Had no idea they make those, really cool!
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
superautobacs
Well-known member
Interesting to note that the yellow tape measure has a maker's marking: "KDS"
So it seems like KDS was making the tape portion or the whole thing, but rebranded as a Mitutoyo.
I was in Japan a few months ago and took a photo of the tape measure isle at some home center.
Interesting to note that the yellow tape measure has a maker's marking: "KDS"
So it seems like KDS was making the tape portion or the whole thing, but rebranded as a Mitutoyo.
I was in Japan a few months ago and took a photo of the tape measure isle at some home center.
And the gray one states "Made in England"
superautobacs
Well-known member
I bought my Ko-ken window moulding tool in 2018. Doesn't get a lot of use, but is a must have tool for pulling stubborn ones! Recent use for it was upholstery work. The broad surface area ensures I'm not going to damage the ribbing. Here's another related use, also upholstery:
KnurledNut
Well-known member
@superautobacs
I have always been fascinated by the Muratec KDS venture with Stabila. Many years ago, they were for sale on Amazon in the US market. The tape measures and other tools were available at that time too.
I have always been fascinated by the Muratec KDS venture with Stabila. Many years ago, they were for sale on Amazon in the US market. The tape measures and other tools were available at that time too.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
This is amazing because it’s more than what one would find at our local HD or Lowes, or any US hardware store for that matter. Thanks for sharing.Interesting to note that the yellow tape measure has a maker's marking: "KDS"
So it seems like KDS was making the tape portion or the whole thing, but rebranded as a Mitutoyo.
I was in Japan a few months ago and took a photo of the tape measure isle at some home center.
Found an unexpected use for the Tsunoda chain link pliers (or any chain link pliers in this design). They're awesome for removing the E-clip circlip, especially the tiny ones where you can't pry them with a screwdriver! The groove in the chain link pliers makes you press it right in the middle, and the offset just seems to make them ideal for it too. With regular pliers it's always a bit off.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Finally got maybe my last Amazon Japan order in for the time being.
Liking the Vessel battery screwdriver. Perfect for tiny screws on plastic toys. Disassembling nerf guns seems to be a common activity in my household.
Battery life isn't that great. Nor can the low speed screwdriver with the higher torque screw screws into studs. The switch isn't variable either which I didn't realize. Sort of takes some technique not to over torque some screws by lightly holding the handle and letting it spin the handle after the screw is run down sort of jerking your thumb off the trigger, then hand torque to finish the job.
Have some high speeds on the way.
Hytekrednek
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2015
- Messages
- 373
I have a low speed and the high speed drivers from vessel too. I love them, especially for assembly work with many screws, or disassembly too. Just break the torque by hand, then push the button to run the screw out quickly. A time saver and just plain cool tool. Wiha makes a similar e-screwdriver. it looks nice but man is it expensive.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Thanks to @Vicks for the review. In response to it and previous pm's between us, I ordered and received my own 3775. Very nice, exactly as I expected. I'm only able to compare the Anex 397 & 3775 vs the Vessel 270W, but I'd say Anex has Vessel beat in how tightly and securely friction-fit bits feel when inserted. In an earlier question about the 397, @CR888 recommended I buy dedicated drivers. I already had several Vessel Super Cushion drivers and absolutely love using them. Regarding dedicated Japanese drivers, I'd have to say Vessel has Anex beat in terms of selection. I'll be getting more Vessel & Anex tools for sure.A quick review of my Anex 3775 driver which i bought over 2 years ago from Amzn.jp
I use mine for automotive and household work and enjoy using it. The shaft to handle tolerance is excellent and there is no free play while using it. I often wondered how the inside of the plastic handle was made to manage torque being applied on the blade and found that there is a metallic portion in which the blade engages, this is good design and has held up well with my usage. I have also used the handle with shorter Wera, Vessel & Trusco bits and they perform well with the only issue being that the ball detent position does not match (obviously) but the ball detent of the Anex bit does not match with the handle either so i guess i've got nothing much to complain about.
Overall, i like this driver very much but i'm unaware of any torque ratings for it. The handle is shaped well with a partial soft grip which is my only concern. While using it in narrow spaces with sharp corners (say sheet metal and confined engine bays) the soft handle material has taken several cuts / nicks over the years - Not enough to damage the handle or to take chunks of the soft material out but the cuts are visible when dirt, grease and grime gets into them. There is also noticeable amount of wear of the soft handle material with my occasional usage so i'm guessing in a heavy use environment it may not last long. The handle washes up very well with just soap water and has also held up well against automotive fluids like coolant, gasoline, various greases & oils etc so far.
BigLeagueSmoes
Well-known member
Hitachi NT 65MA2 15 gauge 2 1/2" finish nailer purchased today at the pawn shop, $25
genog
Well-known member
I would like to find one myself.
But....it's not to hard to convert
Been doing it for a long long time now
Qualitytools
Well-known member
You can get a metric / inch tape measure from Lowe’s made by Komelon. I purchased a 26 ft. / 8 m one for under $10 It's very nice and has marking on both sides of the tape.
Here is a link to it:
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LWB
Well-known member
Visit Canada. They're common here.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Can anyone list which Japanese mfrs or resellers sell DIN 5260-PH/ISO 8763-1 (aka "JIS") bits for screwdrivers/impact drivers? I don't care if they're 13mm Type A or 9mm Type B or insert bits. I've got a collection of Vessel & Anex 45mm, 65mm, 100/110mm, and 135mm crosspoint bits but I want some +1/+2/+3 bits in 82mm or 85mm. Can find +2x85 easily enough, but I want all three.
bongkar_YES_pasang_NO
Well-known member
saw some AIGO stuff here, double check on marketplace and I think it's worth buying. oh man, this forum just more and more tempting than ever
for your reference my fellow AIGO fans.
it's on thai languange, but there always uncle google to help you.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I’ve seen this question posted a few times. My go to are the Centrofix line from Wiha because they hold the longer anvil of the Japanese bits like glue. Virtually no flex. Obviously not Japanese made but if you’re going to invest in Vessel/Anex/Sunflag etc. bits, this is the way to go. They also work with the shorter C6 bits, standard bits, double sided, and dual anvil bits, so very versatile too. In the picture below you can see the anvils it works with.
Additionally, I keep a Centrofix bit adapter in my Felo Smart Handle so that I also have a T Handle available. The Hazet 810BH works with the longer Japanese anvil as well, just not as secure as the Centrofix. Hope this helps.
Pictured below:
Wiha Centrofix 76000
Wiha ESD Centrofix 38701
Wiha Centrofix Adapter 71480
Felo Smart Handle with Centrofix adapter 71480
Hazet 810BH
Will the Wiha 7148C Centrofix work with my Anex 397 ratcheting handle which takes bit shanks in 40mm deep? The Wiha website says the OAL is 2.4" and the shank looks to be around half of that length, so that's not looking so good for me. But maybe someone has some knowledge about that combination?
Anyone know if the Wera Rapidaptor has the same bit-holding capacity for Japanese and Western bits as the Wiha? Sunflag's 192 or 193 or T-Grip 6200 ratcheting handles look like they might work with the Centrofix but I really like my Anex handles.
werkzeug-keller
Member
Wiha 7148C Centrofix Shank lenght is ~28-29mm long
About Japan made combination pliers, diagonal cutting pliers, cable cutter pliers, how hard is the edge? I only found an information about KingTTC pliers at about 54-58 hardness level compared to Knipex that stand at 58-61 hardness level.
what makes you think Hera sockets are made in Taiwan? are there any particular mark?That’s interesting.
I too like the PB Swiss, but I think they are discontinued.
Have you tried KoKen for hex bits? They are pretty much my “go to” now for hex and torx bits, and they offer inch sized bits.
The “new kid on the block” seems to be Wera. They offer a huge selection of hex and Torx bits in different lenghts and different drive sizes. I think the “socket” parts are made in Taiwan, the “bit” part in the Czech Republic.
Haven’t used these enough to determine how they hold up, but early indications are good. I like the colour coding, and also the cases they come in. These are long 1/4” drive. They also have the “holding function”.
Dave455
Well-known member
Well, those are very different tools, with differently hardened edges.
Knipex offer two grades of combination pliers. The cheaper ones are 60 HRC, the better ones 63. Most of the Knipex wire cutters are 63 also. The “high leverage” cutters, and CoBolt cutters are 64, and that’s as high as they go. The cable cutters will be much softer.
All my King TTC just quote a hardness of 58 to 64, if memory serves. That’s a generic figure for all the tools, so the actual tools will vary with the type of tool, but probably not vastly different to Knipex.
Dave455
Well-known member
It’s written on the packing, if you buy just sockets.
They make all their sockets in Taiwan, and all their Hex bits in the Czech Republic.
If you buy hex bit sockets you have a combination of countries of origin, but they elect to put “Czech Republic”!
Dave455
Well-known member
If they were otherwise similar tools, yes, it might.
But in practice I think you will find the wire cutters from both makers are about 63, cable cutters from both a bit softer, and so on.
I have King TTC cable cutters and they’re great. Liked them so much, and the price was so reasonable, I bought a spare pair!
thank you so much for a deep insight
The wood composite is supposedly meant as a grippy surface in oily conditions, where typical soft handle grips get nasty and slippery, and the acetate handles get slippery too...
There's also the extra heavy duty "split handle" screwdriver which looks like something that was made 100 years ago.
Looks like the wood does not fit that perfectly though.
There's also the extra heavy duty "split handle" screwdriver which looks like something that was made 100 years ago.
Looks like the wood does not fit that perfectly though.
SirLancelot
New member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2023
- Messages
- 4
I never trust ebay i always think its going to be a knock-off, might be stuck in the past. Did your order come in okay?I bought my last Ko-ken order from eBay.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
It came in okay. I think a number of independent Japanese sellers took advantage of the excellent exchange rate last Fall and offered things at unusually good prices on eBay.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Agree, I purchased my Made in Japan Makita that way.
Jeff
Well-known member
My latest haul from amazon.jp. I needed to fill-in a few chest holes.
The ratchets are quite impressive, especially considering the prices. Somehow I didn't have any decent 3/8" ratchets, only 1/4".
The ratchets are quite impressive, especially considering the prices. Somehow I didn't have any decent 3/8" ratchets, only 1/4".
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I got this Shinwa 76751 15cm rule in today. Amazon listing and package labels say "... from JAPAN" but the printed info says made in China.
Pros: nice depth stop; scale in mm and 1/2mm; right size. A few cons: I wish it was stiffer (seems easy to bend if not very careful); susceptible to fingerprints.
Anyone know anything about Shinwa calipers?
Pros: nice depth stop; scale in mm and 1/2mm; right size. A few cons: I wish it was stiffer (seems easy to bend if not very careful); susceptible to fingerprints.
Anyone know anything about Shinwa calipers?
Dave455
Well-known member
Shinwa are one of the better known Japanese rule brands. The bigger / better quality rules are made in Japan, but the cheaper ones are made in China.I got this Shinwa 76751 15cm rule in today. Amazon listing and package labels say "... from JAPAN" but the printed info says made in China.
Pros: nice depth stop; scale in mm and 1/2mm; right size. A few cons: I wish it was stiffer (seems easy to bend if not very careful); susceptible to fingerprints.
Anyone know anything about Shinwa calipers?
I have some rules by Minemura, which are all made in Japan, and one by Fisher, which also is.
A local woodworking specialist always keeps a selection of these rules in stock. The actual makers seem to vary, but the quality (and style) does not. All are made in Japan.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
The depth stop on this one, which is true and relatively substantial, vs the pocket clip style was one reason I chose it.
Brando_Damo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2020
- Messages
- 62
For some reason I have a soft spot for Aigo. I use my vintage finds quite a bit!saw some AIGO stuff here, double check on marketplace and I think it's worth buying. oh man, this forum just more and more tempting than ever