Ko-ken Tools -- What Makes this Brand Special !?!?
- Thread starter superautobacs
- Start date
Dave455
Well-known member
Stahlwille is probably the best of the 3, but the KoKen isn't far behind, if at all!
Stahlwille offer a greater range of tools (their wrenches are superb) but KoKen offer a greater range of sockets and handles. KoKen have a polished finish, Stahlwille satin. Both are really durable.
You're right about the insert sockets. KoKen offer a huge range of these and they are very good. You see a lot of these tools on Japanese (and increasingly a lot of British) assembly lines. That's a tough environment, as the same tool in the same size gets used all day, but's that's where KoKen came from, so it's no wonder their tools are tough!
Buy KoKen or Stahlwille and I suspect you will be happy with either! If you do go down the Koken route, enjoy the superb range of specialist handles they offer, many of which have been long discontinued by other makers, and which, thanks to their favourable pricing, you can actually afford!
As for durability, consider this - I live in a rural part of the U.K. A local farmer has a KoKen ratchet and a few sockets. The ratchet handle is all smacked up. Turns out he doesn't own a breaker bar or anything, if he gets a tough bolt on some bit of farm machinery he just hits the ratchet with a club hammer! Very few ratchets would put up with this abuse!
fanders
Well-known member
I bought a set of Koken 3/8 metric sockets based on the reviews on this forum - they are great quality, and will last a lifetime. I'm going to add 3/8 deep metric sockets, 3/8 wobble locking extensions and perhaps a 1/2 ratchet as I go, they look good too. Consolidated Tools even shipped a Koken diary with the sockets, complete with pictures of the socket production line - love that! Prices not cheap, but 'fair', if you know what I mean.
fanders
fanders
Bran Diezel
Well-known member
Could not hold out any longer, ordered wobble extensions in all sizes.
Also found the folding socket drivers very cheap on eBay.
http://www.kokenusa.com/products/model/530
Anyone have those? Or the longer versions? It looks pretty handy!
Also found the folding socket drivers very cheap on eBay.
http://www.kokenusa.com/products/model/530
Anyone have those? Or the longer versions? It looks pretty handy!
bad luck
Well-known member
After reading these koken reviews, I checked on ebay and saw some old but never used koken socket sets from the 70's.
I also read somewhere that the quality was not near as good back then.
These are reasonably priced or should I pass on them and order a new set?
I also read somewhere that the quality was not near as good back then.
These are reasonably priced or should I pass on them and order a new set?
Dave455
Well-known member
Don't touch 'em! Get new!
I think they produced decent stuff back then, but little if any made it to the U.S. Most of what was sold in the west was made down to a price, so that they could compete on price alone!
KoKen is better than a lot of stuff from that era, but nothing like the quality avsilable now.
I think they produced decent stuff back then, but little if any made it to the U.S. Most of what was sold in the west was made down to a price, so that they could compete on price alone!
KoKen is better than a lot of stuff from that era, but nothing like the quality avsilable now.
SawtoothJL
Well-known member
I'm sure old koken is on par with today's koken
n8n
Well-known member
I remember a thread where someone picked up an old koken socket set for an inexpensive price and was really disappointed... I'm on my phone or I'd try to find it. Don't know enough about koken to give any tips on what's known good and what's not
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk
Dave455
Well-known member
I've seen some, and it isn't!
bad luck
Well-known member
I may buy a set of them anyway, just because they are so inexpensive. If they don't seem to be very good I'll give them to my son for his jeep.
I'll let everyone know how I like them, they must be better than harbor freights socket sets I think.
Thanks for the advice.
I'll let everyone know how I like them, they must be better than harbor freights socket sets I think.
Thanks for the advice.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Post some close up pics of the vintage tools if you can!
bad luck
Well-known member
I had to leave town for work, but when I return home the tools should be there. I'll take some pics and post them then.
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Yes, please show us some pictures!
Some tools in action photos:
A good example where a standard, deep well, impact socket would not work. Sure, you could use a hand socket with an extension, but why not a Ko-ken wheel nut/bolt impact socket for quick work.
The diameter is as small as a chrome socket:
Some more comparison shots between the Kuken 1/2" impact and
Proto/MAC/Facom 3/8" drive :
IR thumber gun 1/2" drive :
Some tools in action photos:
A good example where a standard, deep well, impact socket would not work. Sure, you could use a hand socket with an extension, but why not a Ko-ken wheel nut/bolt impact socket for quick work.
The diameter is as small as a chrome socket:
Some more comparison shots between the Kuken 1/2" impact and
Proto/MAC/Facom 3/8" drive :
IR thumber gun 1/2" drive :
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SawtoothJL
Well-known member
That Kuken looks awesome!Yes, please show us some pictures!
Some tools in action photos:
A good example where a standard, deep well, impact socket would not work. Sure, you could use a hand socket with an extension, but why not a Ko-ken wheel nut/bolt impact socket for quick work.
The diameter is as small as a chrome socket:
Some more comparison shots between the Kuken 1/2" impact and
Proto/MAC/Facom 3/8" drive :
IR thumber gun 1/2" drive :
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
It performs awesomely as much as it looks good. A happy user here. I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the market today.
Dave455
Well-known member
I've long admired those Kuken air tools. Size, weight, performance and finish all look superb. The tools I've used have all been beautifully smooth as well!
The only thing I don't like is the amount of plastic, such as in the grip! I know that kind of goes with the light weight, but all my other air tools are of all metal construction, and are all the better for it!
The only thing I don't like is the amount of plastic, such as in the grip! I know that kind of goes with the light weight, but all my other air tools are of all metal construction, and are all the better for it!
lbgradwell
Well-known member
My single Ko-ken tool is this 3/8"-drive flex-head ratchet...
Sal Bandini
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
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Probably not a big deal but I don't like those phillips screws.
Dave455
Well-known member
They are!
However, superautobacs was showing one of his KoKen sockets in use with his Kuken Impact gun!
Naturally, this being GJ, the impact gun gets as many admiring glances as the socket! Especially as they are quite different to the majority of impact guns!
Perhaps we should start a Kuken thread!
bad luck
Well-known member
These are pics of the NOS Koken set I bought on ebay. The seller said that these were from the 70's, there are a few specks of rust. But not too bad.
These were about $45. and I think that they are worth that. Maybe not as nice as the new stuff, especially the zeal line, but not bad at all.
These were about $45. and I think that they are worth that. Maybe not as nice as the new stuff, especially the zeal line, but not bad at all.
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superautobacs
Well-known member
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
All Zeal ratchets are 36-tooth.
For an M18, they have them in only 1/2 drive, and only in 60mm and 100mm lengths. Part # is 4020.60 and 4020.100
Huh... they do have them I guess. The set on their site only goes up to M14 though. I wonder if they'd do some kinda dealy where I could get one of their cool rails with 3/8" M4 M5 M6 M8 M9 M10 M12 M14 and 1/2" M16 and M18 all on it? That would be perfect!
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
A post elsewhere prompted me to write about something that may not be so apparent to the casual observer.
That is ... there's a reason behind the exterior shape of Zeal socketry items. That curvature near the base of the tool. It's a cool design from a purely aesthetic point of view, and not to mention, no other brand seems to have anything similar, which makes these appealing to some. But there's a reason behind it.
Ko-ken decided to add a user-friendly feature into all Zeal socketry items. Unlike most budget brands that are shaped and sized uniformly from one end to the other, Zeals have a form that aids in the removal of the socket from a drive tool.
Take for example, a standard Ko-ken socket next to a Zeal:
When you don't have a quick-release ratchet, or when your drive tools are secured tightly to each other and you happen to have greasy or slippery fingers/gloves, this feature really does make a difference. It's just another user-friendly feature put towards the Zeal lineup of tools.
That is ... there's a reason behind the exterior shape of Zeal socketry items. That curvature near the base of the tool. It's a cool design from a purely aesthetic point of view, and not to mention, no other brand seems to have anything similar, which makes these appealing to some. But there's a reason behind it.
Ko-ken decided to add a user-friendly feature into all Zeal socketry items. Unlike most budget brands that are shaped and sized uniformly from one end to the other, Zeals have a form that aids in the removal of the socket from a drive tool.
Take for example, a standard Ko-ken socket next to a Zeal:
When you don't have a quick-release ratchet, or when your drive tools are secured tightly to each other and you happen to have greasy or slippery fingers/gloves, this feature really does make a difference. It's just another user-friendly feature put towards the Zeal lineup of tools.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Aha! I did not know that!
I wish everyone else did this as well. I have a few ratchets that make it difficult to remove sockets from them.
I wish everyone else did this as well. I have a few ratchets that make it difficult to remove sockets from them.
RXtacy
Well-known member
Snap on did something similar on their low height sockets.
Btw, full disclosure, I'm a snap on guy. Side by side I think snap on offers a product that suits me better. BUT: I'm a huge fan of Koken design. I totally buy into their design concept. These sorts of specialty tools are a great idea.
Btw, full disclosure, I'm a snap on guy. Side by side I think snap on offers a product that suits me better. BUT: I'm a huge fan of Koken design. I totally buy into their design concept. These sorts of specialty tools are a great idea.
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RXtacy
Well-known member
Didn't realize this, but they actually sell the magnetic rails separately as well.
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/i-tools/item/4991644219520/
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/i-tools/item/4991644219520/
Qualitytools
Well-known member
hangfirew8
Well-known member
RXtacy
Well-known member
The drive posts on the rails are removable and interchangeable. You can buy both the rails and the posts separately so you can mix and match whatever you want. See my earlier post for a link to the rails.
Oh wow, so I can just put together my own set. Now to decide... Impact or regular, stubby or long XZN sockets...
The Toolest Guy
Banned
Here is part of what makes Ko-ken so special.
AL4400M-17 and AL4400M-19. They are aluminum sockets designed to be used on aluminum nuts. Specifically aluminum wheel nuts that come on some European and exotic vehicles.
They are not designed to replace regular wheel nut sockets. Their large external diameter makes them unsuitable for a lot of 'tuner' wheels and nuts.
AL4400M-17 and AL4400M-19. They are aluminum sockets designed to be used on aluminum nuts. Specifically aluminum wheel nuts that come on some European and exotic vehicles.
They are not designed to replace regular wheel nut sockets. Their large external diameter makes them unsuitable for a lot of 'tuner' wheels and nuts.
OP
superautobacs
Well-known member
Those are cool specialty sockets!
Ko-ken's wobble-fix extensions.... I recently had a repair job where I was absolutely happy to have it. I wouldn't have been able to perform the repair without it.
I had to get to a flare nut fitting to replace a brake line. The proper way would've been to lower the rear subframe down, but with this setup, with the use of the wobble-fix, allowed me to save a bunch of time.
A normal extension wouldn't fit due to clearance against the flarenut crowsfoot. I had a Toptul wobble extension, but that didn't fit. The reason why the Ko-ken fits is because the shanks are necked down. They do this with all of their wobble-fix extensions. So, thanks Ko-ken, for designing them that way.
The job at hand:
Ko-ken's wobble-fix extensions.... I recently had a repair job where I was absolutely happy to have it. I wouldn't have been able to perform the repair without it.
I had to get to a flare nut fitting to replace a brake line. The proper way would've been to lower the rear subframe down, but with this setup, with the use of the wobble-fix, allowed me to save a bunch of time.
A normal extension wouldn't fit due to clearance against the flarenut crowsfoot. I had a Toptul wobble extension, but that didn't fit. The reason why the Ko-ken fits is because the shanks are necked down. They do this with all of their wobble-fix extensions. So, thanks Ko-ken, for designing them that way.
The job at hand:
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No pic's Supe and I'd really like to see exactly what you're talking about. Also I'm salivating over a complete set of 3/8" RS3400MZ . I found some place a couple days ago with a good price, but they were on back order. Could one of you guys recommend a retailer?.
Thanks, Cam.
Thanks, Cam.