Tools of Japan

[rick carpenter]

I'm sold on Vessel for my screwdrivers, I picked up a variety on eBay to spread around my different boxes. This thread has become addictive.

Have you found replacement bits for the TD-110/690 4 way stubby screwdriver? I'd be interested in that little booger if additional bits were available.

 

[Zjenji]

And of course I need the latest and greatest Makita TD172D in PURPLE made in Japan so I can use all those 11mm anvils from my new Japanese drill bits!

 

[Vicks]

Sorry, hope I’m not breaking any rules. These are kind of a pain to do on one post. I’ll try to combine more going forward.

No, you're not breaking any forum rules... maybe the bank.... haha

 

[Vicks]

I'm sold on Vessel for my screwdrivers, I picked up a variety on eBay to spread around my different boxes. This thread has become addictive.

I'm moving to the other side - going with Wera for most of my bits and screw driver handles as i like their design philosophy, application flexibility and availability of various type of bits (PZ, Hex, Torx etc) in different lengths.

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[Ton ton]

And of course I need the latest and greatest Makita TD172D in PURPLE made in Japan so I can use all those 11mm anvils from my new Japanese drill bits!

Please post this picture in the Makita addiction thread too.

 

[Dave455]

Various JIS type bits from Vessel, Anex, KTC, Rhino, Wera, PB Swiss, Sunflag, and Makita.

That is the best collection of Vessel bits I’ve seen in ages!

O.P. - where do you source them all?

Are you in Japan?

 

[Dave455]

Sorry, hope I’m not breaking any rules. These are kind of a pain to do on one post. I’ll try to combine more going forward.

No, we are enjoying your pictures!

Many of the tools you post are less common for some of us, so very interesting to see. There are some item’s I didn’t know of, which are always useful to see!

 

[Pexto]

Sorry, hope I’m not breaking any rules. These are kind of a pain to do on one post. I’ll try to combine more going forward.

You are doing a great job; please keep it up! I love seeing this stuff.

 

[Madjik Man]

Same. Love the posts.

My wallet hates you but dont worry about that

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

Pile of sweetness

 

[Zjenji]

It’s a good day today! Who doesn’t like coming home to a scuffed up package from Japan?!

 

[jonshonda]

You know what's really frustrating, is that the majority of Americans are too damn cheap to create enough demand for nice tools like these stateside. Every hardware/big box store in my area carries the same cheap junk, and it *****. There is no middle ground between China trash on the racks, and tool truck stuff locally.

 

[Steve_P]

Sorry, hope I’m not breaking any rules. These are kind of a pain to do on one post. I’ll try to combine more going forward.

I hope he was being sarcastic, but either way, keep at it just like you're doing. This is one hell of a way to make an entrance!

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

You know what's really frustrating, is that the majority of Americans are too damn cheap to create enough demand for nice tools like these stateside. Every hardware/big box store in my area carries the same cheap junk, and it *****. There is no middle ground between China trash on the racks, and tool truck stuff locally.

Marketing works too well. Brand perception is very important for consumers. Snap-On is a very successful marketer and has built a very good brand image.

These Japanese tools have no brand image for consumers to perceive. So they would group them with 'asian' tools and then ask why they cost double what the cheap stuff does.

Even after working in harsh construction environments such as Tunneling and Mining. Most of the tool users with Ko-Ken sockets have no perception of the brand. They are simply used because that is what the supplier provides.
How ever upon further investigation you find out that the supplier is using Ko-Ken because they have tried or tested other brands in the past and they didn't hold up. Too many returns hurting the suppliers reputation. So they return to providing Ko-Ken as the durability is proven, and return/damage rates are lowered.

 

[Zjenji]

That is the best collection of Vessel bits I’ve seen in ages!

O.P. - where do you source them all?

Are you in Japan?

I’ve collected them over the last few years, mostly from Amazon.co.jp. I’m not in Japan, but I lived there for just over a year when I was younger. I’ve always been a fan of their tools and have been upgrading all my tools to US, Japanese, or European made only. Been expensive, but fun.

 

[Jack_K]

AIGO 130mm locking pliers. Bought them on ebay from a place in Ireland which has them listed as AGIO. When I bought them the shipping seemed cheap (to Australia), after I ordered they changed international shipping to contact for quote.



I also ordered an 8" pair which they messaged to say they were out of stock and could send a 10" pair instead. The 10" pair looks to be some cheap rubbish without even a size label.

 

[Jack_K]

Sunflag 222-C series torx screwdrivers T4-T40. Most torx sets I could find were missing sizes I use but this has all of them. I do like that the size is engraved in the shaft as my Vessel megadoras have sizes worn off with not much use really.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I hope he was being sarcastic, but either way, keep at it just like you're doing. This is one hell of a way to make an entrance!

If you're referring to me ... I made the comment ... no I was not being sarcastic. It seems like everyone here is posting a couple of pictures of new tools they received, but it seemed to me that zjengi was posting picture after picture that looked like displays in a well stocked store. His pictures seemed less of the "look what came in the mail today" variety and more of the "here's pages 25 to 30 from the catalog". My opinion, worth what you paid.

 

[Dave455]

I’ve collected them over the last few years, mostly from Amazon.co.jp. I’m not in Japan, but I lived there for just over a year when I was younger. I’ve always been a fan of their tools and have been upgrading all my tools to US, Japanese, or European made only. Been expensive, but fun.

I’ve been thinking of placing an order with Amazon Japan for a bit. Most Japanese tools are available easily in the U.K. where I am, but frustratingly, a few are not.

For example, I can get Vessel Powergrip screwdrivers in slotted and Phillips, but Pozidriv and Torx have to come from Japan.

I have relatively few of the Vessel impact driver bits, having a fair collection of both PB Swiss and Wera, yet there are some unique features of Vessel. I think only Vessel offer the reduced shank diameter Phillips bits, and I love the colour coding. I find that sort of stuff helpful!

 

[Mr. Tool]

Sorry, hope I’m not breaking any rules. These are kind of a pain to do on one post. I’ll try to combine more going forward.

IMHO....your not breaking any rules.

I enjoy the pictures and info on each, that you have been posting! The picture(s) quality and detailing on them is excellent.

So regardless.....keep posting!

 

[tamaraw]

Just got these Engineer scissors. I have mostly preferred Olfa and Fiskars in the past but I needed a quality pair of all-purpose scissors, so figured I would give Engineer a try.

I've only tried it on paper so far but initial impressions of the fit and feel are good. The handles are large compared to the blades which let you get your whole hand in there and the rubberized black part has an extra wide portion to press on.

Probably not something you want to do fine finishing work with because the serrations do leave a mark on one side of the cut on paper but I plan to use it for stuff like automotive hose, belts, fabric, wire, etc. anyway.

The sheath is a nice inclusion for putting in a box, bag, or pocket and locks on with reasonable security.

Color is similar to Olfa but a tad more pale if you really look at it (attached photo is exaggerated).

 

[teagueo]

I've used needle nose pliers for installing chain master link clips my entire life, but these having uneven length jaws is pretty awesome for this one very specific job. Tsunoda makes great pliers in general.

 

[jmf535]

I've been using a pair of the Tusk master link pliers for years now, and have always been disappointed with them...those look a lot nicer.

 

[corn chip]

And of course I need the latest and greatest Makita TD172D in PURPLE made in Japan so I can use all those 11mm anvils from my new Japanese drill bits!

where do you find those at ?

 

[Zjenji]

where do you find those at ?

Amazon.co.jp

 

[Zjenji]

If you're referring to me ... I made the comment ... no I was not being sarcastic. It seems like everyone here is posting a couple of pictures of new tools they received, but it seemed to me that zjengi was posting picture after picture that looked like displays in a well stocked store. His pictures seemed less of the "look what came in the mail today" variety and more of the "here's pages 25 to 30 from the catalog". My opinion, worth what you paid.

Weird reply. They are a catalog, of my Japanese tools. I have a lot, so I posted them. Did I ruin the folksy, “aw shucks, look what I got” feel of the thread? Seriously, what a weird reply.

 

[Zjenji]

I’ve been thinking of placing an order with Amazon Japan for a bit. Most Japanese tools are available easily in the U.K. where I am, but frustratingly, a few are not.

For example, I can get Vessel Powergrip screwdrivers in slotted and Phillips, but Pozidriv and Torx have to come from Japan.

I have relatively few of the Vessel impact driver bits, having a fair collection of both PB Swiss and Wera, yet there are some unique features of Vessel. I think only Vessel offer the reduced shank diameter Phillips bits, and I love the colour coding. I find that sort of stuff helpful!

I’m in the western United States, so orders from Amazon Japan aren’t terribly expensive. Not sure what it would be like for the U.K., but I’m sure they have all you could want. Especially for Vessel bits.

 

[Vicks]

Pile of sweetness

Sorry but i'm gonna have to report this to the Mods.

P@rnographic content is not allowed on this forum and is illegal.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I think only Vessel offer the reduced shank diameter Phillips bits,

Why do you like the reduced diameter shanks? What advantage do they offer?

 

[General Geoff]

Why do you like the reduced diameter shanks? What advantage do they offer?

They fit in very tight recessed holes, I imagine

 

[m6z]

Do anyone have a good handle recommendation for those long Vessel bits? The couple handles I've tried have a very sloppy fit.

 

[sweet victory]

Weird reply. They are a catalog, of my Japanese tools. I have a lot, so I posted them. Did I ruin the folksy, “aw shucks, look what I got” feel of the thread? Seriously, what a weird reply.

I enjoyed the way you formatted your posts. I saw some things I didn’t know about and you put in the effort to include part numbers for everything.

If someone with a huge Japanese collection just found this thread, why would we tell them, “Sorry, only posts of stuff DHL just dropped off.” I’d just block Eddie and keep on doing what you’re doing. Hope to see more posts!

 

[Half-fast eddie]

They fit in very tight recessed holes, I imagine

Not arguing ... but ... typically the head of the screw is larger dia than the driver. What am I missing?

 

[Dave455]

Do anyone have a good handle recommendation for those long Vessel bits? The couple handles I've tried have a very sloppy fit.

A friend has a Wiha (this one I think) which seemed quite good.

I have the Wera, which isn’t bad either, but there is more slop than I would like.

I notice, and I’ll attach a screenshot of Zjenji’s picture, that the Japanese bits seem to have a slightly different fitting to the European ”E6” style. I seem to recall hearing that somewhere too.

While it seems that you can use European bits in Japanese tools, does the reverse hold good?

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

1/2 Nepros out for a sun tan

 

[teagueo]

Sorry but i'm gonna have to report this to the Mods.

P@rnographic content is not allowed on this forum and is illegal.

The Neprosphilia is getting out of control on this thread!

 

[General Geoff]

Not arguing ... but ... typically the head of the screw is larger dia than the driver. What am I missing?

Typically but not always. Particularly on laptops and other consumer electronics, often there will be PH1 screws sunk into recessed holes of a diameter smaller than many standard PH1 drivers.

 

[tamaraw]

Not arguing ... but ... typically the head of the screw is larger dia than the driver. What am I missing?

Not always, sometimes they are about the same size on smaller drivers.

Besides, a 1/4" hex bit is about 6.85mm in diameter and the holder for it is generally around 10.5-11mm in diameter.

Recessed fasteners for electronics could be some distance down a 4-6mm diameter well (and those aren't even particularly small) where just the hex at the end of the bit will restrict access. Fixed blade drivers with beefed up hex shanks can have similar issues.

And large 8 or 9mm diameter wells might let the whole bit in but the holder would still be too large to go down the hole. If you are going to make a long bit, you might as well build it with a decently narrow shank to fit as many applications as possible instead of just stretching the 1/4" hex on the one end. YMMV

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Thank you both for the education. I don;t deal with very small fasteners.