Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
pizza
Well-known member
i have a couple of zeals. 3/8" long (280mm, 11") and 1/4" long (160mm, 6.3"). i think they're very nice, but so far i don't work in restricted environments.
i wrote about them a bit here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8501121#post8501121
eventually i would also love some nepros ratchets (90 tooth).
interesting. i thought that high tooth count is less important for 1/4" due to shorter handles (and therefore shorter arc lengths). how come you like 1/4" in high tooth count?
as for the zeal 1/4" direction switch, it's been fine for me personally. i've never accidentally engaged it, and i've never had trouble engaging it.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
If I'm using a 5 inch ratchet, I'm more likely to be in a tight spot that would benefit from high tooth count.
Comparing 10 degrees on 8 and 5 inch handles
around 1.4" for an 8" handle vs around 0.9" for an 5" handle
Comparing 10 vs 5 degrees on a 5 inch handles
around 0.4 for 5 degrees and around 0.9 for 10 degrees
Double check my numbers because I did it quickly
Comparing 10 degrees on 8 and 5 inch handles
around 1.4" for an 8" handle vs around 0.9" for an 5" handle
Comparing 10 vs 5 degrees on a 5 inch handles
around 0.4 for 5 degrees and around 0.9 for 10 degrees
Double check my numbers because I did it quickly
Salmanslim
Member
Thank you everyone for your wisdom and knowledge! Forgive me if I am flogging a dead horse with this question, but to all the Zeal owners; Do you feel the 36 tooth count being a hindrance compared to high count ratchets? To be honest the swing arc on the Beta is quite large. It feels strong but I always seem to use another ratchet.
Here is my small collection of Trusco and Toyo mini boxes! You can even fit a large multimeter in them, minus the leads.
Here is my custom zeal kit. Love it. Its the first line of tools i use. Low tooth count is not an issue for me plus backdrag or minimal torque required to unfasten a fastener is very low.
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4xdog
Well-known member
More Vessel.
Vessel have become my favorite screwdrivers by far. They're almost all I use now as a home wrencher/worker. JIS is a real improvement over Phillips. Works on Japanese standard crossheads, of course, but also works better on standard Phillips, too.
Those Craftsman-by-Vessel Impacta drivers are quite nice. In fact, the slotted driver is only available from Craftsman, as far as I know. I've never seen a Vessel version here or in Japan. They were on sale from Sears online the other day at under $15 -- a bargain for Vessel Impacta.
4xdog
Well-known member
The ones I have are made in Japan.
Yellow/orange handles on a Megadora mean, of course, it's some sort of specialty tool and not a standard driver.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I like Vessel but I actually paid quite a bit for mine compared to other brands because of sales and coupons for the others.
Prices can vary a lot. A bottom of the line Felo blue handle 5-piece set is $9 at Fleet Farm. A woodie set is $20 shipped from Menards. A Felo Ergonic set is $30 at Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm has $10 off $50 coupons sometimes and Menards runs 11% off.
I paid around $45 for a set of PB Swiss (30% off), I paid around half that price for a set of discontinued Wera that are similar to the PB Swiss since they follow the VSM standard (that includes the cost of mail forwarding service from Germany to USA), $15 for a 6 pc set of Felo torx after coupon. I think I paid the most for Klein and Vessel. No complaints though. I bought them because I thought they were worth the price. And I'd buy them again.
I did get a deal on the Vessel 2-piece set that is rebranded Craftsman at Sears. I got a few of those for dirt cheap.
Right now shipping from Amazon Japan is double what it cost before covid-19. What used to ship for $6 now ships for $12. Hopefully those prices go back down.
Vessel USA distribution is promising. As availability improves in the USA, prices may go down to the point that it is similar to the shipped price from Japan. Probably won't happen until after the pandemic.
Prices can vary a lot. A bottom of the line Felo blue handle 5-piece set is $9 at Fleet Farm. A woodie set is $20 shipped from Menards. A Felo Ergonic set is $30 at Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm has $10 off $50 coupons sometimes and Menards runs 11% off.
I paid around $45 for a set of PB Swiss (30% off), I paid around half that price for a set of discontinued Wera that are similar to the PB Swiss since they follow the VSM standard (that includes the cost of mail forwarding service from Germany to USA), $15 for a 6 pc set of Felo torx after coupon. I think I paid the most for Klein and Vessel. No complaints though. I bought them because I thought they were worth the price. And I'd buy them again.
I did get a deal on the Vessel 2-piece set that is rebranded Craftsman at Sears. I got a few of those for dirt cheap.
Right now shipping from Amazon Japan is double what it cost before covid-19. What used to ship for $6 now ships for $12. Hopefully those prices go back down.
Vessel USA distribution is promising. As availability improves in the USA, prices may go down to the point that it is similar to the shipped price from Japan. Probably won't happen until after the pandemic.
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kapster
Well-known member
How well does buying on Rakuten Japan work? Not as simple as amazon jp? They have everything I'm looking at where amazon doesn't. Anything I need to watch out for? Is the shipping a killer on their?
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
I bought mine from Amazon USA. That was a while ago. I'll likely add more to my next Amazon Japan order.
That was a good deal
My new set of SunFlag JIS drivers came in today.
http://www.sunflag.co.jp/english/index.html
+1, +2, +3 cross points
Model 5500 "Pro Driver Deluxe"
Initial impression is that they are solid. Heavier than the Megadora 900's but not unbalanced. Wooden handles are not popular with everyone but I like them. Rubber ring to aid grip. I will say that they are 'rollers" though, not much of a flat spot on the handles to keep them from rolling around on the bench.
My #2's lined up for comparison
The #3's...
They are tang through with striking caps and the tips are magnetic. No 'ACR', 'lazer', 'micro finish' or other gripping aid on the tips, which is fine with me
I'll put them into service and see how they do...
I bought them here...
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B085KFG6XB?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-s1060-mac00-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&th=1
http://www.sunflag.co.jp/english/index.html
+1, +2, +3 cross points
Model 5500 "Pro Driver Deluxe"
Initial impression is that they are solid. Heavier than the Megadora 900's but not unbalanced. Wooden handles are not popular with everyone but I like them. Rubber ring to aid grip. I will say that they are 'rollers" though, not much of a flat spot on the handles to keep them from rolling around on the bench.
My #2's lined up for comparison
The #3's...
They are tang through with striking caps and the tips are magnetic. No 'ACR', 'lazer', 'micro finish' or other gripping aid on the tips, which is fine with me
I'll put them into service and see how they do...
I bought them here...
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B085KFG6XB?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-s1060-mac00-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&th=1
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They look nice.
Is the knurling textured enough to be useful or more of a cosmetic thing and would you recommend them? Thanks.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Knurling is mostly cosmetic, it doesn't protrude out beyond the diameter of the socket and the band is so narrow you can barely get any extra grip over a normal socket.
They are a nice set of shallow sockets, not Zeal shallow but still pretty short.
I got a Koken attack driver a few months ago after unsuccessfully using a Vessel Impacta and propane torch on Honda rotor screws last fall. Not one of the 4 moved! I even used a Milwaukee impact driver on one screw, that was a mistake. The Makita bit sheared off in the screw head.
Some of you mentioned the Koken was very good and you were right. Most screws came loose with 3 whacks. I hammered on one of those screws that was particularly stuck with a 3 pound deadblow about 7-8 times. The Koken bit fits the screw really well and the screw head never stripped. I just kept hammering and eventually the Koken broke that screw loose! I like this impact driver!! Thank you for spending my money! I used to have an old Craftsman manual impact driver. I don't recall that it had quite the punch the Koken has. But maybe I'm just convincing myself it's a better tool!
Now, the first one to post dibs can have a Vessel P3 Impacta screwdriver for the cost of shipping. Just promise us you won't try to remove Honda rotor screws with it.
Might take a while for me to get it shipped. So don't claim dibs if you need it be the weekend, you'll be disappointed.
*edit*
The Impacta has been claimed. That Impression gets it!
Some of you mentioned the Koken was very good and you were right. Most screws came loose with 3 whacks. I hammered on one of those screws that was particularly stuck with a 3 pound deadblow about 7-8 times. The Koken bit fits the screw really well and the screw head never stripped. I just kept hammering and eventually the Koken broke that screw loose! I like this impact driver!! Thank you for spending my money! I used to have an old Craftsman manual impact driver. I don't recall that it had quite the punch the Koken has. But maybe I'm just convincing myself it's a better tool!
Now, the first one to post dibs can have a Vessel P3 Impacta screwdriver for the cost of shipping. Just promise us you won't try to remove Honda rotor screws with it.
Might take a while for me to get it shipped. So don't claim dibs if you need it be the weekend, you'll be disappointed.*edit*
The Impacta has been claimed. That Impression gets it!
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I got a Koken attack driver a few months ago after unsuccessfully using a Vessel Impacta and propane torch on Honda rotor screws last fall. Not one of the 4 moved! I even used a Milwaukee impact driver on one screw, that was a mistake. The Makita bit sheared off in the screw head.
Some of you mentioned the Koken was very good and you were right. Most screws came loose with 3 whacks. I hammered on one of those screws that was particularly stuck with a 3 pound deadblow about 7-8 times. The Koken bit fits the screw really well and the screw head never stripped. I just kept hammering and eventually the Koken broke that screw loose! I like this impact driver!! Thank you for spending my money! I used to have an old Craftsman manual impact driver. I don't recall that it had quite the punch the Koken has. But maybe I'm just convincing myself it's a better tool!
Now, the first one to post dibs can have a Vessel P3 Impacta screwdriver for the cost of shipping. Just promise us you won't try to remove Honda rotor screws with it.
Those Attack drivers are beasts. I nicknamed mine "The Equalizer".
The Impacta's havent the same 'oomph' but they are handy if you need to nudge a PH screw out of a deep recess. For that reason the Impacta has saved me more than once
Engineer PZ-58.
As the Garnett tools review says 'they are the smoothest pliers you will ever run your hand across.'
Probably already mentioned here but the rubber handle covers are longer than the metal inside which gives the feeling of the handles bending. Was a little disconcerting the first time I gripped them.
As the Garnett tools review says 'they are the smoothest pliers you will ever run your hand across.'
Probably already mentioned here but the rubber handle covers are longer than the metal inside which gives the feeling of the handles bending. Was a little disconcerting the first time I gripped them.
That Impression
Member
I got a Koken attack driver a few months ago after unsuccessfully using a Vessel Impacta and propane torch on Honda rotor screws last fall. Not one of the 4 moved! I even used a Milwaukee impact driver on one screw, that was a mistake. The Makita bit sheared off in the screw head.
Some of you mentioned the Koken was very good and you were right. Most screws came loose with 3 whacks. I hammered on one of those screws that was particularly stuck with a 3 pound deadblow about 7-8 times. The Koken bit fits the screw really well and the screw head never stripped. I just kept hammering and eventually the Koken broke that screw loose! I like this impact driver!! Thank you for spending my money! I used to have an old Craftsman manual impact driver. I don't recall that it had quite the punch the Koken has. But maybe I'm just convincing myself it's a better tool!
Now, the first one to post dibs can have a Vessel P3 Impacta screwdriver for the cost of shipping. Just promise us you won't try to remove Honda rotor screws with it.
PM sent!
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It takes up less space in the drawer!
Or at least that's why I removed mine
He got the PZM-58 cover. Problem solved...
Reed Prince
Well-known member
It takes up less space in the drawer!
Or at least that's why I removed mine
I've got a drawer full of (mostly) Japanese springy pliers.
A little while ago I bought a couple of 3/8" accessories from Frank's to use with my Koken Zeal 3286Z set.
Koken 137 ratcheting ring wrench For 1/4" and 3/8" sockets
KTC BRG3 grip type ratchet handle
Negen
Well-known member
The knurling isn't that great but the sockets are nice will get more pictures after work. The chrome and finish reminds me of proto sockets. The knurling is a bit cheap feeling nothing that good.
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
Engineer's new magnet design fits on screwdriver shafts between 4 and 6.35mm. I'll probably add a couple to an Amazon Japan order after they are released on June 25th.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QhGDlFd6Q38" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QhGDlFd6Q38" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Engineer PZ-58.
As the Garnett tools review says 'they are the smoothest pliers you will ever run your hand across.'
That's interesting that your packaging is different. Not that it matters but I have never seen that one before.
I just used the PZ-60 yesterday, exactly what I got these for & they worked beautifully!
Attachments
I didn't notice but all the info on the back of the packaging is in English and there is a mix of English and German on the front. No Japanese at all. It's good English rather than auto translated. Purchased from Amazon.UK
Weirdly doesn't say 'Engineer' on the front, only on the back.
Boring compared to the Japanese packaging. I like the fun colourful packaging with cartoon animals etc.
frankieg
Active member
Delivered by UPS this morning: Vessel 4500 PH1-75 and PH2-100. Brilliant fit and finish
measuredtwice
Well-known member
Some real nice additions, guys
I'm slowly working on my wish list for my next order. Can I get some feedback from those who own the Ko-ken spinner handles (e.g. 2769NWF). They are wobble/fix. Am I correct to assume that the shaft is the same quality as their extensions? What is the handle material?
I'm slowly working on my wish list for my next order. Can I get some feedback from those who own the Ko-ken spinner handles (e.g. 2769NWF). They are wobble/fix. Am I correct to assume that the shaft is the same quality as their extensions? What is the handle material?
frankieg
Active member
I haven't had a chance to use them much, but the tips fit Phillips screws perfectly, without any play whatsoever (I didn't buy them for the ability to fit JIS screws).
My hands are on the large side and the handles of the 4500 series fit me extremely well. The acetate has a finish not unlike PB Swiss Multicraft for a positive grip, and the shape is very ergonomic and comfortable in use.
It dioesn't hurt that they look a million dollars!
Looking at their new vids I really want to try a DBZ-58 for small Phillips.
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beelsr
Well-known member
and the kids cheering in the YT vids...
Reed Prince
Well-known member
Second time I've heard that cheer this week.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_yBjxlTr7jA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I hear ya. Funny, I tend to only keep the Japanese packaging for tools that I get. Not sure why as I can't even read them.
Coincidentally finally got a PZM-58 cover today. I had originally ordered from Japan through ebay, was the cheapest at the time & Amazon US didn't have it. That was almost 3 months ago, it never arrived. Then happen to see it on Amazon US so I ordered it. Got here in 3 days.
Attachments
I've been using small Anex handles for my coin slot & faucet bits. Been fine for me except one day I used the faucet driver on something really tight & couldn't apply enough torque with the little handles. No problem as I just used a different handle to get the job done but I then want bigger dedicated handles for when I needed them.
Got these Vessel screwdrivers. Thought looked a little funny at first but I really like them now.
Got these Vessel screwdrivers. Thought looked a little funny at first but I really like them now.
Attachments
Salmanslim
Member
My new set of SunFlag JIS drivers came in today.
http://www.sunflag.co.jp/english/index.html
+1, +2, +3 cross points
Model 5500 "Pro Driver Deluxe"
Initial impression is that they are solid. Heavier than the Megadora 900's but not unbalanced. Wooden handles are not popular with everyone but I like them. Rubber ring to aid grip. I will say that they are 'rollers" though, not much of a flat spot on the handles to keep them from rolling around on the bench.
My #2's lined up for comparison
The #3's...
They are tang through with striking caps and the tips are magnetic. No 'ACR', 'lazer', 'micro finish' or other gripping aid on the tips, which is fine with me
I'll put them into service and see how they do...
I bought them here...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085KFG6XB/?tag=atomicindus08-20
What screwdriver holder are you using on wallcontrol pegboard ?
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Vessel SRM-16510 magnetic rack
https://www.vesseltools.com/handtools/screwdrivers/motorcycle/srm-16510-detail
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I found the Vessel 220W-3 so handy that I bought one for every household in my family. It's definitely not a looker but it's handy.
Maya Caprioli
New member
That looks worthy.
Maya Caprioli
New member
I've been using small Anex handles for my coin slot & faucet bits. Been fine for me except one day I used the faucet driver on something really tight & couldn't apply enough torque with the little handles. No problem as I just used a different handle to get the job done but I then want bigger dedicated handles for when I needed them.
Got these Vessel screwdrivers. Thought looked a little funny at first but I really like them now.
Hey, I think I need something like that. That's awesome. Can you suggest to me I can I get that?
