Tools of Japan

[darkzero]

Yeah the ball grip is pretty comfortable. I basically just wanted stubby handles for my Anex bits. But I like these Vessel drivers, thinking about picking up another set.

 

[darkzero]

Hey, I think I need something like that. That's awesome. Can you suggest to me I can I get that?

The Anex bits or the Vessel drivers? The Anex bits I got from Japan. The Vessel drivers I got from Amazon (US).

 

[jaceq]

may I ask for some comment about Deen tools? They seem to have quite rich offer. Are they big among other Japanese tool makers?

 

[rice rocket]

It's a "store brand" for Factory Gear, from what I understand. Mostly made in Taiwan.

They seem pretty nice though.

 

[Qualitytools]

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.

I have the ball grip VESSEL in regular and I have a ratcheting one. I LOVE the fit in the palm on those.

 

[superautobacs]

Koken 137 ratcheting ring wrench For 1/4" and 3/8" sockets

I've contemplated many times whether to get one...they are ultra-slim!

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>

Definitely want! Thanks for the headsup.

 

[superautobacs]

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've got the 1/4 drive with wobble-fix. Not having it in front of me, I can't say for certain, but the shaft is likely to be the same as their extensions.
The handle material is 2-component. The grey is hard, and the black is soft rubber. The amount of grip offered by this grip design is superb. I only use it for a particular use so it's never seen oils/solvents, and so I don't know how durable they are when exposed to them.

 

[superautobacs]

may I ask for some comment about Deen tools? They seem to have quite rich offer. Are they big among other Japanese tool makers?

Like Rice Rocket mentioned, it's the house brand of Factory Gear tool store, which are mostly made by select Taiwanese tool manufacturers. There are tools made by other Japanese tool manufacturers, along with limited edition/collaborations with Wera, Knipex/Orbis, and in the past, with PB Swiss as well. Deen is therefore pretty unique in that regard!

 

[superautobacs]

A couple pictures I haven't shared yet of miscellaneous Japanese hand tools (with accompanying videos):

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/49967991347/in/dateposted/" title="JTS 25 video"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49967991347_abcc4d694a_h.jpg" width="1600" height="900" alt="JTS 25 video"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O7jV6-Fv4eQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/49967724491/in/photostream/" title="JTS 26 video"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49967724491_cdcd922bfc_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1060" alt="JTS 26 video"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7rYf3sm7yiM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[jaceq]

Many thanks for your answers, guys!

 

[kblee27]

These koken nutgrip was nice and expensive.
I stick them on a koken extension when working on a car.
As I pull it out, it hit the side and dropped the socket into an abyss.
I lost it 2x the same incident on the same brand of car, unfortunately.

I won't be replacing it anymore.

 

[mr.lemons]

^ Have you tried locking extensions? Sorry, I don't know of any made in Japan locking extensions to post a pic of.

 

[measuredtwice]

I've got the 1/4 drive with wobble-fix. Not having it in front of me, I can't say for certain, but the shaft is likely to be the same as their extensions.
The handle material is 2-component. The grey is hard, and the black is soft rubber. The amount of grip offered by this grip design is superb. I only use it for a particular use so it's never seen oils/solvents, and so I don't know how durable they are when exposed to them.

Thank you

 

[RKA]

@kblee27, I presume the tool was useful so you weren't dropping hardware into the abyss? (or you were able to feed it back into place easily) I use the locking extensions anytime it's problematic to have a socket fall off. The other thing is your extensions might be to blame. I took a 14mm surface drive Koken socket and tried it on various Snap On and Craftsman extensions and ratchets and it held tight. Only on the Koken wobble extensions does it seem like it might slip off if I was pulling it out of a tight spot quickly and it caught on something.

 

[caltemus]

For anyone with the Vessel ball grip ratcheting screwdrivers: what is the interface like between the ratchet and shaft? Is it a standard .250 hex, or something proprietary?

 

[Reed Prince]

For anyone with the Vessel ball grip ratcheting screwdrivers: what is the interface like between the ratchet and shaft? Is it a standard .250 hex, or something proprietary?

It is standard size, and 10mm deep. You can use it as a stubby ratcheting driver in a pinch.

 

[kblee27]

@kblee27, I presume the tool was useful so you weren't dropping hardware into the abyss? (or you were able to feed it back into place easily) I use the locking extensions anytime it's problematic to have a socket fall off. The other thing is your extensions might be to blame. I took a 14mm surface drive Koken socket and tried it on various Snap On and Craftsman extensions and ratchets and it held tight. Only on the Koken wobble extensions does it seem like it might slip off if I was pulling it out of a tight spot quickly and it caught on something.

Yes, I was using a 1/4" drive Koken wobble extension. I pushed it in tight (no wobble) but it still came loose and then the socket has to drop out. You can't find it after it roll into a corner somewhere inside the car.

I use a 13mm socket to loosen battery hold down bolt in VW cars.

So I had to rethink after loosing it twice.

I had 1/4" locking extension, but it don't seem to work well either.

 

[kblee27]

^ Have you tried locking extensions? Sorry, I don't know of any made in Japan locking extensions to post a pic of.

Yes, I have this style of locking extension. It works well, but it's 3/8" drive.
I wanted to use 1/4", but my 1/4" locking extension is not locking. It's defective.

I wanted to use 1/4" bcoz 3/8" is getting too heavy when I'm carrying many tools around.

 

[RKA]

Yeah, I wouldn’t blame the socket for that, I blame the wobble. I can see why you might prefer to only carry the wobble, but you’ll keep losing sockets if that’s all you use. Add one regular extension to the box. Now go find someone that only works on Japanese cars and you’ll get a good deal on that 13mm

 

[mr.lemons]

Engineer PZ-57 ESD pliers.

Engineer provides data about the surface resistivity of the handles. Something I've not noticed on other ESD tools but may have just overlooked.

Compared to PZ-58

I tried the PZ-57s on a laptop. No good for case screws as the screws are flush or recessed but they work very well on mainboard and wifi card screws.

Also tried PZ-58s on the same screw. They worked but the wider jaws knocked into the case when turning and obscured my view of the screw a little. Not surprisingly the 57s work better for this application.

 

[Qualitytools]

For anyone with the Vessel ball grip ratcheting screwdrivers: what is the interface like between the ratchet and shaft? Is it a standard .250 hex, or something proprietary?

It is a standard Hex Bit holder fitting, in fact you can insert a bit directly into the ball end.

 

[jimmy_]

is there currently a way to order from i-tools now that rakuten global has shut down?

 

[measuredtwice]

is there currently a way to order from i-tools now that rakuten global has shut down?

I haven't tried it but you should be able to order from I-tools. There's also mail forwarding if you want to combine shipping from multiple stores.

i-tools on Japan language Rakuten (Chrome browser can automatically translate to English) --> https://www.rakuten.co.jp/i-tools/

Rakuten mail forwarding --> https://globalexpress.rakuten.co.jp/

 

[dede2897234]

Hi Guys,

I have not had a chance to post my new Japanese tool purchases for the last 9 months. I have been busy with school and work.

Amazon

Vessel pry tool

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RTVG
---------------------------------------------------
SK11 thin ratcheting bit driver, Vessel Impacta screwdriver, Tsunoda zip tie cutting pliers

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RTU9

https://flic.kr/p/2j9MTyP
-------------------------------------------------
Tsunoda plastic cutting pliers, Tsunoda thin needle nose pliers, Engineer multi-purpose scissors

https://flic.kr/p/2j9Qzcf

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RTTY


Dave

 

[dede2897234]

Here are some purchases from Rakuten i-Tools:

Anex interior pry tools

https://flic.kr/p/2j9Mxf7

Ko-ken 3/8" drive double joint extension and FPC 3/8" drive swivel locking extension (only on drive end)

https://flic.kr/p/2j9Qe9E

IPS angled thin pliers

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RxDu
--------------------------------------------------
Engineer and 3Peaks small and large screw extraction pliers

https://flic.kr/p/2j9Qe9j

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RxDe

https://flic.kr/p/2j9Mxfh

https://flic.kr/p/2j9RxD4

Dave

 

[RKA]

is there currently a way to order from i-tools now that rakuten global has shut down?

I think (not 100% sure) the issue was their preferring shipping method (EMS) was no longer able to deliver packages to the US. These packages are sent by air and with flights severely curtailed, I think we just have to wait until normal operations can resume.

 

[mr.lemons]

Used PZ-58 today.

They're are a bit pinchy. The handles close together under the pivot and trap a chunk of skin on my thumb and palm. Not had pinchy pliers for a while.

 

[measuredtwice]

Good to know. Had been thinking of picking these up but am in no rush.

Anyone know if any of the other Engineer screw pliers are designed differently or if they are all pinchy?

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for the info

 

[caltemus]

Has anyone seen this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085WYFLFX/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Looks interesting if it's made to the usual Vessel hand tool standard

 

[toddmorr]

had to chuckle....my PZ-58 bailed me out the other day. Had to remove the back panel of my microwave oven and sure enough, blasted thing had torx tamper resistant screws. I don't have a set of torx tamper resistant sockets. But that PZ-58 gripped the head of the screw no issue and I was easily able to remove all 10 screws.

 

[mr.lemons]

Wouldn't let the pinching put anyone off Engineer pliers for removing screws. The parts of the handles that pinch are rubber coated so it's a minor irritation rather than a deal-breaker. It would put me off them for general use but for a specialist screw removing tool I don't think there is any competition for the price. Also, I have not seen anyone else mention it so I may just hold pliers a bit weird.

 

[beelsr]

put some red heat-shrink around the pinch point to remind you that they bite.

that's what I did, after they did...

 

[pizza]

hi guys,

continuing the discussion about shears that started here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8497173#post8497173

i ended up getting both the shozaburo hard blade model 260mm (HB260) and the kai 250mm (7250).

http://imgur.com/a/Zstcleh

the kai has a very clean look. precision manufacturing. very smooth and even blade contact across the cutting stroke. like butter! comfy, ergo handle. the satin finish is very appealing to my eye.

the shozaburo is more traditional looking obviously. the handle is fine.

going back to the bling factor, this hard blade model of shozaburo actually has a plastic washer on the joint. it sits atop a brass (?) washer.

out of the box, the kai cuts fabric so beautifully and smoothly. like i said before, even friction across the cutting stroke.

the shozaburo required adjustment to the joint. closer to the joint, there was some play which resulted in grabbing instead of cutting. tightening the joint fixed this, but unfortunately by the time it was tight enough to cleanly cut everywhere, the friction became inconsistent across the stroke. towards the end of the stroke, it tightens up some, and then there is a bit of a looser spot, and then it tightens again as the tip closes. if you're not careful, i feel that this could result in accidentally cutting past the intended point. i tried playing with the joint tightness more, and i can't really adjust it out. not a huge deal, but i just share this info as a comparison between these two high end (and high priced!) shears.

especially considering the kai is less than half the price (4.4k vs 10.9k jpy), i have to say i am much more impressed with the kai.

i'll use the kai on normal fabric and abuse the shozaburo hard blade on tougher fabrics, rubber, leather, etc.

 

[darkzero]

Those KAIs look nice. I've been looking to get me a pair. KAI is the parent company of Kershaw & Zero Tolerance knives. I have a number of ZT knives.

 

[Vicks]

out of the box, the kai cuts fabric so beautifully and smoothly. like i said before, even friction across the cutting stroke.

the shozaburo required adjustment to the joint. closer to the joint, there was some play which resulted in grabbing instead of cutting. tightening the joint fixed this, but unfortunately by the time it was tight enough to cleanly cut everywhere, the friction became inconsistent across the stroke. towards the end of the stroke, it tightens up some, and then there is a bit of a looser spot, and then it tightens again as the tip closes. if you're not careful, i feel that this could result in accidentally cutting past the intended point. i tried playing with the joint tightness more, and i can't really adjust it out. not a huge deal, but i just share this info as a comparison between these two high end (and high priced!) shears.

especially considering the kai is less than half the price (4.4k vs 10.9k jpy), i have to say i am much more impressed with the kai.

i'll use the kai on normal fabric and abuse the shozaburo hard blade on tougher fabrics, rubber, leather, etc.

thanks for that review !

 

[Dave455]

Received a small delivery of a KoKen this morning.

I’ve been managing with a few mismatched XZN inserts for too long, so got a proper set of 3/8 drive XZN bits.

These universal sockets were purchased on behalf of a friend. They’re one particular item that KoKen do very well.

I’m always very happy with KoKen purchases. The tools are decent quality and very consistent. They always do what they are supposed to, and I never feel ripped off at the cost!

 

[DEEBO]

Received a small delivery of a KoKen this morning.

I’ve been managing with a few mismatched XZN inserts for too long, so got a proper set of 3/8 drive XZN bits.

These universal sockets were purchased on behalf of a friend. They’re one particular item that KoKen do very well.

I’m always very happy with KoKen purchases. The tools are decent quality and very consistent. They always do what they are supposed to, and I never feel ripped off at the cost!

Universal Whitworths? Don’t think even Snap On offer those..


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[Dave455]

Universal Whitworths? Don’t think even Snap On offer those..

Yes, you’re right! Good spot!

There are relatively few applications that those are essential for, and I think they’re all aerospace related, but I find quite a few occasions when they are a big time saver, usually working on machines.

And you’re right about Snap On, they don’t offer them. I don’t think they ever have. Most of the old ones I see are Britool.

I think KoKen probably offer a wider range of sockets and accessories than any other maker right now.

 

[DEEBO]

Yes, you’re right! Good spot!



There are relatively few applications that those are essential for, and I think they’re all aerospace related, but I find quite a few occasions when they are a big time saver, usually working on machines.



And you’re right about Snap On, they don’t offer them. I don’t think they ever have. Most of the old ones I see are Britool.



I think KoKen probably offer a wider range of sockets and accessories than any other maker right now.

Interesting. I’ve got a Ko-Ken metric 3/8” set and a solitary SK 9/16” USA made one.. would like to get the full Ko-Ken set.


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