Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
I received my Tone ratchet today in the mail from ninja tools on eBay. At 628 mm, the big 1/2" drive should be able to handle almost anything that I don't won't to take the impact to. 
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Very good tool this Tone ratchet.I received my Tone ratchet today in the mail from ninja tools on eBay. At 628 mm, the big 1/2" drive should be able to handle almost anything that I don't won't to take the impact to.
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mrborohachi
Well-known member
I just flipped throught the online Ko-Ken catalog and I didn't see that they made any dogbone/torque adapter. Does KTC or Tone make these in 17mm 1/2dr? I need that for torquing the 4-link nut/bolts on my AE86 and Starlet
I have a few products from US tool company Toledo (grease gun, spark plug thread chasers, lug nut socket set etc) & while browsing their offerings noticed they mention all their screwdrivers are 'made in Japan'. They look very similar to Vessel in design, was wondering if anyone ownes any Toledo screwdrivers & what there like?
Looks like Sunflag, e.g.,
http://www.tridon.com.au/products/T...drivers/409446/screwdriver-sets/437936/321987
http://www.sunflag.co.jp/english/products/page_date/page7.html
http://www.tridon.com.au/products/Toledo/18/327575/screwdrivers/409989/strike-line/430570/321954
http://www.sunflag.co.jp/english/products/page_date/page8.html
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
I just flipped throught the online Ko-Ken catalog and I didn't see that they made any dogbone/torque adapter. Does KTC or Tone make these in 17mm 1/2dr? I need that for torquing the 4-link nut/bolts on my AE86 and Starlet
First thing I thought when seeing those was that an extension could alter the torque measurement. Perhaps most mechanics already know how to compensate for this, but here's a brief PDF I found that goes into detail: http://www.trialsnuts.com/TORQUED.pdf
edit: Just saw a Factory Gear video promoting these cable cutters/pliers. Quite a nice design.
￥ 2,778 at Amazon.
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Vessel Screwdrivers I believe all made in Japan.
I like the Megadora 900 the best because of the tip and the only ones I would personally buy again. Note the the PZ drivers are not any more Jawsfit unless you buy them in a set.
The woody ones and the soft handle ones seem to have a paint coating as you can see from the end tip. For that reason I am not sure how the tips are treated and if they are as durable as the Megadora series.
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I like the Megadora 900 the best because of the tip and the only ones I would personally buy again. Note the the PZ drivers are not any more Jawsfit unless you buy them in a set.
The woody ones and the soft handle ones seem to have a paint coating as you can see from the end tip. For that reason I am not sure how the tips are treated and if they are as durable as the Megadora series.
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Koken XZN M10 1/2 drive vs Gedore XZN M8 3/8 drive.
Koken seems to have better quality control and attention to detail. For example, the locking ratchet ball does not engage properly in two of the sides of the Gedore bit and if pull with force will disengage; not a problem but still.
What I do not like about Koken is that they have no knurling something that Gedore shines at as you can really turn the bit by hand.
Fitment in the bolts is tight with both of them so not issues.
Koken seems to have better quality control and attention to detail. For example, the locking ratchet ball does not engage properly in two of the sides of the Gedore bit and if pull with force will disengage; not a problem but still.
What I do not like about Koken is that they have no knurling something that Gedore shines at as you can really turn the bit by hand.
Fitment in the bolts is tight with both of them so not issues.
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These 3Peaks pliers are practically the same as my Hozan:First thing I thought when seeing those was that an extension could alter the torque measurement. Perhaps most mechanics already know how to compensate for this, but here's a brief PDF I found that goes into detail: http://www.trialsnuts.com/TORQUED.pdf
edit: Just saw a Factory Gear video promoting these cable cutters/pliers. Quite a nice design.
￥ 2,778 at Amazon.
Tajima GRI soft grip with auto lock but I no coo so maybe not made is Japan.
Good cutter but the Olfa made in Japan feels more sturdy and it has almost no play between blade and sliding plate while Tajima feels slightly more loose.
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Good cutter but the Olfa made in Japan feels more sturdy and it has almost no play between blade and sliding plate while Tajima feels slightly more loose.
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Vessel Screwdrivers I believe all made in Japan.
I like the Megadora 900 the best because of the tip and the only ones I would personally buy again. Note the the PZ drivers are not any more Jawsfit unless you buy them in a set.
The woody ones and the soft handle ones seem to have a paint coating as you can see from the end tip. For that reason I am not sure how the tips are treated and if they are as durable as the Megadora series.
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Interesting. I figured I would try a few each of the 900s, a few 930s, and one or two 980s.
First lobsters... they are okay...
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First lobsters... they are okay...[/IMG]
Just Okay? They look great....
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
Capri's premium Klinge line is "forged in Japan". I don't know enough about tool manufacturing to know how "forged in Japan" differs from "made in Japan". Does it mean "handles dipped in Taiwan"?
Anyone know if Klinge Capris are quality tools? Reasonably priced Japanese tools that you can buy at the local Home Depot are to the best of my knowledge a rather rare thing.
Anyone know if Klinge Capris are quality tools? Reasonably priced Japanese tools that you can buy at the local Home Depot are to the best of my knowledge a rather rare thing.
Asahi FW1214 flare nut wrench 12x14...
Can you compare these to Snap On flare nut wrenches? That’s one item where those who know say go big or go home... I need to buy some metric line wrenches sometime soon...
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I have not tried the Snap-On keys but I can assure you that those Asahi are excellent for work with fittings.
https://global.rakuten.com/en/search/?k=Asahi+fw&sid=mutsuura&l-id=shop_header_search_regular
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THOSE LOOK AMAZING! I must come up with a reason to justify buying these.
I have not tried the Snap-On keys but I can assure you that those Asahi are excellent for work with fittings.
https://global.rakuten.com/en/search/?k=Asahi+fw&sid=mutsuura&l-id=shop_header_search_regular
Thank you, sir!
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Vessel TX-10 set, 1/4" hex bit handle (non-ratcheting) with 10 bits.
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What I like about this Vessel bit handle is that it holds the bit really securely. The chuck is magnetic but also has these little metal fingers inside to grab onto the sides of the bit.
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You take out the bit by pulling back on the metal collar and then pulling the bit out with your fingers. It's not so tight that you need pliers. If you don't pull the collar back, you can't pull the bit out even if you try pretty darn hard. I think this system is a lot better than just using a magnet, like my other bit handles and ratcheting multibit screwdrivers.
The only funny thing is that the collar hardly moves at all when you pull back on it (less than 1 mm, which seems well within the amount of jiggle in the collar), so you think it's jammed or broken. But it works fine, so go figure.
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What I like about this Vessel bit handle is that it holds the bit really securely. The chuck is magnetic but also has these little metal fingers inside to grab onto the sides of the bit.
View media item 81090
You take out the bit by pulling back on the metal collar and then pulling the bit out with your fingers. It's not so tight that you need pliers. If you don't pull the collar back, you can't pull the bit out even if you try pretty darn hard. I think this system is a lot better than just using a magnet, like my other bit handles and ratcheting multibit screwdrivers.
The only funny thing is that the collar hardly moves at all when you pull back on it (less than 1 mm, which seems well within the amount of jiggle in the collar), so you think it's jammed or broken. But it works fine, so go figure.
Very cool tool to have! 
Thanks for posting it!
I just ordered it through Amazon for only $18.10 bucks plus free shipping!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CED254/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I already have a complete set of Vessel red handle common/philips head screwdrivers and Vessel quality is supurb to say the least.
Thanks for posting it!
I just ordered it through Amazon for only $18.10 bucks plus free shipping!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CED254/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I already have a complete set of Vessel red handle common/philips head screwdrivers and Vessel quality is supurb to say the least.
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Wow, that's a surprisingly reasonable price for a direct Japanese import. I paid 1800 yen for mine at Amazon Japan, which works out to $16.85 at today's exchange rate. And Amazon Japan's listed retail "reference price" is 2754 yen ($24.78). Good deal!
Now we need have a test drive to see which one is "best" between the two.
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I’d be curious to find that out myself. They both have to be better than the no name model I have that I bought before my tool snob awakening....
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Amazon purchase arrived a while back:
IPS Extra long pliers straight and bent
Koken Zeal Plug sockets, flex joints, spinner and ball end inhex sockets...
All very nice, the pliers are much better than the ones I have at work, less flex and the two position hinge means the handles can be close together even when gripping a largeish item, so they fit into smaller places.
The plug socket was particularly bought for the 18mm which I need for a difficult access on a bike. Have not tried it as yet but it is 1mm smaller in diameter than the 1/2 drive Proxxon I used before, and it allows me to use 3/8 drive accessories which will hopefully give a little more room. The clip type holder also hopefully improves the job as the rubber in the old one would jam onto the plug and I could not then get the socket off the plug in situ.
The 1/4 drive spinner has had a bit of use already - very useful. The ball end sockets were bought for the 3mm for a difficult access job but I thought I'd get the whole set "while I'm at it". Good GJ logic as far as I can tell...
IPS Extra long pliers straight and bent
Koken Zeal Plug sockets, flex joints, spinner and ball end inhex sockets...
All very nice, the pliers are much better than the ones I have at work, less flex and the two position hinge means the handles can be close together even when gripping a largeish item, so they fit into smaller places.
The plug socket was particularly bought for the 18mm which I need for a difficult access on a bike. Have not tried it as yet but it is 1mm smaller in diameter than the 1/2 drive Proxxon I used before, and it allows me to use 3/8 drive accessories which will hopefully give a little more room. The clip type holder also hopefully improves the job as the rubber in the old one would jam onto the plug and I could not then get the socket off the plug in situ.
The 1/4 drive spinner has had a bit of use already - very useful. The ball end sockets were bought for the 3mm for a difficult access job but I thought I'd get the whole set "while I'm at it". Good GJ logic as far as I can tell...
Here's a cute little Tone bit ratchet set in its handy plastic carrying case.
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The ratchet handle is about the same length as the VIM HBR3, but fatter. The head is also about 3 mm thicker. Here's a picture with a tape measure for scale.
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The "feed angle" is specified as 6 deg, so I guess it's a 60-tooth ratchet. The selector switch feels like metal, and there is a knurled spinner wheel on the back of the head for finger tightening.
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View media item 81227
The ratchet handle is about the same length as the VIM HBR3, but fatter. The head is also about 3 mm thicker. Here's a picture with a tape measure for scale.
View media item 81228
The "feed angle" is specified as 6 deg, so I guess it's a 60-tooth ratchet. The selector switch feels like metal, and there is a knurled spinner wheel on the back of the head for finger tightening.
Yea 
well I just checked it again and the price just went back up to around $23 bucks now 
still free shipping!
well I just checked it again and the price just went back up to around $23 bucks now still free shipping!Wow, that's a surprisingly reasonable price for a direct Japanese import. I paid 1800 yen for mine at Amazon Japan, which works out to $16.85 at today's exchange rate. And Amazon Japan's listed retail "reference price" is 2754 yen ($24.78). Good deal!
Here's a cute little Tone bit ratchet set in its handy plastic carrying case.
View media item 81225
Other than the packaging and the handle shape, that is suspiciously similar to my Wera Toolcheck Plus, which they claim is CZ made.
Are the Tone items are from Taiwan? Wherever it originates from, I really love the little Toolcheck, it's so handy. Amazon shows the Tone set being a lot cheaper than the Wera one, though it doesn't have the sockets which are a very handy part of the set.
There is no indication of COO on the carrying case or on the tools themselves, and I don't have the packaging anymore. However, I was informed by a member of GJ that my full-size Tone ratchet handles (even though they are clearly stamped "JAPAN") were made in Taiwan, so I'd guess that this little mini-ratchet was too. Actually, I sometimes wonder whether all ratchets are made in Taiwan nowadays.
Be that as it may, I have to say that I'm becoming less and less concerned with COO. It seems that pretty much all of the big manufacturers either produce some of their tools in other countries or use components sourced from other countries. Many of these manufacturers also appear to make efforts to downplay or conceal this fact.
Basically, my feeling is that if a respected manufacturer like Tone or Wera or whatever is willing to put its name on a tool, that tool is almost certain to be of acceptable quality for a home handyman like me, wherever it may have been made.
PS. That Wera Toolcheck Plus set looks great!
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I agree, it seems almost everything in socketry comes from Taiwan, exceptions?
Koken? I think so.
Snap on? how much of their stuff is actually made in USA? (not that I buy it anyway)
Whatever...
COO seems to be a very sensitive topic here on GJ, but I'm of much the same opinion as tanukiboy. The only thing that is annoying is when manufacturers are deliberately vague on COO, and outright deceptive when they misrepresent as I think Wera do.
I would buy that Tone set in a blink of an eye if I didn't already have the Wera. The Wera bit holder is a little more elaborate (hold collar) but much larger diameter which does not fit into some places so it's a 50-50. The small size of that ratchet is fantastic, a very valuable tool in my kit. Love it.
Koken? I think so.
Snap on? how much of their stuff is actually made in USA? (not that I buy it anyway)
Whatever...
COO seems to be a very sensitive topic here on GJ, but I'm of much the same opinion as tanukiboy. The only thing that is annoying is when manufacturers are deliberately vague on COO, and outright deceptive when they misrepresent as I think Wera do.
I would buy that Tone set in a blink of an eye if I didn't already have the Wera. The Wera bit holder is a little more elaborate (hold collar) but much larger diameter which does not fit into some places so it's a 50-50. The small size of that ratchet is fantastic, a very valuable tool in my kit. Love it.