Tools of Japan

mercucho said:

Hozan P-743 crimping tool (for insulated terminals). An excellent tool for crimping electrical terminals.

Click to expand...

Good crimpers, but the color code's wrong. In this country, yellow's the largest, blue's medium, and red's the smallest.

I don't use insulated terminals anymore. I use bare closed or open barrel terminals that I insulate with shrink tube because they're more secure. You could probably get the appropriate dies for them from Hozan.

Has anybody ever encountered pliers branded as "wheeler" tools before?

Has anyone used the Asahi flarenut wrenches?

I picked this up recently. The action on this is so smooth it's amazing!

**** that's pretty trick.
Where did you get it?

Crown Imperial said:

**** that's pretty trick.
Where did you get it?

Click to expand...

If you're asking about the adjustable spanner, I got it at the local hardware store in Nagoya, Japan. It's made in Japan by TDP...or TOP. The action on it is super smooth. It'd only be a slight exaggeration to say it slides like a vernier caliper.

Okay, I've read the whole thread over the last couple of months. So what I want is Koken or Nepros semi-deep sockets, 1/4" and 3/8" drive, SAE and MM, 6 point, without skips. Can this be done? The Koken site makes my head hurt, and I don't remember seeing middies on Nepros' site, but I thought I saw it on frankstools.com. Anybody know?

BK13 said:

Okay, I've read the whole thread over the last couple of months. So what I want is Koken or Nepros semi-deep sockets, 1/4" and 3/8" drive, SAE and MM, 6 point, without skips. Can this be done? The Koken site makes my head hurt, and I don't remember seeing middies on Nepros' site, but I thought I saw it on frankstools.com. Anybody know?

Click to expand...

Nepros definitely has them on their site. Should be under tool sets tab

SawtoothJL said:

Nepros definitely has them on their site. Should be under tool sets tab

Click to expand...

You, sir, just cost me some money! Thank you!

The metric set will be mine. I think I'll skip the six piece SAE set, though.

BK13 said:

You, sir, just cost me some money! Thank you!

The metric set will be mine. I think I'll skip the six piece SAE set, though.

Click to expand...

Seems like I tend to have that effect on people... [emoji16]

It's what we do around here...

Some comparison pics between me brand new Zeal ratchet (Thanks Frank!) and a standard koken 3/8" drive

Dear Japanese tool friends! At the moment I'm on holidays in Japan. While in Kawaguchiko I stumbled upon a nice little toolshop. I didn't have that much time to spemd there, but managed to pick up some nice Japanese made tools.



I would like to buy some more things though. Any particular shops or hardware stores to look out for? Didn't see any other tool shops yet, so any tips are welcome!

The nut grips are on sale at level chrome so I gots them.
They are fabulously awesome.







#1 Anex phillips driver with serrated tip

Geurt said:

Dear Japanese tool friends! At the moment I'm on holidays in Japan. While in Kawaguchiko I stumbled upon a nice little toolshop. I didn't have that much time to spemd there, but managed to pick up some nice Japanese made tools.

I would like to buy some more things though. Any particular shops or hardware stores to look out for? Didn't see any other tool shops yet, so any tips are welcome!

Click to expand...

Where are you going to be in Japan?

I recently came back from vacationing in Japan and went to several tool shops, both in Osaka and Tokyo. I will post a report in the future.

If you can visit Osaka, go to Namba.
If in Tokyo area, go to Akihabara.

If time doesn't allow, a least try to visit a Tokyo Hands store which are located in many major cities. It's a unique lifestyle/hardware store that's multi-level, and sells a lot of tools for the DIY'ers. You'll be amazed, guaranteed.


[EDIT] Here's a video I recently uploaded onto Youtube:


Also take a look at these posts for my shop tours:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148018

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150399

I recently picked up a Asahi wrench 30mm box end and wow it's a quality piece no doubt about it. A very nice well made Japanese tool. I put a 3/4 socket in the picture for scale.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

superautobacs said:

Where are you going to be in Japan?

I recently came back from vacationing in Japan and went to several tool shops, both in Osaka and Tokyo. I will post a report in the future.

If you can visit Osaka, go to Namba.
If in Tokyo area, go to Akihabara.

If time doesn't allow, a least try to visit a Tokyo Hands store which are located in many major cities. It's a unique lifestyle/hardware store that's multi-level, and sells a lot of tools for the DIY'ers. You'll be amazed, guaranteed.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! We'll for sure spend some some time in Hiroshima and be back in Tokyo (Shibuya) before we leave. I've red your posts, very helpfull! I know now what to look out for.

gbh said:

If you're asking about the adjustable spanner, I got it at the local hardware store in Nagoya, Japan. It's made in Japan by TDP...or TOP. The action on it is super smooth. It'd only be a slight exaggeration to say it slides like a vernier caliper.

Click to expand...

I have one too! They have a world-wide patent on their worm gear mechanism. It really has the least amount of play.
I've always been impressed with TOP's adjustable wrenches. A few decades ago, Klein Tools in the USA decided to use TOP adjustables with their name on it. I've handled different Iregas and Bahcos, but TOP has consistently felt good in operation and impresses me with how little play there is on the dynamic jaw.

Lobster, which is another company famous for making adjustable wrenches are pretty nice too. I would like to own their Hybrid X version some day as it also features a patented design for a play-free design. It also features off-corner engagement on the fastener as well.

BK13 said:

Okay, I've read the whole thread over the last couple of months. So what I want is Koken or Nepros semi-deep sockets, 1/4" and 3/8" drive, SAE and MM, 6 point, without skips. Can this be done? The Koken site makes my head hurt, and I don't remember seeing middies on Nepros' site, but I thought I saw it on frankstools.com. Anybody know?

Click to expand...

Nepros only has semi-deeps in 3/8" drive.
Ko-ken has them all though.

Geurt said:

Thanks for the tips! We'll for sure spend some some time in Hiroshima and be back in Tokyo (Shibuya) before we leave. I've red your posts, very helpfull! I know now what to look out for.

Click to expand...

Perfect! If you're going to Shibuya, go to the Tokyu Hands there. I used to go there when I was a kid.

Click for information in English
http://shibuya.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/

Went to a Tokyu Hands in Hiroshima yesterday. Overall the store was nice, but the tool department was a bit of a dissapointment. Very small selection and most of it was made in Taiwan or even India. So I did not buy anything there. My bet is on Tokyo for the Tokyu Hands and Factory Gear store.

I did visit two model building shops. Very cool with al the standard plane, car and military kits but also the funky Japanese kits with dolls and such. They had a very specific tool selection there with small pliers, files and such. Most of good quality and made in Japan. I bought a small plier there.

Hopefully the Shibuya location will have a larger tool section. Bear in mind that the tool selection is geared toward the DIY/craft/hobbyist crowd; not the professional mechanic/technician/electrician/etc. For automotive based tools, the Factory Gear store would serve you a lot better. Which FG store are you going to visit in Tokyo?

BTW, here's some photos I snapped with my cell phone of the Tokyu Hands store I visited. didn't expect to see Snap-on, Knipex, PB Swiss, and Dumont stuff sold there...albeit a tiny selection.

Snap-On, Esso, Michelin gear/novelty items:


Small tool boxes by Ring Star and Toyo/Trusco (I really wished I had bought one):


Dumont (Swiss made) tweezers in the case:


KKK vise :


PB Swissy / Snappy:


Knippy:

Here are the tools I brought back home from my recent trip to Japan.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15635186751" title="J2014 CanaryHurtry3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15635186751_691a07ba4a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="903" alt="J2014 CanaryHurtry3"></a>

Canary brand scissors. Made in Japan's famous city of Seki, the center where swords used to be made. It's still famous today for the center of Japan's best knife makers and other cutting instruments like shears and scissors.

This model has a teflon coating on the mating surfaces.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15638723752" title="J2014 Canary by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15638723752_2da7e959db_b.jpg" width="1024" height="598" alt="J2014 Canary"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451754158" title="J2014 Canary2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15451754158_8789cbfbf4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="628" alt="J2014 Canary2"></a>


This a Hurtry branded scissors with a teflon coating. This was a love-at-first-sight, impulse buy.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451229869" title="J2014 Hurtry by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15451229869_2e6b80a279_b.jpg" width="1024" height="591" alt="J2014 Hurtry"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451748008" title="J2014 Hurtry2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15451748008_e22f1fe65f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="655" alt="J2014 Hurtry2"></a>


If you compare these scissors with other ordinary ones, you'll easily notice how slim they are. Canary on left; Hurtry on right.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017121344" title="J2014 CanaryHurtry by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15017121344_1ef7958b05_b.jpg" width="1024" height="761" alt="J2014 CanaryHurtry"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15637871845" title="J2014 CanaryHurtry2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15637871845_728ec7273c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="679" alt="J2014 CanaryHurtry2"></a>



Nothing much to say here....awesome Keiba pliers:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017113534" title="J2014 Keiba by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15017113534_775e20be5d_b.jpg" width="766" height="1024" alt="J2014 Keiba"></a>


Merry snap ring pliers (internal and external). Both have straight and angled bit retention. Both have set screws for opening/closing stroke stops:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017685863" title="J2014 Merry by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15017685863_62be449399_b.jpg" width="1004" height="1024" alt="J2014 Merry"></a>

With the bits:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15635171741" title="J2014 Merry 2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15635171741_90d6a0b07c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 Merry 2"></a>


Not a Japanese made tool, but none the less a tool I bought there:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15637851805" title="J2014 90clamp by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15637851805_df2bc9a980_b.jpg" width="803" height="1024" alt="J2014 90clamp"></a>


Finally got one of these Mistubishi Material's Tesky C shears:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15614129746" title="J2014 TeskyC by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15614129746_d722cb463b_b.jpg" width="903" height="1024" alt="J2014 TeskyC"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451856317" title="J2014 TeskyC2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15451856317_fd28107031_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 TeskyC2"></a>


more to come...

Those shears look nice....

Jarhead0408 said:

Those shears look nice....

Click to expand...

Hopefully they perform as well as they look. I've always hated how the cut material would often ride up and catch against the shear/handle/fingers. I'll see how this one works out.


Nisaku teflon coated scraper:


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15637834905" title="J2014 Nisaku2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15637834905_7dd4f837fa_b.jpg" width="1022" height="1024" alt="J2014 Nisaku2"></a>


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15452256030" title="J2014 Nisaku by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15452256030_2c86e4b4cf_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 Nisaku"></a>


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451843147" title="J2014 Nisaku3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15451843147_ef93ec5c29_b.jpg" width="1024" height="835" alt="J2014 Nisaku3"></a>


Inoue brand scraper. This one is a carbon impregnated polyamide scraper for greater strength.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15452243900" title="J2014 Inoue by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15452243900_33ccb3b941_b.jpg" width="878" height="1024" alt="J2014 Inoue"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017648733" title="J2014 Inoue2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15017648733_5b78971237_b.jpg" width="1024" height="748" alt="J2014 Inoue2"></a>



Niigata Seiki glass cutter:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15638650052" title="J2014 Niigata Seiki by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15638650052_8676e9e02f_b.jpg" width="821" height="1024" alt="J2014 Niigata Seiki"></a>

My wife was once a hair dresser... the best hair scissors are all made in japan
Not unusual to pay $600+ dollars for a good pair.

Both scrapers look fantastic.
I've been looking for years for a scraper that will remove the silicon rubber residues from aluminum cylinder head and block decks without scratching the aluminum. Only thing I've found are the home depot plastic scrapers which are kaka.
Is there some sort of scraper in Japan made for this specific purpose?

Crown,

I don't have extensive experience using scrapers for removing gasket/RTV crud, but I have a KTC scraper and from the few times that I've used it it worked really well for me. Sometimes there isn't enough space to use a pneumatic tool with a 3m roloc bristle disc and sometimes there's no choice but to use a scraper. There was this thread on scrapers: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84408



I dug out some info that I wrote on page 6:

The scraper, which btw is made of zirconium oxide, is something like the next hardest thing to diamond. So, it's a very hard material that should never dull under normal useage; you definitely don't want to drop it onto a concrete floor or bash it against some hard object though.

I use it in a either a push stroke or side stroke. It works with minimal pressure and it's very efficient in removing silicone RTV, especially in confined spaces where you can't get a pneumatic or power tool to do the job. nothing beats a wheel, but where space doesn't allow, the scraper will do the job faster than a conventional steel/SS scraper. I give it a thumbs up.

Anex slim offset screwdriver. The #2 came in handy for servicing a couple Japanese-style door hinges at my grandma's house. That flat "handle" allows a much better control than the more commonly available offset screwdriver.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017043004" title="J2014 Anex by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15017043004_c1c24b53cf_b.jpg" width="834" height="1024" alt="J2014 Anex"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15638628322" title="J2014 Anex2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15638628322_7536cca7d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="867" alt="J2014 Anex2"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15017612353" title="J2014 Anex3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15017612353_980711e67d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="922" alt="J2014 Anex3"></a>


More slim stuff.

Asahi and SKll (COO = Taiwan) slim profile DOE wrenches.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451121619" title="J2014 SKllAsahi by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15451121619_5b1bd0ea71_b.jpg" width="948" height="1024" alt="J2014 SKllAsahi"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15452185130" title="J2014 SKllAsahi2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15452185130_4b894a1e2f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="631" alt="J2014 SKllAsahi2"></a>


TOP speed wrench. I tried this out today on a 13mm hex fastener with mixed results. Will need more usage to determine its worthiness.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451106749" title="J2014 TOP by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15451106749_f8a51ec0ef_b.jpg" width="797" height="1024" alt="J2014 TOP"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15452167650" title="J2014 TOP2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15452167650_c01e2f163a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="441" alt="J2014 TOP2"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451757797" title="J2014 TOP 3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15451757797_4ea07454aa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="395" alt="J2014 TOP 3"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451755157" title="J2014 TOP 4 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15451755157_db077b1491_b.jpg" width="1024" height="736" alt="J2014 TOP 4"></a>


Deen 1/4" drive angle adapters (COO=Taiwan)

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15469262969" title="J2014 Deen by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/15469262969_2cc18c89d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="773" alt="J2014 Deen"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15656725802" title="J2014 Deen 2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15656725802_5d6792fc06_b.jpg" width="1024" height="631" alt="J2014 Deen 2"></a>


Hands Craft (COO=Taiwan) nail setter. Another perfect item that came in handy for home repairs at grandma's house.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15656724312" title="J2014 Hands Craft by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15656724312_bfa8d04500_b.jpg" width="742" height="1024" alt="J2014 Hands Craft"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15470326820" title="J2014 Hands Craft 2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/15470326820_0864c39c36_b.jpg" width="969" height="1024" alt="J2014 Hands Craft 2"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15470323310" title="J2014 Hands Craft 3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/15470323310_07b23d8515_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 Hands Craft 3"></a>

superautobacs,

Where did you buy the scraper and slim screwdrivers from? Both look like would come in handy!

Tone combination hammer:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15635078811" title="J2014 TONE 3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15635078811_6f16c2453d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="509" alt="J2014 TONE 3"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451635638" title="J2014 TONE by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15451635638_0c4217c40a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="762" alt="J2014 TONE"></a>

I really like this grip. Reminds me of older round head ratchets made by Wright.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15451776977" title="J2014 TONE 2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15451776977_030211e2c1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 TONE 2"></a>


Komelon "Touch Lock" tape measure:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15035144304" title="J2014 Komelon by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/15035144304_07842c73d5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 Komelon"></a>

With magnet backing. Strong enough to hold vertically on side of toolbox:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15469247329" title="J2014 Komelon2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/15469247329_8bace9e02f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="J2014 Komelon2"></a>

COO=unknown

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15035140324" title="J2014 Komelon 3 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15035140324_1b304f0a44_b.jpg" width="1024" height="488" alt="J2014 Komelon 3"></a>


Mont Blanc knife sharpening jig. Part of the same company that makes Rakuda branded chisels:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15655879345" title="J2014 Mont Blanc by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15655879345_8c1a724a26_b.jpg" width="991" height="1024" alt="J2014 Mont Blanc"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/15469236309" title="J2014 Mont Blanc 2 by autobacs, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15469236309_4c2a62a6fc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="948" alt="J2014 Mont Blanc 2"></a>

Jarhead0408 said:

superautobacs,

Where did you buy the scraper and slim screwdrivers from? Both look like would come in handy!

Click to expand...

These were acquired from my recent trip to Japan. I'm sure Frankstools or Levelchrome have the Anex drivers, but not the scrapers.

Good to go. Thank you. Always a pleasure to see the innovative tools they come up with over there. I've never like the type of offset screwdrivers we use here.

Imagine if they had a thin ratcheting ring!

Never mind, just pulled up Levelchrome, they DO have a thin ratcheting hex-bit ratchet. It's not much thicker than your screwdrivers.

Handiest little tool ever...

Jarhead0408 said:

Never mind, just pulled up Levelchrome, they DO have a thin ratcheting hex-bit ratchet. It's not much thicker than your screwdrivers.

Click to expand...

Take a look at this thread for more choices.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232558

Ruger_556 said:

Handiest little tool ever...

Click to expand...

Yes, I fully agree with you! I've been using mine for a couple years now and it's going strong. Where did you purchase yours from?

Mac used to sell them:



Here's mine in SP Air clothing (cushion grip):

Wow! Some very nice bit-rats in there!

That Anex set looks perfect. I like that they offer stubby bits. I think I'll snag some from Frankstools within the next week or so.

Can't tell you how many times that would have come in handy!

Coudnt do my job without my super tool co ratchet podgers:

Jarhead0408 said:

Wow! Some very nice bit-rats in there!

That Anex set looks perfect. I like that they offer stubby bits. I think I'll snag some from Frankstools within the next week or so.

Can't tell you how many times that would have come in handy!

Click to expand...

Annex is the OEM for the Snap on offset screwdrivers I believe, I want some but Japanese tools are hard to get in the UK and I have not found a supplier yet.

superautobacs said:

Yes, I fully agree with you! I've been using mine for a couple years now and it's going strong. Where did you purchase yours from?

Mac used to sell them:



Here's mine in SP Air clothing (cushion grip):

Click to expand...

Amazon had it the cheapest

superautobacs said:

Crown,

I don't have extensive experience using scrapers for removing gasket/RTV crud, but I have a KTC scraper and from the few times that I've used it it worked really well for me. Sometimes there isn't enough space to use a pneumatic tool with a 3m roloc bristle disc and sometimes there's no choice but to use a scraper. There was this thread on scrapers: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84408


I dug out some info that I wrote on page 6:

The scraper, which btw is made of zirconium oxide, is something like the next hardest thing to diamond. So, it's a very hard material that should never dull under normal useage; you definitely don't want to drop it onto a concrete floor or bash it against some hard object though.

I use it in a either a push stroke or side stroke. It works with minimal pressure and it's very efficient in removing silicone RTV, especially in confined spaces where you can't get a pneumatic or power tool to do the job. nothing beats a wheel, but where space doesn't allow, the scraper will do the job faster than a conventional steel/SS scraper. I give it a thumbs up.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.
But carbide/ zirconium / depleted uranium or whatever are just sort of risky to use on aluminum such as cyl heads and deck surfaces. The sharper and harder the material the deeper the gouging if you just happen to sneeze or feel an itch in yar nut sack while scraping.
Did some research after my previous post. Found what they call "non-marring" scrapers. This is the one I liked best. Nothing too extravagant. Just plane razor blade shaped plastic inserts. We'll see how they work but they seem like they should do the job.

Yesterday I visited the Tokyu Hands store in Shibuya, Tokyo. They had a larger collection than the store in Hiroshima. It was really geared towards the hobby crowd. Very cool nonetheless. I bought a Canary scissor and a small Vessel hammer with hard plastic faces.



Today I went to the Factory Gear shop in Akihabara, Tokyo. This was a well organized shop, where all the tools were on display to see and touch. It was difficult to choose what to buy. I setled for three Koken t-handle sockets (8, 10 & 13mm.) and a KTC tool to pry off stuff such as doorpanels.



The staff was very friendly and after the purchase we took some photos, which are now on their website:

http://www.sprasia.com/tv/user/fgrshitamachi/index

Was a cool new experience buying tools. Must do for all whom visit Japan!