Tools of Japan

[superautobacs]

@1foxracing Nice haul. One interesting fact about Kowa's 'Streamline' combination wrenches and DOE's (not the NT version) is that not only did they get styling cues from Belzer, but they decided to use the same series name. Must be an homage to Belzer...at least I'd like to think so.

Photos courtesy of nasutushenri


BELZER spanners by nasutushenri, on Flickr



BELZER-STREAMLINE by nasutushenri, on Flickr







@Gregthegadgetguy Right, the shorter one that I have seems to be their shortest at 200mm long. part # S-DAS-2FARN
Ohhh, seeing that needle tip makes me want to get one.

 

[superautobacs]

I was looking at small spanners/DOE's and found these sold by Engineer. The design caught my attention. I'm sure some of you know which European brand that design originated from.
No idea where these are made.

 

[Qualitytools]

What makes a blow gun special? Two reasons. First, it has a solid metal ring that I use to hang on the wall. My previous Flexzilla blow gun broke at that location. Second, the trusco has a linear trigger which allows you to lightly blow with a soft press of the trigger.

I purchased another brand from my wholesale hose supply source but unfortunately cannot remember the brand. Literally threw it in the trash recently. It was either full power or nothing.


Edit: for purchase search by part number TD-80-1

Any leads on where to purchase one besides Amazon Japan for $30? Thanks

 

[Terrh]

@Gregthegadgetguy




[edit]
just found a newer video...features the "just fit box" machine which will create the perfect sized box for any order. Reduces unneccesarily large boxes and saves space for transport:

That video was awesome.

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

@Qualitytools unfortunately I do not have a good source for those blow guns. They cost around $15 in Japan but shipping direct adds $20 to the cost.

 

[Qualitytools]

@Qualitytools unfortunately I do not have a good source for those blow guns. They cost around $15 in Japan but shipping direct adds $20 to the cost.

Thanks

 

[mr.lemons]

Messing with Anex impact bits for removing damaged hex/Allen screws.

They are sold to work with a 1/4" Anex hand impact driver, but work well enough just hammered in and turned with a ratchet.



Similar design to Wera hex-plus, but tapered.





The Anex bits worked on screws that Facom OGV grip and Wera hex-plus were unable to turn.

Only issue, I think Anex only go up to 4mm.

 

[sweet victory]

Messing with Anex impact bits for removing damaged hex/Allen screws.

They are sold to work with a 1/4" Anex hand impact driver, but work well enough just hammered in and turned with a ratchet.



Similar design to Wera hex-plus, but tapered.





The Anex bits worked on screws that Facom OGV grip and Wera hex-plus were unable to turn.

Only issue, I think Anex only go up to 4mm.

Those look very interesting. Have you tried using the OGV or hex plus bit on a manual impact driver for comparison? Snap On also makes what they call a "heavy duty removal" torx which has a slight taper for a very tight fit.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Vicks]

I got some new goodies this week.

2 sets of extensions ? you're greedy !!

Edit : Oops, just noticed they're different sizes, the wobble-fix is 1/4" and the fixed set is 3/8".

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

I acquired a new gadget, the KTC Torqule. I purchased the 3/8 size after finding out it covers 2Nm- 80Nm. The specs claim 10Nm-80Nm but it starts reading at 0.2 and can be set as low as 2Nm. The 1/4 Torqule range is 2Nm-10 and the 1/2 size covers 20Nm-200Nm.

Rain in the desert provided a unique photo opportunity.


It is a process to get the phone paired and rely only on audio tone to notify. The phone does visually warn you but no one is looking at their phone while torquing something important.

Phone shows set at 6.0 Nm. The yellow line is a live graph, although useless because there is no markings it looks cool.


If you have your phone on mute/vibrate it will not warn you over audio on the phone. However, if paired with a bluetooth speaker it has a nice array of warning noises. No feedback from the device itself is strange and going to take some getting used to.

 

[pizza]

pretty cool. i wish i could just have those instead of torque wrenches, but i frequently encounter fasteners where that wouldn't fit. need to use low profile ratchet head torque wrench.

 

[czgunner]

Been reading through this thread and liking the awesomeness!
Is there a set of T handle hex wrenches made in Japan?

 

[sweet victory]

My OCD cannot handle this.

Inconsistent chamfers on the leading edge, and some bits are black and some are grey. They may appear a little shiny, as I give my tools a quick wipe with CorrosionX before they go in the box.

This is an SAE set.

 

[M6erfan]

Been reading through this thread and liking the awesomeness!
Is there a set of T handle hex wrenches made in Japan?

Ko-ken offers their 157H T-handle hex range. But not in a set, you have to buy them individually.

 

[Reed Prince]

Ko-Ken mislabeled a couple of boxes and I received the wrong ratchet today. Seen here with a few others for comparison. The 3749SB short 3/8" is a chunky little thing. Not sure I'd buy one, but it seems to be a nice tool .

 

[FuzzyTiger]

They are beautiful sockets but I keep getting small cracks in them. I notice they fit fasteners tighter than any of my snap ons or matcos. No one else having this issue? This 15mm was nearly brand new and broke on a drain plug.

Are they all from the same set or is this across multiple sets? Honestly it blows my mind that they're breaking like that. On such small sizes, I'd expect the fastener to sheer or round off long before a socket got anywhere near its breaking point.

 

[kanai]

Does anyone have a favorite 3/8(?) torque wrench for say 10-50 or 20-100 N m? I have a Deen torque wrench for my wheel nuts that's fine but I was thinking about something different for smaller bolts. Tohnichi is the big Japanese brand but when I tried one out a while ago, I thought that the measurement setting system was a bit fiddly. I'm open to non-Japanese brands too but the good German brands are 2X the Japanese brands (here in Japan) so I'm not sure I want to spend that much.

This Tohnichi 4571486219829 looks pretty good for the price.

 

[Qualitytools]

Does anyone have a favorite 3/8(?) torque wrench for say 10-50 or 20-100 N m? I have a Deen torque wrench for my wheel nuts that's fine but I was thinking about something different for smaller bolts. Tohnichi is the big Japanese brand but when I tried one out a while ago, I thought that the measurement setting system was a bit fiddly. I'm open to non-Japanese brands too but the good German brands are 2X the Japanese brands (here in Japan) so I'm not sure I want to spend that much.

This Tohnichi 4571486219829 looks pretty good for the price.

Have a look at NORBAR

 

[Mr_B]

@Gregthegadgetguy I've got a couple of those blow guns too, with built-in regulator, and interchangeable tips. I forget who the manufacturer is.


Trusco is not a manufacturer, but sources tools/equipment/supplies. They are like Grainger or Hoffmann.
They sell both OEM and PB (private brand) stuff. I think the majority of their PB stuff is imported, but I have seen some tools made in Japan.

Never heard of Japan Agri. If they are selling what Trusco's Orange Book offers, that's A LOT of stuff!!
As for the sockets you're talking about, I believe Mr.Lemons found it. It's made in Taiwan. It's probably like the electro-less nickle plating that some 1/4" bit manufacturers do.
It does also remind me of Tone's impact sockets:




A look at Trusco's logistics/distribution centre:

[edit]
just found a newer video...features the "just fit box" machine which will create the perfect sized box for any order. Reduces unneccesarily large boxes and saves space for transport:

while the perfect box is better than amazons pathetic efforts I would suspect that amount of warehouse robotics has it's own rather large environmental consequences ...

 

[kanai]

Have a look at NORBAR

Thank you! Unfortunately not in stock at the popular import tool shop...

 

[Dave455]

Thank you! Unfortunately not in stock at the popular import tool shop...

If you want quality, I quite like the Torqueleader. They seem to be very rugged. I have some that are decades old and still accurate. Perhaps not the cheapest option though.

 

[4xdog]

If you want quality, I quite like the Torqueleader. They seem to be very rugged. I have some that are decades old and still accurate. Perhaps not the cheapest option though.

That looks exactly like my Italian-made Beta. I got a Beta Tools 592/3 3/8" drive direct-reading torque wrench on some unbelievable Amazon deal a few years ago for $120 and it's probably my favorite low-torque range wrench. Super nice.

 

[Dave455]

That looks exactly like my Italian-made Beta. I got a Beta Tools 592/3 3/8" drive direct-reading torque wrench on some unbelievable Amazon deal a few years ago for $120 and it's probably my favorite low-torque range wrench. Super nice.

Almost certainly British made, not Italian!

Makes it an even better deal!

 

[Reed Prince]

Bought a small set of Top wrenches a couple of years ago and recently decided to expand it. The first tool arrived before any of the others, and it looks like they have slightly changed the design.

 

[kanai]

Recently bought a vintage project motorcycle and the tool kit was all rusted. So I grabbed some new tools for replacement. I'll use the stainless short hex keys, the reversible driver and the stainless Tone wrenches in the motorcycle tool kit. I think only the Tone wrenches are made in Japan. Other items are Made in Taiwan.

 

[kanai]

If you want quality, I quite like the Torqueleader. They seem to be very rugged. I have some that are decades old and still accurate. Perhaps not the cheapest option though.

Thank you! I think there are dial-type torque wrenches here too- haven't tried one yet. I think I have to go to a store again to look and feel and try different ones out.

 

[Qualitytools]

I also have some WERA torque wrenches that are made by NORBAR, they are a couple of years old and I know that they changed their style or design so I am not sure if they are made by them.

 

[mr.lemons]

Those look very interesting. Have you tried using the OGV or hex plus bit on a manual impact driver for comparison?

I have now.

Hitting hex bits with a hammer or using a hand impact is surprisingly affective. I thought bits with parallel sides would not benefit much from a whack, but it seems they do. There's still comes a point when the Wera and Facom bits slip and the Anex bit grips. The tapered end, basically cuts a new recess on the screw head.

Not sure at this point how durable the Anex bits are.

 

[mr.lemons]

Small order from Amazon Jp. Really just wanted the Ko-ken bit adapter.



Engineer pliers. They are a quite a bit cheaper on Amazon Jp than UK. Was looking at them because I cannot find twin grips in the UK. They didn't even have any at a recent UK trade show. What's that all about Knipex?



Ko-ken 3/8" to 1/4" bit. Already have one, but wanted another to use at work.

 

[mr.lemons]

More screwdriver magnets.



Anex mini size comparison.



Minis are designed to fit onto the round part of a bit.

Snug fit on a PB Swiss PH1 bit. Tight fit on a Vessel PH1 screwdriver. (P1, +1, whatever).



Loose fit on PH0. Stays in place though, so could be used like this.





Engineer magnets are the same size as the standard Anex magnets, and those offered by Vessel, Makita etc, but are sprung, so fit on the hex part and round part of bits.



You can slide the magnet to the tip to hold screws firmly.



Engineer made in Taiwan. Not sure about Anex.



I use the standard Anex and Vessel magnets at work, and find they don't work quite as I hoped/expected. I find that, when the magnets are kept up on the hex part of bits, they do not keep the tip of the bit magnetized. I have to keep moving the magnet down to the tip to re-magnetize it. So it's more of a handy place to keep a magnet to magnetize the tip when required, rather than a device that keeps the bit magnetized at all times. Hope that makes sense.

According to Amazon reviews, the Engineer magnets are fragile and fall apart when dropped, or sometimes when spinning on a drill. I really like they way they work, so will find out for myself.

 

[Joe Piro]

in 2011: Someone wrote the following:

Monte, how do you find Tone tools? I have some of their sockets and find that they rust easily. Finishing is not so nice. How would you compare them to KTC and Koken?

I know some of you have personal experience with Tone tools and a lot has happened between 2011 and now.
I am considering some Tone wrenches and wonder if there is any concern about the quality of the plating or about rust on Tone tools in 2021. Maybe there never really was a concern? Or maybe there have been a lot of improvements since then?

Thanks for your feedback on this.

 

[wafrederick]

l have the 8 piece Vessel screwdriver set,the Megadora impacting set.Like them and needed them since l do work on some Japanese cars and trucks which have JlS screws too

 

[kanai]

I am considering some Tone wrenches and wonder if there is any concern about the quality of the plating or about rust on Tone tools in 2021. Maybe there never really was a concern? Or maybe there have been a lot of improvements since then?

Tone is good quality but often made in Taiwan. Tone has one of the widest selection of tools and is a mainstay in Japan alongside KTC. If you must have Made in Japan tools, then many end up going for Ko-ken or Nepros (even KTC- a fair amount is not made in Japan). But Tone is very high quality, if that's what you're asking. Tone is focused on automotive for the most part- I would say for industrial tools other brands are probably stronger?

Tone has a line of stainless steel and even titanium tools too. Not many others can say that (I think KTC has a Ti set in their Nepros line?)

 

[mr.lemons]

Engineer pliers. Jaws and cutter fit/finish.

 

[M6erfan]

in 2011: Someone wrote the following:

Monte, how do you find Tone tools? I have some of their sockets and find that they rust easily. Finishing is not so nice. How would you compare them to KTC and Koken?

I know some of you have personal experience with Tone tools and a lot has happened between 2011 and now.
I am considering some Tone wrenches and wonder if there is any concern about the quality of the plating or about rust on Tone tools in 2021. Maybe there never really was a concern? Or maybe there have been a lot of improvements since then?

Thanks for your feedback on this.

On wrenches; Tone wrenches are made in Taiwan, they are decent quality. KTC wrenches are excellent and all but their ratcheting wrenches are made in Japan. I've had KTC wrenches for many years with zero rust issues.

 

[superautobacs]

Engineer pliers. They are a quite a bit cheaper on Amazon Jp than UK. Was looking at them because I cannot find twin grips in the UK. They didn't even have any at a recent UK trade show. What's that all about Knipex?

Becareful with the mini Anex one...it's a bit fragile. It doesn't like being stretched too much. One of the four 'leaf springs' broke on mine...still works though.

Rumour is that Knipex Twin Grips were produced and targeted more for the North American and Japanese markets, where there's a large following for that type of tool. So, I suspect the European markets will be supplied later down the road?

 

[kanai]

My preference is Ko-ken, and I wasn't sure about what length to purchase, but I ended up selecting this RS3010M/8-L62 3/8" hex bit socket set for my first set. I may want to get a shorter set at a later date but I can also use a hex wrench for when I need a lower profile tool.

 

[Reed Prince]

The rest of the Top wrenches arrived and five of them were of obviously poorer quality, so I contacted Top and asked if I had been sent some NOS wrenches by Amazon. They asked for tool lot numbers and it turns out that the bad ones (with a different style direction arrow) are the newer design. Barely Gearwrench quality. Too bad.

 

[1foxracing]

This weeks stuff.

 

[Speed-Racer]

This weeks stuff.

The Deen ratchets look interesting. What features do you like the most?