Graysgarage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2022
- Messages
- 104
Some new goodies I got this weekend, I have a bunch of Japanese sockets. Sledge hammer and I think they call these duck billed seamers no mfg stamping.
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
Vessel 220G-2PS-Y Ball Grip screwdrivers (+2, -6)
These are a special edition from last year, the "G" stands for "galaxy" and it comes on a rather psychedelic card. There are a few other colors as well.
I kept pulling my Megadora 930's out of my set to use around the house and I also really liked the shape of the VDE ball grip I got last time, so I figured I would get these ball grips as "household" tools.
The finish is actually a bit different than the VDE ones, the yellow is a hard plastic and the rubber texture is actually slightly more rounded off (older tooling?) but they are quite nice in the hand. The yellow on the lower half is a bumpy texture while the ball portion is a glossy finish with random swirly patterns like a hard candy. I want to lick it
Hard to capture in a photo, it is far smoother than it looks on screen:
These are a special edition from last year, the "G" stands for "galaxy" and it comes on a rather psychedelic card. There are a few other colors as well.
I kept pulling my Megadora 930's out of my set to use around the house and I also really liked the shape of the VDE ball grip I got last time, so I figured I would get these ball grips as "household" tools.
The finish is actually a bit different than the VDE ones, the yellow is a hard plastic and the rubber texture is actually slightly more rounded off (older tooling?) but they are quite nice in the hand. The yellow on the lower half is a bumpy texture while the ball portion is a glossy finish with random swirly patterns like a hard candy. I want to lick it
Hard to capture in a photo, it is far smoother than it looks on screen:
KTC adapters: BZ14-BA3 (14mm wrench to 3/8" drive), BAE23 (low profile 1/4" to 3/8" drive), and BAE34 (low profile 3/8" to 1/2" drive)
The two square drive adapters have a fairly powerful magnet offset to one side in order to retain a socket since there isn't enough room for a ball detent.
You can see how much shorter the KTC 3/8" to 1/2" adapter is compared to an equivalent Craftsman next to it.
The hex adapter uses a sort of c-shaped spring clip (visible here) to help retain it in a wrench.
Intended to turn a ratcheting wrench into low profile ratchet, it works just as well to turn a normal box end into a low profile breaker.
It makes a nice spark plug wrench attached to a long Ko-ken spark plug socket. There is a little bit of up/down play on the wrench kind of like a wobble joint but the connection is solid and won't fall apart thanks to the quick release mechanism. Another picture of it in use over here.
The magnet on the other adapters can pretty securely hold as large as a 24mm socket. It can also hold larger sizes too but if you shake it a bunch, they might fall off (professional testing methods). I have a 3/8" torque wrench but 90% of my stuff is either 1/2" or 1/4", so this will be a nice replacement for the tall Craftsman shown earlier. The scalloping pokes out a useful distance and looks kind of pretty.
A shot of the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter. The scalloping is especially nice with US style smooth sockets vs knurled Euro sockets.
The two square drive adapters have a fairly powerful magnet offset to one side in order to retain a socket since there isn't enough room for a ball detent.
You can see how much shorter the KTC 3/8" to 1/2" adapter is compared to an equivalent Craftsman next to it.
The hex adapter uses a sort of c-shaped spring clip (visible here) to help retain it in a wrench.
Intended to turn a ratcheting wrench into low profile ratchet, it works just as well to turn a normal box end into a low profile breaker.
It makes a nice spark plug wrench attached to a long Ko-ken spark plug socket. There is a little bit of up/down play on the wrench kind of like a wobble joint but the connection is solid and won't fall apart thanks to the quick release mechanism. Another picture of it in use over here.
The magnet on the other adapters can pretty securely hold as large as a 24mm socket. It can also hold larger sizes too but if you shake it a bunch, they might fall off (professional testing methods). I have a 3/8" torque wrench but 90% of my stuff is either 1/2" or 1/4", so this will be a nice replacement for the tall Craftsman shown earlier. The scalloping pokes out a useful distance and looks kind of pretty.
A shot of the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter. The scalloping is especially nice with US style smooth sockets vs knurled Euro sockets.
Attachments
Sunflag 375
A little smaller in person than pictures might suggest but that's a good thing because it lends itself to easier access in tight areas. Nice smooth acetate handle with a hammertone texture band where it pinches in.
The matte chrome finishing is nice and the bottom grind smoothly transitions in an arc back up the shaft so that you have something flat to rock against.
Anex 9115 Hose Pick
Not much to say here. Chunky square handle, smooth chromes finish and a dulled tip.
Anex 33-B3
This comes in a kit with the handle and blades to cover 1.6, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, and 2.3 sized triangle drive. Also includes a +1 and +2 crosshead.
Magnetic, so the blades stick together like crazy.
The black insert that holds the shank appears to be plastic with a metal insert further back that the un-used side of the blade presses up against. Not a design for extreme torque but it really doesn't need to be with such small fasteners. There's no real lock or click, just a snug friction fit from the black insert. Just don't put short bits in because they would slide past this and get stuck. Nice satin finish on the handle with gloss in the scalloped areas.
Vessel GS162100
It's a two-pack of 100mm long +2 shanks in typical Vessel quality.
In my favorite ratcheting driver.
They are also surprisingly quite thin for +2 bit. As pictured, top to bottom:
Vessel ball grip (6.35mm)
Vessel Megadora 930 (6.25mm)
Vessel TD-61-2 (6mm)
Anex 33-B3 (4.96mm)
Vessel GS162100 (4.45mm)
A little smaller in person than pictures might suggest but that's a good thing because it lends itself to easier access in tight areas. Nice smooth acetate handle with a hammertone texture band where it pinches in.
The matte chrome finishing is nice and the bottom grind smoothly transitions in an arc back up the shaft so that you have something flat to rock against.Anex 9115 Hose Pick
Not much to say here. Chunky square handle, smooth chromes finish and a dulled tip.
Anex 33-B3
This comes in a kit with the handle and blades to cover 1.6, 2.0, 2.2, 2.2, and 2.3 sized triangle drive. Also includes a +1 and +2 crosshead.
Magnetic, so the blades stick together like crazy.
The black insert that holds the shank appears to be plastic with a metal insert further back that the un-used side of the blade presses up against. Not a design for extreme torque but it really doesn't need to be with such small fasteners. There's no real lock or click, just a snug friction fit from the black insert. Just don't put short bits in because they would slide past this and get stuck. Nice satin finish on the handle with gloss in the scalloped areas.
Vessel GS162100
It's a two-pack of 100mm long +2 shanks in typical Vessel quality.
In my favorite ratcheting driver.
They are also surprisingly quite thin for +2 bit. As pictured, top to bottom:Vessel ball grip (6.35mm)
Vessel Megadora 930 (6.25mm)
Vessel TD-61-2 (6mm)
Anex 33-B3 (4.96mm)
Vessel GS162100 (4.45mm)
Attachments
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I'm looking for options for replaceable-bit stubby or near-stubby (shorty?) screwdrivers, either ratcheting or not. I have a ratcheting Vessel 2200 with the detachable handle (~67mm) that can serve as a stubby handle...
... for Go Sai etc bits (GS5P-01 and GS5P-03). I don't dislike the ratcheting Ball Grip handle but I'm not maybe as crazy about it as I thought I would be, and I'm not interested in the fingertip spinner handles. Vessel's 660 and TD-110 don't use standard power or insert bits, and I have had no luck sourcing replacement bits for the TD-110 anyhow. So I'm looking for other options. Vessel has the 220/230 series (not stubbies, 100mm handle) and the 270B (55mm handle). The 220/230 uses power bits while the 270B uses insert bits. Can the 270B handle power bits? I think I would like this one if so. What other options are there from other mfrs? Anex has the 306 and 306D mini stubbies but those handles may be more compact than I want.
... for Go Sai etc bits (GS5P-01 and GS5P-03). I don't dislike the ratcheting Ball Grip handle but I'm not maybe as crazy about it as I thought I would be, and I'm not interested in the fingertip spinner handles. Vessel's 660 and TD-110 don't use standard power or insert bits, and I have had no luck sourcing replacement bits for the TD-110 anyhow. So I'm looking for other options. Vessel has the 220/230 series (not stubbies, 100mm handle) and the 270B (55mm handle). The 220/230 uses power bits while the 270B uses insert bits. Can the 270B handle power bits? I think I would like this one if so. What other options are there from other mfrs? Anex has the 306 and 306D mini stubbies but those handles may be more compact than I want.
Last edited:
Reed Prince
Well-known member
Here are the different things I tried when researching stubby handles. The 270W has a deep well and has no problems with longer bits.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Thanks a million for the pic! I think definitely the Vessel. Which do you prefer?Here are the different things I tried when researching stubby handles. The 270W has a deep well and has no problems with longer bits.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
The Vessel 270W accommodates longer bits better than the others, so it is often the choice when I am making a custom driver for a specific job. You can't beat the PB when ratcheting in tight quarters, and the Sunflag T-Grip works really well despite being probably the oldest and simplest design.
Latest haul from Japan in full…
Olfa knives… most of them for my wife for stocking stuffers.
Lobtex adjustable wrenches x 3 and 200 mm slip joint pliers.
Tsunoda needle nose pliers and 130 mm nippers.
Victor plus+ 150mm diagonal nippers.
Tone mini 3/8ths flex head ratchet.
IPS 200mm zebra color collection slip joint pliers.
SK11 1/2” to 1/4” hex adapter.
Thanks Amazon Japan!
Olfa knives… most of them for my wife for stocking stuffers.
Lobtex adjustable wrenches x 3 and 200 mm slip joint pliers.
Tsunoda needle nose pliers and 130 mm nippers.
Victor plus+ 150mm diagonal nippers.
Tone mini 3/8ths flex head ratchet.
IPS 200mm zebra color collection slip joint pliers.
SK11 1/2” to 1/4” hex adapter.
Thanks Amazon Japan!
The pink Olfa is cool, might have to get one of those!Latest haul from Japan in full…
Olfa knives… most of them for my wife for stocking stuffers.
Lobtex adjustable wrenches x 3 and 200 mm slip joint pliers.
Tsunoda needle nose pliers and 130 mm nippers.
Victor plus+ 150mm diagonal nippers.
Tone mini 3/8ths flex head ratchet.
IPS 200mm zebra color collection slip joint pliers.
SK11 1/2” to 1/4” hex adapter.
Thanks Amazon Japan!
I have the same hose pick and also use it as an O-ring install/removal tool and it works very well due to the smooth and slightly curved tip.Anex 9115 Hose Pick
Not much to say here. Chunky square handle, smooth chromes finish and a dulled tip.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
How sturdy is the auto-lock on the Olfa SVR-2 knife?
olfa.com
I want one for library/office EDC that will stand up to occasional warehouse work.
OLFA Professional Cutting Tools
OLFA offers a large lineup of heavy-duty, specialty cutting tools for superior and precision job site performance. Shop for OLFA cutters, knives, scissors and more!
olfa.com
I want one for library/office EDC that will stand up to occasional warehouse work.
unknownroad
Well-known member
Ok, I'm thinking of making my first foray into Japanese tools with the DRPD sale but have a question- Ko-Ken pear head ratchets. If the selector is to the left, does it tighten or loosen the bolt? I'm really particular about all my rats having the selector work the same way.
As it sits in this photo, the selector is in the "tighten" position. So left is "loosen." I prefer it the other way, but it isn't as annoying as I thought it would be
Duck billed seamers/pliers usually only have a small gap at the base of the jaws, large enough to fit the thickness of thin sheet metal, vinyl, or leather when the jaws are closed. They also usually have some sort of a grip pattern on the inside of the plier jaws to assist with grip.
Your pliers look like drop jaw glass pliers to me. Sometimes called by other names like glazier pliers, grozier pliers, glass breaking pliers, etc. Yours look like they might be Japanese copies of something like US made Red Devil 210 model pliers.
You score a piece of glass with a glass cutter first, then break off the smaller sized unwanted piece by hand using these pliers. You want the plier leading edges to be what's touching the glass and applying the pressure right up against the score line during this process, so the large gap at the base of the plier jaws helps ensure the thickness of the glass itself does not prevent the plier tip edges from contacting the glass surface.
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unknownroad
Well-known member
Thanks, I'm glad I asked! I know I shouldn't let it bug me as much as it does, but with so many ratchet options out there I may as well stick to ones that work the way I want them to, especially at that price point.
I thought that it was going to be extremely annoying when I first got it, but it ended up not being a big deal.
They are also the nicest ratchets that I have ever used, so putting up with the backwards selector switch is well worth it, in my opinion.
They are also the nicest ratchets that I have ever used, so putting up with the backwards selector switch is well worth it, in my opinion.
lifejacket
New member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2013
- Messages
- 2
KokenUSA is having a Black Friday sale today. 25% off your order with coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY". However, I got 30% off using this code "BLASKFRIDAY".
Cheers!
Cheers!
gjusername
Well-known member
KokenUSA is having a Black Friday sale today. 25% off your order with coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY". However, I got 30% off using this code "BLASKFRIDAY".
Cheers!
lol, are you serious? I just went there and applied that coupon to my cart just to check because I couldn't tell if you were serious or not. The code actually worked, but it didn't apply any discount.
Do you know when the sale ends? It doesn't specify, so I assumed it was only for 1 day, but it's now 1am and the blackfriday code is still working for 25% off.... so in that case, I'm guessing the sale runs until monday?
I ordered some koken stuff earlier in the afternoon from drpd. And the stuff I wanted that they didn't have in stock, was ordered from kokenusa. Both had black Friday sales
gjusername
Well-known member
I knew about the dates for drpd. I was asking about the sale from kokenusa
Oops! Not enough sleep.
Kokenusa code is good through Nov 28, according to email they sent.
lifejacket
New member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2013
- Messages
- 2
Dead serious. I took a screenshot of my order. See below.
The "BLACKFRIDAY" (25%) sale goes until Monday night (11/28). Unfortunately, the "BLASKFRIDAY" sale ended yesterday.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
KTC makes wrenches that aren't NEPROS.
Visit drpd.com
Frankstools.com or amazon japan site
Visit drpd.com
Frankstools.com or amazon japan site
Nepros is just a small sub-line compared to KTC's main selection. The full catalog is on their Japanese site (translate button in upper left):
You can find some of their stuff from Amazon.co.jp, DRPD, Frank's Tools, etc.
I believe that you can also email the English language Nepros site for them to send you normal KTC stuff as well:
About us
Name Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd. Address 128 Sayama-Shinkaichi Kumiyama-cho, Kuse-gun Kyoto 613-0034, Japan Phone +81-774-46-3717 Fax +81-774-46-3768 Email [email protected] Nepros tools are products of Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd Our master brand, KTC, stands for Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd. and we are locating...
neprostools.com
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Neither. I believe this is the first year Ko-Ken offered a SEMA show discount followed by a Black Friday sale. I don't remember any Christmas sales last year from Palmac unless it was like 10% off. I think we were happy to use MrSubaru's discount code for 5% off last year.
I think this is their push for the american market. First testing waters with influencer type of people and seeing a bit of a spark, so now going to push more for USA market. That's my hope. I like all my koken stuff quite a bit. Wish I could take advantage of this 25% off now, but not a great time.
Not exactly. "Koken USA" and "Ko-Ken tool" are separate entities.
Koken USA is a marketing brand of Palmac Tool with a different name and higher prices. Same phone number, same address, etc. The name fools a lot of people because it is designed to.
Ko-Ken products have been imported and sold by other American shops for years (Frank's tools, DRPD, Palmac, etc). I believe Ko-ken may have some sort of special agreement with Palmac now (hence the prototypes at SEMA, the logo usage, and that Palmac bullied them into not selling to Frank's Tools) but it's not a Ko-ken manufacturer run operation.
As for the 25% off sale from Koken USA, even the 15% (let alone 22%) sale on DRPD is better and importing from Japan yourself is typically even lower, so it's not exactly a unique opportunity.
Koken-USA, Palmac, Assembly Products, and OSAAP are all under the umbrella of Blackstone Global.
Blackstone is located at 10 Kidder Rd, Unit #4. Palmac is in Unit #6. Koken-USA is in Unit #8.
www.blkcorp.com
www.blkcorp.com
Blackstone is located at 10 Kidder Rd, Unit #4. Palmac is in Unit #6. Koken-USA is in Unit #8.
COMPANIES | Blackstone Global
Learn more about the companies under the Blackstone Global umbrella. Focusing on tools (both industrial and hand), automation, and tool organization.
www.blkcorp.com
Blackstonge Global Inc. A Holding Company
At Blackstone Global, we drive innovation and growth in North American manufacturing across electronics, medical, and industrial markets. By fostering synergy between our companies, leveraging shared overhead, and maintaining strong partnerships with 140+ industrial distributors.
www.blkcorp.com
LWB
Well-known member
Anyone here have the Ko-ken "normal" sockets and the Ko-ken Z? Can you give a detailed comparison?
There's a few things I don't care for with the Z series but one of my pet peeves is sloppy fitting sockets. I tend to use wrenches more because of that. Are the Ko-ken "normal" sockets tight fitting with good tolerances?
There's a few things I don't care for with the Z series but one of my pet peeves is sloppy fitting sockets. I tend to use wrenches more because of that. Are the Ko-ken "normal" sockets tight fitting with good tolerances?
four.cycle
Well-known member
Dave455
Well-known member
I have both.
The regular KoKen sockets seem to fit with a fairly average amount of clearance. I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the regular KoKen and any other quality socket.
In fact, comparing with a Snap On, I would say the Snap On is a slightly closer fit, although the design of the sockets is different so it’s hard to make a direct comparison. The KoKen has a lot of contact surface.
In terms of “tolerance” (the amount of variation, rather than “clearance”) I would say it’s minimal for the KoKen. Every socket, and indeed every tool, seems to be incredibly consistent.
The Z Series are definitely a closer fit than the regular tools. It’s not a huge difference, don’t think you will be hammering on sockets, but it’s noticable
LWB
Well-known member
Thank you, I appreciate the input.
Kinda funny that you brought up Snap on. Right now it's between Ko-ken and Snap on. It's the sloppiness between the socket and socket wrench that gets to me. I've seen video's of the Ko-ken Z and they look VERY tight. But, I'm not really into comfort handles. They'll wear out at some point.
Dave455
Well-known member
No problem!
Hmm, tough call.
I usually say that KoKen (regular line) are generally about 90% of Snap On quality, for about 35% of the price - for me at any rate!
Things KoKen do well are sockets. I think the Snap On are a fraction better, but only a fraction. Worth the extra money? Only the buyer can make that decision. For things like bit sockets, I prefer the KoKen.
Snap On do ratchet’s better. I don’t think there’s anything better than a Dual 80, but the KoKen are nice enough for most uses, and I’d rather chuck a £35 ratchet in my road box than a £105 one!
I view the Z Series as almost a specialist line (which it is really). I don’t use mine as much as the regular tools, but I have a lot of other options. Probably optimum for working in engine compartments.
The “comfort” handles on the Z Series ratchet’s are actually a very hard plastic. I don’t think they are as hard as the older style Snap On “hard handles”, which are a superb material (Du Pont I think, not cheap) but they are very close, and you won’t wear them easily. Totally different to the Snap On comfort grips, which are very soft. The overall quality of finish on the Z series ratchets is very high.
LWB
Well-known member
Thanks again! Good info! The only way I would buy Snap on would be to buy used. I'm leaning towards the Ko-ken regular line. I may try the Nut grip first. They're on my Xmas list lol