Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
Nice Keiba pliers, I am extremely happy with the range of Pro-Hobby pliers I got earlier this year. Seeing those pics make me want some, but I already upgraded my normal size cutters to some Knipex earlier on and can't fault them. Knowing what I know now I would go Keiba for any pliers/cutters other than the superb Knipex Cobra water pump pliers.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
Here's a curious thing. An eBay page for Keiba FCC-206 has a picture of the top cutters, which are labeled FC-206. An Amazon Japan search for FC-206 brings up a page for the lower tool. I guess Keiba made FC-206 the name of a different tool at some point.
Negen
Well-known member
The black handle is the fc series of the high grade pliers and fcc are the comfort grip series.Here's a curious thing. An eBay page for Keiba FCC-206 has a picture of the top cutters, which are labeled FC-206. An Amazon Japan search for FC-206 brings up a page for the lower tool. I guess Keiba made FC-206 the name of a different tool at some point.
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Glad to hear that you found a way around the annoying geoblock. I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions of the new tools you receive.
BeardedOne
Well-known member
This Western Auto "Wizard" was purchased at an antique dealer several months ago and the static portion has U.S.A. painted on it but the base clearly shows Japan.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The sticker appears to indicate the name and address of the company that made or offers the vise, much of the missing pieces make it difficult to tell, but I don't see the words "made in" anywhere on that sticker.
BeardedOne
Well-known member
I definitely took the picture with my phone and right after Kansas City, MO, there is a place where it says made in U.S.A.
Here's another picture of one pulled from Google Images:
I'm conjecturing that the vise I got was 'repaired' with a Japanese manufactured base. It is a smooth cycling unit though
superautobacs
Well-known member
SK11's socketry items are mostly Taiwanese imports.
Same goes for Trusco. Trusco is a huge industrial supplier. They are like Acklands Grainger in North America, or like Garant in Europe.
TOP's wrenches, with the exception of their forged ratcheting wrenches, are made in Japan.
Same goes for Trusco. Trusco is a huge industrial supplier. They are like Acklands Grainger in North America, or like Garant in Europe.
TOP's wrenches, with the exception of their forged ratcheting wrenches, are made in Japan.
That was my guess. Thanks for confirming.
Just because a tool is marked "Japan" doesn't mean that's the COO. "Made in Japan" does.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Yeah, "Japan" is not necessarily a guarantee. Perfect example is Tone's current line of fine-tooth ratchets.
Likewise, "USA" or "Germany" can also be deceptive. But once you see enough tools from around the world, you acquire this natural "radar" where you can sense deception going on.
Yeah, "Japan" is not necessarily a guarantee. Perfect example is Tone's current line of fine-tooth ratchets.
Likewise, "USA" or "Germany" can also be deceptive. But once you see enough tools from around the world, you acquire this natural "radar" where you can sense deception going on.
Indeed!
BigBoreFan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2010
- Messages
- 311
My TONE 1/4 ratchet just says JAPAN. But I love the size.
Last edited:
I have a pair of the PZ-58's, I keep them in my trunk kit. They're OK, if a bit small. The build quality seems fine but nothing to write home about. I'd say they're decent, but I haven't put mine to heavy use.
Engineer wouldn't be my first choice if I was looking at buying pliers.
Engineer wouldn't be my first choice if I was looking at buying pliers.
Last edited:
In my opinion, a high level brand in pliers is Keiba.
Prowagen
Well-known member
Hi Tanukiboy,
I see these are discontinued now, even VIM only have the HD500's in stock. Do you have a source for the HD375's at a decent price, I see Amazon has them but for $65
Hi Tanukiboy,
I see these are discontinued now, even VIM only have the HD500's in stock. Do you have a source for the HD375's at a decent price, I see Amazon has them but for $65
Sorry, I ordered mine from Amazon US a while ago. Hope you can find them.
What was the going price back then?
looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle
I paid about $25 + shipping for the two piece set a year or so ago.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I just received my shipment of SK11 Wrench Adapters that I purchased from Amazon.co.jp. They appear to be almost identical (at least in the photos, I don't have the 2 brands side by side for comparison) to the ones made by Toptul but at a fraction of the price. They are made in Taiwan as a COO. I can't wait to put them to use in those tight places where a ratchet and a socket will be too tall for the given space. Thanks to tanukiboy for the suggestions!
Attachments
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I just received my shipment of SK11 Wrench Adapters that I purchased from Amazon.co.jp. They appear to be almost identical (at least in the photos, I don't have the 2 brands side by side for comparison) to the ones made by Toptul but at a fraction of the price. They are made in Taiwan as a COO. I can't wait to put them to use in those tight places where a ratchet and a socket will be too tall for the given space. Thanks to tanukiboy for the suggestions!
I suspect this may be the first of many orders you place at Amazon Japan.
Shipping to the US is surprisingly fast, inexpensive, and hassle free.Here are my Engineer brand tools. The pliers are pretty good and the price isn’t bad, I do really like the needle nose pliers. The scissors are great! The vice grips I wouldn’t recommend as the rubber handle pulled off in my hand on their first use. The construction of the plier handles makes this unlikely.
Attachments
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I suspect this may be the first of many orders you place at Amazon Japan.
Yes you are correct! Also the packaging was excellent, Amazon US can learn from them as their packaging here is very poor
Reed Prince
Well-known member
New Engineer pliers coming soon.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YTj0KtGPiHQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YTj0KtGPiHQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
AceofSpad3s
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,808
Are the TONE 1/4 spinners Japan made?
I'm getting close to placing an order soon,after the Koken spinner and Howa action I got recently I'm wanting some more ratchets again.
Koken 3753N is main item, have a few other things, a Vessel handle, stubby driver, Tone spinner, 10mm Z-eal socket. I recall hearing someone having some problems opening a Koken ratchet years back, are the screws peened on them to prevent the removal of the cover?
Anything particularly interesting or useful under 1500 yen I should add?
I'm getting close to placing an order soon,after the Koken spinner and Howa action I got recently I'm wanting some more ratchets again.
Koken 3753N is main item, have a few other things, a Vessel handle, stubby driver, Tone spinner, 10mm Z-eal socket. I recall hearing someone having some problems opening a Koken ratchet years back, are the screws peened on them to prevent the removal of the cover?
Anything particularly interesting or useful under 1500 yen I should add?
Yes they are (well, at least the shaft is stamped "JAPAN").
As for other cool Japanese stuff to add to your order, how about a pair of Tsunoda cable tie cutters for ¥1280? They were recommended by gbh earlier in this thread. Available in two sizes.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B073V2X71S/
View media item 85526
AceofSpad3s
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,808
My impression was that of not being able to take it apart without needing new screws, they sheered off in the case I mentioned earlier if. Not a huge deal, I have abundance of trans fluid around worst case I could just soak the head in it a bit if I can't put superlube in.
Garage Journal strikes again. I didn’t notice these drivers accepted a ratchet into the end until I saw a recent post here. I can’t really say I needed it but when I saw it at the shop today for ¥1000 I had to buy it. 
Attachments
Anyone used the Koken 3/8" swivel sockets? Not sure if they are Zeal or not, pretty sure they ain't but have a line on a metric set 7-19mm. They look nice but I want to know how well they function under operation whether they bind up easy or not.
It is exactly like the Ko-ken 2759F that makes me think that they even leave the same factory.Garage Journal strikes again. I didn’t notice these drivers accepted a ratchet into the end until I saw a recent post here. I can’t really say I needed it but when I saw it at the shop today for ¥1000 I had to buy it.
Last edited:
Negen
Well-known member
Just an FYI if anyone here shops at do it best home centers they are now rebranding the ips soft grip pliers will take pictures later.
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app