Tools of Japan

[kanai]

This weeks stuff.

Nice haul! How do you like the Deen swivel ratchets? They're clearly an homage to the Snap-On (the CEO, Takanoura-san, said so in a video- that Japanese mechanics wanted the Snap-On but at a more reasonable price.)

I bought the same small Deen hex driver tool. Haven't used it much yet but it's nicely made.

I'm thinking about the Ko-ken wheel lug nut socket too- I need a 22mm for my Toyota.

 

[1foxracing]

The Deen ratchets are the typical Taiwanese (they are made in Taiwan) roto head type. No additional features over any other roto head but they are available in 4 different lengths in both 1/4 & 3/8" drive. I went for the longest of each just to have something a little different from my others. I really wish Koken would make one in 1/4" drive to go with their 3/8.
Some of my other 1/4" models.

If you're in the USA and would like to purchase some Deen stuff yourself Webike Japan offers international shipping. As far as I know Factory Gear does not offer international shipping.

DEEN: Huge stock, Fast shipping - Webike

 

[E.T.]

Thank you for the link! Ive had my eye on a few Deen items for a while. Wasn’t worth the cost of a plane ticket.

 

[kanai]

Picked up a pair of Keiba pliers, one needlenose. Keiba FC-107 175mm, FC-306 150mm. I wanted something simple and inexpensive and these were both in the 2000-2500 yen range.

 

[kanai]

Suekage/Pro Auto sells a slightly different combination wrench. They call it a 'dolphin wrench'

 

[Mallen]

Here's a list of tool companies posted by "fred" in the ToolGuyd comments section today.

ARS – pruners
Anex (Kaneko Mfg.) – low profile screwdrivers
Blazer – butane torches
Canary (Hasegawa Cutlery) – cardboard cutters
Dogyu (Imoto Hamono Co.) – scrapers
Fuji Tool – machinist gauges
Green Top (Tomita Cutlery) – garden knives
Hakko – soldering irons
HIT (Toho Koki) – bolt cutters
Hosco – craft files
Hozan – bicycle tools
IPS (Igarashi Pryor) – pliers
Iwasaki – woodworking files and rasps
Iwata – airbrush tools
King (Matsunaga Stone) – sharpening stones
Ko-Ken – socket wrenches
Masuta – sharpening stones
MCC – threaded rod wrenches
Nisaku (Tomita Cutlery) – scrapers
NT Cutter – files and strap cutters
Pentel – pens/pencils
Pilot – pens/pencils
Shimano – bicycle tools
Shinwa Rules – marking and measuring tools
Silky (Um Kogyo) – excellent pruning saws
SKC Thread Tool – taps and dies
Supertool – wrenches
Takagi Tools – saws
Top Kogyo – screwdrivers
Topman – pry bars
Toyo Cutter – glass cutters
Tsubotama – files
Wood Owl (Star-M Corp) – drill bits
Yamabiko – chain saw tools
Lobster (Lobtex co. Ltd) – mechanics tools
3 Peaks (Thre Peaks Giken Co.) – pliers
Allex (Hayashi Cutlery) – scissors
Clover Needlecraft – sewing tools
DIY – another Nisakau-Tomita brand
Godhand – hobby tools
Hios – assembly tools – screwdrivers
Hishika – saws
JHT (Japan Hobby Tool) – hobby tools
KTC (Kyoto Tool Co.) – auto tools
Merry Tools – Nile-Merry (Muromoto Tekko) – pliers and cutters
Mugen Seiki – hobby tools
Nepros (Kyoto Tool Co.) – mechanics tools
Okada Hardware (Z. Hanbai) – saws
Splex (Suehiro co.) – sharpening stones
Sujiborido (Sujiboro-Do Corp.) – hobby tools
Wave (Wave Co. Ltd.) – hobby files

Taps and dies were also sold under the Topman brand. I have a 40 piece SAE tap and die set by that brand. It's described as tungsten steel and they have a black surface treatment. Presumably phosphate.

 

[superautobacs]

Suekage/Pro Auto sells a slightly different combination wrench. They call it a 'dolphin wrench'

SEK, AFAIK, has been the only one importing them into Japan.
I bought one for the sole purpose of using it as my 10mm brake bleeder wrench. As I expected, the ergonomics is great. The key design concept is reminiscent of mid-2000's Easco/Danaher/Craftsman/Gearwrench cross force or X-beam wrenches.
In the last year or so, Shinn Fu Co. of America, a buyer/importer in the US has been selling those wrenches under the 'MichaelPro' branding. For lower cost to the consumer, they opted for laser etched markings.

This weeks stuff.

There's one thing that's always been unique to Deen's swivel head ratchet--the bolster at the base of shaft. It seems to be exclusive to Deen.

The only exception is with Tone's long handle swivel head ratchet, although a different location and more 'feature' packed ... and different OEM:


Take note of the 'Japan' laser etching. Pretty shoddy! We all know where this is imported from!


Jumbo Encho
Jumbo Encho


VIM tools in USA started importing these a number of years back. I don't think they were hot sellers though.

 

[1foxracing]

Hi Chris, I also found these Deen prybars for sale on Webike but I'm waiting to hear back from them to find out if they are made in Japan or Taiwan imports.


Those KTC ones you linked before I can't find for sale from anyone that will ship to the USA.

 

[superautobacs]

Those grips are 100% Taiwan for sure. ... so, you know where this is going

You can try inquiring through nepros.net for those KTC pry bars: https://www.nepros.net/?page=Contact

 

[superautobacs]

So I was browsing Tone's website and I was aware of this product release from before, but I noticed something that I hadn't before.
Yes, these are undoubtedly sourced from Tsunoda. That's not the surprise. Tsunoda explicitly states on their own website the COO being Thailand (as is with the rest of their TTC series tools). Despite that, when you look at Tone's model KNC-150G you clearly see 'Made in Japan'.

https://www.tonetool.co.jp/products/flyer/flyer_228.pdf





and here's Tsunoda's. Note that a manufacturing date code isn't indicated, unlike the Tone one.





The Tsunoda TTC TH-150NC is sold for less than half the price the Tone version is sold for.

Did Tone specifically request Tsunoda to tool up and make their Tone version at their domestic plant?
Did Tone slip on their own grips and therefore justified its labeling of 'Made in Japan'?
If you look closely at Tone's pdf that I linked above, there's an image showing the front/back sides of the cutting head. Take note, the lack of any markings! Does this stuff interest any of you, or am I just crazy?

 

[kanai]

Did Tone specifically request Tsunoda to tool up and make their Tone version at their domestic plant?
Did Tone slip on their own grips and justified its labeling of 'Made in Japan'?

Wow. If Tone did label that Made in Japan when it was not, that's a big no-no. I'll email Tone to see what they say.

 

[Qualitytools]

Suekage/Pro Auto sells a slightly different combination wrench. They call it a 'dolphin wrench'

Clever design and great orgonomics

 

[mr.lemons]

So I was browsing Tone's website

Not relevant to COO, but they look to be made to slightly different specs on the handles side of the pivot. Tsunoda handles come to a V shape and are sprung. Tone handles come together flat with some gripping teeth, presumably with no spring.

The holes cut for the plastic insert screws look to have been made with a knife and fork on both pairs.

edit. Pic of mine showing the not very round screw holes.

 

[1foxracing]

Hi Chris, I also found these Deen prybars for sale on Webike but I'm waiting to hear back from them to find out if they are made in Japan or Taiwan imports.


Those KTC ones you linked before I can't find for sale from anyone that will ship to the USA.

Yep, Webike did get back with me.


Thank you for contacting us.

-----------------------------------------
DEEN Penetration Private (1 Set of 4pcs.)
Product # 026060　
https://japan.webike.net/products/24188639.html
-----------------------------------------

Although we asked the manufacturer, they said they cannot disclose the manuracturing country.

Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

We look forward to serving you at http://japan.webike.net/

Best regards,
Webike staff

So I'll pass on the Deen prybars, thanks for the link on the KTC models.

 

[Qualitytools]

Not relevant to COO, but they look to be made to slightly different specs on the handles side of the pivot. Tsunoda handles come to a V shape and are sprung. Tone handles come together flat with some gripping teeth, presumably with no spring.

The holes cut for the plastic insert screws look to have been made with a knife and fork on both pairs.

edit. Pic of mine showing the not very round screw holes.

Excellent observation!

 

[superautobacs]

@mr.lemons impressive holes

Both the Tone and Tsunoda models are spring loaded. The picture I attached was the best one I could find, but it was their shorter model: TTC TH-125NC. Their larger TTC TH-150NC does have the gripping section (kind of useless with a spring in the way). Here's a photo I found of the TTC TH-150NC:




Here's another image of the Tone version:

 

[kanai]

Is there a Made in Japan prybar? I looked a bit and couldn't find one. I see a bunch of Taiwan-made stuff (Tone, SK11) , and then Snap-On or Williams or Bahco, which are not MIJ.

 

[superautobacs]

If you're looking for ones that are long and come with a plastic handle grip, there aren't very many...other than the KTC ones mentioned a page or two prior. All-metal pry bars are a lot more common, and are typical of the ones made for non-automotive trades, I should mention Mokuba and Bakuma as the major players in Japan for pry bars....and they *might* be making the prybars for KTC. Rakuda and Dogyu are two other companies to look at (for smaller prying tools).

 

[1foxracing]

This weeks stuff.

 

[kjbenner]

Those are some deeeep sockets. Perfect for if there's a bolt on the other side of the room and you don't feel like walking over there.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I've got this exact same Koken Extra Deep Socket Set (along with a few others) that I had ordered a few years ago and they are awesome to use!

Some of the best quality tools made, Koken!

 

[kanai]

I was thinking I needed a second torque wrench but when I went back to my Deen wrench, it covers 20-140 Nm, so I decided to get a 3/8" head for that wrench so I use both 1/2" sockets and 3/8" sockets with it. That was one reason I bought the Deen- it has the replaceable head. I don't know the COO for the Deen but I did hear from the salesperson that Deen has the torque wrench portion made by a torque wrench specialist and the ratchet head made by a company that specializes in that.

I also got the Deen long swivel ratchet (Taiwan afaik) in 3/8" as I was eyeing that for a while and don't have a swivel ratchet yet.

 

[Off_kilter]

Hows the backdrag on the Deen swivel? Thinking about getting the 1/4 and 3/8

I was thinking I needed a second torque wrench but when I went back to my Deen wrench, it covers 20-140 Nm, so I decided to get a 3/8" head for that wrench so I use both 1/2" sockets and 3/8" sockets with it. That was one reason I bought the Deen- it has the replaceable head. I don't know the COO for the Deen but I did hear from the salesperson that Deen has the torque wrench portion made by a torque wrench specialist and the ratchet head made by a company that specializes in that.

I also got the Deen long swivel ratchet (Taiwan afaik) in 3/8" as I was eyeing that for a while and don't have a swivel ratchet yet.

 

[kanai]

Hows the backdrag on the Deen swivel? Thinking about getting the 1/4 and 3/8

I only have my regular (non-Zeal) Ko-ken in 3/8" to compare it to. The backdrag on the Deen is quite light I think, although others who own more ratchets and also the Deen, please chime in. EDIT, ok after more analysis, the Ko-ken backdrag is a lot less than the Deen swivel.

This Deen Long version (275mm) I got is actually 100 tooth, vs. 72 for most of the other sizes.

The CEO of Factory Gear has a good showcase on the swivel ratchet on his channel. Essentially:

• Factory Gear customers loved the Snap-On swivel ratchet but it was too expensive for many average Japanese mechanics
• The goal was to make a great swivel ratchet below $100
• The head has features similar to Facom ratchets
• It's the best-selling of Deen's ratchets
• Snap-On went to the soft rubber handle but FG's customers prefer the hard plastic grip for easier swivel handling
• most handles are a hexagon design; FG chose a pentagon design to mold to the 5 human fingers more comfortably
• the Deen has the bolster to enable more torque with a wrench if necessary

There are cheaper swivel ratchets, even from Taiwan (Signal, iirc) so you're paying a premium for the work FG has put into this design, but it's certainly cheaper than the top-end German swivel ratchets or Snap-On.

 

[1foxracing]

Left to Right, all have 10mm sockets attached
1-Deen, 72 tooth head, longest (205mm), average backdrag.
2-Vessel, 72 tooth head, average backdrag.
3-Ares, 100 tooth head, lightest backdrag that I own in 1/4" drive
4-Carlyle, 100 tooth head average backdrag.
5-Gearwrench, 72 tooth head average backdrag.
6-Icon, 100 tooth head, light backdrag
7-Pittsburgh Pro, 72 tooth head, light backdrag
8-Olsa, 90 tooth head average backdrag
9-Craftsman, 72 tooth head, 2nd lightest backdrag
10-Masterforce. 72 tooth head, light backdrag
11-Titan, 72 tooth head, Highest backdrag by far.
Others I've owned in the past
Wera Zyklop- 72 tooth head, moderate backdrag, complete gimmick tool with to large a handle and almost unusable.
Snapon- 72 tooth head, average backdrag, not worth the price of admission...

 

[mr.lemons]

I wish all ratchets were available with a rip-off of a Snap on hard handle. Seems to be about the best balance between practicality and comfort.

 

[E.T.]

You can always buy a snap on hard handle or screwdriver and make your own. I’ve converted a few soft handle to hard. I’m pretty sure the torx 15 driver has the exact same size as the 3/8” ratchets. Haven’t done any 1/4 or 1/2”

 

[RonnieC]

I’ve seen a couple references on GJ about 3/8 anvil in a nepros 1/4 ratchet handle . Forgive the stupid question but is this a factory option or is this something you are putting together yourself? If so, what are the part numbers?

 

[ToolPolisher]

From Nepros directly. Look for their "compact head" offerings. The NBRC390 is probably the one people refer to. It's a standard-ish length 1/4" body with the 3/8" drive guts. Beautiful ratchet that I couple with Koken Zeal 3/8" sockets to all but negate the need for a separate 1/4" d I've set.

I can't imagine their short version at only 80mm long would be useful in a 3/8 drive.

 

[kanai]

I’ve seen a couple references on GJ about 3/8 anvil in a nepros 1/4 ratchet handle . Forgive the stupid question but is this a factory option or is this something you are putting together yourself? If so, what are the part numbers?

while not Nepros, ChrisCas showcased the Suekage ProAuto MHR-3 which is a 3/8 anvil in a very small ratchet handle.

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/smarthead_rh/mhr_smarthead_rh.pdf

 

[TJMtl]

I think I may have an addiction…these came in today.

NBRC390FS Nepros 3/8" flex stubby
Nepros 3/8" flex head
Nepros 1/2" long ratchet

Nepros 3/8 NBE38 spinner
Nepros 3/8 NBEC38 spinner
Nepros NBE28 spinner

Koken Bit driver 2749P-1/4HF
Koken Bit driver flex head 2774P-1/4HF
Koken swivel head ratchet knurled grip 3776N

 

[RonnieC]

Thanks guys!

From Nepros directly. Look for their "compact head" offerings. The NBRC390 is probably the one people refer to. It's a standard-ish length 1/4" body with the 3/8" drive guts. Beautiful ratchet that I couple with Koken Zeal 3/8" sockets to all but negate the need for a separate 1/4" d I've set.

I can't imagine their short version at only 80mm long would be useful in a 3/8 drive.

while not Nepros, ChrisCas showcased the Suekage ProAuto MHR-3 which is a 3/8 anvil in a very small ratchet handle.

 

[mr.lemons]

Does anyone have a set of Engineer dk-14 nut drivers?

I'm looking for a 5mm magnetic nut driver for VGA and M.2 fasteners. Do these have a small magnet inside the hex part, or are they normal nut drivers that have been magnetized? No point in buying them if I can get the same result from magnetizing a nut driver that I already own.

 

[Dave455]

Does anyone have a set of Engineer dk-14 nut drivers?

I'm looking for a 5mm magnetic nut driver for VGA and M.2 fasteners. Do these have a small magnet inside the hex part, or are they normal nut drivers that have been magnetized? No point in buying them if I can get the same result from magnetizing a nut driver that I already own.

I don’t own those nut drivers so can’t answer the question, but I have to say I like the handles, and love the green…!

I have a couple of Engineer hex drivers (small sizes) and the quality seems fair. They were inexpensive tools as I recall.

Can understand why you want magnetic - best way to go on those small nuts.

 

[1foxracing]

This weeks arrivals.
From Webike Japan.
KTC Handy Bars.


KTC M1004 box wrenches.



KTC BR2FL



From Amazon (USA)
Fujiya FPW-302 (Made in Taiwan)



Samurai .6kg Hammer


Fujiya AWB-150S (Made in Vietnam)


IPS PH-200


Vessel 4500 #3


Sunflag JIS set

 

[mr.lemons]

This weeks arrivals.

Cool looking pry bars. + thanks for the accompanying vid

 

[kanai]

Does anyone have a set of Engineer dk-14 nut drivers?

I'm looking for a 5mm magnetic nut driver for VGA and M.2 fasteners. Do these have a small magnet inside the hex part, or are they normal nut drivers that have been magnetized? No point in buying them if I can get the same result from magnetizing a nut driver that I already own.

DK-14 | ENGINEER INC.-Global

Set of 6 pcs. of magnetized socket nut drivers, from 3 to 6 mm, with a self-standing holder

www.engineertools-jp.com

You might email them and ask?

 

[mr.lemons]

You can always buy a snap on hard handle or screwdriver and make your own. I’ve converted a few soft handle to hard. I’m pretty sure the torx 15 driver has the exact same size as the 3/8” ratchets. Haven’t done any 1/4 or 1/2”

Choice of snap on hard handles happened to just come up on a factory gear video. They also had a green one. Sorry, not very Japan.

 

[mr.lemons]

Picked up a pair of Keiba pliers, one needlenose. Keiba FC-107 175mm, FC-306 150mm. I wanted something simple and inexpensive and these were both in the 2000-2500 yen range.

How are the Keiba pliers? Are they a step up from Knipex and other popular brands in fit/finish?

 

[Mr. Tool]

These two Koken socket sets just arrived this afternoon.

I did not have 17 thru 20 in regular size or in deep socket sizes, so ordered them.

One can never go wrong with Koken !