Tools of Japan

[corn chip]

@jmf535, I was trying to post the video but I couldn't select the file. Not sure if it was the video format or if this forum require more posts before I can post videos.

@corn chip, not how much you can push/pull the socket but there is a wider range of movement in all axis. I took some images from the video that I sent Nepros and their comment was that this is due to the QR mechanism and I assume they were talking about the depth/size of the detent. Maybe hard to tell from the pics but will try to upload the video...

i see what your talking about. yes that play or movement of the extension ( up/down as you call it ) on the anvil is because the QR ball is partially compressible into the anvil as nepros explained in the email.
measured with mitutoyo digital calipers the 1/4 neopro is exactly .248" as is stahlwille. sk slightly less at .2475.
even with noncompressing ball like stahlwille , the extension still has movement. it may be held tighter to the anvil itself but the play has now shifted to the gear mechanism in the ratchet head.
i hope ive explained in easy terms

 

[jmf535]

@corn chip Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll admit that I was a little turned off when I first got them, but figured that it was designed that way...after all, a company that pays that much attention to the finish, isn't going to overlook the part that makes a ratchet a ratchet.

 

[corn chip]

after some use i think youll find nepro stuff far better in some ways than other brands. the extensions are shaped very well for quick spinning bolts by hand. the ratchet can still lock even if the socket detent isnt located or machined very well. the ratchet switching lever has a nice positive feel that cant be accidentally turned. the gear mechanism is very smooth ,probably as good as any top brand on the market im sure. some others are a bit notchy and clunky even with high tooth count. of course every aspect of the finish and finish is excellent. even inside the sockets ( were other companies ignore ) are well done

 

[four.cycle]

Just an FYI for you guys:

It looks like our good friend Mr. Nelson Bowers has added "Vessel" to his product offerings.

Great guy to deal with. I usually get deliveries from him in two days.

 

[four.cycle]

FYI from Bowers: https://bowerstool.com/vessel-14pc-...ips-flat-slot-6314ps-molded-carry-case-japan/

 

[rick carpenter]

Picked up a set of Megadora JIS 1, 2,3 and a 220W-3 ball-type screwdrivers from Amazon.co.jp

Rawrbot, I'm interested in the shorty Ball Grip interchangeable. How do the shanks fit? I read they might feel a little loose. Also read that the end 'chrome' ring maybe wasn't metal (?). That doesn't make sense to me. But the stubby Megadoras might serve me well... so if you have thoughts on which works best for you please let me know.

 

[rick carpenter]

[sorry, duplicate post manually deleted]

 

[Toolman_TX]

after some use i think youll find nepro stuff far better in some ways than other brands. the extensions are shaped very well for quick spinning bolts by hand. the ratchet can still lock even if the socket detent isnt located or machined very well. the ratchet switching lever has a nice positive feel that cant be accidentally turned. the gear mechanism is very smooth ,probably as good as any top brand on the market im sure. some others are a bit notchy and clunky even with high tooth count. of course every aspect of the finish and finish is excellent. even inside the sockets ( were other companies ignore ) are well done

Thanks for the feedback . During normal use of it, everything seems fine. Was just surprised it had more play than my other ratchets.

 

[silkman]

is there a Japanese manufacturer of ratcheting wrench sets anyone recommends? Thank you

Probably there isn't one.

Mostly every ratcheting wrench out there is made by two taiwanese companies, even the high end stuff. Recently Gedore started offering "Made in Germany" ratcheting wrenches which are also I think user serviceable .

Schlüsselknarren

Schlüsselknarren

www.tbs-aachen.de

Dont know about american brands but thats for the rest of the world.

 

[cbracer]

Hi,
New member here. Got a question for those that have the Nepros 1/4" 90t ratchets. I bought one based on the various reviews on Youtube and forums regarding its superb fit and finish. The finish is second to none, however, I noticed there are much more slack/play when fitted with the Nepros extension bar and a hex bit socket. I tried it on the Wera/Craftsman/Ko-Ken sockets and have the same amount of play. It actually doesn't fit the Ko-ken z-series sockets all that well to my surprise. I love the Ko-ken z-series as it has such good fit with virtually no play when used with other ratchets.

I contacted Nepros Japan and they said if I was concerned, they'll send me the instructions to return it for inspection. I had assumed it would be on my own dime so I asked them to take a video of whatever they had at the factory to see if this much play was normal. They sent me a video of a 3/8" 90t ratchet with a socket and showed roughly the same amount of play (actually slightly less than mine).

So the question I had was if everyone had the same experience or I just got a defective one? Seems like everything I've read/watched barely showed any slack on the drive gear. Thanks.

Yes I have the same problem. My Nepros 1/4" 90t ratchet has a lot of play with the Nepros sockets. I was surprised and many other mechanics comment on it when they try it. The finish is nice, but that play feels sloppy. I'm not going to buy more Nepros because of this, and will expand my Z series and Koken lines.

 

[SAA44-40]

Interesting and timely discussion. I have all SO ratchets and am in need of an extension set. Does anyone have experience w SO ratchets and Koken extensions/compatibility? Thanks you

 

[rawrbot]

Rawrbot, I'm interested in the shorty Ball Grip interchangeable. How do the shanks fit? I read they might feel a little loose. Also read that the end 'chrome' ring maybe wasn't metal (?). That doesn't make sense to me. But the stubby Megadoras might serve me well... so if you have thoughts on which works best for you please let me know.

The shanks themselves fit well - secure with very little wobble. I would not describe them as loose.
The 'chrome' ring does appear to be plastic but a very hard plastic. It does seem to scratching off the labels on the shanks which is a bit of a disappointment.



I do like the little stubby handles. I have the Snap-on equivalents and find the Vessel ones more comfortable.

 

[Dave455]

Interesting and timely discussion. I have all SO ratchets and am in need of an extension set. Does anyone have experience w SO ratchets and Koken extensions/compatibility? Thanks you

I have both and I’ve just tried them together.

I would say that the Snap On extension locates slightly more positively than the KoKen.

 

[SAA44-40]

Thanks Dave. Is the difference big enough to pass on the Koken extension?

 

[darkzero]

The 'chrome' ring does appear to be plastic but a very hard plastic. It does seem to scratching off the labels on the shanks which is a bit of a disappointment.

The "chrome ring" is not plastic, although non-magnetic it's definitely metal according to my trusty tooth test.

Also it's not a ring, it's one piece & part of the entire hex socket that goes into the handle. This is true for both the 220W & 270BW. At least the ones I have anyway, not sure if they possibly changed them for some reason.

Also it's probably not the "ring" that is scratching your shank. If you look inside the hex socket you'll see the retaining clip that holds the hex bit shank tightly. That is what's probably scratching yours. If you pay attention the orientation when inserting the bit you can avoid further wear of the markings. I haven't noticed wear on my bits but then again I haven't really used the bits that came with them all that much.

 

[Dave455]

Thanks Dave. Is the difference big enough to pass on the Koken extension?

That’s a difficult question to answer

One of the things I’m fussy about with sockets and accessories is how tight they lock up. I bought some Gedore 1/4 drive a while back and took it straight back because it was so wobbly.

Most of my KoKen is in a portable box that I can “grab and go”, I generally only use KoKen extensions with KoKen ratchets and KoKen sockets. I‘ve never used one with a Snap On ratchet till you asked the question.

Is there a lot of slop? No, just a little more laterally than the Snap On, and a tiny amount longitudinally that the Snap On doesn’t have at all. Would it bother most folks? No? Would it bother me? Probably. It’s a little harder to take on and off than the Snap On too.

Options. Instead of buying a whole set of extensions, maybe just get one or two and try them?

Alternatively, try a KoKen ratchet. I don’t know how they are priced for you, but for me they are a third the price of a Snap On, hence they are my “go to” tools for rougher jobs. The lockup is really nice on the KoKen ratchets.

Generally, I consider extensions to be one of the items KoKen do really well. Note that mine are the regular ones, not Z-Series.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

Broke one of my Ko-Ken wobble fix extensions, oh well. Can't find it on Amazon Japan currently and Ko-Ken USA wants 4.5 times the cost of the extension for shipping alone
Drpd doesn't seem to have it in stock but also the search on their site never works right for me.

 

[Toolman_TX]

Interesting and timely discussion. I have all SO ratchets and am in need of an extension set. Does anyone have experience w SO ratchets and Koken extensions/compatibility? Thanks you

I have the Ko-ken z series 1/4" and 3/8" extensions. I really like them and fit very well with my Ko-ken/Wera Zyklop/Craftsman ratchets. Except for my 1/4" Nepros as explained in my post. It also fits well with virtually no play on my 1/4" and 3/8" spinner handles and ratchet adapters. As one member mentioned, you can try one first before getting the rest.

 

[midorix]

Broke one of my Ko-Ken wobble fix extensions, oh well. Can't find it on Amazon Japan currently and Ko-Ken USA wants 4.5 times the cost of the extension for shipping alone
Drpd doesn't seem to have it in stock but also the search on their site never works right for me.

Did you check Palmac.net? You can also get additional 5% with Mrsubaru5 coupon code.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

Did you check Palmac.net? You can also get additional 5% with Mrsubaru5 coupon code.

Looks like they don't have Canadian shipping at first glance

 

[Notbn]

Interesting and timely discussion. I have all SO ratchets and am in need of an extension set. Does anyone have experience w SO ratchets and Koken extensions/compatibility? Thanks you

I have SO 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets and they both work perfectly fine with the non Z-series Koken extensions (which are the better ones in my opinion).

 

[Reed Prince]

The "chrome ring" is not plastic, although non-magnetic it's definitely metal according to my trusty tooth test.

The only version I've seen without a metal section is the Craftsman.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

So I know Tone doesn't make their ratchets in Japan even though they are a Japanese company and mark their tools with Japan, but I still have 6 different ones and really like them.
But today I was walking through princess auto (Canada's harbour freight) and the powerfist ratchets caught my eye.
They are clearly the exact same ratchet.
The Tone was $90.44 cad shipped from Japan and the princess auto one was $44.79 cad after tax.

So I ordered the Tone rebuild kit part number RK-RH3CH which is the compact head 3/8 drive and it's a perfect fit for this princess auto extra long 1/4 locking flex head

 

[winnievan]

Rawrbot, I'm interested in the shorty Ball Grip interchangeable. How do the shanks fit? I read they might feel a little loose. Also read that the end 'chrome' ring maybe wasn't metal (?). That doesn't make sense to me. But the stubby Megadoras might serve me well... so if you have thoughts on which works best for you please let me know.

I have that kit too -- shanks fit fine for a interchangable driver. It's a nice tool -- but honestly -- I don't pick it up that much since it is a bit annoying to manage the bits without a holder. I like the crystalline vessel ratcheting driver (non-stubby) -- since it holds bits in the handle.

So I ordered the Tone rebuild kit part number RK-RH3CH which is the compact head 3/8 drive and it's a perfect fit for this princess auto extra long 1/4 locking flex head

Very nice -- is princess auto the same as harbor freight? That looks like a pretty solid piece of kit!!

 

[winnievan]

Shameless self promotion -- here's my latest Amazon Japan haul on youtube:

Been a few weeks using a lot of this in the shop -- I like a lot of them -- but the Vessel ratcheting ball is a bit cumbersome and I find myself switching the direction of the ratcheting mechanism often.

I think it's a better tool for precision work -- which isn't what I had in mind for it when buying the +3 version. Back drag is pretty bad too, but it's still decent for the money.

I love the Vessel flat ratchet -- and the Anex hand ratchet has been pretty handy!

Next haul will some engineer pliers, scissors, etc. but this one was great.

If you make an order on Amazon.co.jp -- do yourself a favor and buy a bunch of Olfa box knives.. they really are great and their basically the same price as HD/Lowes/HF throwaways when you buy them direct from Japan!!

 

[Bmxkelowna]

Very nice -- is princess auto the same as harbor freight? That looks like a pretty solid piece of kit!!

It's a similar store, some of everything, but have no relation to eachother

 

[jmf535]

My first Amazon Japan order arrived today...Koken ratchet/extension, Vessel Power Grip , KTC wrenches, and Tsunoda zip tie cutters.

I took a bit of a gamble on the ratchet, and it paid off. The part number has it listed as the 36T version, but a lot of the reviews stated that they received the 72T. Sure enough, mine is the 72T. I was planning on putting it in my "travel" box, but it's extremely nice so I think that I'll keep it in the good box, and move my wera set over.

I'm pretty disappointed in the Power Grip drivers. I already have the Megadora's and love the tips, but hate the handles, so I wanted to try the Power Grips as they appeared to be more of my style. The shape is indeed better, but the tips don't grip nearly as well as the Megadora, and the full-tang really throws off the balance (did think about that before purchasing).

KTC wrenches are very nice, for the price (about $5 a peice). I didn't come across any info about them on here (or anywhere else), but decided to give them a try given the KTC name. They feel pretty good in the hand, and they seem to fit nuts/bolts very well which is what matters the most to me. These will be going into my travel box, so they will be more than good enough for the limited use that they will see. I probably wouldn't what to use them as my everyday wrench, though.

 

[BigBoreFan]

My first Amazon Japan order arrived today...Koken ratchet/extension, Vessel Power Grip , KTC wrenches, and Tsunoda zip tie cutters.

I took a bit of a gamble on the ratchet, and it paid off. The part number has it listed as the 36T version, but a lot of the reviews stated that they received the 72T. Sure enough, mine is the 72T. I was planning on putting it in my "travel" box, but it's extremely nice so I think that I'll keep it in the good box, and move my wera set over.

I'm pretty disappointed in the Power Grip drivers. I already have the Megadora's and love the tips, but hate the handles, so I wanted to try the Power Grips as they appeared to be more of my style. The shape is indeed better, but the tips don't grip nearly as well as the Megadora, and the full-tang really throws off the balance (did think about that before purchasing).

KTC wrenches are very nice, for the price (about $5 a peice). I didn't come across any info about them on here (or anywhere else), but decided to give them a try given the KTC name. They feel pretty good in the hand, and they seem to fit nuts/bolts very well which is what matters the most to me. These will be going into my travel box, so they will be more than good enough for the limited use that they will see. I probably wouldn't what to use them as my everyday wrench, though.

Nice haul. I have all those same tools minus the Koken items. I do like my KTC wrenches. Vessel Megadora is my goto for Japanese motorcycles.

 

[jmf535]

Nice haul. I have all those same tools minus the Koken items. I do like my KTC wrenches. Vessel Megadora is my goto for Japanese motorcycles.

Agree, the Megadora's are the gold standard for Japanese bikes...I just wish the handles weren't so monstrous.
The KTC wrenches are quite nice, and nice to hear that someone else on here is happy with theirs. For the money, I think that they're hard to beat.

 

[Reed Prince]

Agree, the Megadora's are the gold standard for Japanese bikes...I just wish the handles weren't so monstrous.

Maybe you would like the 700 series. Similar to the Megadora, but with a gel layer like the Felo Ergonic.

 

[jmf535]

I looked into those, but the size/shape looked too similar to the 900. The 700 is 32mm vs 34mm for the 900 in a #2, for instance.
I'll probably give them a try with my next order, though.

 

[winnievan]

Give the Vessel Ball Grip a try -- I didn't want to at first since it seems so gimmicky -- but it really *is* more comfortable and easy to use than most of my other drivers.

I find myself reaching for ball drivers more often than anything else these days.

 

[Satow]

Not new but new for me. Never heard of the brand Fuji before in the machinist realm. I don’t think the previous owner ever used them.

I'm not sure if Fujikogu is related to the Fuji Tool Co. in Japan, but I do see a lot of screw gauges made by Fujikogu that are sold as vintage on ebay as well as other measurement gauges they make. They must be a pretty good tool maker if they make all sorts of accuracy measurement gauges.

 

[Satow]

Give the Vessel Ball Grip a try -- I didn't want to at first since it seems so gimmicky -- but it really *is* more comfortable and easy to use than most of my other drivers.

I find myself reaching for ball drivers more often than anything else these days.

I got there electric screwdriver- usb charged that has a ball grip. I think it works pretty good, at least for my usages, since I work in IT and electronics. They are great to open cases, installing components, disassembly, and assembly, etc.

 

[jmf535]

Give the Vessel Ball Grip a try -- I didn't want to at first since it seems so gimmicky -- but it really *is* more comfortable and easy to use than most of my other drivers.

I find myself reaching for ball drivers more often than anything else these days.

Like you, my first impression about them is not positive. I can see how they would work well in the smaller sizes, but I don't know about an everyday driver...but hey, might be worth a shot! I'll add it to the list.

Wera handles are my favorite and I'm very happy with their slotted and hex drivers, but their phillips don't work as well as Vessel on my motorcycles. Which is why I'm on bit of a mission to find the perfect phillips. The PB swiss ones that I recently got seem promising, though.

 

[4xdog]

Agree, the Megadora's are the gold standard for Japanese bikes...I just wish the handles weren't so monstrous...

Vessel make their transparent cellulose acetate-handled Cyrstalline screwdrivers in two handle diameters. The standard 6300-series is 22mm diameter and the “export-for-us-big-pawed-gaijin 6300E-series is 26.5mm diameter.

Maybe one of the Crystalline drivers would suit you better than the Megadoras?

 

[jmf535]

Vessel make their transparent cellulose acetate-handled Cyrstalline screwdrivers in two handle diameters. The standard 6300-series is 22mm diameter and the “export-for-us-big-pawed-gaijin 6300E-series is 26.5mm diameter.

Maybe one of the Crystalline drivers would suit you better than the Megadoras?

Do you know if the tips are as good as the Megadoras?

I saw the link to them that someone posted above, but given the price point, and the look of the shafts, I kind of assumed that they are a step below the Megadoras?

 

[4xdog]

Do you know if the tips are as good as the Megadoras?

I saw the link to them that someone posted above, but given the price point, and the look of the shafts, I kind of assumed that they are a step below the Megadoras?

Good question. I don’t know the differences in detail between the two lines, but I see it the same way you do. (I’m a Megadora 900 and 930 fan, and I know some of Vessel’s other stuff, like cellulose acetate-handled ratcheting screwdrivers, don’t impress me the same way. But that‘s for the ratchet mechanism, not necessarily the driver tips.

Another option could be to buy some Vessel hex drive crosshead bits and put them in a hex driver that fits your hands better.

 

[AJHD]

So I know Tone doesn't make their ratchets in Japan even though they are a Japanese company and mark their tools with Japan, but I still have 6 different ones and really like them.

Well that *****. I was looking at buying a few of them. But I was wanting something made in Japan.
I may still buy one or two of them after I take a second look at their prices, but I'll pass on everything else I was looking at.

 

[Toolman_TX]

My Koken 1/4” setup.