General Geoff
Well-known member
Full set of Koken Zeal 1/4 drive stuff.
Love these little guys
Love these little guys
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
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Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
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- 1,569
rick carpenter
Well-known member
One time I said my leather liner for my Y-350 box was old saddle leather, and another time I said it was old weight-lifter belt leather. It is from the belt. I have some saddle leather, some belt leather, plus other leather scraps/pieces that I make use of. I ended up with leather liners for three T-320 boxes for my grandkids' tool boxes.In case anybody is interested in these USA made leather liners for Japanese made Toyo or Trusco toolboxes, Colsen Keanne is offering 25% off for Labor Day weekend.
I got this from them this morning, and again.. I am not affiliated with them.
This is an expensive product so I’m sharing this discount code for those interested. Honestly, if you have a good piece of heavy duty leather, you can do this yourself.
“25% OFF SITEWIDE SALE
Use code "QUEENCITYMADE" when you check out.
Sale ends on Tuesday, September 8th at midnight EST.”
Sorry for any confusion.
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I bought a couple of these Koken 1/4" drive kits...Really nice traveler kit, one in the RV too, with both SAE and Metric sockets.. I bought a 3rd one of these prior but it came in a metal case, same contents. NICE STUFF.
BTW, Koken USA is running a 25% sale for Labor Day this weekend. https://kokenusa.com/ but I always now check against Harry Epstein as they run a permanent 15% off Koken. It varies which posts a better OTD price (with tax and shipping).
BTW, Koken USA is running a 25% sale for Labor Day this weekend. https://kokenusa.com/ but I always now check against Harry Epstein as they run a permanent 15% off Koken. It varies which posts a better OTD price (with tax and shipping).
Dave455
Well-known member
Nice!I bought a couple of these Koken 1/4" drive kits...Really nice traveler kit, one in the RV too, with both SAE and Metric sockets.. I bought a 3rd one of these prior but it came in a metal case, same contents. NICE STUFF.
BTW, Koken USA is running a 25% sale for Labor Day this weekend. https://kokenusa.com/ but I always now check against Harry Epstein as they run a permanent 15% off Koken. It varies which posts a better OTD price (with tax and shipping).
I think that these 1/4” drive sets, with both SAE and Metric, are very “real world” practical, especially for mobile use. You get a lot of capability for very little weight.
Koken offer either metal or plastic cases for these sets. The layout is a little different, but same contents as you say.
You need to specify a “2201AM” rather than a “P2201AM”, so I’m guessing the “P” is for “Plastic case”.
Unless it’s something decent like a Pelican case, I’d always favour a metal case for mobile tools. The plastic ones always seem to end up broken.
Koken offer a 3/8” square drive set with SAE, Metric and Whitworth sizes, which would be the ultimate mobile set for my use. They are surprisingly reasonably priced, but the only thing that puts me off is that 12 point sockets are supplied, and occasionally I really need the 6 point.
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Dave555, I would consider writing to the company that you want this set, but only if they could replace 12 pt with 6 pt sockets. Most likely it would not work, but who knows - people in Japan are different and might just help you our and potentially get a new line for themselves (it would not take much more to create a new set with socket substitution - they should be the same size...) Try and let us know how it works out...
Dave455
Well-known member
I will absolutely do that! In honesty, the U.K. dealers are very good, as are the distributors, so I doubt it will be any problem. KoKen and Stahlwille are both very good like that!
I emailed Koken USA today about a 6pt version of the above 3/8" drive kit...they do offer it [3201AMW-6P] and the CSR was surprised that they did not have it in their tool database...so she had it added...I ordered one this afternoon to take advantage of their 25% off LD sale...Koken offer a 3/8” square drive set with SAE, Metric and Whitworth sizes, which would be the ultimate mobile set for my use. They are surprisingly reasonably priced, but the only thing that puts me off is that 12 point sockets are supplied, and occasionally I really need the 6 point.
https://kokenusa.com/products/3-8-sq-dr-socket-set-6-point-42-pieces
Dave455
Well-known member
Well that’s really useful! Thanks.
I’ve often found that with KoKen. There are all manner of tools and sets that are not in the catalogue, or even on the website.
Looks like I’m up for one as well!
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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- 1,569
Koken is possibly my favorite tool brand, certainly for just ratchets and sockets at least. But I am struggling with the value on that set. Then again, I am notoriously prone to nickel and diming myself to death to avoid coughing it all up in 1 purchase. I find it easier to convince myself to spend $100 6 times before spending $500 once (especially when its for something I don't really need).
CGarage
Well-known member
I agree with you about KoKen being one of the best tool brands and it sits within my top 3 favorites easily.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Really, Ko-Ken already sorted this in a few sets.
3275, 3206A, 3200A, 3200M, 3210M, and 3277 are sets with 6 point up to 12mm / 7/16" and 12pt above that.
I have rounded 1/2" hex hardware, but it wasn't with a good condition socket.
I find their size / broach selection to be sound.
Dave455
Well-known member
Haha!Peer pressure is setting in…
I don’t really suffer from that, but if I did the cause would be someone with nicer tools than me!
I do quite a few jobs away from base at the moment, and I’m always finding I need to repack tools according to whether I need Metric (for most vehicles), SAE for some vehicles and aircraft, or BS for machine tools (or aircraft).
I have one combined set, but being 1/2” drive, it’s high on utility but low on portability.
The KoKen set that svtride has is at the other end of the spectrum for portability! The 3/8 KoKen set is somewhere in the mid ground, but probably includes most of what I need, day to day.
Increasingly I find I am using KoKen as my “go to”. If I need a tool, and don’t specifically want one from a particular manufacturer, it tends to be KoKen I go for. The fact that they offer just about everything, helps!
With regard to value, the price of that 3201AMW set (in the U.K.) is the equivalent of $325. You can get cheaper, but the tools will not be the same quality as KoKen. You can get comparable quality, but will generally pay a lot more, so I think KoKen has to score high on value.
In this case KoKen scores by offering a very comprehensive set. There are certainly others as comprehensive, but Elora are a lot more expensive, and Gedore do not have the quality.
NitroExpress
Well-known member
Speaking of Koken…
Picked up this set of 6pt metric and SAE in 1/4“ drive. I added a couple of extensions and chucked the craptastic 20 tooth wonder for a proper modern ratchet. Nice dense storage in a great metal case!
Picked up this set of 6pt metric and SAE in 1/4“ drive. I added a couple of extensions and chucked the craptastic 20 tooth wonder for a proper modern ratchet. Nice dense storage in a great metal case!
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Do those of you with Ko-ken ratchets (like the above “craptastic 20 tooth wonder” that I quite like) find that you’re always reversing them by accident when in tight spaces?
Be honest.
The switch action is incredibly light (which has benefits) and goes the ‘wrong’ way. I’m not sure which of those is the bigger problem for me.
Be honest.
The switch action is incredibly light (which has benefits) and goes the ‘wrong’ way. I’m not sure which of those is the bigger problem for me.
Tchicken
Well-known member
I've only two Ko-ken, a half-incher with 24 teeth, and a 1/4" with 20. Neither has been any problem in my use as far as jumping to the opposite direction... said direction has been no problem whatsoever to me as I grew up checking direction on round headed ratchets before use
NitroExpress
Well-known member
One of several reasons I’ve assigned it that moniker. I tried hard to give it the benefit of the doubt, but the reversing lever and tooth count make it a fail for me. I’ve got a Plomb ratchet 75+ years it’s senior that is better.
I’ll go one step further, at the risk of being run out of here, and say that I’m also not a huge fan of the Z-series ratchets. I don’t hate them, but it’s definitely not in my top 3-5 favorites. You’ll typically find my Koken sockets attached to a Matco, Stahlwille, Proto or Snap On ratchet before I grab the Z series. It’s all just personal preference.
Dave455
Well-known member
It’s a strange coincidence, but I have that very same ratchet, and I was using it today cleaning some MAP / MAF sensors.
I really like it. Yes, it is low tooth count, but I find that to be less of an issue on these 1/4” drive tools than on others. The backdrag is low, and I really love the all steel handle (more so than the smooth type, which I find a bit dainty in 1/4” drive).
ronkz650
Well-known member
I have several of the Koken Zeal ratchets, but the older 32t or whatever they were. Yes they switch direction on their own commonly. I don't know for sure the lever is too easy to switch, or the fact the lever direction is opposite to most other ratchets, but it does get annoying. It mostly happens on the smaller ratchets where your hand may be working up close to the head, as the reverse direction can be easily be switched because the direction lever when pushing the ratchet is likely to be nudged and will flip the lever to reverse. On other ratchets most commonly the switch being opposite it's already flipped in the direction you're turning.
NitroExpress
Well-known member
Sorry to be disparaging about a ratchet that some own and like.
I guess my initial test drive of this particular ratchet was so bad that I’m not giving it the benefit of the doubt. I was working on a machine that had just left me stranded away from my shop, it was 108 degrees, I was in direct sun and the swing arc made the job almost impossible - like one tooth at a time on about 8 long winded, tight access bolts. The lever switching to neutral and reversing was as if it were mocking me, daring me to throw it as far as possible. I was quite displeased. If I had a modern ratchet with a lower swing arc, things would have gone much better.
I will endeavor to give it another chance, in a more appropriate setting, although I struggle to understand how a 20 tooth ratchet fits into the modern world. I do wish Koken would offer the excellent knurled handle of this ratchet on the Z series.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
I've also noticed the Koken ratchets self reverse easily, or maybe they're easy to accidentally bump the lever. The super light backdrag has got to be the reason.
Dave455
Well-known member
No need to apologise, you have to say it as you see it! This forum works well because so many contribute their honest findings.
I have to say that, finding the perfect 1/4” drive ratchet seems to be a tougher ask than in other drive sizes.
To me, the very fine tooth ratchets, that work so well in 3/8 drive, don’t always translate well to 1/4”. I’ve got a few Snap On Dual 80’s, which for the most part (not universally) have been superb, but given the value now, do I want to be thrashing around in dirt and grease with them.
Love the Facom and Hazet, but neither have metal handles, and that’s a major requirement for me sometimes.
Which brings me to the KoKen. Sure, I wish the teeth were a bit finer, it’s an old design now, but the quality is essentially good, and like all these things each design is a compromise. Sometimes one that works, sometimes not.
NitroExpress
Well-known member
If you don’t own a Nepros in 1/4”, I would recommend giving one a go. I’m not a big fan in the larger drive sizes, but the handle (all metal),drive mechanism and size are quite good. I’ve got a flex head that I grab a lot that would have made my situation with the 20 tooth Koken tolerable.
It’s hard to keep track of what’s discontinued, but I think Proto offers a made in Italy heart spring ratchet with a metal handle as well as their own design 45 and 90 tooth metal handles. I like all of them in 1/4 inch.