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Tools of Japan

Qualitytools

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My 1/4" wobble-fix extensions arrived today. That just about completes my Japanese socketry collection. I'm waiting for the 72 tooth 2525Z-160 to be released before getting a final 1/4" ratchet.

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I like those socket adapters shown near the Nepros rail. are they rated for impact driver use? Who makes them and do they come in all 3 drive sizes 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inches?
 
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rick carpenter

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My 1/4" wobble-fix extensions arrived today. That just about completes my Japanese socketry collection. I'm waiting for the 72 tooth 2525Z-160 to be released before getting a final 1/4" ratchet.

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How do like how your sockets fit on those extensions? It may be just psychological, but I like the feel of my sockets on my old extensions with 'collars' (like your Ko-kens) rather than on extensions with just sloped 'shoulders'.
 

Reed Prince

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I like those socket adapters shown near the Nepros rail. are they rated for impact driver use? Who makes them and do they come in all 3 drive sizes 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inches?
The KTC JBA3-65 is, and KTC doesn't make any other sizes. The Vessels are "high torque 40V compatible socket adapters, resistant to shaft breakage." They are not available in 1/4".
 

Reed Prince

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How do like how your sockets fit on those extensions? It may be just psychological, but I like the feel of my sockets on my old extensions with 'collars' (like your Ko-kens) rather than on extensions with just sloped 'shoulders'.
I tried them today with Nepros, Ko-ken, Z-eal, and Wera sockets and they fit really well on all of them.
 

CR888

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I didnt really 'need' any screwdrivers as I have sets of Felo, Wiha, Stanley (France made) and others. That was until I got on Amazon Japan late one night bored 🤦‍♂️
Those Anex 72t ratchet bit drivers are the shiz.IMG_20221226_143753_8.jpgIMG_20221223_210123_9.jpg
 

eas311

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Can anyone that has both the KTC and Koken rail socket holders provide some feedback? I have a few of the Koken and they're filling up. I came across the KTC EHBA which are about half the price and wondered how they compare.


 

rick carpenter

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I didnt really 'need' any screwdrivers as I have sets of Felo, Wiha, Stanley (France made) and others. That was until I got on Amazon Japan late one night bored 🤦‍♂️
Those Anex 72t ratchet bit drivers are the shiz.IMG_20221226_143753_8.jpgIMG_20221223_210123_9.jpg
Does the Anex 397 ratcheting driver do OK in non-rat mode? I'm trying to decide if I need this one and either a Vessel 220 or Anex 3775 non-rat driver, or just this one. And how deep do the bits fit in? I'm not as impressed with the Vessel 2200 Ball Grip rat driver when using the handle as a bit driver. I know that's its secondary purpose but the bits don't fit into the barrel very far, only ~10mm with a spring clip.
 

Reed Prince

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I didnt really 'need' any screwdrivers as I have sets of Felo, Wiha, Stanley (France made) and others. That was until I got on Amazon Japan late one night bored 🤦‍♂️
Those Anex 72t ratchet bit drivers are the shiz.
The Anex is my current favorite ratcheting screwdriver. My fumbling fingers inadvertently turn the direction ring of the Vessel too often. The PB Swiss has the ratchet in front of the handle, and it ends up feeling sort of like the Frankenstein thing at the bottom of the photo, luxuriously smooth but heavy and imbalanced.

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...and when I spend idle time on Amazon Japan I often end up with nice looking things I might never need. :D


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Odd-job

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Is it me or did Amazon Japan update its shipping algorithms? Before it seemed like once I got over $200 or so, the shipping costs would sort of break the ice and top out at $50 or so no matter the amount of small items (pliers, picks, bit sets) I ordered.

Putting together my most recent cart, shipping costs are calculated at $120 which made me fall out of my chair. Figured out that it was some the small $ items that were adding to shipping. For instance the Anex screwdriver handles at $3 added $4 of shipping costs vs the Shun carving knife at $110 which weighs more and is higher $ has about the same shipping costs.
 

Qualitytools

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Is it me or did Amazon Japan update its shipping algorithms? Before it seemed like once I got over $200 or so, the shipping costs would sort of break the ice and top out at $50 or so no matter the amount of small items (pliers, picks, bit sets) I ordered.

Putting together my most recent cart, shipping costs are calculated at $120 which made me fall out of my chair. Figured out that it was some the small $ items that were adding to shipping. For instance the Anex screwdriver handles at $3 added $4 of shipping costs vs the Shun carving knife at $110 which weighs more and is higher $ has about the same shipping costs.
I am facing the same thing, I was looking at a few bits and adaptors totaling about $40 and shipping was going to be another $50. Ridiculous!

I need to shop somewhere else.
 

shibertus

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Can anyone that has both the KTC and Koken rail socket holders provide some feedback? I have a few of the Koken and they're filling up. I came across the KTC EHBA which are about half the price and wondered how they compare.


The magnetic rails at Harbor Freight are the same as the Koken ones. They are also available from SK (green only), Performance Tool, and probably others as well.

 

CR888

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Does the Anex 397 ratcheting driver do OK in non-rat mode? I'm trying to decide if I need this one and either a Vessel 220 or Anex 3775 non-rat driver, or just this one. And how deep do the bits fit in? I'm not as impressed with the Vessel 2200 Ball Grip rat driver when using the handle as a bit driver. I know that's its secondary purpose but the bits don't fit into the barrel very far, only ~10mm with a spring clip.
To be honest if I were you Id just buy the extra dedicated non ratcheting bit drivers as they are so damn cheap and so damn nice like the 2200w black ball grip with 3 double ended bits is like $7au in Japan + about a billion in shipping, but if you buy a bunch of stuff shipping is better. The Anex 397 does work well when locked in the middle non ratcheting position. I paid like $13 for the Anex 72tooth ball grip ratchet and its very nice, very low backdrag, hold bit with no wobble....just nice quality that you expect from Japan. I mean here a Snap On ratcheting stubby with NO bits is like $230!! My whole order in that photo was well less than that, but that's kinda how it is.
 

rick carpenter

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Does the Anex 397 ratcheting driver do OK in non-rat mode? I'm trying to decide if I need this one and either a Vessel 220 or Anex 3775 non-rat driver, or just this one. And how deep do the bits fit in? I'm not as impressed with the Vessel 2200 Ball Grip rat driver when using the handle as a bit driver. I know that's its secondary purpose but the bits don't fit into the barrel very far, only ~10mm with a spring clip.

To be honest if I were you Id just buy the extra dedicated non ratcheting bit drivers as they are so damn cheap and so damn nice like the 2200w black ball grip with 3 double ended bits is like $7au in Japan + about a billion in shipping, but if you buy a bunch of stuff shipping is better. The Anex 397 does work well when locked in the middle non ratcheting position. I paid like $13 for the Anex 72tooth ball grip ratchet and its very nice, very low backdrag, hold bit with no wobble....just nice quality that you expect from Japan. I mean here a Snap On ratcheting stubby with NO bits is like $230!! My whole order in that photo was well less than that, but that's kinda how it is.
Thanks, since both you and @Reed Prince had good things to say about the 397 I just ordered it and an Anex bit kit. I'll order a dedicated non-rat later. We have Amazon Prime so I can buy a few tools at a time for usually less than Amazon Japan + shipping to see how well they fill my needs before I order more.

BTW, what chucks come in your 'off-the-shelf' impact drivers in Australia, the 9mm E6 or the 13mm Type A?
 
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Qualitytools

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I wish I knew about this make earlier. They're half the price of some I've purchased and just as good or better IMHO. The quality amazes me for the price. Love this thread!

Anyways, the Japanese tool purchases continue! Amazon comes tomorrow too lol

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Good choice, you will like them and they are excellent quality, I am speaking from experience.
 
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LWB

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Tada! Zip tie cutter/puller. I was a bit concerned that these wouldn't work as I expected because of the angle but the fit and feel is perfect. We use the Panduit style cable cutter guns at work but sometimes they're too bulky. I really like the idea of being able to tighten the zip tie and cut it with the same tool. The contoured cutting face is a winner!

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rick carpenter

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Here's a little bit more on using 13mm anvil Type A and 9mm anvil E6 bits...

1. Anex has dual 9mm/13mm male ends on their AHMD series crosspoint bits (+0, +1, and +2) and AHHX series hex bits (H1.5 to H8). These would work in Japanese-made Type A and Chinese-made E6 chucks but the selection is limited. There might be more dual male end bits by other mfrs but I don't know any more than what I have here.

2. Anex has 100mm AEH-100, 150mm AEH-150, and 200mm AEH-200 extensions. The schematics in the Anex catalog show Type A chucks and Type A male ends. Engineer has 100mm DR-22, 150mm DR-23, and 200mm DR-24 extensions. On the Engineers, I see Type A male ends and what looks like captive ball retention Type A chucks but I haven't seen any Engineer schematics to confirm. To use any of these in E6 impact chucks, you'd have to grind 4mm off the Type A male ends.

Now comes the whack-a-doodle part. I wonder if careful lathe work might be able to machine dual 9mm and 13mm grooves into cut down Anex and Engineer extension shafts? So maybe only 60-70mm added instead of 100mm to the business end of your impact guns.

Options are out there. See http://www.vessel.co.jp/userfiles/catalog22/catalog_construction-bits_E.pdf for confirmation that this Vessel BH-14 adapter retains a Type A bit with a ball and spring. Not like an impact driver chuck, but better than just friction.

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The Vessel Japan site has links to catalogs that are well worth looking through. I missed it first time, shown plain as freaking daylight in the Industrial Bits catalog, that the 9mm anvil bits are called Type B bits. Anyhow, the Anex ACHM9-EH bit kit I have coming includes an AEH-100 adapter.
 

BigLeagueSmoes

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I wish I knew about this make earlier. They're half the price of some I've purchased and just as good or better IMHO. The quality amazes me for the price. Love this thread!

Anyways, the Japanese tool purchases continue! Amazon comes tomorrow too lol

Pliers.jpg
Yes, Tsunoda pliers are no joke!
 

toddmorr

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I am facing the same thing, I was looking at a few bits and adaptors totaling about $40 and shipping was going to be another $50. Ridiculous!

I need to shop somewhere else.
Because Amazon j is doing everything they can to discourage this cross border shopping thing, probably at the request of the various OEMs.
 

rick carpenter

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I just got my Anex 397 in and though I've not used it yet I'm very pleased with how taut it is, it has very little play in the mechanism compared to ~2x as much in my Vessel 2200 (still not much though). The Anex has the Vessel beat on one-handed direction changing, which is why I got it. Plus there are tons of 6.35mm hex bits by a variety of mfrs, vs little selection for Vessel 2200B bits. Bits fit much more precisely in the Anex compared to the same bits in my Vessel 270, and yes I know the insertion depth is ~10mm deeper in the Anex than in the stubby Vessel. I'm still super-pleased with all of them.

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Waiting on the bit set...
 

LWB

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Finally finished this little cart up. I like it! I think it will work out really well for lighter work like interiors and whatnot. I have another that I can toss parts on and do heavier work.

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Time to stop screwing around and get to work on the track car. The season will be here before you know it!
 

superautobacs

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This new year calls for, yet again, a need for Ko-ken's oil pressure sensor socket. A 24mm hex opening with the correct broach depth and bore diameter to cradle automotive oil pressure sensors.
It's driven by either the 1/2"sq opening or with a 24mm wrench to work the flats near the base of the socket.
.
The socket was combined with Ko-ken's brilliant balljoint style universal and their 1/4sq -> 1/2sq drive adapter to give me the clearance needed to ratchet it off/on in this very confined space.


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Fedwrench

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Another genius use of tools!! the struggle is real. I never really paid attention to those Ko-Ken pressure sensor sockets as I thought they would be too large at 1/2 drive for some applications. That 1/4 x 1/2 adaptor makes a world of difference. Thanks for sharing :beer:
 

superautobacs

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Another genius use of tools!! the struggle is real. I never really paid attention to those Ko-Ken pressure sensor sockets as I thought they would be too large at 1/2 drive for some applications. That 1/4 x 1/2 adaptor makes a world of difference. Thanks for sharing :beer:
Yes, that adapter, has seen more use than I ever expected over the years.

Yeah, if I was their product developer, I'd try to spec it as a 3/8sq tool. Oil pressure switches that I've seen are all low-torque applications. Same goes for their stud pullers and setters. I'd appreciated them more if they were 3/8 drive. ...it's one of the main reasons I got this Tone 1/2 sq in a 3/8 body ratchet.

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Qualitytools

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By far the most exciting tool of Japan I have is my Makita TD172D impact driver, made in Japan (and purchased from Japan). Immediately out of the box the quality is noticeably better compared to the chinese made Makita tools I have. My first performance impressions are A++. I don't know what all power tools you can buy from Japan but I will certainly look for more Japanese Makita in the future. I have only had it for a few days but have used it to drive Tapcons into concrete and it was a dream to use. I plan to use it for light automotive mechanic use for when I don't need the bigger impact wrench but just want something to turn the nut or bolt faster than I can by hand. Can't wait to see what else I can throw at it!

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Have you explored the correct case for this impact? I saw a black case that appeared to be made for this model? any thoughts or ideas as I would like to keep it in a separate bag preferably hard case. Thanks
 

BigLeagueSmoes

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Have you explored the correct case for this impact? I saw a black case that appeared to be made for this model? any thoughts or ideas as I would like to keep it in a separate bag preferably hard case. Thanks
I don't know about hard cases for this impact. I use a Harbor Freight soft carry bag for mine. You could buy something like a Pelican case and cut your own foam shape out of it if you want a custom fit and a protective case. I don't know how specific fit the Makita brand plastic cases are for their impacts. The Japan impact is very very similar in size and shape to the ones sold in the U.S. market but it is not identical.
 

Qualitytools

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I don't know about hard cases for this impact. I use a Harbor Freight soft carry bag for mine. You could buy something like a Pelican case and cut your own foam shape out of it if you want a custom fit and a protective case. I don't know how specific fit the Makita brand plastic cases are for their impacts. The Japan impact is very very similar in size and shape to the ones sold in the U.S. market but it is not identical.
Thanks for your feedback!
 

C4RBON

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Anybody buy from neprostools.com recently (from the US)? I placed an order on Dec 12th, and I've had no update. I emailed last week and haven't received a response. This is unlike my previous orders, where I'd get update emails from real people, and the shipping from Japan would arrive in like 2 days. Granted that was back on the old nepros.net site, and over a year ago.

I placed 3 orders at the same time from Nepros Tools,, DRPD, and Jersey Discount Tool, and the other two orders shipped next-day.
 

cleeny

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Anybody buy from neprostools.com recently (from the US)? I placed an order on Dec 12th, and I've had no update. I emailed last week and haven't received a response. This is unlike my previous orders, where I'd get update emails from real people, and the shipping from Japan would arrive in like 2 days. Granted that was back on the old nepros.net site, and over a year ago.

I placed 3 orders at the same time from Nepros Tools,, DRPD, and Jersey Discount Tool, and the other two orders shipped next-day.
They're now very slow with their replies. They explain that they are much busier now, so they apologize and do get back to you, but that usually takes more than several days to a week. If you ask them something "less critical", they almost don't even reply.
Seems as though they don't have enough employees to make up for their somewhat recent hike in orders, causing a seriously noticeable decline in their customer service.
 
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Jack_K

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I was buying a $46 wire stripper so of course I looked for more items to get free shipping over $100. The first thing I saw that I wanted to buy now was a Koken 169WM window molding remover for $55 which is something I need but didn't realise existed.

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