SawtoothJL
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Frankstools and levelchrome. Rakuten is faster and cheaper than both though
Ko-ken Tools -- What Makes this Brand Special !?!?
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AnonymousToolGuy
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Argh I found out I'm eligible for the SO student pricing so I now have to decide between Koken and SO since it seems to be similar pricing between the two.
SawtoothJL
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Koken Is still probably gonna be cheaper than 50% snap on. The only thing that would make snap on worth it would be if you have a driver that regularly visits.
If I was a pro, I would probably just go with SO or the like that can be warrantied easily/quickly. Since I'm just a DIY hack, I can drool all over the cool exotic stuff like KoKen, Nepros, Hazet and Stahlwille and not worry about broken tools costing me money coming in.
RedneckWelder
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If you are in the US and going to be wrenching for a living, strongly advise a brand with an easier warranty.
Doesn't have to be Snap On but being able to warranty broken tools reliably (even if you have to mail them in to the company) without having to send them across an ocean or rely on a handful of distributors is nice.
Personally my box is a mutt box. From snap on to harbor freight to proto and wright, it's got all kinds. I have a local source for warranty for everything I have.
AnonymousToolGuy
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In both cases (Koken and SO), I'm not going to have a warranty. I don't wrench for a living and only squeaked by on the SO student discount. My box is a mix of everything, but my sockets are currently all craftsman. I'm just looking to replace the 1/4 and 3/8 sockets and extensions. Maybe pick up a SO long combi wrench set.
The argument could be made that I don't really need high end, but at the same time my car is my only car, so screwing up a fastener would be bad, and there's many CM sockets that don't inspire confidence. For ex. when the head of the bolt has huge gouging in the flat sides because the socket was loose fitting.
JonnyMac
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Whilst browsing through the koken catalogue i noticed they do a titanium ratchet and socket set. Anyone got one? And how much would it cost? !?!
1foxracing
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JonnyMac
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Bargain!!!
AnonymousToolGuy
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Shipping kills it.
AnonymousToolGuy
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Received my standard metric sockets. The Zeal ones are definitely precise as hell. Caliper-ed them best I could and I was getting on a 14mm socket something like 13.98mm. My CM socket was 14.04mm.
On a drain plug bolt that's supposed to be 17mm (caliper says it's 16.8mm) my CM socket has quite a bit of play between the engagement of the socket on one edge and engagement on another. Koken socket....pretty much rock solid and 1/2 to 2/3 the play.
Might just use my student discount on a set of SO 3/8" metric standard and see how they compare.
On a drain plug bolt that's supposed to be 17mm (caliper says it's 16.8mm) my CM socket has quite a bit of play between the engagement of the socket on one edge and engagement on another. Koken socket....pretty much rock solid and 1/2 to 2/3 the play.
Might just use my student discount on a set of SO 3/8" metric standard and see how they compare.
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Wait, on a 14mm socket, you were getting something less than 14mm? Isn't that a problem fitting over 14mm fastener heads that might have variance?
AnonymousToolGuy
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Dunno. The bolts are probably adhering to some ANSI spec and maybe it's targeted to be a bit under the stated size.
Picked a 10mm bolt on my car (ignition coil cover). Caliper read 9.94mm on the head, Koken Socket was 10.07mm (again I could be off a bit since caliper-ing a socket isn't exact. CM socket was 10.15mm and had noticeably more play.
EDIT: Redid my 14mm measurement and the Koken was 14.11, CM was 14.18.
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AnonymousToolGuy
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9vG2g0pE8vqbE9wR2JDZWJ0SkU/view?usp=sharing
1080p glory showing the play difference on a 14mm strut bolt.
1080p glory showing the play difference on a 14mm strut bolt.
My dream set. Everyone needs a socket set that is Hypoallergenic...
I swear if someone ever stated that as a selling point to me while I was purchasing a TOOL, I'd b!tch slap'em
AnonymousToolGuy
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My dream set. Everyone needs a socket set that is Hypoallergenic...
I swear if someone ever stated that as a selling point to me while I was purchasing a TOOL, I'd b!tch slap'em
Some people actually do have nickel allergies and can't wear stainless steel watches (or I guess handle nickel plated tools).
AnonymousToolGuy
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Ordered a SO semi-deep set to compare against the Koken Zeal sockets. Sitting at a crossroads of whether to upgrade to one brand or the other.
garthg
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I didn't post in this thread after a recent trip to Japan. I made a specific trip to Factory Gear in Taito City, Tokyo in order to check out the wares.
The NePros are beautiful, but ridiculously expensive.
The Deen brand (house brand for Factory Gear) look like SO copies.
Koken has very nice quality, and with current exchange rates are cheaper than SO. I didn't end up with much to take as souvenirs, mainly because my tools are fairly complete. Koken 1/2" wobble extension, and key chain 1/4" sliding "T".
The NePros are beautiful, but ridiculously expensive.
The Deen brand (house brand for Factory Gear) look like SO copies.
Koken has very nice quality, and with current exchange rates are cheaper than SO. I didn't end up with much to take as souvenirs, mainly because my tools are fairly complete. Koken 1/2" wobble extension, and key chain 1/4" sliding "T".
Bolts can be over or under their specific size by a few hundredths. You don't want tools measuring exactly their stated size for obvious reasons (they wont fit!).
Are the prices for Koken cheaper in FactoryGear than the usual US sources (FranksTools, LevelChrome)? I will be in Tokyo for a couple of days in March.
SawtoothJL
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I'm not sure about factory gear but if you go to home center the prices are definitely cheaper
johnarmy
Active member
i´m happy so far
Monta do those wobble extensions lock into a fixed position?
yes they do
johnarmy
Active member
Good stuff, il put them on next months list 
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Qualitytools
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Has anyone seen the prices go down on Japan made tools since the dollar got stronger?
garthg
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I was just in Tokyo in November. I don't know about the prices, but with the exchange rate, the prices are very good in dollars. I only bought an extension and T-slider, but wish I had bought more.
SantaAna12
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Does anyone know of a more affordable source for Koken than i-tools on Rakuten?
SawtoothJL
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Nope. Rakuten is the best
SantaAna12
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Is i-tools the best on rakuten?
Qualitytools
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Got some zeal last year in Japan it's very nice with a tighter tolerance than normal koken
I just purchased the socket set in 3/8 will try it soon, beautiful workmanship and the rail is awesome.
nowlan
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Looks to be best price. I suggest you search for catalog number you want.
eg, 3285ZA
mutsuura used to be best price from memory, but not today. I think some others here have used them in the past. Recall someone saying no SAL shipping to france or something.
I just got a rude shock for EMS shipping on other items. Adds up fast.
816.466 grams for the zeal set above.
Crown Imperial
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Frankstools and Levelchrome can sometimes beat Rakuten in prices on some items.
Hello everyone I am considering the purchase of a set 3/8 . The alternatives are STAHLWILLE ( the most expensive , but perhaps better ) beta , and koken , this latest cheaper . I have a set STAHLWILLE 1/2 with which I found myself very well. STAHLWILLE torque fantastic .
Personally am attracted to koken , maybe it will be the desire to try it , maybe it will be because I like the brand , maybe it will be because I took the inserts 3/8 hex and phillips . What do you think of this brand ? worth trying ? Hello everyone and thank you and if you will help me. Filippo
Personally am attracted to koken , maybe it will be the desire to try it , maybe it will be because I like the brand , maybe it will be because I took the inserts 3/8 hex and phillips . What do you think of this brand ? worth trying ? Hello everyone and thank you and if you will help me. Filippo
SantaAna12
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Thank you guys.
Qualitytools
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You will not be disappointment with the Koken tools, they are quality and a work of art in my opinion, I love my new ZEAL 3/8 set and the ZEAL Swivel.
Highly recommend it!