Tools of Japan

[M6erfan]

I seem to acquired a deep thirst for a set of Asahi Lightool wrenches

Is Rakuten legit? I've seen a few references here:

Oooh, puuuurrrrrdy:
https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/i-tools/item/359267/
$38.70 for the set seems decent, but the $20-25-ish shipping gives me pause. But they also have other sizes available; I might tack on 8mm, perhaps 22 and 24mm.

I also found this set on fleaBay from "hinomaru2012" for $56.96 shipped, about the same total.https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASAHI-Ultr...rentrq:c146ae381690ac88dad238d6fff8fe76|iid:1

Thoughts? Anyone got a set of these?

Asahi is definitely legit. The lightool wrenches aren't the best fit/finish IMO, but they're more than fine.

Have you looked at Frankstools?

https://www.frankstools.com/asahi-coming-soon.html

You might want to email him to check availability.

 

[tanukiboy]

Is Rakuten legit?

Rakuten is also definitely legit. It's the largest online marketplace in Japan.

 

[mercucho]

Mitutoyo digital solar caliper.

 

[MetricTech]

Very nice. I love my KTC wrenches, and Frank is a good guy to do business with.

I can second that. Don’t hesitate to email Frank when you have a question about availability, shipping, or opinions on products. He has always responded fast and with his honest opinion.


Metric Tech

 

[modifier73]

I can second that. Don’t hesitate to email Frank when you have a question about availability, shipping, or opinions on products. He has always responded fast and with his honest opinion.


Metric Tech

Similar experience here, Frank is

 

[MetricTech]

The joint in these new Marvel pliers was so smooth right out of the box reminds me of 3 peaks. The cutter is unique for this style plier and the crimper works well. I just got these but they seem to be high quality.


Metric Tech

 

[Tatsuya]

The joint in these new Marvel pliers was so smooth right out of the box reminds me of 3 peaks. The cutter is unique for this style plier and the crimper works well. I just got these but they seem to be high quality.


Metric Tech

Those look nice, dude. Is that from Frank's? I tried searching but didn't find that particular pair.

 

[ngk22r]

Mitutoyo digital solar caliper.

I rate Mitutoyo as the best for measurements, then NSK second. Very nice find

 

[MetricTech]

I rate Mitutoyo as the best for measurements, then NSK second. Very nice find

Yep I love my mitutoyo calipers. I bought a new coolant proof pair recently. About 3 years ago I bought a mitutoyo dial caliper at the pawn shop for $3. I couldn’t believe it. They still work great, the only thing is the case was busted. I’ve thought about buying some of the knock offs from ebay just for the case with the name on it, then just give away or pitch the calipers that come with

 

[GrantCee]

And a really nice KTC grease gun from Franks.

Tell me about that grease gun! How well does it work? How does it load? (I assume it doesn't use US-style cartridges...)

 

[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...

This just appeared on my local Craigslist. A 4.5" Proto impact socket for a 1.5" drive. I looked up the part number and per Proto's specs it weighs 28lbs. Sorry for the thread drift, just closing the loop on an earlier post in this thread which refers to a large socket being dropped in a Titan missile silo causing a massive explosion (but no nuclear detonation). $450 for a single used socket. Wow!

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/tls/d/bellingham-proto-drive-6-point-impact/6856057190.html

Proto's description is here: http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...1-1|2"-Drive-Impact-Socket-4-1|2"---6-Point/#

Earlier discussion that this post refers to starts with post #3929 on page 197 of Tools of Japan.

Per wikipedia, the actual dropped socket only weighed 8lb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Damascus_Titan_missile_explosion

 

[MetricTech]

Those look nice, dude. Is that from Frank's? I tried searching but didn't find that particular pair.

I found these from an ebay seller. Frank has some Keiba and 3.peaks lineman pliers that are nice but I liked this pair because of the cutter style along with the crimper. Plus I hadn’t tried anything from Marvel yet

 

[MetricTech]

Tell me about that grease gun! How well does it work? How does it load? (I assume it doesn't use US-style cartridges...)

This grease gun is a KTC 200cc, hand packed, and made in Japan. It’s the only grease gun I’ve owned that doesn’t leak all over. When I first saw it I was hoping it was a cartridge type for ease of use, but after using it I’m glad it’s not. I’ve had nothing but trouble out of the small cartridge type grease guns. This one can seal so well because it isn’t a cartridge. The knurled handle is for reloading and it holds more grease then you would think for its size.

 

[FlaGman]

I finally received the Tone 1/4” socket set ordered several weeks ago when eBay had a 15% off sale. It comes in a really nice metal box, and the wrench has an extremely compact head (GW and Craftsman for comparison). The chrome is a similar satin/polish combo similar to the Koken 3/8” set I recently purchased (which looks huge in comparison!). I also like that the sockets go up to 14mm, and the layout of the case seems very smart with some layering of lesser used items and still a little room for a couple specialty tools.

 

[ngk22r]

Got the Makita in, batteries are charging up for use tomorrow!

 

[ngk22r]

I finally received the Tone 1/4” socket set ordered several weeks ago when eBay had a 15% off sale. It comes in a really nice metal box, and the wrench has an extremely compact head (GW and Craftsman for comparison). The chrome is a similar satin/polish combo similar to the Koken 3/8” set I recently purchased (which looks huge in comparison!). I also like that the sockets go up to 14mm, and the layout of the case seems very smart with some layering of lesser used items and still a little room for a couple specialty tools.

The Tone kit looks nice! More detailed pics of the kit?

 

[cptn_zippy]

Got an Amazon Japan order in today.

The Tone 3/8 ratchet is so miniature, it’s almost comical. Next to a standard Stanley utility knife for scale. About 3 1/2 inches long.

Jeff

 

[mr.lemons]

I gave into peer pressure and purchased a Koken 3/8 extension to try just for the knurling really. Koken 3760-125. Sorry I have no Japanese made tools to attach it too for the pics.

 

[submariner]

Wow...that's beautiful

 

[Qualitytools]

Mr. Lemons, I think you will be hooked on Koken tools. I was very impressed by my 3/8 Zeal Metric socket set that I purchased additional ones. Their products have Great detail in fit and finish. Enjoy! Can't wait to hear your feedback

 

[ngk22r]

NSK Micrometer

 

[superautobacs]

No coo but it should be from Japan given that it is very old and coo was probably not so important at that time?



[

"*********** Return"

KDS at those those times should have a COO of Japan.

I finally received the Tone 1/4” socket set ordered several weeks ago when eBay had a 15% off sale. It comes in a really nice metal box, and the wrench has an extremely compact head (GW and Craftsman for comparison). The chrome is a similar satin/polish combo similar to the Koken 3/8” set I recently purchased (which looks huge in comparison!). I also like that the sockets go up to 14mm, and the layout of the case seems very smart with some layering of lesser used items and still a little room for a couple specialty tools.

That is pretty neat how they did the layering and also have room for some smaller bits and pieces.









In case you guys haven't heard, TONE now has a distributor in the US called Idaka America. They are a Japanese trade company who serves the industrial customers that deal with Japanese automotive production in the US. They can apparently source anything in the TONE tool catalogue from Japan with competitive pricing to Japanese online merchants.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Trusco Y-350-R toolbox

 

[mr.lemons]

Shopping around UK sellers for Koken sockets and found these.

EXTRA Chrome..
EXTRA Shallow..
EXTRA Polish...
EXTRA Knurling...

Cannot find reference to them anywhere else.

https://www.uktools.com/12-piece-extra-38drive-6-point-standard-socket-set

 

[jimmyin3D]

They look super suspicious especially because you can’t see the full “Koken” label it might say Kokren or something else. I recently got swindled by someone selling KTC and there label and everything looked right except when I received it was so off. Be careful!

 

[tanukiboy]

Shopping around UK sellers for Koken sockets and found these.

EXTRA Chrome..
EXTRA Shallow..
EXTRA Polish...
EXTRA Knurling...

Cannot find reference to them anywhere else.

https://www.uktools.com/12-piece-extra-38drive-6-point-standard-socket-set

Here's a link to Koken's PDF catalog (in English).

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/KOKEN_201708ENSP.pdf

 

[M6erfan]

Interesting. Here's another set from the same site...

https://www.uktools.com/koken-38-extra-set-14-semi-deep-set-deal

What strikes me is that the packaging is in English. Every Ko-ken product I've received (I think) has had Japanese packaging. I'm thinking maybe a limited set produced for non domestic market? Perhaps old stock? Possibly a scam, I have no idea about the vendor.

 

[DEEBO]

Interesting. Here's another set from the same site...

https://www.uktools.com/koken-38-extra-set-14-semi-deep-set-deal

What strikes me is that the packaging is in English. Every Ko-ken product I've received (I think) has had Japanese packaging. I'm thinking maybe a limited set produced for non domestic market? Perhaps old stock? Possibly a scam, I have no idea about the vendor.

I’ve used UKtools before, interestingly they’re the official distributor for Ko-Ken in the UK. If you go to koken.co.uk you’ll see the business is listed at the same address so I’m sure they’re legit. Must be a special!


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[losvre]

This is surely made in Japan. I am wondering if it is mass produced or traditionally hand made.

Do you know any hand made Knive that is affordable?

Kai Shun Nagare







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nickshelby]

I work on stuff with a lot of these small button head screws and when round out it can really screw you over.

The vampliers are made in Japan and I bought a smaller spring loaded pair and a larger 7inch pair and they have saved my *** on more than one occasion.




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[Reed Prince]

New KTC promotional YouTube video.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b1MPJAFjk-o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Don't recall much discussion here about their screwdrivers. I imagine they are quite good. Maybe I will try out a couple.

 

[mercucho]

Don't recall much discussion here about their screwdrivers. I imagine they are quite good. Maybe I will try out a couple

They are very robust screwdrivers and, in addition, they allow to use them with keys to be able to make more force.

 

[M6erfan]

I always wondered if those KTC screwdrivers are the same as their Nepros, without the fancy handles and extra fit/finish details. Metallurgy/tip design

 

[mr.lemons]

I contacted UKTools and Koken Europe about the aforementioned Koken Sockets. UKTools replied saying that the sockets were made specially for the UK market and are/were manufactured by Koken in Japan. Koken Europe replied saying that they have forwarded my email to 'Ko-KenUK.' Will update if I get more info.

 

[eschoendorff]

New KTC promotional YouTube video.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b1MPJAFjk-o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Don't recall much discussion here about their screwdrivers. I imagine they are quite good. Maybe I will try out a couple.

I’m not sure what we were supposed to take away from that video.

Yep... it turns screws. Lol.

 

[M6erfan]

I contacted UKTools and Koken Europe about the aforementioned Koken Sockets. UKTools replied saying that the sockets were made specially for the UK market and are/were manufactured by Koken in Japan. Koken Europe replied saying that they have forwarded my email to 'Ko-KenUK.' Will update if I get more info.

Thanks for the update

Interesting that they knurled these UK market special sockets, but no others. So they can knurl their sockets

 

[jimmyin3D]

Some new Keiba hobby pliers and some KTC brake tools. Heard lots of good things about the Keibas and they are beautifully made and feel great! I got everything here off of Amazon.JP and it was something like $60, $35 or so for the three Keibas together (marked down from $30 eachish)

 

[Ratchet Guy]

I believe KAI is the mother company of Kershaw in the US that distributes all those Kershaw knives.

 

[DEEBO]

I contacted UKTools and Koken Europe about the aforementioned Koken Sockets. UKTools replied saying that the sockets were made specially for the UK market and are/were manufactured by Koken in Japan. Koken Europe replied saying that they have forwarded my email to 'Ko-KenUK.' Will update if I get more info.

Interesting!


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[Reed Prince]

I work on stuff with a lot of these small button head screws and when round out it can really screw you over.

The vampliers are made in Japan and I bought a smaller spring loaded pair and a larger 7inch pair and they have saved my *** on more than one occasion.

Engineer (the manufacturer of Vampliers) just uploaded a promotional video for a tool they market as a socket screw extractor.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AL5JHkkECq4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>