Reed Prince
Well-known member
It is a bit cheaper from Amazon.com right now, especially if it is the only item you are ordering. But from a third party seller.
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
CGarage
Well-known member
When I ordered, it did not show up as available via Amazon US.
I paid 5,547 JPY + ~ 28.00 USD shipping for this set and another item.
I paid 5,547 JPY + ~ 28.00 USD shipping for this set and another item.
CGarage
Well-known member
What site / app are you using to do your price tracking graphs? Thank you!
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I use Keepa. https://keepa.com
Dave455
Well-known member
I’ve got a set of the KoKen in 1/2” drive. The regular ones (14400?)
I went for KoKen partly because I’ve been so satisfied with everything else I’ve had from KoKen, partly because of price, partly because of availability (very good here in the U.K.) and partly because I like the bold size markings.
Seem to be very good, but I don’t use impacts as much as say some guy working on an assembly line, so there may be better reviews out there.
KoKen do offer a huge variety of impacts. From memory, as well as regular, extra shallow and deep, there are thin wall, magnetic, surface drive, parhfinder, universal, and probably some others I’ve forgotten.
Other impacts from Japan are KTC, but availability for me is not quite so good, and I have no reason not to get KoKen.
Another is Tone. Notable for offering electroless plated impact sockets. I haven’t seen these, but would be interested to try some. They may well originate in Taiwan (much Tone seems to now) but that isn’t the negative it would have been 20 years ago.
My Japanese tool haul is complete.
First up, is a Nepros 3/8 ratchet, 6 piece socket set, quick-spinner and 75mm extension
The non-QR Koken ratchet is what ultimately lead to ordering the Nepros. But I was too curious about Koken, so I had to order something. So I ended up with a variety of things; 1/4 nut-grip/z-series sockets, 3/8 flex-head ratchet, semi-deep/hex sockets, and a couple 1/2 z-series sockets.
Then the Koken 1/4 sockets didn't work with my Wera ratchet, so I went ahead and ordered one from Nepros...and a couple sockets, quick-spinner and extension (because, why not)
All in all, everything is extremely nice, but the Nepros are far-and-away the nicest tools that I've ever laid my hands on.
First up, is a Nepros 3/8 ratchet, 6 piece socket set, quick-spinner and 75mm extension
The non-QR Koken ratchet is what ultimately lead to ordering the Nepros. But I was too curious about Koken, so I had to order something. So I ended up with a variety of things; 1/4 nut-grip/z-series sockets, 3/8 flex-head ratchet, semi-deep/hex sockets, and a couple 1/2 z-series sockets.
Then the Koken 1/4 sockets didn't work with my Wera ratchet, so I went ahead and ordered one from Nepros...and a couple sockets, quick-spinner and extension (because, why not)
All in all, everything is extremely nice, but the Nepros are far-and-away the nicest tools that I've ever laid my hands on.
GrantCee
Well-known member
I'm just trying to convince myself that it is...for a couple of months at leastNo Japanese tool haul is ever "complete".
Gregthegadgetguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2021
- Messages
- 67
I assumed that was the case, but thought that I'd still prefer it on the regular ratchet. While it works fine, I'll definitely be ordering the larger size whenever I place my next order.
Obsessed isn't correct, but possess is. I just want sockets and extensions that have a tighter interface, and want them to work with the ratchets I currently possess.
Koken has been on my radar for a while now, and I might just start with their 1/4" drive z-series to see how I like them.
CGarage
Well-known member
Agree with you. I use 1/4” drive size more than anything else. I rarely use 1/2”. If I want to try something, I always buy a 1/4” drive size set first as a sample. Also, I find 1/4” to be the least forgiving- if it’s a tight fit there are enough size variances in thickness and length of 1/4” drive size sockets to really see a difference. In terms of size, 3/8 and 1/2 seem much more forgiving from my experience where length and thickness aren’t quite as important/crucial for access to fasteners.
^
Yeah I like to use 1/4 whenever possible, 3/8 next, and 1/2 for the big stuff. But I do use 3/8 on my Milwaukee impact drivers very often and always hate the sloppy interface there as well. D@mmit
Yeah I like to use 1/4 whenever possible, 3/8 next, and 1/2 for the big stuff. But I do use 3/8 on my Milwaukee impact drivers very often and always hate the sloppy interface there as well. D@mmit
CGarage
Well-known member
But those are impacts and I would never use chrome on an impact, personally.
dede2897234
Well-known member
Hi Greg, would you mind answering my 2 questions: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.
Which vendor did you purchased the above KTC Torqule, 3/8" drive model?
What was the total amount you paid for it (including shipping)?
Thanks,
Dave
Impact driver, not impact wrench! I use my impact driver all the time on nuts and bolts, on sizes ranging for 1/4 to whatever.
wreckdiver1321
Well-known member
My first Japan-made pliers, both made by Engineer! A smaller set of needle-nose and a set of "screw-extractor" pliers like the Vampliers. Really exceptional quality. I can't wait to put them to work.
Also, the Engineer packaging is kind of hilarious. Yes, I know it's upside-down.
Also, the Engineer packaging is kind of hilarious. Yes, I know it's upside-down.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
MrSubaru1387
Member
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IRQVET
Well-known member
So what got you folks into collecting tools of Japan?
Is there a specific place you go to find them, or is it an exercise in hunt and peck?
Is there a specific place you go to find them, or is it an exercise in hunt and peck?
Bmxkelowna
Well-known member
@MrSubaru1387 was definitely a huge influence for me to start looking into Tone and Ko-Ken since I am a Subaru mechanic myself. When Tone released the horizontally opposed spark plug socket/extension I knew I wanted those and I fell down the Amazon Japan rabbit hole really fast.
CGarage
Well-known member
Japan is one of the leading industrial economies in the world and masters at engineering. The culture embraces the constant pursuit of perfection and continual improvement in everything that they do. This is a highly disciplined culture. As a result of this, they make fantastic tools. It has nothing to do with collecting. These are functional items that help with work.
Amazon.com with US Delivery and Amazon.Co.Jp with delivery to US address (costs about $15-$20 USD) for shipping with 3-5 day delivery from Japan to US so it makes sense if a few things are in the order to make the shipping cost make sense. But only a few dollars more than UPS/Fedex domestic delivery these days and it arrives from across the world in less than a week.
Member Superautobacs is a huge expert on Japanese tools and has shared a lot about these products from his trips to Japan.
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Qualitytools
Well-known member
I learned of the various Japanese made tools from being on this forum. I have been very impressed with the quality for the price you pay for the tools. As mentioned above we have a few experts here that can help you navigate whatever tool you need.
As far as collecting no, I use mine and love them.
Dave455
Well-known member
I don’t really collect Japanese tools, I just use them.
I’m in the U.K. and KoKen tools had been around as far back as I could remember, but they were always a bit of a specialist thing - the guys into Japanese cars and bikes were into them, not many others.
When the really decent British makers, such as Britool, started cheapening their products I, and just about everybody else, started looking elsewhere.
KoKen gained a lot of popularity in the 80’s and 90’s here. The young car modders didn’t know about traditional makers, but were buying parts from Japan so got their tools from the same sources.
I wasn’t really attracted to KoKen at first. They looked too similar to the uninspiring Japanese tools from the 70’s, but then they started turning up in agricultural circles. You’d see some guy taking a tractor hub nut off by leaning on a long ratchet, and it didn’t break. Impressive.
Then you find out that they offer Whitworth sizes, and a range of ratchets to match Snap On, so you try a bit. Then you need some Torx bits and try those, and suddenly you own a load.
For me, the “quality to price” ratio is outstanding. I pay roughly a third of the Snap On price for a KoKen tool, but reckon they are about 90% of the quality. For some tools (hex / Torx bit sockets) I think they are better.
Cheap chinese tools are what brought me here. Had a bunch of crappy tools in my basic set of which some tools broke, damaged fasteners due to excessive tolerances and **** like that. I did have a few individual pieces of good tools like an 8mm Hex socket from Koken and a Hex bit adapter which i realised were higher quality than the rest of the **** in my tool kit, but i knew nothing about Koken at that time (2006-7ish). 3-4years ago i decided to throw away all of the junk tools and started researching names of the few good ones i had left (Koken, CoCaCo, Fit, Knipex, Matador, Landmark, Elliott, Olfa, King TTC to name a few). My search led me to GJ, this thread caught my eye and it became my trusted source of information on tools that i wanted to have as part of my tool kit. I'm very happy to pay premium prices for Japanese made tools (not Japanese branded) over cheap chinesium or Indium for that matter lol...
Edit: I used to buy my tools from Amazon Japan but have since been looking for alternative sources - I love the convenience of Amazon shopping but kind of dislike their monopolistic trade practices (don't wanna derail the thread with that discussion so i'll leave it at that). I am lucky to have a Koken authorised seller in Dubai although their lead times are substantial (1 month usually) but i'm rarely in a situation where i need a tool RIGHT F@CKIN NOW types.
It's probably a good thing there is no KTC distributor/seller here - i'd just blow all my money on some Nepros tools
Edit: I used to buy my tools from Amazon Japan but have since been looking for alternative sources - I love the convenience of Amazon shopping but kind of dislike their monopolistic trade practices (don't wanna derail the thread with that discussion so i'll leave it at that). I am lucky to have a Koken authorised seller in Dubai although their lead times are substantial (1 month usually) but i'm rarely in a situation where i need a tool RIGHT F@CKIN NOW types.
It's probably a good thing there is no KTC distributor/seller here - i'd just blow all my money on some Nepros tools
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Bannik254
Well-known member
Has anyone tried grinding down the ends of their engineer pliers once the very front portion of the teeth wear out/round out? Was thinking of carefully grinding down past the high wear spots to get freshly exposed teeth.
Well, I'd like to get into a a couple ratchets possibly, 1/4 and 3/8, have been using lots of Taiwan tools, would love to get a nice pair of Japanese ratchets. Where do i start? Koken? Tone? Nepros? Who's got the better engagement? Fit/finish?
CGarage
Well-known member
Superautobacs told me the Nepros line is sort of the top offered. They make beautiful ratchets.
I do not own any yet.
The Tone ratchet I have is beautiful.
KoKen is the Japanese Snap-On and they specialize in socketry, so worth looking at them as well.
The Tone ratchets I believe are made in Taiwan. Regardless, beautiful tool. I look at Japan and Taiwan as being equal in manufacturing capability and quality.
I do not own any yet.
The Tone ratchet I have is beautiful.
KoKen is the Japanese Snap-On and they specialize in socketry, so worth looking at them as well.
The Tone ratchets I believe are made in Taiwan. Regardless, beautiful tool. I look at Japan and Taiwan as being equal in manufacturing capability and quality.
CGarage
Well-known member
There is a US distributor. Look there. Also check Amazon.com, Amazon.co.Jp, and EBay. Delivery from Japan to US is easy.
johnson_n
Member
I currently have a Tekton 1/4" socket set and would like to get a Koken 3/8" set as a DIY'er. Should I get the regular or Z-Series for general automotive? Price difference isn't much between the two if you consider the magnetic rail which are about $25 if purchased separately.
I'm thinking with starting with these first and will get the nut grippers and spark plug socket in the future.
It seems that Palmac prices just shot up 10% over night on the socket sets or maybe it fluctuates?
Ratchet(s)?
Not familiar with all the models yet but they don't have to be Koken.
3/8" Square Drive Universal Joint
3771 or 3771Z
3/8" Square Drive Universal Double Joint
3772Z
3/8" Square Drive Quick Spinner (33.5 mm)
3756 or 3756Z
3/8" Square Drive Extension Bar Set
PK3760/6 extension bar set instead of Z-Series because of the knurling and added lengths (32, 50, 75, 125, 150, 250mm / ~1.25, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10")
3/8" Square Drive | 6-Point Deep Socket
RS3300M/12 or RS3300MZ/12 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 )
3/8" Square Drive | 6-Point Socket Standard Length
RS3400M/12 or RS3400MZ/12 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
I'm thinking with starting with these first and will get the nut grippers and spark plug socket in the future.
It seems that Palmac prices just shot up 10% over night on the socket sets or maybe it fluctuates?
Ratchet(s)?
Not familiar with all the models yet but they don't have to be Koken.
3/8" Square Drive Universal Joint
3771 or 3771Z
3/8" Square Drive Universal Double Joint
3772Z
3/8" Square Drive Quick Spinner (33.5 mm)
3756 or 3756Z
3/8" Square Drive Extension Bar Set
PK3760/6 extension bar set instead of Z-Series because of the knurling and added lengths (32, 50, 75, 125, 150, 250mm / ~1.25, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10")
3/8" Square Drive | 6-Point Deep Socket
RS3300M/12 or RS3300MZ/12 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 )
3/8" Square Drive | 6-Point Socket Standard Length
RS3400M/12 or RS3400MZ/12 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Dave455
Well-known member
Good choice!
I would be tempted to get all regular tools, or all Z Series, but not mix and match. The Z Series tools have slightly higher tolerances / reduced clearance on the square drive so are best used together.
As to which, good question?
I’d probably advise the regular tools. I like a ratchet with an all steel handle, so that’s got to be regular. There is also a far greater selection available in the regular range. There are something like 35 different 3/8 ratchets in the regular range, less than 12 in the Z series.
If you need any type of socket at all, KoKen probably offer it in the regular range, but there’s only a basic selection in Z Series.
On the other hand, if you want the double universal, that’s only available in Z Series. If you have to mix and match, do so sensibly. I.e. - whatever ratchet you get, get the spinner to match or it will be the wrong size. The Z Series uses a 28mm spinner to match the slimmer ratchet head.
Edit - I have mostly regular, some Z Series, but can take some comparison photo’s if it helps.
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CGarage
Well-known member
Dave455: Would like to see photos....
Dave455
Well-known member
Here you go!
We’re a bit limited as to the tools I have in both ranges.
With some tools, e.g. ratchets and sockets, there are considerable differences. With others, e.g. the universal, less so (but they still go to the trouble of offering one).
Disregard the apparently better finish on the Z Series. Most of my regular KoKen are fairly well used. Less so the Z Series.
Note how shallow the Z Series sockets are. Sometimes you need this, but they could be a bit shallow for general use.
johnson_n
Member
I'd appreciate the photos if you have them. It seems that all the YouTube review videos only showcase the Z-Series.
I have an E46 BMW (99-05) and can't recall a repair that needed anything more than basic sockets/wrenches. I just learned about Koken this week but those universal and double universal sockets (as well as nut grippers) would've been super helpful when replacing the starter. It's located just under the manifold on the firewall side and the the service manual tells you to remove the manifold to get access to the top bolt top but we were able to do it from the bottom with a couple of wobble extensions and a regular universal socket.
Dave455
Well-known member
Done!
Yes, it’s worth comparing side by side.
I have two BMW’s of similar vintage. Sometimes I get by with basic tools, sometimes not. Funny you should mention starters, I have a sticky solenoid on one of mine so it’s got to come off, and I know that needs an E Torx, so that’s getting specialised.
I have Stahlwille in my workshop, and that’s generally my go to for automotive work (at least in metric) but I don’t have everything. I have KoKen in my house, and I have invested in probably one of everything I think I might need, so if I need an E Torx or an XZN I know there’s one there.
I find KoKen is good for building up a comprehensive set. The tools are consistent (old and new match), the range is extensive, and I never feel ripped off. I have to say that the dealers are good in the U.K. Unless I want something really odd it’s usually with me next day, which is a life saver if you’re half way through a job and need something.
The screwdrivers to the left of the melina are marked japan, but nothing else. I believe they are rosco’s, but not certain. I almost listed them as Kleins, based on their appearance. Thankfully I thought to double check. It surprised me that a manufacturer would allow someone to make something that is easily mistaken for their brand.
Have I found the tool collector’s equivalent to a knock-off Louis vitton purse. Lol
Have I found the tool collector’s equivalent to a knock-off Louis vitton purse. Lol
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johnson_n
Member
Thanks!
I think I'm going to get the Z-Series just going by aesthetics alone.
Funny you should mention Stahlwille. I ordered the 14/17 wrench set the other day and it's supposed to be delivered in early February. I have access to a garage with tools but it'll be my first wrench set I've personally owned.
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Bmxkelowna
Well-known member
This is my Tone / Ko-Ken drawer