ttpete
Well-known member
I'll stick with my Simpson 260. I don't need anything more.
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
Reed Prince
Well-known member
The 10MΩ input impedance of a FET meter is a real asset in some applications, and just a nuisance in others.
Got my IPS pliers yesterday from amazon jp . Ordered on the 11th received on the 15th. Not bad at all! And shipping was a reasonable twelve bucks and change which is quite good for international.
OK, they are not Knipex on the quality but they are very good. No real complaints. And 100% worth getting in the unique styles and features.
Long reach slip joint and 190mm bent thin slip joint.
Seth
OK, they are not Knipex on the quality but they are very good. No real complaints. And 100% worth getting in the unique styles and features.
Long reach slip joint and 190mm bent thin slip joint.
Seth
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Not really a "tool", but this is my Trusco toolbox.
Trusco makes a whole range of these steel toolboxes. Some have one layer of cantilever trays and others have two layers. This is, I believe, their largest two-layer model, the GT-470. It measures 47 cm (18.5 in) long, 24 cm (9.5 in) wide, and 34 cm (13.5 in) tall to the top of the nonfolding handles. It weighs 7.3 kg (16.3 pounds) empty.
I think this size is good for tool storage for a typical home handyman like me, but it's too big and heavy to carry around easily, so I take out the required tools and carry them to where they're needed in a plastic tool tray/basket.
Here's what it looks like:
View media item 81773
And some pictures showing the cantilever design:
View media item 81774
View media item 81775
Here it is opened up:
View media item 81777
View media item 81776
And a close-up showing the handy storage areas for extra dividers provided at the ends of the trays:
View media item 81778
I really like this toolbox, but it has its pros and cons.
Pros:
Really solidly built
Beautiful blue color, very nice finish
Handy storage for extra dividers
Holds a reasonable number of tools
Cantilever design makes it easy to find what you're looking for
Cons:
Heavy, even when empty
The handles don't fold down
Could get scratched up and rusty over time
Doesn't come with padded liners
Risk of looking like a hipster
Trusco makes a whole range of these steel toolboxes. Some have one layer of cantilever trays and others have two layers. This is, I believe, their largest two-layer model, the GT-470. It measures 47 cm (18.5 in) long, 24 cm (9.5 in) wide, and 34 cm (13.5 in) tall to the top of the nonfolding handles. It weighs 7.3 kg (16.3 pounds) empty.
I think this size is good for tool storage for a typical home handyman like me, but it's too big and heavy to carry around easily, so I take out the required tools and carry them to where they're needed in a plastic tool tray/basket.
Here's what it looks like:
View media item 81773
And some pictures showing the cantilever design:
View media item 81774
View media item 81775
Here it is opened up:
View media item 81777
View media item 81776
And a close-up showing the handy storage areas for extra dividers provided at the ends of the trays:
View media item 81778
I really like this toolbox, but it has its pros and cons.
Pros:
Really solidly built
Beautiful blue color, very nice finish
Handy storage for extra dividers
Holds a reasonable number of tools
Cantilever design makes it easy to find what you're looking for
Cons:
Heavy, even when empty
The handles don't fold down
Could get scratched up and rusty over time
Doesn't come with padded liners
Risk of looking like a hipster
Right after the war, the Japanese exported low end stuff that was like what the Chinese started out with and in many cases still make. They are now making first rate tools but seem to have largely disappeared from the hand tool market in the US. There are exceptions like their high end wood working tools, like saws and chisels. The brands mentioned here seem to a very small share of the market for sockets and wrenches and the like. For power tools it might be a different situation, with brands like Makita. European brands seem more common but not for socket and wrench stuff. A few specialty dealers bring in the European stuff. Sears sold Vessel screw drivers but that is sort of an exception.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
superautobacs
Well-known member
Tanukiboy,
I really dig the blue colour. I think another Pro is the cost. I remember seeing them sold at home centers in Japan and was surprised at how affordable they were.
Tone version:
Hey Superautobacs,
I really like that green color too.
Actually, I think all these steel toolboxes are OEM from Toyo Steel. Here are some other cool colors I found on Amazon Japan:
View media item 81807
View media item 81808
View media item 81810
View media item 81809
You're right, I should have also mentioned the reasonable price as a "Pro". I paid less than 8000 yen ($75) for the largest size at Amazon Japan.
I bought a box of ratchets and sockets last week. After going through the box, I found some made in Japan sockets. They are made by Tone and also have SMC on them. They also have a rubber o-ring around them. I'll have to take pictures of them later, but does anyone know anything about this brand and are they decent quality?
Reed Prince
Well-known member
Couldn't quite make out what the white lettering said on the red and green toolboxes, so I did a brief search and found this smaller Toyo box with even more "decorative" English. 
Now that is one nifty looking tool box! 
http://goodsjapan.com/keystone-merc...ectangular-metal-tinplate-tool-box-2916-p.asp
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/a-oluolu/me-0270.html#
http://goodsjapan.com/keystone-merc...ectangular-metal-tinplate-tool-box-2916-p.asp
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/a-oluolu/me-0270.html#
Couldn't quite make out what the white lettering said on the red and green toolboxes, so I did a brief search and found this smaller Toyo box with even more "decorative" English.
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jalind
Well-known member
I found this on the EEVblog forums:
"Hello,
I finally got my long awaited Sanwa EM7000 FET analag meter, direct from the Japan factory. Here's a mini review I wish to contribute. I have very little experience with these meter. After testing and comparing it to a Fluke 189 with superior DC averaging function, I would say don't bother with it unless you are like me after some nostalgic memories of playing with my dad's Sanwa meter when I was a kid. The Fluke 189 totally demolish the analog meter at square wave DC 10Hz and above, advantage for it's digital readability.
The analog meter wins for anything under 10Hz but it starts to swing quite a bit when it gets down to 3Hz. The Fluke 189 produces rock stable reading that matches the analog meter, for any duty cycle percentage above 10Hz."
I also found these two sweet meters at RS-online. Wouldn't mind buying one if they weren't £415 & £420.
[Chauvin Arnoux C.A 5011 photo]
[Gossen Metraport 3A photo]
edit: new Chauvin Arnoux C.A 5011 £150.00 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382407979462?ViewItem=&item=382407979462
The Fluke 189 and its interim successor 189 II no longer exist. The 289 replaced it. You won't touch one new without NIST certification for under $475 (with it is over $600), and finding them under $500 (sans NIST cert) takes some searching. That's over 4x the cost of the Sanwa.
The EEVBlog YouTube channel host, and I've watched a number of his videos, is an unabashed Fluke Fanboy who resides in Australia. The rest of his gear is the high(er) end lab bench equipment you'd find in a product development and testing environment that requires calibration certification.
The questions are:
- How hostile an environment are you going to subject the meter to?
- How much precision do you require for what you're doing with a meter?
- Does your work require NIST calibration and certification traceability?
- How much are you willing to spend on a meter?
BTW, the Chauvin Arnoux auction is "New, Other" which means it's not BNIB. I'd be very curious why he's selling one for 150 GBP when you cannot touch them new in Europe for much lower than the price you found at RS-online, perhaps slightly less, but not by much. If it's legit and a good meter complete with everything, it could be a smoking deal. The Gossen sells for over $550 in the US.
You can get a Sanwa EM7000 on ePrey for just a few bux over $100 with free shipping from Japan. It's not in the same class as a $500-$700 lab bench meter made for work that requires calibration certification, and it's unrealistic to expect that. However, it's not a nostalgic retro toy. I use it routinely, but not on a laboratory bench. For most measurements two significant digits precision suffices, with as close to three as can be had three for a select few applications.
Someone who requires 4 significant digits and NIST calibration certification shouldn't be considering the Sanwa, they should be spending the $500 and up on the lab bench stuff or their equivalent cited above.
John
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jalind
Well-known member
I've got a few vestiges of the junk tools from the shelves of KMart during the very early 1970's. They were given to me by some well meaning folks and I've never purged them. One I just pulled out is a funky 1/4" drive handle and an assortment of seven SAE sockets from 3/16" - 7/16". The sockets are sintered from some sort of pot metal.
The mold parting lines are very visible with a slight edge of flash remaining on some, and the sizes are molded into the bottom of the socket.
If anyone wants to characterize a tool or set of tools being "junk" they need to see these first. The creators set the lowest standards for them they could imagine and strove vigorously with unbridled tenacity to live down to them. I believe they succeeded.
John
I'm a big fan of the Toyo tool boxes. I have several of the smaller sizes and they are very well built and a great value IMO.
wkndwarrior29
Well-known member
That looks like a screwball ratchet, they are actually pretty desirable by tool junkies with arthritis.I've got a few vestiges of the junk tools from the shelves of KMart during the very early 1970's. They were given to me by some well meaning folks and I've never purged them. One I just pulled out is a funky 1/4" drive handle and an assortment of seven SAE sockets from 3/16" - 7/16". The sockets are sintered from some sort of pot metal.
The mold parting lines are very visible with a slight edge of flash remaining on some, and the sizes are molded into the bottom of the socket.
If anyone wants to characterize a tool or set of tools being "junk" they need to see these first. The creators set the lowest standards for them they could imagine and strove vigorously with unbridled tenacity to live down to them. I believe they succeeded.
John
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jalind
Well-known member
It's an ancient EasyDriver. The ball has two 1/4" square holes at opposite ends. Put the shaft in one and it ratchets in one direction. Pull it out and put it in the other hole and it ratchets in the other direction. Very simple. Someone long, long ago forced the shaft into the side that tightens (RH ratchet) and it no longer work if you have it in far enough to keep it from falling out.
My ex-wife had (still has maybe ??) a Screwball, which is quite different other than having a ball for a handle. The Screwball has a lever to switch the ratchet direction, uses hex bits and has places built into it around the shaft to store various bits.
John
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theamcguy
Well-known member
looking for a Vessel Megadora 970 cr-300 clip remover the long one. Everybody seems to be sold out of them.
Specifically, this model: MTQL70N.
Yes Tohnichi torque wrenches are awesome. They are top of the line high quality in my book. I have a couple but have been looking at possibly buying that specific model that you posted here.Where did you purchase it from?
Also, how were you able to enlarge that picture? Everytime I post a picture there is nothing that allows me to enlarge it?!
sam.coll
Well-known member
I bought it in Amazon Japan: www.amazon.co.jp
Where did you purchase it from?
Also, how were you able to enlarge that picture? Everytime I post a picture there is nothing that allows me to enlarge it?!
As for the image, I simply upload it to my Flick account and then I put it as is in the post as an image between
bmwpowere36m3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2012
- Messages
- 1,125
First "official" Japanese tool purchase 
Placed it Sunday at Amazon.co.jp and received it Friday (5 business days)! Took longer in processing than actual shipping. Impressed to say the least
Dropped the hint on the GF to get some Nepros ratchets for my B-Day... a man's Tiffany box
Placed it Sunday at Amazon.co.jp and received it Friday (5 business days)! Took longer in processing than actual shipping. Impressed to say the least
Dropped the hint on the GF to get some Nepros ratchets for my B-Day... a man's Tiffany box
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superautobacs
Well-known member
Dropped the hint on the GF to get some Nepros ratchets for my B-Day... a man's Tiffany box
at "Junkie's" phrase. Some nice stuff you got there.
225
Well-known member
First "official" Japanese tool purchase
Placed it Sunday at Amazon.co.jp and received it Friday (5 business days)! Took longer in processing than actual shipping. Impressed to say the least
Dropped the hint on the GF to get some Nepros ratchets for my B-Day... a man's Tiffany box
I have the Koken extensions. I LOVE them.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I received these rather unusual Vessel screwdrivers from Rakuten recently. The metal ball weights are supposed to keep the end of the handle swiveled to the proper position to fit into your palm. The shaft sizes are rather unusual; I included one of my other #2 screwdrivers as a reference. It's hard to tell without a magnification aid, but the tips are all shaped (appropriately) differently. I suppose these will come in handy at some point, but I see them as more of a curiosity than a really clever idea.
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scarrylarry
Well-known member
Just think those Japanese tools are great !
I have a clever little miter jig made by Topman ,really slick !
scarrylarry
I have a clever little miter jig made by Topman ,really slick !
scarrylarry
BigBoreFan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2010
- Messages
- 311
Japanese erotica.
I know everyone raves about Nepros, and I plan to make a Nepros order soon, but these Vessels are a damn fine looking tool. It's a crime to hit em with a hammer. This is by far the most attractive tool in my toolbox. And they were fairly inexpensive.
Bought from Amazon Japan. I got an email Wednesday night at 11:58PM, said my order had shipped. 4PM Friday afternoon the DHL man drops by. US Amazon doesn't even do that good, not even close.
I know everyone raves about Nepros, and I plan to make a Nepros order soon, but these Vessels are a damn fine looking tool. It's a crime to hit em with a hammer. This is by far the most attractive tool in my toolbox. And they were fairly inexpensive.
Bought from Amazon Japan. I got an email Wednesday night at 11:58PM, said my order had shipped. 4PM Friday afternoon the DHL man drops by. US Amazon doesn't even do that good, not even close.
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BigBoreFan, I really like these screwdrivers.
7echo
Well-known member
A question for the Japan tool experts here-
When you get Vessel screwdrivers from Japan are they all JIS?
I have a few for motorcycles and such.
Also, are the Craftsman branded Vessel impact screw drivers JIS?
When you get Vessel screwdrivers from Japan are they all JIS?
I have a few for motorcycles and such.
Also, are the Craftsman branded Vessel impact screw drivers JIS?
Yes that set of Vessel screwdrivers are awesome!
I have that exact same vessel set of slotted screwdrivers and in philips.
I have that exact same vessel set of slotted screwdrivers and in philips.
theamcguy
Well-known member
Are the cross point screwdrivers Phillips or JIS? Also can you post the link for amazon japan for the set. Thank you
All Vessel screwdrivers of the 4500 series and also the Megadora are JIS.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
In the past i have had amazingly swift shipping from Amazon Japan too, but looks like my latest order will come surprisingly slowly. Yesterday I ordered some tools, and to ensure there were no unnecessary delays I made sure that none were bought from a third party and all were listed as being in stock. My order confirmation estimated their arrival to be between the 14th and 27th.
My last order took seven days from order to arrival. The one before that took only two. So it looks like sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't.
One item they would not ship to the US, a Kyocera kitchen tool. So I bought that from US Amazon, and even though I selected "slow" free shipping, it was at my door about 26 hours later! You just never know...
edit: Received email from DHL a few hours ago stating that package should arrive by end of day tomorrow. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Here are a few tools that I received straight from Japan recently.
Vessel screwdriver bit set, Koken 3/8" Extension set. I already have the same 3/8" extension wobble set but also wanted the normal set. So I waited for a good price to come along and well patience paid off!
Last, also got an O2 Sensor Socket from Koken as well (middle one in the pictures).
Vessel screwdriver bit set, Koken 3/8" Extension set. I already have the same 3/8" extension wobble set but also wanted the normal set. So I waited for a good price to come along and well patience paid off!
Last, also got an O2 Sensor Socket from Koken as well (middle one in the pictures).
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Also received my special torque wrench. MTQL70N (10-70 N-m) from Tohnichi, through Ratuken, straight from Japan! 
https://www.tohnichi.com/products/motorcycle-torque-wrench-MTQL.htm
https://www.tohnichi.com/products/motorcycle-torque-wrench-MTQL.htm
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
My first couple of Keiba Pro-Hobby series pliers arrived today, and while the build quality is excellent, the handles are unusually small. Unlike any of the other pliers shown below (Knipex, Keiba, Gedore, Lindstrom and Erem) when I pick them up my thumb and index finger just naturally end up at the hinge above the handles. I'm sure I'll get used to them, but it was a bit of a surprise.
