mumford
Member
I have a question about these Koken Z sockets, which reduce dimensions and improve tolerances. Can't I still use regular torque wrenches on them? If not, does Kokon make specialized torque wrenches for them?
Tools of Japan
- Thread starter Frankstools
- Start date
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, I think you pretty much have to, as there is no such thing as a Z Series torque wrench!
In theory, KoKen have tightened the tolerances on the square drive as well as the business end of the socket, so I tend to only use Z series ratchets and handles on Z series sockets.
In practice, while the Z series have greatly reduced exterior dimensions, I’m not convinced that the tolerances have been reduced that much, and I suspect any decently made torque wrench will fit.
I suspect KoKen would suggest using a regular socket with a torque wrench, rather than a Z series, anyway!
The drive end fits as per normal, its the business end and OD that is tighter in tolerance.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have the KOKEN ZEAL 3/8 metric sockets and I use them with various ratchets and torque wrenches with no issues, in fact I don't own any KOKEN ratchets
I like my 3/8 Zeal sets, one deep and one normal a lot!
Dave455
Well-known member
Koken say the tolerances are tighter on the square drive too.
In practice I agree with you, normal square drives seem to fit fine.
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
Not sure what's going on with Amazon Japan. It won't let me checkout with Ko-Ken stuff in my cart. It won't ship to USA addresses. No problem with Vessel and other brands. I hope this isn't a permanent change... I wonder if this is because of USA distribution from Ko-Ken USA.
I was curious about how much of that is marketing vs. actual differences since the sockets and ratchets all interchange.
I measured a SO 13mm ratchet and socket compared to a Zeal combo. Both the Zeal ratchet and socket were smaller than the SO counterparts. The Zeal combo had a tighter delta, but the numbers suggested the SO ratchet with the Zeal socket should have been tighter still. In practice though, the Koken socket had no play on either ratchet. Same for a proto breaker bar, SK torque wrench and an HF spinner. It did have some play on two craftsmans and a Nepros quick release ratchets. So basically it’s a mixed bag.
metaltools
New member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1
Dear Powerstrokin,Some new pick ups.. Starting to fall in love with Japanese tools, it may just be my new addiction. These hammers are some of my favorite I have ever used.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
nice tools, may I know the brand name for the hammers.
Thank you.
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That's true, but only insofar as to achieve smaller OD.
Its not like the snap on 210RAFSM set that requires its own special ratchet.
toddmorr
Well-known member
re the fit of the Koken zeal sockets....I can tell you they consistently fit tighter on the square end, on a variety of ratchets -- SO, SK, Cornwell, HF -- than my other socket brands. in fact, using them with my 1/4 SO can be annoying it's so hard to get the socket off.
they also seem to fit more snugly on bolts or nuts, but that varies, i suppose because the bolts and nuts i'm working vary so much themselves.
really like the Koken sockets, all of which I got from Amazon JP.
they also seem to fit more snugly on bolts or nuts, but that varies, i suppose because the bolts and nuts i'm working vary so much themselves.
really like the Koken sockets, all of which I got from Amazon JP.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
The shipping restrictions are inconsistent. All the Ko-ken stuff I had in my cart, like universals and swivel ratchets, won't allow a USA address. But a plain 3/8 ratchet will ship to the USA. Maybe they're still updating the export rules??
Glad I bought some Ko-ken before Amazon Japan started restricting shipping but I would have bought more previously if I had known.
Glad I bought some Ko-ken before Amazon Japan started restricting shipping but I would have bought more previously if I had known.
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garfieldzzz
Well-known member
Avenging Bankroll
Banned
nothing
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no idea
below two detailed pictures of the packaging, I can't see any info about coo
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richfinn
Well-known member
I dont know what the shipping would be like from the UK or how the pricing compares but I bought from these guys recently, and it was faultless using paypal
https://www.uktools.com/search/for/-/in/0/brand/13/
pizza
Well-known member
hey MT,
i've experienced this, too. some sold-by-amazon koken items (on amazon.co.jp) i think have been getting temporarily broken, for lack of a better term.
two issues. one is that stuff goes out of stock frequently, and when it comes back in stock, it's usually like "one item left" or something. but they come into stock again in a week or so usually.
the other issue is the "won't ship to selected address" issue you describe.
for example, in late april - early may, i ordered a bunch of koken stuff, but the RS3400MZ/12 3/8" zeal socket set was refusing to check out. it was saying it wouldn't ship to the selected address. eventually, later in May after it had gone out of stock and come back in stock a couple of times, i was able to buy it. i think i also observed similar behavior on some other koken items.
so i suggest just being patient, hopefully it will work eventually. try once a week or something.
ime, it can take weeks for the stars to align, and everything you want is both in stock and actually shippable to your address in the US.
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General Geoff
Well-known member
Probably has to do with the specific seller on amazon.jp who is selling the stuff.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
Thanks. Been thinking about picking up their exclusive "Extra" set.
Thanks. Good to know. I'll keep an eye on my watch list.
The seller is Amazon Japan, not a 3rd party. But I don't know if they have multiple suppliers or if their source is direct from the manufacturer.
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pizza
Well-known member
also, i have not found a way to tell if it will ship to your address without actually trying to check out.
(and ofc non-amazon sellers basically never ship to the US, but it tells you that before you check out i think)
-----
and on that note, for amazon.de, i've observed the opposite!
last year, several knipex things i wanted said they don't ship to the US. it said so on the product page. but i found i could actually add them to my cart and check out with them, lol.
i just checked, and i can't find any examples of it now though. maybe they fixed it.
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garfieldzzz
Well-known member
They had a server issue, may some post will return the next days. There is a pinned announcement in the overview.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/announcement.php?f=4&a=9
toddmorr
Well-known member
needed some decent snap ring pliers and figured I'd give mr tsunoda a try. Actually cheaper from Amazon US versus Amazon JP this time. Think the tips are .018mm if memory serves, out of "piano wire" which is supposed to be super duper tough.
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If you wish to purchase Koken tools, go directly to Palmac tools. If you ask Koken USA they will direct you to Palmac as their preferred distributor. Do not order from Frankstools, as you have a 50/50 chance of getting your tools within a few months. Palmac shipped within a week every time.
ricleh
Well-known member
I purchased 4 Koken tools from Frankstools 5 days ago. I got them today. I've never had any problems with Frankstools and I have purchased several thousand dollars worth of tools from him over the years. I wouldn't give KokenUSA the time of day, much less buy something from someone they recommended.
+1 for Frankstools. It’s worth checking what he has in stock before ordering. That’s where the delay, if any, comes from.
Frank has always been a stand up guy. Last time I ordered I emailed him about swapping out extension sets as the ones I wanted weren’t on the site. He already had my order boxed up and ready to go.
Frank has always been a stand up guy. Last time I ordered I emailed him about swapping out extension sets as the ones I wanted weren’t on the site. He already had my order boxed up and ready to go.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
I've purchased from Frankstools as well - no issues whatsoever.
I fully agree with you. Chrome kitchen tops are the shizz nowadays
is this another one of those server errors ?
toddmorr
Well-known member
no problem with Frankstools, other than a considerable shipping delay for some stuff from Japan several months ago, but that was in the middle of the virus peak in Japan, understandable
toddmorr
Well-known member
well i went to your website, selection of Koken is mediocre. Pricing is higher than Amazon JP.
jar944
Well-known member
String line. Look at #tomoline on IG for practical applications.
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View media item 105075View media item 105076
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spchsr
Member
Back in the 1980's, I purchased a 14 piece set of combination wrenches by a Japanese company called AIGO, from my local farm store for $20. They were recommended by a couple friends who were a heavy equipment mechanic and a millwright. They had purchased some for "beater" wrenches to cut/bend/modify for special tasks because they were so much cheaper than the big name brands. Turned out they were just as durable as the expensive ones. Now I wish I had purchased 2 sets of SAE and Metric. I still watch for these at garage sales.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Dave455
Well-known member
I like those Profit wrenches^. I was thinking about acquiring a set myself as a I don’t have any slimline metric. They seem to be very nice quality. Did you get them direct from Japan?
dutchgray
Well-known member
Yes direct from Japan, via an Ebay seller, probably not the cheapest source but easy, ordered on the 6th delivered on the 10th and that included paying the import duty.
The Profit stuff is nice, I have had the 6 piece set of 3 DOE and 3 DBE for a few years, they are expensive though for what you get especially considering they are a tool of last resort.
The Profit stuff is nice, I have had the 6 piece set of 3 DOE and 3 DBE for a few years, they are expensive though for what you get especially considering they are a tool of last resort.
dutchgray
Well-known member
The Shinwa I just bought is nice quality, first Shinwa I have bought and I wanted the angle gauge thing for work as it will be easier to use than a traditional mitre gauge, made of aluminium, letting is well printed, lock works well. Its not an expensive tool or high precision but perfect for carpentry.
Reed Prince
Well-known member
I ordered these today from Amazon Japan after watching superautobacs's latest video.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMS_bbdCiNw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMS_bbdCiNw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
superautobacs
Well-known member
I wanted to make a post about it and it's already posted! 
Thanks ReedPrince.
Mr. Lemons,
I'm not sure of availability, but I'd also consider looking into NSK (Niigata Seiki), who makes SS rulers of that type. AFAIK, NSK came out with the wing tipped rulers. They also came out with a stepped graduation scale, which I find is easier on the eye. They are also made in Japan, last I checked.
They both produce rules to JIS class 1 specifications.
My oldest SS ruler and carpenter's squares are Shinwa from the late 80's. I reckon they've been a trusted brand in Japan, for a long time. ...perhaps that might be due to their availability in most any stationary and mom-pop hardware stores in Japan.
FWIW, like NSK, some Shinwa stuff can be made in China.
Vid on NSK:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LIC2_3FedCQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Thanks ReedPrince.
Mr. Lemons,
I'm not sure of availability, but I'd also consider looking into NSK (Niigata Seiki), who makes SS rulers of that type. AFAIK, NSK came out with the wing tipped rulers. They also came out with a stepped graduation scale, which I find is easier on the eye. They are also made in Japan, last I checked.
They both produce rules to JIS class 1 specifications.
My oldest SS ruler and carpenter's squares are Shinwa from the late 80's. I reckon they've been a trusted brand in Japan, for a long time. ...perhaps that might be due to their availability in most any stationary and mom-pop hardware stores in Japan.
FWIW, like NSK, some Shinwa stuff can be made in China.
Vid on NSK:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LIC2_3FedCQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>