

They feel the same really, the zeal is a little tighter (in 3/8") maybe than this new one, but is much smaller and you have to like the almost hard plastic handle.
The Zeal shines with its own sockets, really low profile but still suitable for general use.

 

[rice rocket]

Love my Zeal sockets.

Picked up some TONE impacts to try out, seem like a solid buy so far, if they live up to their supposed rust resistance.

My KTC double boxes arrived as well, and the TONE long QR flex ratchet.

 

[cbracer]

Dreaming for a higher tooth count quick release zeal ratchet..... Going to buy a Nepros and see how those are. Love the zeal sockets.

 

[losvre]

I agree Koken and Zeal are great quality wise. There is no knurling on any of the sockets though and it seems they would be slippery in a garage environment.

Am I wrong or missing some info here?




I am also looking to buy some Japanese socketry just wonder how they compare again Hazet for example

Thanks

 

[dutchgray]

Koken socket finish is satin at the drive end and fine ground at the other, they can be a bit slippery compared to full satin European makes but better than full polished American style.
None of my sockets I actually use are knurled, though I have some odd ones somewhere.
The Zeal are shaped so you can get them off a ratchet easily.

 

[Ruxpin]

Koken makes me wonder why I even look at other makes of sockets let alone buy them.

That is exactly my thought also.

I'm interested in the Ferret ratchet.
What sort of scenario do you envisage using it in?

 

[Qualitytools]

I have a set of 3/8 metric Koken Zeal and Love them! I will be adding some deep sockets some time soon.

 

[mercucho]

Got my order from Franks Tools...

Very nice wrenches.

 

[M6erfan]

Dreaming for a higher tooth count quick release zeal ratchet..... Going to buy a Nepros and see how those are. Love the zeal sockets.

I hear ya, a Zeal quick release would be intersting, especially on 1/4" drive. Tooth count isn't so important to me, I'll take low back drag over high tooth count any day.

I haven't tried a Nepros ratchet yet. Can't justify another 3/8" ratchet. Besides, I'd be afraid of scratching it

 

[losvre]

Love my Zeal sockets.

Cannot see any of your pictures, thanks

 

[Ruxpin]

Does anybody have any hands on experience with the socket sets made by Engineer (famous for the Neji-Saurus) such as the TWS-05 model?

The product detail states Made In Japan, but the few images I've found from searches show a product which looks distinctly similar design to low quality, low specification Chinese style "tools" which are churned out for the lowest cost possible.

Is it just the 1970's ratchet design which is putting me off?

To clarify, I wasn't intending on buying a set (I have Nepros and Koken in addition to other sets) but was rather intrigued at the low price for a supposedly Made In Japan set.

Is the Made In Japan statement likely to be due to the assembly into sets (i.e. the last significant manufacturing process) whereas the actual sockets, ratchet and other components are Taiwan or China manufactured?

Just curious is all.

http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/tws01_06e.html

 

[superautobacs]

Ruxpin,

Yeah, they really do resemble the cheap Japanese-made sets offered in the 80/90's in North America, rebranded under different names (Oxwall, K-mart, etc). I wouldn't be surprised if they are really old stock that were OEM'd from a Japanese manufacturer that's no longer in business.

 

[mercucho]

Very nice Sunflag chisel nº 380 from amazon Japan.

 

[mrborohachi]

Can anyone confirm this 1/4 shank 3/8 wobble is made by Vessel?

vfrom Vessel's japan page

from this page
http://www.vessel.co.jp/english/bitsocket/info/problem-bs/

I want to say either ricleh or superautobachs owns the actual Vessel tool

 

[superautobacs]

Can anyone confirm this 1/4 shank 3/8 wobble is made by Vessel?

vfrom Vessel's japan page

from this page
http://www.vessel.co.jp/english/bitsocket/info/problem-bs/

I want to say either ricleh or superautobachs owns the actual Vessel tool

Yup, I have the 3/8 and 1/2 wobbles. Here's a picture of the 3/8 drive:

[edit] I just found this photo I took back in 2009. It says "Product of Japan" ... hrmm, can be misleading words.

DSC_3190

I have no idea if that peice in the Makita set is a Vessel unit or not. The machining profile on the wobble drive looks similar, but the shank end is different.

Something to note...The photo you linked from Vessel's website uses a retention standard that's not used in the North American and European market. The distance from the ball groove to the end of the bit shank is 13mm in length, instead of the more common length of 9mm.

Look at this post for more info:
[URL="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6202011&postcount=40"]http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6202011&postcount=40

Keep in mind that these are chrome plated, so don't use it with an impact driver as you'll likely chip the chrome, both on the chucked and driven side (like I did).

 

[YotaGuy]

Picked this up off Amazon

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[gbh]

I bought these wooden handle KTC screwdrivers today, quite light.