Tools of Japan

[darkzero]

I don't know much about files, but these "sideways" ones are supposedly special.

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Nice, I'll have to check those out. I have the Tsubosan hardness testing files. The files in the video look like they have a cut angle similar to long angle lathe files. But lathe files usually only come in 10" & longer. Would be nice to have some smaller ones.

EDIT: Just looked them up. Says they are use for softer materials, for metal says only light metals, no iron. I don't like the sound of that as I mainly work with metal. I'm not sure if I want to order a set now.

 

[tanukiboy]

I have received OHTO mechanical pencil yesterday. It is not the top model, quite nice though.

I have an OHTO Conception 05 mechanical pencil sitting on my desk as we speak. I really like its innovative design -- you can switch the sleeve from sliding sleeve (good for writing) to fixed sleeve (good for drafting), and you can also adjust how far the lead is advanced each time you press the button (with a cool looking indicator on the side of the barrel). It's not quite as solid-feeling as the Rotring rapid PRO 0.5 sitting next to it, though. The Rotring also has excellent knurling on it and a nice hexagonal barrel.

Yeah, writing utensils are cool tools too!

EDIT: Add picture
View media item 110903

 

[macgee]

Yeah, writing utensils are cool tools too!

Agreed!

 

[HolyGrail]

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Ugh. I've been too busy to spend any time in the garage lately. Seeing those ratchets makes me miss mine. They feel so good in my hand and are such a pleasure to use.

 

[gorskikotar]

Just ordered this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vessel-121570-830-MG4-Ratchet-Screwdriver-with-4-Bits-NEW-from-Japan/164127801559?epid=1400214658&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2636c780d7:g:bDEAAOSwuDVecJN2&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkfOCvCjTOBWK8pwriaolq5gVEWkgf29%252BXG8fCT9o0SdBiafqKHC3dPO%252BuccWvGRmbtt98b25EPLqGvLfZ0GnT3twJhkpTgkCduINBpKAK2D%252FmmNdFRfNPpOjZ9Tx08bVaZ7CFdWIvWzYlOoxn4OczWGU7HRsxBYzcDQrrlarYojmZYbgmwHRlVuiS1acCfw%252BPXS6m86mwVeJ2pdgt%252BTFAM5afoYUyIlLq8YLodW1dOrFuGigrWGnAzzced1KWJ9nVlQnSxejEnhsRpJ7HtAmSN%252FHbu21aIUvabHNFBwfpXz937a%252FgTiGD2vzGGWrzYF63TXihKCOo8Q%252B%252BaOO7nFTcTcmucolayulcYx%252FLnsuWccQIXUmXEpl8QOJumeU8P79nglvJk2tSHZ1y2AhavpKTopX%252BbE5kplCRO6Bmiguz20wi5LhxQQAlqUZ5iTnyG%252F7r83P5CxWjmx28FTeHi50FUcunESaTBP3mYYOPecFSV4nDkn9uTJk2DYD99kM9eqdQzTBpDk%252BJ%252FlcsI6u7fAUFVCCSJ8we9Z9ClYXvNjIdgz9aVFkT%252BV76ES1890vbwjJ8HUsSXU7439LYmU4V6nMO31TIPiBK3zmWFNpWnIX3OqNPd8Uf7kDGJDW0sMUU0%252F30wdZTspgsyuMI%252BgYwtGpJyL57O7RF4F5MtfMYFonO64UD2a%252FoqbPXti2r0te8HRkn3RdJOSRKOGsEygBMRjhswmf35lyw9e7S0ZOcIUJXx%252Bmbj0jb9XHTdQFBDPV6qVVx%252BsGm3hFvqSe9Gvr7eWr3T8Kv1I3VGZlzF5GMW%252F38878%253D%7Ccksum%3A16412780155966ee95725970403cba17f724d039d20a%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Anyone has it already?

 

[RoundedNut]

Just ordered this one
...

I bought is cousin after being mesmerized by the saleswoman in this video. Its okay, a little stiff till its broken in:

I suggest you use amazon Japan as its quite a bit cheaper, 1/2 of that ebay list:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001HPLC04/

amazon Japan is a dangerous place however, as you can spend a lot of money on all the cool tools, and the fast delivery.

 

[gorskikotar]

Thank you, problem is I am from Croatia, most of the items they dont ship to Croatia

 

[toddmorr]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ko-ken-tit...panese-industrial-tool-rare-new/164348441323?

that SO stuff looks cheaper all the time. Note the pentagon drive on this ratchet, not even square drive. I guess Koken would sell pentagon drive sockets for this.

 

[darkzero]

Just ordered this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vessel-121570-830-MG4-Ratchet-Screwdriver-with-4-Bits-NEW-from-Japan/164127801559?epid=1400214658&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2636c780d7:g:bDEAAOSwuDVecJN2&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkfOCvCjTOBWK8pwriaolq5gVEWkgf29%252BXG8fCT9o0SdBiafqKHC3dPO%252BuccWvGRmbtt98b25EPLqGvLfZ0GnT3twJhkpTgkCduINBpKAK2D%252FmmNdFRfNPpOjZ9Tx08bVaZ7CFdWIvWzYlOoxn4OczWGU7HRsxBYzcDQrrlarYojmZYbgmwHRlVuiS1acCfw%252BPXS6m86mwVeJ2pdgt%252BTFAM5afoYUyIlLq8YLodW1dOrFuGigrWGnAzzced1KWJ9nVlQnSxejEnhsRpJ7HtAmSN%252FHbu21aIUvabHNFBwfpXz937a%252FgTiGD2vzGGWrzYF63TXihKCOo8Q%252B%252BaOO7nFTcTcmucolayulcYx%252FLnsuWccQIXUmXEpl8QOJumeU8P79nglvJk2tSHZ1y2AhavpKTopX%252BbE5kplCRO6Bmiguz20wi5LhxQQAlqUZ5iTnyG%252F7r83P5CxWjmx28FTeHi50FUcunESaTBP3mYYOPecFSV4nDkn9uTJk2DYD99kM9eqdQzTBpDk%252BJ%252FlcsI6u7fAUFVCCSJ8we9Z9ClYXvNjIdgz9aVFkT%252BV76ES1890vbwjJ8HUsSXU7439LYmU4V6nMO31TIPiBK3zmWFNpWnIX3OqNPd8Uf7kDGJDW0sMUU0%252F30wdZTspgsyuMI%252BgYwtGpJyL57O7RF4F5MtfMYFonO64UD2a%252FoqbPXti2r0te8HRkn3RdJOSRKOGsEygBMRjhswmf35lyw9e7S0ZOcIUJXx%252Bmbj0jb9XHTdQFBDPV6qVVx%252BsGm3hFvqSe9Gvr7eWr3T8Kv1I3VGZlzF5GMW%252F38878%253D%7Ccksum%3A16412780155966ee95725970403cba17f724d039d20a%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

Anyone has it already?

Please let us know how you like it. I was gonna order one a while back but didn't based on reviews. I don't always believe reviewers but a number of them were saying it felt cheap & didn't live up to the Vessel name. Not actually made in Japan & is why it says Product of Japan on it.

At the time there were only 3rd party sellers on Amazon so no hassle free returns if I didn't like it. Looks like Amazon Prime US does have it now.

 

[DEEBO]

Anyone know if the new 72T Ko-Ken Z Series will be released in 1/4”?


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[gorskikotar]

Please let us know how you like it. I was gonna order one a while back but didn't based on reviews. I don't always believe reviewers but a number of them were saying it felt cheap & didn't live up to the Vessel name. Not actually made in Japan & is why it says Product of Japan on it.

At the time there were only 3rd party sellers on Amazon so no hassle free returns if I didn't like it. Looks like Amazon Prime US does have it now.

I also saw reviews, but I gave him chance. At first wanted to order this one

Probably will still order this one, but the one I ordered looked nice on pics so I gave it a try
Will let you know!

 

[gorskikotar]

What japanese pliers do you suggest? I want one something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Engineer-PZ-58-Screw-Pliers-Neji-saurus-GT-Pliers-VamPLIERS-VT-001-F-S/272489102766?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3f719dbdae:g:7FUAAOSwEzxYVVX9&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkY3FSd4Ad8xn3oRtkVexxrNu%252F5U9BAlJhXrTPf1l1o0PdRZRXFXIQftjG6uOt2BEPgkLNH%252BQ%252BIVpvz9xaUfeA8OOUc4PJ4YlXC63dP%252FcWLcMyVW3Q9cko7qt6iC%252Fpn88RFuYL5Ln02VsYzQvR5vCkPGxSHA3bPzw5IHqTXIf00VIyLnq1d2agEYt3Y805JwJ6g6ay0ukmu1MwYa9edHlbXbFzEmZDdQuVrIbBey04%252FXlZOvshpKGaviE3FZEZvKonG0mpt8E1%252FO92X3dvfHBQMpZ5FcLwtJPthNTK6Fmspk7%252BmUex9FJVme7k5QOxANy691vaPVA5AMzhNlKhobORjPfZp5H4Fhr2gKuRSPGmScORdEmBCeIMwwIljA49amSwC6d%252Be%252BvHHP1xzyzdPwPv4PhZAPev75Zgs4khpe8vZtkXMpRbVjTl8qqYIMEP%252Fss7FWPlO7ufWOKNckEotOK3VAwBjwB3s%252BjIyox7UGyxHTS%252BJvg0MqhnUOGV8sO6vQdarrMEbqp1qhRiEhCxYsixZyMaeyeK5suarYwKxPfgcQ2uvIOvEw7IvvT3P1y5wxzgTO86k5y87NqHpzMVBZIeOiIGeClcP5cGrolGu3uzTaz4U32D9ZpDrd5Ia%252BqiK4W%252FwrqYqxBgP1fgZXZQGMs32RVs7hPUQSuAIrzs1v%252BVPgt4IUdpQ63G7I3oRr14ou5nJJzhUUxuca%252BleJ77B4ZOOrBOrPhILHSJlrKrwebFfX0DmOj8js58tUjb05Ckq0wG6iErHsXgXfOLl1pFI4rrOw%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A2724891027661a8f63321aac404ea3c0ca4afbb61898%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

and one of this kind:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOZAN-Japanese-Slip-Joint-Pliers-P-211Z-150-made-in-Japan/254876053946?epid=1336815908&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3b57cbf1ba:g:0DoAAOSwtsRgMwXO&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkrDx%252B2NLp21dg6hHbHAkGMWgFwk0C1BrVfgp6Nr74gSu%252BFNwRgRikIR%252BMeYjg%252Ban6xUf2cb%252Bo5aCBTBoAqkhBFM5ao2lnOZUBXC7IvTzagjaOsMDKda8SJKKezBIiSADATYw1Jdqgfzq8nMBgR76GeUeGUayKerrFsFdAxG4kRke9kJplsDR%252Bm0VtpntAovuFbSkvTdKlI3nBzKi3AgCIXhTaKhzit69K6dkwUJ%252BTP%252Fs9%252BOyQjHLgvNIcEEdTkI5sIQDkHv2CZOpEg2kBdXbKxadXjsq0M0bsR4BkZ5MkOTSSgn420G8DwCzuq7kAVyB8WNuC2rrrbkSywmB6Z41L5mOfiaz60tYr44khKc%252FvZzUWcUdx6%252BHM6m%252F4HX8ccG0DoAcw8i%252Fy%252BZiufabk%252BuGrTeBJubrc%252B%252FzHDhCyWSFbOJcDogZ48yJGK3VitJ9Cb%252B7umkNrKU4QNRFXbeYq0PDxpPXRoVXptz8xsPGcQTCTamkEIBigzDBAoapMSEvFjFQ8DZdq2HBG9GHJs38bgci3RSdRaRb4tpRQK91RL8NKcm%252F%252FB%252BOT8%252BfRHTHCs4QMnXGIaGSeGAT1TvmvM%252FASLQ4nB2p2VPGp7yvMRYULfRiSOQ0%252BG%252ByaOpwmjzb%252FZmXJFhbzB%252F%252F33H%252BA2o9jnIc3OVl%252BO9wnJD973ekK04LVDWgxWWj3zj1nSwu%252Bmhj2XzL3gbvjWrrRIed594dEFLOakc38r95kzVLasTCnUvhbO4IbgXpFI0fuk5Nq8TfKE6sow5weBY4A8QQ5cEaUL2c%252FZSCw6A%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A2548760539461a8f63321aac404ea3c0ca4afbb61898%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

 

[DEEBO]

Anyone know if the new 72T Ko-Ken Z Series will be released in 1/4”?


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Found the answer;



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[RoundedNut]

What japanese pliers do you suggest?...
and one of this kind:
...

The Engineer screw pliers are great, although I like the plain vinyl handled ones.

The Hozan slip joint looks like a nice implementation of the classic design and I used those a lot in my younger days when my tools were limited. But now I have a lot of specialized pliers, of which slip joints currently fail to find a spot.

Having said that, there are some new designs that seem interesting, perhaps enough for me to get:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0028W4URM/

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0814QMXPY/

 

[measuredtwice]

What japanese pliers do you suggest? I want one something like this:

and one of this kind:

The screw pliers are popular.

I don't see anything special about the slip joint in the second photo. The KTC pliers posted by RN look interesting but I've only seen photos. I don't know what is available in Croatia. The discontinued Channellock (USA) 548 is probably my favorite inexpensive slipjoint because it has aggressive cross hatch teeth like the Snap-On talon grip. It was discontinued a couple years ago but they sometimes pop up brand new on Ebay.

5410, 548, 546, 537, and 516. I don't have the 537.

Here's a comparison of the 546/8/10. The 546 and 548 are very similar except for the handle length.

The 546 and 516 are similar except the 516 is narrower.

 

[Brando_Damo]

Got some of Factory Gear’s Deen tools. They seem to be decent quality upon first inspection and the fit and finish is quite good.

View media item 110940

Here’s a first look/impressions video if anyone want a more detailed look.

- Brando

 

[measuredtwice]

Got some of Factory Gear’s Deen tools. They seem to be decent quality upon first inspection and the fit and finish is quite good.

How did you get them? Does FG ship to US? Did someone forward them to you?

IIRC, those Deen tools are made in Taiwan, not Japan. Are they much different than the ones from Harbor Freight and Tekton and Napa Carlyle and others aside from the handles?

I've thought about putting a Snap-On/Williams/CAT screwdriver handle on the Harbor Freight ratchet.

 

[Brando_Damo]

How did you get them? Does FG ship to US? Did someone forward them to you?

IIRC, those Deen tools are made in Taiwan, not Japan. Are they much different than the ones from Harbor Freight and Tekton and Napa Carlyle and others aside from the handles?

I've thought about putting a Snap-On/Williams/CAT screwdriver handle on the Harbor Freight ratchet.

Yeah most of their stuff is made in Taiwan, although it depends on the specific item. There doesn’t seem to be an easy/cheap way to get these. I went through the hassle just to try them out for fun. I got them through a Japanese third party retailer, but for most people I would say it’s not going to be worth it. It seems that they used to have listings on Amazon Japan, but not anymore. Unless there’s and easy option to get these that I missed.

The quality seems better than Harbor freight by my initial estimation, but obviously they’re not Nepros or Koken level either.

 

[measuredtwice]

Yeah most of their stuff is made in Taiwan, although it depends on the specific item. There doesn’t seem to be an easy/cheap way to get these. I went through the hassle just to try them out for fun. I got them through a Japanese third party retailer, but for most people I would say it’s not going to be worth it. It seems that they used to have listings on Amazon Japan, but not anymore. Unless there’s and easy option to get these that I missed.

The quality seems better than Harbor freight by my initial estimation, but obviously they’re not Nepros or Koken level either.

Thanks for the info.

 

[tanukiboy]

Please let us know how you like it. I was gonna order one a while back but didn't based on reviews. I don't always believe reviewers but a number of them were saying it felt cheap & didn't live up to the Vessel name. Not actually made in Japan & is why it says Product of Japan on it.



At the time there were only 3rd party sellers on Amazon so no hassle free returns if I didn't like it. Looks like Amazon Prime US does have it now.

Yeah, I have one of these. Sorry to say I agree with the negative reviews. The ratchet feels coarse and imprecise, backdrag is rather high and gummy, and it just feels cheap. The packaging says "Assembled in Japan". Doesn't compare to my other Vessel, Anex, Wera, Facom, Williams, etc. ratcheting screwdrivers.

 

[darkzero]

Yeah, I have one of these. Sorry to say I agree with the negative reviews. The ratchet feels coarse and imprecise, backdrag is rather high and gummy, and it just feels cheap. The packaging says "Assembled in Japan". Doesn't compare to my other Vessel, Anex, Wera, Facom, Williams, etc. ratcheting screwdrivers.

Thank you for that info!

 

[tanukiboy]

Thank you for that info!

If you haven't ordered it yet, a bullet dodged, IMO. Mine has been tossed into my "junk tools" box (which is a lot bigger and heavier than I'd like).

 

[darkzero]

If you haven't ordered it yet, a bullet dodged, IMO. Mine has been tossed into my "junk tools" box (which is a lot bigger and heavier than I'd like).

Yeah, never ordered it. Considered it a while back cause I thought I may have needed a ratcheting screwdriver.

I guess I'm just not a ratcheting screwdriver guy. Surprisingly I own only one ratcheting screwdriver, a Snap-on stubby simply cause I came across it cheap on ebay long ago, but I never use it. If I do end up buying a ratcheting screwdriver someday, it's gotta be something well worth it. Good to know that Vessel would have not made me happy.

 

[theamcguy]

Got some of Factory Gear’s Deen tools. They seem to be decent quality upon first inspection and the fit and finish is quite good.

- Brando

Where did you get them? I am interested in the 3/8" drive handle and they also make a neat curved ratchet I'd like. Thank you

 

[Reed Prince]

I was looking at a pair of Fujiya "High-core Strong Nippers" on Amazon Japan, and when I Googled the modal number, 700N-200BG, it showed that they are available for less from Amazon.com. Looks like they have been selling them for about 9 months.

I bought a pair which arrived today, and I am going to return them. I tested them on some 12/2 Romex that my Knipex linesmen's pliers easily cut, and the Fujiya required much more effort. The force required made the hard plastic handles uncomfortable to grip.

The pliers also did not open and close smoothly, even after I put some PTFE lubricant on them. And the black finish is really thin and had already begun to come off.

One positive Amazon review said they were a real bargain for less than $30, and perhaps they would be for that price, but these were about $55. For that much I expect a pair of cutters to be near-perfect. Keepa shows that the Amazon price has never dropped below $49.18, but I guess there was a coupon that made them drastically cheaper at some point.

I noticed that Amazon.com now carries Victor Plus+ tools (also for about 9 months) and I have a different style of those already and know that the handles are much more comfortable. But they're even more expensive and an Amazon.jp customer gave them a low review, saying that the metal isn't very strong. So I'm not going to try those either.

 

[Brando_Damo]

Where did you get them? I am interested in the 3/8" drive handle and they also make a neat curved ratchet I'd like. Thank you

Webike Japan. They focused on motorcycle parts and stuff, but also sell tools, and happen to stock only SOME Deen items. The shipping is kinda prohibitively expensive.

 

[theamcguy]

Webike Japan. They focused on motorcycle parts and stuff, but also sell tools, and happen to stock only SOME Deen items. The shipping is kinda prohibitively expensive.

Thank you Found it.

 

[Reed Prince]

Not my usual standoff removal tool, but this was closer at hand today than my nutdrivers.

 

[mercucho]

Anex bits.

 

[Qualitytools]

^ So colorful.

 

[RoundedNut]

Anex bits...

I've got that bit driver; really nice to use with my smaller sized 1/4" bits, some of which go deep into the precision bit range.

 

[mr.lemons]

Interesting suggestion on the packaging of using a twist drill in the Anex handle.

 

[DEEBO]

Interesting suggestion on the packaging of using a twist drill in the Anex handle.

Handy for hand deburring of cut pipe?


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[dutchgray]

Interesting suggestion on the packaging of using a twist drill in the Anex handle.

I have drilled holes with bit ratchets in the past in very tight spaces, not something you want to do but sometimes there is just no access for a power tool.

 

[Dave455]

Interesting suggestion on the packaging of using a twist drill in the Anex handle.

The Japanese seem to do a lot more with impact drivers (the powered variety) than most, and they seem to have a huge variety of bits available.

As that handle is designed for those bits, a drill bit is just one more option open to you.

I have the similar Wera bit driver that uses their E6 style bits, and it’s a good combination. Never tried a drill bit, but a small one would work something like an awl, so I can see situations when that might be useful.

 

[kanai]

The Ko-ken 3725RK-2 3/8" sq. Z-EAL 72 Gear Ratchet Handle Repair Kit has been out since Jan.

 

[darkzero]

Thanks kanai, you've answered a question I've been meaning to ask. I've had my eye on the fluted handle ratchets for a while but hear the ratcheting of the 36T doesn't feel that smooth.

Been wondering if they might come out in 72T eventually or if they had 72T rebuild kits that would fit in them. Now I know.

Do you know off hand the p/n for the 1/4" 72T rebuild kit? Thanks

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks kanai, you've answered a question I've been meaning to ask. I've had my eye on the fluted handle ratchets for a while but hear the ratcheting of the 36T doesn't feel that smooth.

Been wondering if they might come out in 72T eventually or if they had 72T rebuild kits that would fit in them. Now I know.

Do you know off hand the p/n for the 1/4" 72T rebuild kit? Thanks

I thought Ko-Ken said they didn't recommend putting the 72 tooth kit in a 36 tooth ratchet? Something about the 72 tooth ratchet head being machined slightly different. Perhaps they just wanted to sell more ratchets

Since Ko-Ken hasn't released the 72 tooth ratchet in 1/4 drive yet, I doubt if there are 1/4 72 tooth repair kits available.

 

[darkzero]

Since Ko-Ken hasn't released the 72 tooth ratchet in 1/4 drive yet, I doubt if there are 1/4 72 tooth repair kits available.

Ah damnit! No wonder I couldn't find it!

Guess I'll just have to wait longer then. Thanks