Tools of Japan

[9eight7]

Looks like Proto pear head the sockets and the metal case..

I haven’t looked into Proto, do you recommend their tools?

I should rearrange the front accessories a bit better, they would look neater. But the reality is over time they will look pretty much like the picture.

Nice, I might copy you if I grab the SAE set.

 

[M6erfan]

Looks like Proto pear head the sockets and the metal case..

The sockets look like Proto?

The Ko-ken sockets are superior in design compared to Proto, the Ko-kens are shouldered and undercut. Proto's are just the typical American straight wall design.

No surprise that the Ko-ken ratchet is very similar to the Proto as that's the ratchet the founder of Ko-ken based the design on.

 

[darkzero]

My turn to get in on some Nepros goodness. Bought these as a bday gift to myself.

 

[ZenkiS14]

Ooh! I like those!

 

[9eight7]

My turn to get in on some Nepros goodness. Bought these as a bday gift to myself.

Ooooooo I like that and happy bday!

 

[darkzero]

Ooooooo I like that and happy bday!

Thank you!

 

[Brando_Damo]

My turn to get in on some Nepros goodness. Bought these as a bday gift to myself.

Nice! You deserve it! (Probably)

 

[Brando_Damo]

Found and added a 300mm & 200mm to my vintage Aigo lineup. (The 300mm has never been used and is like new)

-Brando


View media item 111660View media item 111661

 

[Brando_Damo]

I order a full 3/8 ratchet and socket set from Nepros. Also, ordered their screw driver set.

Screwdriver set absolutely did not have excellent fit and finish. Rather sloppy in my opinion. I bought the nepros because of all the commotion surrounding brand.

In my opinion, not worth it at all. If you are in North America, Snap On. If in Japan, Nepros. Nepros not worth shipping over. Too much hype over mediocre stuff. Good but not worth shipping from Japan.

Tone and Nepros...both just for people who want something different. Men who want functionality dont need it

Post some pictures of the sloppy finish.

 

[darkzero]

Nice! You deserve it! (Probably)

Haha! Thanks!

 

[darkzero]

Post some pictures of the sloppy finish.

Yeah I too would like to see/hear more about their screwdriver issues. First time I'm hearing about this.

The handles on their woody screwdrivers sure do look nice! Their plastic handles ones don't appeal to me personally.

 

[Ralf11]

some people are anti-wood

anyway, I'd like to see pics and get the specifics too.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I don’t have as many Aigo adjustable wrenches as Brando, but I do have this (pictured with an Aigo pry bar)


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Brando_Damo]

I don’t have as many Aigo adjustable wrenches as Brando, but I do have this (pictured with an Aigo pry bar)


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

I like it! And nice wrench too. I’ve been looking for a 150mm and a 600mm for months but I’ve only seen one 600mm on some Malaysian site that I couldn’t figure out.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Here are a few more Aigo tools I’ve had since the 80’s. I’ll find a few more and post ‘em up


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[pizza]

Screwdriver set absolutely did not have excellent fit and finish. Rather sloppy in my opinion. I bought the nepros because of all the commotion surrounding brand.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8216781#post8216781
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8664597#post8664597

if you're talking about the plastic screwdriver, i am not impressed with it, either. the handles on mine feel cheap. they creak and pop whenever you use them. it's something about their multicomponent process. there are voids between layers, or the layers are not completely bonded to each other or something.

i got a replacement for one of them from nepros under warranty or whatever, but the replacement was exactly the same.

i'm guessing the wood ones are nice, but i've never seen them irl.

 

[BattousaiX]

Loving the koken...

 

[pizza]

i'm getting ready to do an azjp order, and i'm wondering if someone can please recommend any "JIS" cruciform screwdriver bits in particular. i guess ideally i'd like a set of sizes 1,2,3. i know the new euro ones (ISO 8764-1) may work fine, but i just wanted to get some "authentic" jap ones to keep with my tools i use to work on my jap bikes. that way i can compare the fit for fun. thanks

 

[RoundedNut]

...i know the new euro ones (ISO 8764-1) may work fine, but i just wanted to get some "authentic" jap ones to keep with my tools i use to work on my jap bikes...

Ya I have a fair bit of bits from Japanese brands, mostly because they do long bits very well while the euro brands kinda **** at those.

Anex, Sunflag and Vessel are good brands but they mostly make the Japanese style long bits and if you want to stick to the usual 1" insert bit style then Vessel is the only option I've found: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004OCJIQC/

 

[SAA44-40]

Can anyone recommend a fine Japanese made set of double ended ratcheting wrenches? Thank you

 

[mr.lemons]

Ya I have a fair bit of bits from Japanese brands, mostly because they do long bits very well while the euro brands kinda **** at those.

Anex, Sunflag and Vessel are good brands but they mostly make the Japanese style long bits and if you want to stick to the usual 1" insert bit style then Vessel is the only option I've found: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004OCJIQC/

Worth noting that one or more of the reviewers received Taiwan bits, rather than the bits in the pics.

 

[measuredtwice]

Can anyone recommend a fine Japanese made set of double ended ratcheting wrenches? Thank you

At least many (probably all) from KTC are made in Taiwan. If you really want Japanese made, you will have to look carefully because there is a lot of false information on the web. Here's the packaging for a KTC ratcheting wrench shown by a reviewer on Amazon Japan.

Ya I have a fair bit of bits from Japanese brands, mostly because they do long bits very well while the euro brands kinda **** at those.

Anex, Sunflag and Vessel are good brands but they mostly make the Japanese style long bits and if you want to stick to the usual 1" insert bit style then Vessel is the only option I've found: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004OCJIQC/

Worth noting that one or more of the reviewers received Taiwan bits, rather than the bits in the pics.

I have the + bits in that link. They are made in Japan. But there are multiple products on that page and some of the other bits are made in Taiwan.

Here are some photos in case they are helpful to you. [Look away Macgee! ]

Here’s an Apex USA bit and a Vessel Japan bit. One of the many Wera + profiles is also very close (the most common profile included with their sets is different). I could list a few others that are also similar but I'd need to look.

 

[SAA44-40]

Thank you Measured, I have noticed the same thing.

 

[RoundedNut]

...
I have the + bits in that link. They are made in Japan. But there are multiple products on that page and some of the other bits are made in Taiwan.
...

That's right. The "B33" is made in Japan and cost 509 yen while the "TD-BS1" for example has the same types but made in Taiwan and costs 379 yen, which includes the rubber bit strip.

 

[M6erfan]

The KTC ratcheting wrenches are indeed made in Taiwan. As far as I can tell though, they are built to the typical KTC standard, which is excellent.

 

[Ralf11]

I like my KTC one.

 

[Skin]

Can anyone recommend a fine Japanese made set of double ended ratcheting wrenches? Thank you

Probably doesnt exist. Very few companies make ratcheting wrenches outside of Taiwan because thats where most of the patents are and those companies know what they're doing since the modern ratcheting wrench originated in Taiwan. SK, Snap-on, Proto, Gedore are the outliers.

You might like some of the offerings from Tone. Still made in Taiwan but some designs are pretty unique like deep offsets with the extended ring. That particular style can also put the pawls in a neutral position that locks the ratcheting ring.

 

[noid]

A lot of the KTC line is made in Taiwan.

 

[M6erfan]

A lot of the KTC line is made in Taiwan.

What percentage is made in Taiwan?

 

[Ralf11]

Thx for those nepros pics. Not sure it's a scratch; kinda looks like a parting line or something...

 

[pizza]

I never said anything about S-o being China made. Either did anyone else in this thread.

skin said it

lol there is absolutely a comparison. Snap-on is loaded with Chinese products. More so than KTC has Taiwan i'd wager.

i am also a little curious about how much SO is made in china.

 

[M6erfan]

skin said it



i am also a little curious about how much SO is made in china.

So weird, I totally missed the quote you linked to. Obviously I see it now. Before I only saw this one. . .

Saying KTC is mostly Taiwan imports is about as accurate as saying Snap-on is mostly Chinese.

In any case, saying either brand is mostly China or Taiwan is ridiculous.

 

[RoundedNut]

My first, looks like a 2 bit coin bit:

 

[TheHashcashin]

I got trapped by a Lobster's clutches a few weeks ago from AVE's youtube video from many Moons ago and well, you KNOW there's no turning back!


Zeal 3/8 72t, 250mm Zeal breaker bar,
Koken Surface Drive sockets (9mm and 15mm in the mix!)
KTC flexible extension (very groovy application of a spring)
Lobtex 30 (the integral features are MINDBENDING)
Engineer trinkets and 58 style screw pliers (stupendous) instantly aquired because whomever posted them a few pages back!

So greetings from Detroit and here's to my fellow Fiends and/or FEINDISH fellows!

 

[MarkBailey]

Ryobi 18V Volt Cordless Grease Gun P3410

 

[Brando_Damo]

I got trapped by a Lobster's clutches a few weeks ago from AVE's youtube video from many Moons ago and well, you KNOW there's no turning back!


Zeal 3/8 72t, 250mm Zeal breaker bar,
Koken Surface Drive sockets (9mm and 15mm in the mix!)
KTC flexible extension (very groovy application of a spring)
Lobtex 30 (the integral features are MINDBENDING)
Engineer trinkets and 58 style screw pliers (stupendous) instantly aquired because whomever posted them a few pages back!

So greetings from Detroit and here's to my fellow Fiends and/or FEINDISH fellows!

Nice haul! I think the Lobtex are really great!

Btw where’d you get the Koken mat/towel?

 

[9eight7]

When you find something you like, you keep coming back.

Our his n hers 1/2” set was a bit aggressive so we grabbed a 1/4” set to accommodate the random house needs and so that I’d have a complete 1/4” socket set. I opted for the zeal set as I’ve read great things in the tool section. Everything they rant and rave about is true. Super thin walls, shallow sockets, and of course the high quality all around. All I need is the 3/8” set to match, down the road, maybe... and some flex heads. And. And... somebody stop me

Notable differences

The regular series has a springy feel, fewer teeth, with medium back drag (much lighter/better than my husky, Stanley, craftsman, and power torque). It comes with hard plastic trays which are okay.

The zeal series has a weighted black handle, higher tooth count?, super light drag, and is buttery smooth. (Edit) The Koken is slightly longer than my Felo 1/4” bit ratchet, significantly smoother, fewer teeth, and has a better finish. The foam tray is nice but could get real dirty with greasy/fingers so remove the needed tools before getting dirty and clean before storage.

 

[TheHashcashin]

Palmac, begged in various web-forms with my order. It's a towel i'll adorn eternally as a Hachimaki, never to be outclassed!

 

[TheHashcashin]

LOL i've been watching your TONE video, reasoned I checked back on the board, didn't see it was you replying!

I find your reviews to be top-notch.

 

[TheHashcashin]

Side-note:

My Lobtex is the UM30xGB Hybrid W-Zero

Westorque has them for US$44, they're construction is bordering on the DEVINE!

It's required.