Tools of Japan

[CGarage]

I just played around with the different bits and bit holders and I do agree with you that the quality of the Vessel crystalline is really really good. The rachet has a bit more back lag as the Anex but it feels like a better quality. The downside for me is that even the Vessel bits don't fit without a wobble. Maybe that is because the retaining is done with a clip and the depth it pretty shallow. The Anex 397 and 3970 are really good and there is very little play on the bits.

The Vessel 830 Metal is the most disappointing for me, even the short bits wobble. When I put the bits in my Wiha centre point there is 0 wobble, so I will probably use them in there if no ratchet is required. In terms of bit quality it looks like both are really nice, but I need to actually use them first to say anything sensible about it.

Weird, my crystalline version of this ratcheting screwdriver has no wobble. It is my far and away favorite screwdriver.

 

[The_Inspector]

Weird, my crystalline version of this ratcheting screwdriver has no wobble. It is my far and away favorite screwdriver.

I could make a video to show you, only don't know if I can upload it her. Maybe it is just this one that has this 'problem'

 

[JWC86]

Some of my Olfa knives/cissors, really love the quality of these tools

I’m a big fan of Olfa also. Do you have the part number on the scalpel?

 

[The_Inspector]

I’m a big fan of Olfa also. Do you have the part number on the scalpel?

That's the AK-1 part number:

2124430049​

 

[Reed Prince]

How do you like the Sunflag t-handle? How deep do the bits insert?

The Sunflag bits are slightly longer than standard ones. It has almost no backdrag, but only 10 teeth. Haven't found a perfect application for this tool yet.





This afternoon's task took a little bit of everything...




...but of course my latest tool was the most fun to use.

 

[CR888]

Upped my wheel removal game wanted something light fast that would fit & not scratch things up. This is the best I could come up with...

 

[CGarage]

The Sunflag bits are slightly longer than standard ones. It has almost no backdrag, but only 10 teeth. Haven't found a perfect application for this tool yet.





This afternoon's task took a little bit of everything...




...but of course my latest tool was the most fun to use.

I have the Vessel version of the Sunflag tool.
I quite like it.

I use it mostly during loudspeaker cabinet construction for audiophile speakers.

I find it is ideal for installing threaded inserts.

 

[rick carpenter]

Got my Vessel Tool haul in from Amazon Japan. Ordered it on Monday evening and got it in today. Faster shipping than when I receive a package within my own country sometimes. First impression is that the quality is pretty good, even the plastic switches on the ratchets are sturdy and don't feel cheap. I do feel the ratchet on the Anex ones is a little more refined than the ones on the Vessel bit holders, but ofcourse didn't use them yet, time will tell. The bits are good quality, but not on the same level as my PB Swiss. I pay the same for PB Swiss bits so I will only get the ones from Vessel/Anex that are odd size (PB doesn't have a 200mm for instance)

Nice haul! Let me re-iterate that 50mm bits in the 307 will be da bomb. I like them in my 306 (same same, different colors) because I have knuckle room. The same 50s in the 270 will do you fine as well. I haven't found the minimum length bits I like best in the 3780, the 65mm bits are a meh acceptable minimum for me. Maybe I need to look at some 82/85mm bits. They're a little harder to find tho.

See post above #8887 to read what @Reed Prince and @CGarage have to say about their t-handles. I still want one. A one-piece t-handle Motion Pro 14mm socket with cut down handles lives in my boat toolkit. There's nothing better than a small t-handle when you can only access a nut/bolt/screw from straight above.

Again, nice haul!

 

[CGarage]

You can apply a lot of torque with that little T-Handle.

 

[The_Inspector]

Nice haul! Let me re-iterate that 50mm bits in the 307 will be da bomb. I like them in my 306 (same same, different colors) because I have knuckle room. The same 50s in the 270 will do you fine as well. I haven't found the minimum length bits I like best in the 3780, the 65mm bits are a meh acceptable minimum for me. Maybe I need to look at some 82/85mm bits. They're a little harder to find tho.

See post above #8887 to read what @Reed Prince and @CGarage have to say about their t-handles. I still want one. A one-piece t-handle Motion Pro 14mm socket with cut down handles lives in my boat toolkit. There's nothing better than a small t-handle when you can only access a nut/bolt/screw from straight above.

Again, nice haul!

I do agree with you about the fit of the 307 and the 3780. alle bits fit very snug! The crystalline is very nice quality but there is a lot of play on the bits, a little dissapointed in that. The Vessel T-handle is very nice and has little back lag. The tooth count is a little lower (if I have to guess around 36?) but that is not really a problem with this ratchet. Today I tried the bits I have with some different JIS screws. The Vessel bits all fit very snug in the screws without zero play. Also tried my PB Swiss bits and was surprised how well they fit too! Thanks Rick for the tip!

 

[CGarage]

The Vessel T-Handle.

The ratchet mechanism is NOT fine tooth. However, it seems pretty robust.

I quite like the ergonomics and I do use this tool to drive in threaded inserts into Baltic Birch ply.

 

[The_Inspector]

The Vessel T-Handle.

The ratchet mechanism is NOT fine tooth. However, it seems pretty robust.

I quite like the ergonomics and I do use this tool to drive in threaded inserts into Baltic Birch ply.

I like that holder, did it came with the tool? How is the flexible extension bit working?

 

[CGarage]

I like that holder, did it came with the tool? How is the flexible extension bit working?

1) Yes, it came as a complete set.

2) I have never used the flexible extension, so I can’t give you a good answer.

 

[Madjik Man]

I like Olfas for many applications but after trying out a number of 9mm models I ended up preferring metal bodied NT Cutters.

Do you mind telling me the model number on those Olfa scissors? Are those the SCS-1?

 

[Reed Prince]

Do you mind telling me the model number on those Olfa scissors? Are those the SCS-1?

I went on Amazon looking for SCS-1s and found these 112Bs, which appear to be identical but are a few dollars less.

 

[tamaraw]

Appreciation post. Just finished replacing inner tie rods and used my Megadora 930 flatheads to remove/install the lock washers.

Typical Honda application:


Striking caps and hex bolsters both came into play in bending and twisting the washer out of the way. Tips held up exceptionally well to this abuse with no visible damage. I also had a PB Swiss chisel handy but the flat tipped screwdrivers ended up being more useful.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

No idea what the package says but the tool is for removing debris from your tire treads. Kinda niche but I am going to use the **** out of this thing.

 

[rick carpenter]

No idea what the package says but the tool is for removing debris from your tire treads. Kinda niche but I am going to use the **** out of this thing.

Try Google translate on your phone.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Try Google translate on your phone.

Smart idea!

 

[midorix]

No idea what the package says but the tool is for removing debris from your tire treads. Kinda niche but I am going to use the **** out of this thing.

It says “Tire Stone remover”. It then describes some unwanted sounds from tires could be coming from small stones stuck in tread and this tool is used to remove them. Also has warning to not to use this tool for any other application.

 

[Madjik Man]

No idea what the package says but the tool is for removing debris from your tire treads. Kinda niche but I am going to use the **** out of this thing.

Wow, seriously talk about a niche tool. Here I thought a fingernail was the pinnacle...

 

[Madjik Man]

Got these. A big step up from the $1 scissors in the junk drawer

 

[LWB]

Reading this thread daily is like the shopping channel

 

[rick carpenter]

I get confused by the abundance of vessel offerings. What I was trying to say is in my experience the vessel products that take double ended bits, will have a detent that sort of grabs 1” American bits, but not strongly enough to prevent the bit from disappearing into the driver. 2” long american bits work fine for me in these drivers. The stubby ratchets, which are part of their ball grip ratcheting screwdrivers, work with 1” American bits, but my sample size is two.

This works fine also if you don’t want a ball grip.

VESSEL CRYSTALINE Ratchet Screwdriver with Insert Bit SET (+, (4PC.SET)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KVJWQ89/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The best length to maintain a stubby size in the Vessel 2200 ball grip handle are 25mm/1" insert style / C6 bits. Bits only insert ~10mm into the hex receiver so 9mm anvil Japanese or Western bits work well enough, as do 13mm anvil Japanese bits. Double-ended bits do not. 45mm and longer bits do not maintain what I'd consider a stubby profile.

I don't really care for this usage of the 2200 though, I like Anex's offerings better. I'd say this one is best only used with Vessel's proprietary bits for it.

 

[The_Inspector]

The best length to maintain a stubby size in the Vessel 2200 ball grip handle are 25mm/1" insert style / C6 bits. Bits only insert ~10mm into the hex receiver so 9mm anvil Japanese or Western bits work well enough, as do 13mm anvil Japanese bits. Double-ended bits do not. 45mm and longer bits do not maintain what I'd consider a stubby profile.

I don't really care for this usage of the 2200 though, I like Anex's offerings better. I'd say this one is best only used with Vessel's proprietary bits for it.

I do agree with you, I used both Vessel en Anex bits now. I don't use the Vessel handle only the Anex one. The Vessel bits, especially the Sakisbo, are a really good fit.

 

[Pinemarten]

For the ratcheting screwdrivers, I prefer Anex. I just picked up a couple non-ratcheting Vessel screwdrivers. A gray one with removable bit, and a fixed bit Neon model that glows in the dark! How cool is that?

 

[LWB]

Oh look, scissors

 

[LWB]

Now that I've had them in my hands I'm curious how these would do as kitchen shears.

 

[Madjik Man]

Now that I've had them in my hands I'm curious how these would do as kitchen shears.

I like them for light duty stuff. They cut really well.

But the circular holes for your fingers and thumb are slightly uncomfortable for my two fingers. Would rather that one hole be elongated like every other scissor I own.

So if I had to put more ooomph on these, eg cutting flesh, I think they’d feel worse on my fingers.

 

[LWB]

I like them for light duty stuff. They cut really well.

But the circular holes for your fingers and thumb are slightly uncomfortable for my two fingers. Would rather that one hole be elongated like every other scissor I own.

So if I had to put more ooomph on these, eg cutting flesh, I think they’d feel worse on my fingers.

I see what you mean, but I'm going to give it a whirl. Mostly cutting through backs of chicken. I'm having trouble with my right hand and use dollar store scissors ATM so I'm guessing these will be much easier. That said, a good pair of kitchen shears should be next!

 

[Outahere]

I bought this pocket sized Hioki DMM at Amazon-US for $31.50

 

[4xdog]

I bought this pocket sized Hioki DMM at Amazon-US for $31.50

That one was recently being discussed in the "favorite small multimeter" thread.

Favorite small pocket multimeter?

Not that multimeters are particularly big, but there just seems to be a charm about a pocket multimeter. Let's see your small multimeters!

www.garagejournal.com

I like it. I wish I needed (or could remotely justify) a new VOM. I gotta think a bit harder...

 

[Reed Prince]

That said, a good pair of kitchen shears should be next!

I bought a pair of Toribe Seisakusho KS-203 four years ago and they are still my kitchen favorites. They are unusually inexpensive at Amazon right now, but there have also been recent reviews there saying that some people are selling Chinese fakes.

 

[Reed Prince]

I bought this pocket sized Hioki DMM at Amazon-US for $31.50.

That one is truly pocket sized. I have the larger Sanwa PM-11, as well as an EM7000 for those times when an analog FET VOM comes in handy.

 

[Jack_K]

I recently purchased a Hioki DT4222 after getting sick of having meters fail. My previous meter had many more functions however the DT4222 has everything I actually used except temperature. I like that the continuity test mode is on its own position.

 

[Dave455]

I bought this pocket sized Hioki DMM at Amazon-US for $31.50

I like the look of that!

I like Hioki generally, but a small / inexpensive multimeter that’s not made in China has to be of interest!

 

[4xdog]

I bought this pocket sized Hioki DMM at Amazon-US for $31.50

I've had terrible luck on Amazon over the last couple of years with things like this -- moderate value, small, capable of being counterfeited by some Chinese producer, and sold by a storefront other than Amazon itself.

Amazon has rejected some of my reviews when I've used the word counterfeit, so it doesn't really appear that they care. (They've been happy to refund my purchase price and have told me to keep or discard the product, but that isn't the same as getting the original I wanted!)

This meter -- as attractive as it is as a made-in-Japan original, sets of my Amazon-fake-radar, unfortunately.

For you folks who have bought them, including @Outahere who posted nice pix of the meter and packaging -- do you have any concerns at all that what you received might not be the legit product?

 

[M6erfan]

I've had terrible luck on Amazon over the last couple of years with things like this -- moderate value, small, capable of being counterfeited by some Chinese producer, and sold by a storefront other than Amazon itself.

Amazon has rejected some of my reviews when I've used the word counterfeit, so it doesn't really appear that they care. (They've been happy to refund my purchase price and have told me to keep or discard the product, but that isn't the same as getting the original I wanted!)

This meter -- as attractive as it is as a made-in-Japan original, sets of my Amazon-fake-radar, unfortunately.

For you folks who have bought them, including @Outahere who posted nice pix of the meter and packaging -- do you have any concerns at all that what you received might not be the legit product?

I have the Hioki 3244-60 that I bought on Amazon back in 2021. If it's a fake, it is a spot on, really well made one. I have no reason to doubt mine is real but maybe things have changed in the last two years . One can look at video reviews and compare details such as circuit board etc to try and verify. Also, email Hioki and give them the serial number if suspect.

To be almost 100% certain of authenticity, buy from a legit online retailer like TEquipment

 

[M6erfan]

I like the look of that!

I like Hioki generally, but a small / inexpensive multimeter that’s not made in China has to be of interest!

Indeed. It's a really good meter for it's use case. I've had several cheap China small/pocket meters over the years and they all failed within a year.

 

[Outahere]

.......For you folks who have bought them, including @Outahere who posted nice pix of the meter and packaging -- do you have any concerns at all that what you received might not be the legit product?

No concerns here.