Tools of Japan

[Dave455]

Are vintage (70s?) Japanese sockets any good. Referring to the sets above and the sets that used to be sold in the UK. I was under the impression they were on the low end/ cheaper side. If they are good quality, it would be worth buying a little set just for the sockets.

Another example.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JPI-1970...380565?hash=item1d00acddd5:g:RVkAAOSwm2pf-SNB

edit. I'm sure they would be great for nephews either way. They have a very nice retro look to them.

Back then, believe it or not, there were no really low quality tools.

The Japanese stuff of the time wasn’t as good as as the domestic made, or the European, but compared to some of what came later, (such as Taiwan in the early days, or China) it’s perfectly usable.

There was, of course, decent quality Japanese stuff in that era, but relatively little seemed to make it to the U.K.

I have some 80’s era Japanese made Kamasa, and it’s not bad at all. Certainly waaaay better than the Taiwanese Kamasa that followed it. Trouble is, you never know till you’ve used it for a few years!

I’d say, on the whole, that stuff would be fine for nephews, but it doesn’t generally sell for much if it’s an “unknown” make, so that price strikes me as high.

 

[gigamel]

Here’s what I have so far.
Any ideas of something that I should add?

They need a hammer and a small saw - and when they get tired of fixing bikes using the crescent wrench, buy them a set of combination wrenches - sockets can wait.

My dad gave me my first tool box when I was six - still have the box - lost the tools

 

[Brando_Damo]

They need a hammer and a small saw - and when they get tired of fixing bikes using the crescent wrench, buy them a set of combination wrenches - sockets can wait.

My dad gave me my first tool box when I was six - still have the box - lost the tools

They each have their own hammer. I think that might be their only tool currently. A little saw is a good idea!


Unrelated, I got a new Nepros ratchet. It’s a big beefy 1/2” drive long handle and it is stout and beautiful!

Here’s a detailed look video for those who are interested.

-Brando

 

[rice rocket]

Electroless nickel is nice. It’s been used in the small arms and aerospace industries for some years. To a certain extent, stainless steel works almost as well, but electroless nickel allows you to use much better steels, and tends to enhance the wear characteristics.

Stainless steel tends to be prone to “galling” and parts that wear against each other need to be made of different alloys, or hardened differently, to prevent this.

I have some TONE impact sockets w/ electroless nickel, I love them. No need to chase down rust constantly, and they're quality sockets as well.

 

[Jack84]

Anyone here ever heard of Brendco tools? They are made in Japan but can’t find any info on them.


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[Dave455]

I have some TONE impact sockets w/ electroless nickel, I love them. No need to chase down rust constantly, and they're quality sockets as well.

That’s interesting. I didn’t know they offered those.

Sounds like an ideal application for electroless nickel.

I need some new impacts in 3/8 and was going to go KoKen, but I’ll have to find out some more about the Tone ones.

I assume it’s these.

 

[macgee]

that price strikes me as high.

I'm sure they would be great for nephews either way. They have a very nice retro look to them.

They need a hammer and a small saw - and when they get tired of fixing bikes using the crescent wrench, buy them a set of combination wrenches - sockets can wait.

Mr. Lemons, Sorry I forgot you're located in the UK, there seems to be way less JP selection being sold in UK nor cheap in the UK. If you can find something like this (https://www.ebay.com/itm/40-Piece-Combination-Socket-Set-3-8-and-1-4-Drive-SAE-Metric-set-101/265046774150?hash=item3db604d186:g:YR8AAOSwal1f9KYD)
I seriously doubt they would find any better sets sold at B&Q's; at least near the price.
The listing you posted does seem a bit pricey but it has a set of socket bits which is different but I would pass. These sets have a cool retro fun look with cool metal cases, they would work just fine for most people around the house but nothing special.

Having said that, I agree with gigamel: A combination wrench set would be better to have first before needing a socket set. A hammer and decent small metal cutting saw that can fit inside the tool box are also good to have. A measuring tape, maybe a Shinwa 45/90 degree square but that might be a step too much?

Shinwa make really nice rulers and squares at a very reasonable price. I like my Shinwa 6" ruler just as much as my 6" Mitutoyo ruler and 6" Starrett rulers.

 

[kanai]

Vessel sells a wood-handled striking cap driver with a hardened tip. Has anyone tried it?

 

[tmshort]

That’s interesting. I didn’t know they offered those.

Sounds like an ideal application for electroless nickel.

I need some new impacts in 3/8 and was going to go KoKen, but I’ll have to find out some more about the Tone ones.

I assume it’s these.

Where does one order TONE tools? Quick google search doesn’t really help...

 

[measuredtwice]

Where does one order TONE tools? Quick google search doesn’t really help...

Here's the set from Dave's photo on Amazon Japan.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00762H27E/

Be aware of the negative reviews. Also be aware that some Tone products are made in Taiwan, NOT made in Japan. Tone can be very deceptive and misleading about the COO. I don't know about this particular set but some of the other Taiwan stuff is available in the USA with other brand names for cheaper than the cost of importing Tone from a seller in Japan.

 

[javyLSU]

I laughed last night when I was using this “Toyota” screwdriver... I thought I saw something when the light hit it, and sure enough - Vessel didn’t seem too concerned with removing their name from this Megadora Tang-Thru rebrand for Toyota haha!

 

[dede2897234]

Where does one order TONE tools? Quick google search doesn’t really help...

Hi tmshort,

Idaka America is the official distributor of TONE tools in the US.

I had a great purchasing experience with them last summer. If I decide to purchase more Japanese tools, I would not hesitate to contact him!

Check out my "Tools of Japan" post about Idaka here (posts 5748 - 5750): Tone purchase.
The link includes the Chris Cas Youtube video about Sukeage ratchets and how to contact Idaka.

Here's a link to the Tone Tools catalog: LINK.

I would suggest looking thru the Tone catalog for interested part numbers. Then, email Jeremy at Idaka with the Tone tool descriptions and part #'s He will get back to you with a price quote (minus shipping). Last summer, the shipping cost from KY to OH was between $15 to $20.

Dave

 

[E.T.]

Vessel sells a wood-handled striking cap driver with a hardened tip. Has anyone tried it?

I just bought one. Haven’t used it yet. It’s not as heavy as I thought. I like the large striking surface

 

[pizza]

Vessel sells a wood-handled striking cap driver with a hardened tip. Has anyone tried it?

those 100-series drivers are cool looking. "furniture-quality grip" lol

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8812543#post8812543

read that and the next 4 or so posts for some discussion.

GrantCee has them.

 

[kanai]

those 100-series drivers are cool looking. "furniture-quality grip" lol

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8812543#post8812543

read that and the next 4 or so posts for some discussion.

Thank you! I don't want to pay Nepros prices but wanted a something similar. Will give them a try.

 

[kanai]

I just bought one. Haven’t used it yet. It’s not as heavy as I thought. I like the large striking surface

Thank you for your thoughts. I will grab a few and see how they feel in use. What I hear is that wooden handled drivers last decades, which is nice.

 

[Indexmill]

Hi All, Why do we need to beat on a $10-$20 Philips head screwdriver? I don't believe that I have ever had the need or urge to pound on one?

Honestly, just curious...

 

[E.T.]

I got the flat head. Not much need for an impact Phillips. I have a Megadora Impacta for that

 

[Skin]

Hi All, Why do we need to beat on a $10-$20 Philips head screwdriver? I don't believe that I have ever had the need or urge to pound on one?

Honestly, just curious...

Because you're too lazy to get your impact driver and I say this as someone guilty of this very thing. Knocking down on the threads relieves tension and also aids at seating the tip more firmly into the screw head.

 

[cheechi]

Hi All, Why do we need to beat on a $10-$20 Philips head screwdriver? I don't believe that I have ever had the need or urge to pound on one?

Honestly, just curious...

corrosion/weather damage.

 

[Negen]

Most been beating on their heads since their teen years so the motion just comes naturally. Screwdrivers just do not require lube or tissue.

Hi All, Why do we need to beat on a $10-$20 Philips head screwdriver? I don't believe that I have ever had the need or urge to pound on one?

Honestly, just curious...

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[noid]

Can we talk about just how amazing value the vessel precision screw driver kits are?

I would repurchase at any price, let alone what they are going for on amazon jp.

 

[macgee]

Noid,

Good to hear you like them, I maybe receiving some soon.

Question: How is the torque when holding the screwdriver using colored grips? I've seen some comments that they can turn on you when needing torque?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Noid,

Good to hear you like them, I maybe receiving some soon.

Question: How is the torque when holding the screwdriver using colored grips? I've seen some comments that they can turn on you when needing torque?

You can rotate them if you really want to. IMO it's to allow a larger area for actually spinning the tool with your fingers, not torque.

 

[noid]

Noid,

Good to hear you like them, I maybe receiving some soon.

Question: How is the torque when holding the screwdriver using colored grips? I've seen some comments that they can turn on you when needing torque?

I think there is some design logic in the slippage actually; the colored grips tend to barely spin when I feel like im hitting max torque of the screw.

Because its knurled under the rubber, it holds pretty tight, and even when starting to spin, it seems to only barely move before grabbing again.

 

[Negen]

These are some of the best way better than the wera ones.

Can we talk about just how amazing value the vessel precision screw driver kits are?

I would repurchase at any price, let alone what they are going for on amazon jp.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[theamcguy]

Just ordered both sets of the Vessel precision screwdrivers. They look nice.

 

[Qualitytools]

Just ordered both sets of the Vessel precision screwdrivers. They look nice.

Which model numbers did you order, please share. Thanks

 

[noid]

IMO its worth getting the slotted TD-55 set; its a real treat having just the right size slotted screw driver.

Full catalog here:
https://www.vessel.co.jp/english/userfiles/handtools/precision_E.pdf

 

[American Locomotive]

I have the TD-56 and the TD-56S set. Great screwdrivers, I primarily use them for working on cameras and lenses.

The rubber cushions are a little inconsistent in how firmly they grab the screwdrivers. Although I will say that if you just squeeze the grips a bit while turning, they will not slip. I'm not sure if its intentional (to allow you to easily move/re-locate the grip), but as long as you give a slight squeeze it's fine.

 

[macgee]

I think there is some design logic in the slippage actually; the colored grips tend to barely spin when I feel like im hitting max torque of the screw.

Because its knurled under the rubber, it holds pretty tight, and even when starting to spin, it seems to only barely move before grabbing again.

Thanks Noid and American Locomotive,

I can see the logic of them being designed to start spinning when you maybe applying too much torque. With the JIS/ISO tip shape you get such great tip grip/bite that I'm able to apply more torque than I normally would, which is not always to a good thing especially for smaller fasteners. I use #1 & #0 a lot.

I have a small set of the Vessel 610 which I really like a lot but the TD's have caught my eye for a while and you may just have pushed me to ask for a set. I'll have to compare them to the Felo, PB Swiss, Starrett, Wera, Wiha, Bergeon precision screwdriver sets that I have and I guess I now need the Vessel as well

The Vessel slotted version will be interesting to compare to others. Are the slotted tips shape beveled style or hollow ground?

Who here uses #00 sized tips? Thats usually for screw sizes under M0.8 & #0-80

 

[American Locomotive]

I really wouldn't go as far as to say the rubber cushions are "torque limiting", they're too inconsistent for that.

The flat head tips are bevel ground. #0 and #00 are pretty common sizes for glasses. Some of my camera stuff has used #000. I don't think I've had to use the #0000 yet, but I have definitely had to use the 0.9mm and 1.2mm flat heads before.

 

[noid]

Thanks Noid and American Locomotive,

I can see the logic of them being designed to start spinning when you maybe applying too much torque. With the JIS/ISO tip shape you get such great tip grip/bite that I'm able to apply more torque than I normally would, which is not always to a good thing especially for smaller fasteners. I use #1 & #0 a lot.

I have a small set of the Vessel 610 which I really like a lot but the TD's have caught my eye for a while and you may just have pushed me to ask for a set. I'll have to compare them to the Felo, PB Swiss, Starrett, Wera, Wiha, Bergeon precision screwdriver sets that I have and I guess I now need the Vessel as well

The Vessel slotted version will be interesting to compare to others. Are the tips beveled shape or hollow ground?

Who here uses #00 sized tips? Thats usually for screw sizes under M0.8 & #0-80

Standard taper:

Next to some of the other players:

 

[macgee]

Again, Thank you to Noid and American Locomotive

Very useful info, appreciate the answers.

Nice PB Swiss Noid,

How do you compare the PB's to the Vessel TD's? If you have PB's in the PH and slotted in same small sizes.

 

[measuredtwice]

Nice tip pics Vessel does make a parallel tip flat precision driver for the 990 series. The tip profile is similar but not the same as the PB Swiss parallel tips.

https://www.vessel.co.jp/product/screwdriver/detail/125902

 

[noid]

Again, Thank you to Noid and American Locomotive

Very useful info, appreciate the answers.

Nice PB Swiss Noid,

How do you compare the PB's to the Vessel TD's? If you have PB's in the PH and slotted in same small sizes.

Its hard to compete with PB Swiss, but they are also in a much different price point.

PB Swiss in general fit so well im not sure if its magic or not sometimes:

This is as good as I've got 3.5mm full size vs 3.5mm Vessel precision:

 

[measuredtwice]

Here's the Vessel 990 for comparison

PB Swiss has 2 different profiles for their precision drivers. The drivers with santoprene handles have a hollow grind (right side of photo).

I did end up buying an oldie for fun. Also picked up an old PB Swiss slotted bit that was made before they started putting the colorful finish on them.

Old one on the left. New one on the right. Both are 3.5mm

The driver on the left is a FULL SIZE (not precision size) PB Swiss (w/ parallel tip). The rest are precision drivers from PB Swiss (hollow ground), Wera, and Wiha.

I do think that the hollow ground PB Swiss fits better than the flat ground Wera and Wiha. But I'd like to compare the old (parallel tip) and new (hollow ground).

 

[RoundedNut]

A bit (pun intended) of a haul from amazon Japan.

https://i.imgur.com/kX4ZSuP.jpg

One of the reasons I got the Sunflags was to see how the cross tips compared with Anex and Vessel. Expect them to be good, since I can hang a screwdriver or even an 18V impact driver off of most ISO/JIS cross bits

https://i.imgur.com/hmZEJCJ.jpg

 

[noid]

Left looks precision hollow ground, right looks to be reg hollow ground.

The 990 do look nice!

A bit (pun intended) of a haul from amazon Japan.

https://i.imgur.com/kX4ZSuP.jpg

One of the reasons I got the Sunflags was to see how the cross tips compared with Anex and Vessel. Expect them to be good, since I can hang a screwdriver or even an 18V impact driver off of most ISO/JIS cross bits

https://i.imgur.com/hmZEJCJ.jpg

Your images arent working.

 

[ttpete]

I have this 4 mm hex set

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQ753W8/?tag=atomicindus08-20