Tools of Japan

[maxnine11]

i-Tools at Rakuten.com, reputable vendor?

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

Three times. Excellent in all regards.

 

[mercucho]

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

You can fully trust this store.
I have bought enough tools in it and the deal has always been unbeatable.

 

[BigBoreFan]

thanks guys

 

[M6erfan]

i-Tools at Rakuten.com, reputable vendor?

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

Yup. GTG

 

[toddmorr]

thanks guys

Compare shipping costs, I think rakuten is quite high

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BigBoreFan]

Cleaning my travel box. Thorsen Allied 15 Inch 1/2 Drive.

Noticed this was marked Japan. No clue where I got it. Have had it forever.

Old school Japanese Junk maybe? Google says it's the value line of Thorsen tools.

 

[Reed Prince]

I think this is a promotional video for special impact sockets with a shaft that breaks internally if overtorqued but remains connected, preventing workplace injuries from falling sockets.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9Xl7jjxrjY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Roundhouse]

I think this is a promotional video for special impact sockets with a shaft that breaks internally if overtorqued but remains connected, preventing workplace injuries from falling sockets.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9Xl7jjxrjY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The guys that almost set off the nuclear bomb in Arkansas a few years back could have used one

They dropped a socket onto a fuel line on the missile and it cooked off inside the silo

 

[ngk22r]

The guys that almost set off the nuclear bomb in Arkansas a few years back could have used one

They dropped a socket onto a fuel line on the missile and it cooked off inside the silo

Wasn’t that more than just a few years?

 

[bargainhuntingking]

The guys that almost set off the nuclear bomb in Arkansas a few years back could have used one

They dropped a socket onto a fuel line on the missile and it cooked off inside the silo

This incident occured in 1980. The missile repair team dropped a huge 25lb coffee can sized socket about 8 floors down the silo and it bounced and ricocheted, hitting the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak. The airmen were blamed for the accident because they didn’t follow protocol and used a standard socket wrench instead of newly issued torque wrench (to save time); but that would have made no difference. The repair platform that held them against the missile should have been designed in a way with no gap to prevent dropped objects from falling; it was a systems error, yet the brave airmen who went into to silo filled with flammable gas (one died, some were severely burned) to prevent a 9 megaton explosion (600x bigger than Hiroshima) obliterating Little Rock and the surrounding community, took the blame. There was a fuel explosion blowing the warhead off the top of the missile about 100 feet away, but it didn’t detonate. “Command and Control” is a documentary about the event.

 

[General Geoff]

it was a systems error, yet the brave airmen who went into to silo filled with flammable gas (one died, some were severely burned) to prevent a 9 megaton explosion (600x bigger than Hiroshima) obliterating Little Rock and the surrounding community, took the blame. There was a fuel explosion blowing the warhead off the top of the missile about 100 feet away, but it didn’t detonate. “Command and Control” is a documentary about the event.

There was no danger of a high-order nuclear detonation. Worst that might have happened would be a low-order detonation of the conventional focusing explosives surrounding the plutonium core. Without precise timing from the warhead's internal detonation circuits it would be a dud.

 

[websiteninetynine]

Hi...Tools of Japan

 

[bargainhuntingking]

I know that this is the wrong takeaway, but I cannot stop thinking about the coffee can size socket.



I have heard of 2 1/2” drive sockets, but I have never seen one...

I may be exaggerating. Perhaps it was fist sized? It was big. Does a 2.5” socket weight 25lbs? Maybe that was it.

As per the detonation concern, I’m sure there are failsafes, but if circuits get shorted by fire due to solder melting (thus closing the circuit)...




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Chromdome35]

This incident occured in 1980. The missile repair team dropped a huge 25lb coffee can sized socket about 8 floors down the silo and it bounced and ricocheted, hitting the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak. The airmen were blamed for the accident because they didn’t follow protocol and used a standard socket wrench instead of newly issued torque wrench (to save time); but that would have made no difference. The platform that held them against the silo should have been designed in a way with no gap to prevent dropped objects from falling; it was a systems error, yet the brave airmen who went into to silo filled with flammable gas (one died, some were severely burned) to prevent a 9 megaton explosion (600x bigger than Hiroshima) obliterating Little Rock and the surrounding community, took the blame. There was a fuel explosion blowing the warhead off the top of the missile about 100 feet away, but it didn’t detonate. “Command and Control” is a documentary about the event.

I was in college in Conway AR when this happened. It was about 25 miles north of us. Remember it well. GPS Coordinates if you want to look it up in google maps 35.414009, -92.397153

 

[Bogdan M.]

S62 from a M5 E39?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I know that this is the wrong takeaway, but I cannot stop thinking about the coffee can size socket.

I have heard of 2 1/2” drive sockets, but I have never seen one...

Local used tool store has some oil-field kind of stuff, sockets and wrenches. We're talking wrenches 2-3 foot long, sockets the size of coffee cans, no exaggeration. I'd prefer to drop a bowling ball on my foot than a 8+ inch (flat to flat distance) impact socket.

Such things are impressive to see in real life.

 

[mercucho]

New toys from Japan...

 

[theamcguy]

Wow that pocket saw is nice.

 

[superautobacs]

Cleaning my travel box. Thorsen Allied 15 Inch 1/2 Drive.

Noticed this was marked Japan. No clue where I got it. Have had it forever.

Old school Japanese Junk maybe? Google says it's the value line of Thorsen tools.

Good enough to be in a road box or junkyark box

S62 from a M5 E39?

Bingo!

Wow that pocket saw is nice.

Tool in action:

The Zeal 1/4 drive double-swivel joint has been a useful tool. On one ocassion, I remembered to take a couple shots. This saves myself from having to remove other peices that instructions would tell you to do.
Sure, I could use a standard 1/4 universal joint, but it won't be as easy or quick as using this smooth double-swivel.




Ko-ken Zeal Double-Swivel Joint by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr




Ko-ken Zeal Double-Swivel Joint by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr

 

[MetricTech]

I love the koken zeal universal joints. I sold all of my snap on universal adapter sets and went with the koken zeal single and double universal joints. I’m the type that needs nice tools at work, home, and my vehicle. Also the koken zeal spark plug sockets make me want to throw my snap on, Mac, sk, and craftsman spark plug socket sets in the scrap bin.. not really but they are on another level in my opinion. The zeal ratchets are growing on me as well. I went from the Matco 88, to SO dual 80, to nepros. I have a zeal set in the car and I always look forward to using them


Metric Tech

 

[superautobacs]

MetricTech,

Wow, don't say that in front of the truck brand fan boys!

 

[ngk22r]

MetricTech,

Wow, don't say that in front of the truck brand fan boys!

Ko-ken is basically the Snap-on equivalent in Japan. As in the best of Japan like Snap-on is the best of the USA. I have a couple of their tools like the zeal shallow sockets and they are awesome. I still prefer the Snap-on ratchets compared to the Zeal but, and a big BUT, the Zeal would be the only thing I would get if I could not get my hands on Snap-on. Ko-ken is no joke and I would rate it in the top three worldwide.

 

[ngk22r]

Yes I own them both btw, you cannot go wrong with the Zeal line.

 

[MetricTech]

Yes I own them both btw, you cannot go wrong with the Zeal line.

Oh I still own about a dozen SO ratchets. I just like trying tools from all over. Here’s my newest SO ratchet. And a really nice KTC grease gun from Franks.


Metric Tech

 

[ngk22r]

Oh I still own about a dozen SO ratchets. I just like trying tools from all over. Here’s my newest SO ratchet. And a really nice KTC grease gun from Franks.


Metric Tech

How much was the grease gun? I like that!

 

[toddmorr]

i was a little concerned the 3/8 inch Zeal ratchet would be too small but not the case, I really like it. Yes it is perhaps an inch or less shorter than the big name ratchets but it just feels really good, quick to move, not too heavy, not in the way of stuff, and of course zero back drag.

I did use my extended length flex 3/8 zeal this weekend to get an oxygen sensor on...worked great in that case Very pleased.

 

[MetricTech]

How much was the grease gun? I like that!

$42


Metric Tech

 

[tanukiboy]

Here's a cool little product from the folks at STRAIGHT tools in Japan. A set of hex bits that fit into a 12mm 6-point ratcheting wrench.

View media item 90946
View media item 90947
They have a spring-loaded ball and a small collar so they snap into the wrench and are held firmly in place.

View media item 90948
As a nice touch, the size is laser etched into the back of each bit.

View media item 90949
Much lower profile that using a hex bit on a ratchet handle: only a tad over 2 cm.

View media item 90950
You could probably get an even lower profile using screwdriver-type hex bits in a 1/4" hex drive ratchet handle, but STRAIGHT's solution seems better for high-torque situations, especially because you could also use the bits in a non-ratcheting box wrench if you really had to.

 

[Reed Prince]

You could probably get an even lower profile using screwdriver-type hex bits in a 1/4" hex drive ratchet handle,

These Anexs are the lowest profile hex wrenches I think I've come across.

 

[tanukiboy]

These Anexs are the lowest profile hex wrenches I think I've come across.

Yeah, they look hard to beat in terms of profile. One question though: what's the C-clip around the bit for? Do the bits ratchet or rotate or something?

 

[MetricTech]

Yeah, they look hard to beat in terms of profile. One question though: what's the C-clip around the bit for? Do the bits ratchet or rotate or something?

I love the 12mm hex drive bits you showed. Those Anex bits have the c clip just for holding the bit in the blade. No special magic, but they are super slim.


Metric Tech

 

[tanukiboy]

I love the 12mm hex drive bits you showed. Those Anex bits have the c clip just for holding the bit in the blade. No special magic, but they are super slim.


Metric Tech

Thanks for the info, MT.

 

[modifier73]

Got some new Ko-kens fromAmazon.jp, Zeal 3/8s sockets 7-19mm and a regular Ko-ken 3/8s ratchet:

 

[theamcguy]

Anybody have a part number for the 1/4" Koken Z-EAL Double Universal Joint or know of a source where I can order one? TIA

 

[MetricTech]

Anybody have a part number for the 1/4" Koken Z-EAL Double Universal Joint or know of a source where I can order one? TIA

Koken 2772Z from Frankstools


Metric Tech

 

[uncwstudent]

Is Frankstools the cheapest place to pick up Koken? I really want to start buying some but I frankly don't have a ton of money.

 

[FlaGman]

I just ordered my first Koken tools- the double universal joints in 1/4 and 3/8 from Franks. I have that expectant quiver in my stomach I get when I am at the beginning of a journey that is going to cost me a lot of money....

I'm going to close my eyes now and tell myself "You're not a professional. Gearwrench is good enough".

 

[mercucho]

 

[MetricTech]

Even if I wasn’t a professional I think koken tools are a very reasonable price and would have them. If you stay away from the zeal line everything can be purchased fairly cheap I’m waiting on a metric 1/4” 12pt koken socket set right now from frank and the set was right at $30. Their quality is excellent. And it is a Japanese company making their tools where was it? Oh Japan. Not Taiwan or China. If the COO doesn’t matter to you then gear wrench it up.

 

[theamcguy]

Koken 2772Z from Frankstools


Metric Tech

Thank you but that is the part number for the single universal I am looking for the 1/4" double universal like in post #3941