Tools of Japan

[Reed Prince]

Are the Vessel socket sets made in Japan? Not all of their products are.

The price of this KTC TB308 set at Amazon.co.jp (￥ 11,903) is better than any offers I could find on Yahoo Japan or Rakuten, and way cheaper than eBay. Couldn't find it at Frank's Tools. KTC TB308 at amazon.co.jp

 

[BajaScout]

Are the Vessel socket sets made in Japan? Not all of their products are.

The price of this KTC TB308 set at Amazon.co.jp (￥ 11,903) is better than any offers I could find on Yahoo Japan or Rakuten, and way cheaper than eBay. Couldn't find it at Frank's Tools. KTC TB308 at amazon.co.jp

Nice! I like the socket holder.

 

[Reed Prince]

Their socket holders are also sold separately, and shinier Nepros versions are available too.

 

[CR888]

I was able to sample a bunch of Tone ratchets a few weeks ago in Tokyo, meaning a dozen variants. Was rather surprised at the back drag on every one of them. They felt strong and reasonably smooth, but the back drag was really stiff and I mean stiff. For me, not appealing.

Being Taiwanese I think they won't have that Japanese DNA in them like a Japanese ratchet does. Do they have much slop in the mechanism? 72t is 5° swing arc but all the Taiwan ratcheting wrenches I've found have 10-20° 'slop' in them. Although they can he decent quality.

 

[1foxracing]

Any idea how they compare to Koken?

No idea yet, just ordered them this past Friday and they haven't shipped.

Are the Vessel socket sets made in Japan? Not all of their products are.

Won't know till I receive them.
I'll report back when I have them in my hands.

 

[toddmorr]

Being Taiwanese I think they won't have that Japanese DNA in them like a Japanese ratchet does. Do they have much slop in the mechanism? 72t is 5° swing arc but all the Taiwan ratcheting wrenches I've found have 10-20° 'slop' in them. Although they can he decent quality.

they did not feel especially sloppy really, but that is tough to tell without putting them on a bolt or nut, which i didn't do.

 

[Reed Prince]

Here are some unusual Keiba pliers I came across recently.

BT–010 ￥10,800

"The miniature basic models of cutting pliers, in which our know-how of 85 years have been condensed. They are made based on our regular sized cutting pliers. These excellent little ones are lovely and they are fully functional. Best as a gift item and for decoration."

 

[bushman66]

Long time lurker here.

Does anyone have an update on Frank's Tools? I placed an order for some Koken sockets and extensions based on things I read here on GJ about his good customer service, so far LESS than impressed.

Placed the order on Feb 7th, have sent a couple of emails, and have not heard a peep, nor received a tracking number. But...my card was charged the next day.

Is Frank's still good to go? I was going to give it another couple of days, then just get a refund from my CC company.

Thanks!

 

[ttpete]

Long time lurker here.

Does anyone have an update on Frank's Tools? I placed an order for some Koken sockets and extensions based on things I read here on GJ about his good customer service, so far LESS than impressed.

Placed the order on Feb 7th, have sent a couple of emails, and have not heard a peep, nor received a tracking number. But...my card was charged the next day.

Is Frank's still good to go? I was going to give it another couple of days, then just get a refund from my CC company.

Thanks!

It can take a while if it has to come from Japan. Think of him as an agent who doesn't stock a whole lot.

 

[bushman66]

It can take a while if it has to come from Japan. Think of him as an agent who doesn't stock a whole lot.

Thanks, definitely get that and have no issue with waiting, but the complete lack of response is not really acceptable. I'll give it a couple more days, then just cancel and order from Amazon.JP or Rakutan.

It's really too bad, I always try to support the mom and pop vendors when I have a choice, but it's in the customer service area where they can really shine (or fail). In this case a simple email response stating what you said above would have been fine.

 

[M6erfan]

It can take a while if it has to come from Japan. Think of him as an agent who doesn't stock a whole lot.

That's true, but no response to emails is weird (and to me, unacceptable). I havent ordered from Franks in a while so not sure if anything is going on, on his end. I've always had good service from him in the past.

Keep us posted OP.

 

[paulsomlo]

I've been happy with Frank's as well. Unless you need the tool right away, I'd wait a bit. If you request a refund from your CC company, it may result in a chargeback, which could cost Frank's a $20 bill.

 

[maxnine11]

Is the number 11 unlucky in Japanese culture or something??
Just wondering why that particular size is not available in certain Koken lines. 11mm is a necessary size when I'm working on my German cars.

 

[tanukiboy]

Is the number 11 unlucky in Japanese culture or something??
Just wondering why that particular size is not available in certain Koken lines. 11mm is a necessary size when I'm working on my German cars.

I'd guess that it's because 11 mm isn't a standard size in JIS, ANSI, or ISO, only DIN.
(Just as a fun factoid, the number 4 is considered unlucky in Japan because it's a homonym for the word "death".)

 

[maxnine11]

Thanks for the knowledge tanukiboy!

A lot of their sets skip the 11mm, but if you go to the Koken catalog, it is available.
But for some sets, like the 1/4 inch drive nutgrip sockets, 11mm is not available.

Thanks again!

 

[Reed Prince]

These came today, an addition to an Amazon order to bump the total above the free shipping minimum. $11.59. They are quite well made, even though the COO turned out to be Thailand.

 

[JiminAZ]

bushman66, be sure to check your junk/spam folders for incorrectly flagged emails from Frank.

 

[bushman66]

bushman66, be sure to check your junk/spam folders for incorrectly flagged emails from Frank.

Yep, did that. Now at the 2 week point without a tracking number or response to 3 emails. I'm calling the CC company to issue a chargeback tomorrow and let them deal with it. I'll drop an order with Amazon.jp and chalk him up as a "Do NOT do business with" vendor.

 

[toddmorr]

i placed an order with Frankstools on 1/27, took delivery 2/13. Koken stuff. Think his pricing can be comparable to Amazon JP, might even be a little better if you can catch a sale like he had at the end of last year.

 

[Reed Prince]

Just got this message from Tsunoda:

 

[bushman66]

UPDATE: Frank reached out to me via PM, he did not receive my emails (not sure why), he told me my order is shipping tomorrow, so all's well that ends well, and I'm glad that he is still a viable option alternative to Amazon.jp. As I stated earlier, I always try to support small businesses when possible.

 

[Qualitytools]

I have had good service from Frank

 

[losvre]

UPDATE: Frank reached out to me via PM, he did not receive my emails (not sure why), he told me my order is shipping tomorrow, so all's well that ends well, and I'm glad that he is still a viable option alternative to Amazon.jp. As I stated earlier, I always try to support small businesses when possible.

That is happy ending, I have only heard good things about Frank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[losvre]

Just got this message from Tsunoda:

That is what I call SERVICE![emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toddmorr]

just got a Koken 3726z-280...the extended length flex head 3/8. Slapped some superlube in it and it makes my Carlyle ratchets feel positively crude by comparison. Very pleased with it.

 

[ngk22r]

I have had god service from Frank

Same here, great service

 

[JBH]

Frank did a great job for me last year on some Nepros and Koken stuff. Sometimes his delivery times are lengthened by his suppliers, and I can’t imagine it’s practicable for him to carry a large inventory.

 

[M6erfan]

Just got this message from Tsunoda:

Dang, I just bought that exact pair like 2-3 weeks ago via AMZN, I haven't gotten the message

Edit: I just got an email from Amazon that they refunded my order too.

 

[bushman66]

Final Update: My order shipped today, Frank followed up, and it turns out my emails ended up in his spam folder. Neither of us knows why, but a great resolution, and I'm glad it turned out well for both parties. I'll be ordering from him again in the future.

 

[superautobacs]

Bushman66,

I'm glad it turned out ok in the end.

Thanks for the knowledge tanukiboy!

A lot of their sets skip the 11mm, but if you go to the Koken catalog, it is available.
But for some sets, like the 1/4 inch drive nutgrip sockets, 11mm is not available.

Thanks again!

I have a 1/4 drive Truecraft branded 11mm Nutgrip socket. I got mine from Ebay so take a look there. Truecraft did offer a full set in 1/4 drive back in the day, and even though Ko-ken hasn't listed a 9mm nut-grip in their catalogue, Daido Corp (who owned the Truecraft brand) wanted a full no-skip set, so a 9mm was included.

 

[Reed Prince]

I have a 1/4 drive Truecraft branded 11mm Nutgrip socket. I got mine from Ebay so take a look there. Truecraft did offer a full set in 1/4 drive back in the day, including a 9mm!

Just did a Truecraft search on eBay, and this NOS offer was at the top of the ratchet list. Not a tool I'm currently searching for, but perhaps someone else is.

 

[superautobacs]

Those ratchets were made by SEK, of Japan.

I don't recall what the other Japanese companies became OEM for the Truecraft brand. It's been a long time since I looked into that.

 

[CR888]

Superautobacs is on to it, funny I saw that ratchet & thought that's the same as my SEK tools Japan. I put a rubber homemade comfort grip on mine which is too must h of a pain to remove for this pic but here it is. Its super smooth low backdrag like many Jap ratchets, I have a 72t SEK teardrop 3/8 flex spark plug ratchet with the bent handle & the ratchet action is so delicately light yet with pronounced 'clicks' it just in a league of its own compared to my other 20 or so 3/8 ratchets. I paid $30au for the stubby off eBay & $40 for the sparkplug one new at auction. I have SEK's catalogue & gee they make some nice tools. Not near as well known as Koken or Nepros but definitely consider them if you see them up for sale.

 

[superautobacs]

Have SEK tools been sold in Australia for quite some time?

SEK has another line called Pro-Auto and it's their import line of tools from Taiwan. In Japan, they were one of the earlier importers of tools from reputable Taiwanese manufacturers. Now a days, the new stuff is mostly Taiwanese. Have you heard/seen Pro-Auto stuff there?

 

[Ralf99]

Have SEK tools been sold in Australia for quite some time?



SEK has another line called Pro-Auto and it's their import line of tools from Taiwan. In Japan, they were one of the earlier importers of tools from reputable Taiwanese manufacturers. Now a days, the new stuff is mostly Taiwanese. Have you heard/seen Pro-Auto stuff there?

Yep, SEK have been sold in Australia for quite some time - I have that 3/8 stubby ratchet and a 3/8 breaker bar along with sockets I bought new 35 years ago.

 

[maxnine11]

I have a 1/4 drive Truecraft branded 11mm Nutgrip socket. I got mine from Ebay so take a look there. Truecraft did offer a full set in 1/4 drive back in the day, and even though Ko-ken hasn't listed a 9mm nut-grip in their catalogue, Daido Corp (who owned the Truecraft brand) wanted a full no-skip set, so a 9mm was included.
__________________

Thank you, kindly!!
Good to know.

 

[superautobacs]

Yep, SEK have been sold in Australia for quite some time - I have that 3/8 stubby ratchet and a 3/8 breaker bar along with sockets I bought new 35 years ago.

Thanks! Pretty close to when Truecraft sold SEK rebrands in the US.

Thank you, kindly!!
Good to know.

You're welcome. Curiousity got me to check if any are currently available and saw none. I had to go back and check my e-receipt for the seller's name. It's called Toolsnow, but I don't see that seller listed any longer. It was back from 2012 so...
Good luck though...it might show up one day!

 

[CR888]

Have SEK tools been sold in Australia for quite some time?

SEK has another line called Pro-Auto and it's their import line of tools from Taiwan. In Japan, they were one of the earlier importers of tools from reputable Taiwanese manufacturers. Now a days, the new stuff is mostly Taiwanese. Have you heard/seen Pro-Auto stuff there?

Yes, while not hugely popular and available at many outlets their is an importer/distributer here. I got most of my SEK tools from a tool truck buddy of mine that were NOS old stock but I did buy some adapters/extensions about 5 years ago from a tool franchise shop & a few pieces from eBay. Its kinda good their not that popular in a way as they often don't fetch the prices they deserve compared to the bigger name Japan tools. Here is my SEK 3/8" Sparkplug ratchet (72t) with some German Belzer metric swivel sockets (oops posting German tools here may be a sin).

 

[BigBoreFan]

i-Tools at Rakuten.com, reputable vendor?

https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/i-tools/

 

[Ralf99]

i-Tools at Rakuten.com, reputable vendor?

https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/i-tools/

I have bought from them 3 or 4 times with no issues. Would buy from them again if the need arose.