Tools of Japan

[Vicks]

A few photos:

Me likey

 

[Vicks]

My last batch of goodies. Very impressed with the Fujiya plier’s quality.




The KTC needle nose vise grip- not so much, the joint is sloppy and it’s made in Taiwan. Wish I had known it before purchase.

 

[mr.lemons]

Robin strimmer.

 

[macgee]

Some new toys from Vessel that just arrived.

Metric stubby length ball hex set., 6mm hollow ground slotted 2200 ratchet ball grip, 4mm slotted 610 soft grip driver, 150mm long reduced shank DX super alloy (62hrc) PH#2 bit and a Vessel Magnetic Screw Catcher.

Have to say I'm really digging the stubby hex set, don't know yet about wear but they fit really well, better than my PB Swiss and the caddy is way nicer than Bondhus's.
The long reduced sized #2 bit is working just as well as a full size #2 and having the long reach is nice and useful.


The new Armor grip drivers (value line), slightly softer and much grippier than the Megadora's.

 

[Vicks]

Some new toys from Vessel that just arrived.

Have to say I'm really digging the stubby hex set, don't know yet about wear but they fit really well, better than my PB Swiss and the caddy is way nicer than Bondhus's.


The new Armor grip drivers (value line), slightly softer and much grippier than the Megadora's.

Nice !!

I never found use / reasoning for a stubby Hex key set, considering that i do nothing more than regular maintenance stuff on my motorcycles/cars and some repairs on household appliances. I'm curious to know where these stubby keys come into use, and a regular Hex key does not ?

Must resist the temptation to buy another set of screw drivers since i just bought 2 x sets of Wihas recently !!

 

[m6z]

I was going to place an Amazon order for a few KTC items last weekend, but man, shipping was nearly as much as the tools. Multiple shipments required.

 

[pizza]

”Beautiful piece of work. Really excellent!”

i'll bite. what movie's that from?

 

[pizza]

EMS resumed shipping to the US from Japan on June 1

but prices went up:

Since the number of flights has been reduced owing to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, we have had no choice but to suspend the acceptance of some postal items. We apologize for any inconvenience. We have been discussing with airlines to secure space on flights for postal items, but our transportation costs have unavoidably risen. We are sincerely sorry, but we are forced to introduce a "tentative extra charge for EMS" starting on 1st June 2021.

see that page for a table of price increases. it seems like the percent increase gets more expensive for bigger/more expensive packages. the lightest/cheapest packages to NA are increasing in cost by 20%. very heavy ones are going up 60%+.

 

[macgee]

I'm curious to know where these stubby keys come into use, and a regular Hex key does not ?

Vicks,

The stubby's work well for tight spaces and ease of use, they're smaller size makes them easier to handle and work well for smaller lighter torque work. You can sort of compare it to using a 10mm socket with either choosing a 3/8 ratchet or 1/4 ratchet. Using the stubby feels like using a 1/4 ratchet compared to standard size set. Not a great comparison but hopefully u get the idea.

 

[macgee]

EMS resumed shipping to the US from Japan on June 1

but prices went up:


see that page for a table of price increases. it seems like the percent increase gets more expensive for bigger/more expensive packages. the lightest/cheapest packages to NA are increasing in cost by 20%. very heavy ones are going up 60%+.

Bummer,

I've been really holding out from ordering more from Japan more until I had a big enough order to justify shipping but that is not good news. What about using Japan Post Service?

 

[RoundedNut]

I was going to place an Amazon order for a few KTC items last weekend, but man, shipping was nearly as much as the tools. Multiple shipments required.

Hmmm, there's one charge for items that ship from amazon no matter how many shipments it takes. One of my orders from Amazon Japan took 4 shipments and it cost no more than if it was all together. Different story of course if its shipped from 3rd party sellers, which I tend to avoid.

I tend to gather enough items so each order is 10,000 yen or more, with shipping ending up an additional 25%. This is usually far cheaper than getting those items locally, or from my local amazon.

 

[Steve_P]

Just received an order from amazon.jp. it weighed 1.1 kg, $190 in tools, $22 shipping. I thought that was fine, considering UPS charges almost as much to ship 8 ounces 500 miles in the US.

 

[rice rocket]

Just received an order from amazon.jp. it weighed 1.1 kg, $190 in tools, $22 shipping. I thought that was fine, considering UPS charges almost as much to ship 8 ounces 500 miles in the US.

Its because you're/we're subsidizing Amazon's monster contracts that are below cost.

 

[mr.lemons]

Some new toys from Vessel that just arrived.

Does the Vessel bit lock into the Bosch driver ok? I thought Japan bits were not compatible.

 

[macgee]

Just received an order from amazon.jp. it weighed 1.1 kg, $190 in tools, $22 shipping. I thought that was fine, considering UPS charges almost as much to ship 8 ounces 500 miles in the US.

1.1 kg (2.5lbs) from Japan for $22 is really good, Shipping from EU would be more.

Where are you buying your UPS shipping labels from, yesterday I shipped 18"x 8"x 6", 5lbs (2.2kg/80 ounces) with UPS Ground, LA to Boston for $14.57 with PayPal shipping

 

[macgee]

Does the Vessel bit lock into the Bosch driver ok? I thought Japan bits were not compatible.

Yes that particular one does, it fits and locks in the Bosch. That vessel hex bit is made to ISO 9.5mm hex lock dimensions. The only thing, the hex width is only 6.28mm with the newest Vessels hex's being made, slightly smaller hex width than PB Swiss, Felo and others so it's a little loose.

Here's a Japanese version (below) that is not compatible (17mm) with the Bosch and others, they also use 13mm also not compatible but I'm using this one in a vessel ball grip handle and really like it.

 

[928'er]

i'll bite. what movie's that from?

Not my post, but I think it's from "The Day of the Jackal."

Great movie, by the way.

 

[Dave455]

i'll bite. what movie's that from?

Yes, Day of the Jackal, and Edward Fox’s comment when the fitted case was opened pretty much mirrored mine when I first opened a Nepros case…!

Unlike ”The Jackal” however, I will be needing the case…!

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

While researching on Japanese amazon I came across these super small Keiba pliers. I am into small and lightweight tools that get the job done so I had to purchase. They were kind of expensive at over $115 for the set. Black leather pouch was included.


In my brief interaction with the so far, they are so small it’s almost novelty getting a job done. I tried cutting a standard zip tie with the cutter and it was a tricky two handed affair. I still may carry them in a moto bag when going ultra light.

 

[kanai]

I visited the new Factory Gear Tokyo store in Tennoz Isle last weekend and posted a thread on that.

 

[macgee]

I visited the new Factory Gear Tokyo store in Tennoz Isle last weekend and posted a thread on that.

Awesome post, nice job and thanks for sharing.

Sort of a good thing it's located in Japan as my wallet would be seriously effected beyond repair if it was local. Joking aside we need more stores like this and glad to see one exist like this.

 

[GrantCee]

It occurs to me that I've never posted my most-used Japanese tool. This one is nearly 20 years old, used at least weekly (and during firewood season, October through about May, it gets used almost daily). Never a problem, and it's shrugged off damage that would have killed most other saws.

I also have a larger displacement Shindaiwa saw, the model 757, that's more than a decade old, used very frequently as well. Like all good tools, they earn their keep!

 

[bwringer]

Robin strimmer.

I inherited one of those a while back. No idea where, how, or why my Dad got it, but after the usual neglected 2-cycle engine preliminaries, it was very noticeable how much higher quality it was. Easily on par with Stihl, and better in many respects.

I also ended up with an extremely nice made in Japan "Redmax" leaf blower.

Nice !!

I never found use / reasoning for a stubby Hex key set, considering that i do nothing more than regular maintenance stuff on my motorcycles/cars and some repairs on household appliances. I'm curious to know where these stubby keys come into use, and a regular Hex key does not ?

Must resist the temptation to buy another set of screw drivers since i just bought 2 x sets of Wihas recently !!

Vicks,

The stubby's work well for tight spaces and ease of use, they're smaller size makes them easier to handle and work well for smaller lighter torque work. You can sort of compare it to using a 10mm socket with either choosing a 3/8 ratchet or 1/4 ratchet. Using the stubby feels like using a 1/4 ratchet compared to standard size set. Not a great comparison but hopefully u get the idea.

Agreed. I use my stubbies fairly often in tight spaces on motorcycles, which are more prone to using socket head fasteners and contain lots of tight spaces. After cutting down cheap hex keys many times to reach some unreachable fastener, I discovered hey... there are actually high quality sets of these... mine are Bondhus, but that Vessel set is mighty tasty. Much like cars, motorcycle builders like to assemble the engine, then stuff it into the frame without regard for tool clearance.

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

Anyone with multiple Nepros ratchets notice the surface under the selector switches is sometimes missed? My first nepros, the 3/8 stubby has a rougher finish than the 4 other nepros ratchets I purchased recently.

 

[pizza]

Anyone with multiple Nepros ratchets notice the surface under the selector switches is sometimes missed? My first nepros, the 3/8 stubby has a rougher finish than the 4 other nepros ratchets I purchased recently.

yes, and it seems without rhyme or reason. i.e. it's not a 3/8" stubby "issue" if you were wondering that.
if anything, i would say rough finish by selector switch is the norm.

for some more discussion on this, read this post and a few posts after:

the Nepros brand hand tool thread

By the way - for anyone looking to purchase Nepros stuff in the short term. Get your orders in asap. Apparently they are very quickly selling out of their inventory this month for whatever reason. To quote an email I received from one of their representatives "We did not experience so many...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[RoundedNut]

Looks like things are getting better for warehouses and shipping. amazon Japan order took just 3 days to arrive after ordering with shipping costs less than 17% for a 16 item, 14k yen order.

Really liked the olfa knives with this blade shape so I got the traditional utility knives in 21 and 25mm widths, one bare and the other with handle/sheath so I can play samurai. Very, very sharp.

 

[riceaterSLC]

Anyone with multiple Nepros ratchets notice the surface under the selector switches is sometimes missed? My first nepros, the 3/8 stubby has a rougher finish than the 4 other nepros ratchets I purchased recently.

interesting. all 3 of my ratchets are not polished there and none are the stubby. i'm a little jealous of your superior shine...

 

[Dave455]

Anyone with multiple Nepros ratchets notice the surface under the selector switches is sometimes missed? My first nepros, the 3/8 stubby has a rougher finish than the 4 other nepros ratchets I purchased recently.

I don’t think they “miss” the polishing. I don’t think the Japanese make those mistakes, and certainly not on their premium line! As some others have suggested in the posts pizza linked, I suspect it’s a design change, and it’s taken a while to change all the models.

If that’s the case I wouldn’t like to say which is older and which newer, as I don’t own enough Nepros ratchets to tell. I suspect that will change though…

 

[Ralf11]

You nepros guys should read the Stain of SK thread

 

[Dave455]

You nepros guys should read the Stain of SK thread

I doubt many on this thread are into “Horror”!

 

[Retroman]

Is Japan Amazon the best(cheapest)way to order Nepros ratchets? I have tried to order on the KTC website but can't get past the address page.

 

[Reed Prince]

I've always bought directly from Nepros.

 

[Gregthegadgetguy]

I don’t think they “miss” the polishing. I don’t think the Japanese make those mistakes, and certainly not on their premium line! As some others have suggested in the posts pizza linked, I suspect it’s a design change, and it’s taken a while to change all the models.

If that’s the case I wouldn’t like to say which is older and which newer, as I don’t own enough Nepros ratchets to tell. I suspect that will change though…

After looking into it more, I think we can rule out a design change. Polished and non-polished sections have been seen at seemingly random since the 90 tooth ratchet introduction. The Nepros thread is a good source as it predates these ratchets. Only problem is lots of dead and poor quality photos.

interesting. all 3 of my ratchets are not polished there and none are the stubby. i'm a little jealous of your superior shine...

Do you have a 1/4 with rougher surface? I see it mainly on the 3/8 and 1/2 sizes. Might be that it’s hard to see in pictures unless at the right angle. I know I am digging deep for this small cosmetic issue but I have when Nepros sets such high quality standards!

 

[pizza]

I don’t think they “miss” the polishing. I don’t think the Japanese make those mistakes, and certainly not on their premium line! As some others have suggested in the posts pizza linked, I suspect it’s a design change, and it’s taken a while to change all the models.

If that’s the case I wouldn’t like to say which is older and which newer, as I don’t own enough Nepros ratchets to tell. I suspect that will change though…

i don't think it's a design change in the sense that all ratchets from some point onwards were polished or not polished. best i can tell is that they polish it on some runs, but i don't know why.

 

[Dave455]

Makes sense.

I have ratchets both polished and unpolished, but it looks like a “lucky dip” as to which you get when you order!

 

[Ralf11]

Nepros is very good at answering Email (and very courteous, as would be expected). Somebody ask them. I bet there's a reason...

 

[toddmorr]

Personally I'll be really surprised if it's a "mistake". The Japanese just don't do that on stuff like this

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Nepros is very good at answering Email (and very courteous, as would be expected). Somebody ask them. I bet there's a reason...

I went ahead and sent them an email. Its time to solve this mystery once and for all!

 

[macgee]

I know these have been posted before but just noticed that most are now back in stock again and priced @ $6.99 Prime delivered from US, non-third party. I found the hollow ground slotted ones to be a good one to have.

Made in Japan by Vessel

https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A3AWN9JN1RIIEI&rh=p_4:Craftsman&dc&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1623428248&ref=sr_nr_p_4_1

 

[mr.lemons]

I'm sure this has come up before, but does this tip work well enough for ph1 and 3, or not so much? Just out of interest.

I guess recessed PH1 screws would be an issue.