Tools of Japan

[tanukiboy]

Just got a set of Koken ZEAL hex bits in 3/8" drive. Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 mm. They came with a nice little Koken magnetic socket rail. What I particularly like about them is that the ends aren't as chamfered as most I've seen, which I figure means more positive engagement with the bolt, but possibly at the expense of ease of insertion. Available from Amazon Japan for a bit less than ¥6000 ($53).

View media item 86917

 

[Qualitytools]

^ I do like the Koken socket trays, I have the 12 piece Zeal 3/8 set and I love it!

 

[tanukiboy]

^ I do like the Koken socket trays, I have the 12 piece Zeal 3/8 set and I love it!

The Koken socket rails are quite nice, but I'm a big fan of the magnetic rails made by the Japanese company "Straight".

What I like about them is that each of the square holders can be twisted individually. This allows you to turn all the sockets so the size numbers are all lined up for easy reading. The flat sides also allow you to apply little labels to the rails.

Yeah, I know, the pleasure/pain of OCD.

View media item 86919

 

[GeoRoss]

With the KTC keys you will not regret it.
My set of KTC M160 (Includes 22x24) :

KTC wrenches ordered and now to be patient.

Thanks for all the responses and advice.

 

[mercucho]

New acquisitions from Japan: A set of stainless steel keys from Tone SUS (10-12-14 mm).

Ideal tools to work in aggressive environments.

 

[66HertzClone]

The Koken socket rails are quite nice, but I'm a big fan of the magnetic rails made by the Japanese company "Straight".

What I like about them is that each of the square holders can be twisted individually. This allows you to turn all the sockets so the size numbers are all lined up for easy reading. The flat sides also allow you to apply little labels to the rails.

Yeah, I know, the pleasure/pain of OCD.

View media item 86919

Do you have a link to your source?

 

[Negen]

A 16" chainsaw bar and a east wing pro claw.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[tanukiboy]

Do you have a link to your source?

I just checked, and the Straight socket rails are sold directly by Straight and they don't ship overseas. However, similar rails are made by a variety of Japanese companies.

KTC makes some nice ones that cost slightly more. They are different colors for the different drive sizes (1/4, 3/8, 1/2). Amazon Japan sells them and are happy to ship them to the USA. (I obviously don't use Amazon Japan's overseas shipping because I live in Japan, but other members of GJ who live in the US have reported good experiences ordering from Amazon Japan -- fast delivery, good packaging, and reasonable cost.)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00NUN4FPK/


View media item 87211

BTW, if you're not looking to buy Japanese socket rails specifically, I believe similar designs are available in the US.

 

[Dakkyz]

Can anyone comment on the Koken RS3400MZ/12 socket set?

Quality will be spot on no doubt but what about after some hard use do they hold up good?

Can anyone suggest any other 3/8 sockets that are similar Quality and price?

 

[tanukiboy]

New acquisitions from Japan: A set of stainless steel keys from Tone SUS (10-12-14 mm).

Ideal tools to work in aggressive environments.

Wow, those are beautiful!

I noticed that Tone offers a full lineup of stainless steel (SUS) tools: hammers, screwdrivers, sockets, ratchets, wrenches, hex keys, pliers, nippers, storage boxes, etc. There are nine pages worth at Amazon Japan.

Pardon my ignorance, but is high corrosion resistance the only benefit of SS tools? Any other reasons why a home handyman like me might want to get some (other than pure lust)?

 

[redvalkyrie]

You use SS tools on SS equipment. That way you don't leave none SS material on the equipment which would cause surface rust. SS can also be sanitized more easily.

 

[Reed Prince]

Austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic and can be used in highly magnetic environments.

 

[mercucho]

Wow, those are beautiful!

I noticed that Tone offers a full lineup of stainless steel (SUS) tools: hammers, screwdrivers, sockets, ratchets, wrenches, hex keys, pliers, nippers, storage boxes, etc. There are nine pages worth at Amazon Japan.

Pardon my ignorance, but is high corrosion resistance the only benefit of SS tools? Any other reasons why a home handyman like me might want to get some (other than pure lust)?

Well, apart from high resistance to corrosion in saline environments or outdoors, otherwise they are similar in characteristics to the quality tools of other brands such as KTC or Tone.

On the side of lust and its price also stand out.

They are recommendable tools if their use has to be in works outdoor or aggressive environments. In any other case, it's throwing money away.

In my case I use some SUS tools just for that reason.

 

[mercucho]

Austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic and can be used in highly magnetic environments.

It's also true.

 

[Negen]

Can anyone comment on the Koken RS3400MZ/12 socket set?

Quality will be spot on no doubt but what about after some hard use do they hold up good?

Can anyone suggest any other 3/8 sockets that are similar Quality and price?

I had a bolt that would not budge. After I put the socket on it was stuck out of frustration I gave it a few wacks with a 2lb hammer busted the bolt loose and the socket has small signs of use but nothing that I would say is damaged. I would say that any new koken socket holds up just as well as my proto , sk or wright tools I think of them as probably having the same or similar braking points. Just don't buy the nos 1970s stuff those seem to round nuts and bolts in a way similar to craftsman stuff. But I am probably harder on my tools than I should be. Koken sockets seem to fit nice on nuts and bolts. I use the 6 points more than 12 points though. The zeal line keeps expanding I do require deep sockets more so than the low file sockets. I will be expanding my koken tools I never seem to have the right size spark plug socket. Odd that their kits come with three or four spark plug sockets and none seem to fit my Japanese things. Not sure how many size spark plugs needs to be made.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Reed Prince]

This picture of a ￥ 164,271 Tone toolbox set is serious tool ****.

 

[tanukiboy]

You use SS tools on SS equipment. That way you don't leave none SS material on the equipment which would cause surface rust. SS can also be sanitized more easily.

Austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic and can be used in highly magnetic environments.

They are recommendable tools if their use has to be in works outdoor or aggressive environments. In any other case, it's throwing money away.

Thanks guys! You can always count on the knowledgeable folks here at GJ to answer pretty much any tool-related question. As for SUS tools, I guess I'll just admire them from afar.

 

[tanukiboy]

This picture of a ￥ 164,271 Tone toolbox set is serious tool ****.

*shudder* Imagine trying to keep that free of fingerprints.

 

[HazetMatt]

This picture of a ￥ 164,271 Tone toolbox set is serious tool ****.

“Hey Siri convert 164,271 yen to US dollars”
.....
“Nevermind “

 

[Negen]

*shudder* Imagine trying to keep that free of fingerprints.

https://www.absorbentsonline.com/stainless-steel-wipes.htm

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Dakkyz]

Thanks, Now it's just finding a koken Supplier in the UK, they seem to have a distribution centre but no suppliers.. weird.

 

[Tonyuk]

Thanks, Now it's just finding a koken Supplier in the UK, they seem to have a distribution centre but no suppliers.. weird.

You really need to buy from Amazon.jp

Finding koken etc.. over here in any decent selection is pretty much not going to happen. You can find a few things on amazon and ebay but thats about it.

 

[tanukiboy]

Thanks, Now it's just finding a koken Supplier in the UK, they seem to have a distribution centre but no suppliers.. weird.

You really need to buy from Amazon.jp

Finding koken etc.. over here in any decent selection is pretty much not going to happen. You can find a few things on amazon and ebay but thats about it.

Just checked Amazon Japan. They indicate that the Koken RS3400MZ/12 socket set can be shipped to the UK. The price is listed as ￥6,655 (excluding shipping).

 

[66HertzClone]

I just checked, and the Straight socket rails are sold directly by Straight and they don't ship overseas. However, similar rails are made by a variety of Japanese companies.

KTC makes some nice ones that cost slightly more. They are different colors for the different drive sizes (1/4, 3/8, 1/2). Amazon Japan sells them and are happy to ship them to the USA. (I obviously don't use Amazon Japan's overseas shipping because I live in Japan, but other members of GJ who live in the US have reported good experiences ordering from Amazon Japan -- fast delivery, good packaging, and reasonable cost.)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00NUN4FPK/


View media item 87211

BTW, if you're not looking to buy Japanese socket rails specifically, I believe similar designs are available in the US.

Thanks, I like that the peg can be rotated so the stamped sizes can all be visible. Yeah, I have that OCD thing going on to.

 

[bwringer]

Thanks, I like that the peg can be rotated so the stamped sizes can all be visible. Yeah, I have that OCD thing going on to.

Oh. Oh my yes. Don't you just HATE it when socket size markings aren't "clocked" the same so you can put them on the rail with the sizes facing the same direction? Or when one or two are a little off?

I've run into this more than once.

Then again, I'd much rather have a locking socket rail, which precludes the rotation.

 

[mercucho]

This picture of a ￥ 164,271 Tone toolbox set is serious tool ****.

*********** elevated to the highest expression.

 

[mercucho]

“Hey Siri convert 164,271 yen to US dollars”
.....
“Nevermind “

Approximately, at the current exchange rate, it would be USD 1,440.

 

[Tonyuk]

Approximately, at the current exchange rate, it would be USD 1,440.

That's downright affordable, I wonder what snap on would charge for it?

 

[DEEBO]

Just checked Amazon Japan. They indicate that the Koken RS3400MZ/12 socket set can be shipped to the UK. The price is listed as ￥6,655 (excluding shipping).

You need to contact Derick at Consolidated Tools, he can get most things, pretty good prices. He sends you a UK pricelist which has 8000 products on it!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[DEEBO]

Just checked Amazon Japan. They indicate that the Koken RS3400MZ/12 socket set can be shipped to the UK. The price is listed as ￥6,655 (excluding shipping).

For example that set is RS3400MZ/12-UK 3/8" drive Z-EAL set £64.78 without the posh rail. It's about £20 more for the posh rail..


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[DEEBO]

You really need to buy from Amazon.jp



Finding koken etc.. over here in any decent selection is pretty much not going to happen. You can find a few things on amazon and ebay but thats about it.

[email protected] is Derick Softley's email for Ko-Ken


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Dakkyz]

For example that set is RS3400MZ/12-UK 3/8" drive Z-EAL set £64.78 without the posh rail. It's about £20 more for the posh rail..


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thanks, I had a look on amazon JP and with this posh rail it's GBP 62.23.. SO its cheaper to order from Japan then from a UK distributor which is a shame really..

But il give the email a shot and see what he has to offer thanks

 

[66HertzClone]

Oh. Oh my yes. Don't you just HATE it when socket size markings aren't "clocked" the same so you can put them on the rail with the sizes facing the same direction? Or when one or two are a little off?

I've run into this more than once.

Then again, I'd much rather have a locking socket rail, which precludes the rotation.

Then I end up in a conflict with the six point sockets. I'd like the open end to all line up straight, so the pursuit will continue. Yeah, I even rotate the screwdrivers so the labels are all in the same position, sure makes it easy to see if someone has been in the drawers and used my tools.

I have these for both fractional and metric wrenches, having up to three of each size in the rack I have found the best way for me to position the wrenches in each slot so it is easy to grab the one i want. Another "tell" for me, nobody would notice that, well neither my wife or son at least.

 

[motorenzo]

New acquisitions from Japan: A set of stainless steel keys from Tone SUS (10-12-14 mm).



Ideal tools to work in aggressive environments.

wow, so beautiful

 

[DEEBO]

Thanks, I had a look on amazon JP and with this posh rail it's GBP 62.23.. SO its cheaper to order from Japan then from a UK distributor which is a shame really..



But il give the email a shot and see what he has to offer thanks

No worries, he's always given me good service and I've bought tons! Only concern I'd have with Amazon.co.jp is getting stung for duty or import fees. Be interested to hear if you do order from there whether that's an issue?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Dakkyz]

No worries, he's always given me good service and I've bought tons! Only concern I'd have with Amazon.co.jp is getting stung for duty or import fees. Be interested to hear if you do order from there whether that's an issue?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I have ordered alot from the USA, it gives you shipping fees depending on weight a estimated import and duty tax usually get a little refund like £1 - £3.

Had one issue once when they kept the package for a week but that was it.

I have order tools from Germany, France and Spain only had to pay postage.

Can't see Japan been an issue.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[DEEBO]

I have ordered alot from the USA, it gives you shipping fees depending on weight a estimated import and duty tax usually get a little refund like £1 - £3.

Had one issue once when they kept the package for a week but that was it.

I have order tools from Germany, France and Spain only had to pay postage.

Can't see Japan been an issue.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

Cool, sounds good! I'll give it a try..


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Dakkyz]

Cool, sounds good! I'll give it a try..


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

You should give it a try they'res no hidden fees what you see is what you pay.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[tanukiboy]

Here's something handy.

KTC makes these nice tool organizers. They are kind of like pegboard, but are made of plastic and lie flat in the drawer. They are sold as 3-board kits that come with various accessories (plastic clips, stands, and holders of different sizes). You can also buy bags of each of the accessories separately.

View media item 87251
View media item 87252
I like the fact that you can arrange and rearrange the clips and holders however you like. They snap in and out easily. Guaranteed to provide hours of fun and entertainment!

Here's how I'm using them in my KTC toolbox:

View media item 87250
View media item 87249
A 3-board kit costs about $10, and 10-piece bags of the accessory clips and holders cost between $2.50 and $5 depending on the size of the particular item.

 

[gtlaw]

Searching Tone toolbox brings up this. It's so damn tempting but I just don't need any more basic hand tools.

https://lejeunebolt.com/product/tone-tsx950-77-pc-metric-tool-set/