Understanding Koken Socket Sets

[PureLeaf]

I'm looking to buy a set of Koken sockets just to try something new. However I'm a bit confused by the wide array of socket sets they sell.

Seems they have a regular socket set the RS3400, a surface drive RS3410, a Nut Grip set RS3450 and a Z-Series set RS3400MZ.

I understand the surface drive and nut grip sets offer a slightly unique socket. However the Z series sets seem to command the most premium price from Koken but I can't seem to find any information about why or what it offers over the regular RS3400 set other then costing double the price.

Anyone know?

 

[PureLeaf]

Looks like I answered my own question. Sockets are shallower and have tighter specs then their regular sockets:

 

[Van Steele]

The Zeal series sockets are low profile. You can find comparison shots int the tools of Japan thread.
As for the nut-grip, their uniqueness is more then slightly.

 

[Dave455]

O.k.

I've got a fair bit of a Koken so may be able to explain! The range of stuff they produce is second to none, but you can get a bit lost if you start looking at the catalogue online! A paper catalogue helps!

If in doubt, just get the regular sockets. The quality is superb, materials, heat treatment, finishing, all faultless! I can't speak for the U.S., but in the U.K. the prices are seriously keen as well!

Nut Grip are a specialist item. They incorporate two ball bearings and a spring to hold nuts in place. I find them seriously useful, but they don 't replace a regular socket!

Surface drive are a specialist item and are designed to drive a nut from the surfaces rather than the corners. I know a guy who uses them on classics where he doesn't wasn't to mark the fasteners, and I can see how they would be great for stuff like chrome plated fasteners, but again they don't replace a regular socket!

The Z Series, or Zeal as they call it in the U.S. is a range of compact sockets and handles designed specially for automotive work! As you have now found out, they are shallower sockets than normal, but also work to tighter tolerances! What you may not realise is that all the handles and extensions have been redesigned as well! The whole system is great, and the parts work well together, but as yet it is still fairly new and there is nothing like the range in Z Series as there is in the normal range!

If you do a lot of work in engine bays of small cars, and can never decide between 3/8 drive or 1/4 drive, then the Z Series is for you! Otherwise stick to the regular! Doubt you will be disappointed!

 

[PureLeaf]

Dave, thanks for the info!

 

[NathanB]

Heres a few videos

 

[Crown Imperial]

It appears some manufacturers do not recommend using surface drive sockets for impact use. Apex is one of them. Is there anything to this since Koken offers impact surface drive sockets?
Anyone have experience using surface drive sockets for wheel lug nuts? Apparently due to their design they slip easier onto nuts and bolts. The way I see it that would reduce mount and dismounting time.

 

[-Z-]

Surface drive are a specialist item and are designed to drive a nut from the surfaces rather than the corners. I know a guy who uses them on classics where he doesn't wasn't to mark the fasteners, and I can see how they would be great for stuff like chrome plated fasteners, but again they don't replace a regular socket!

Why don't they replace a regular socket?

 

[tlpatter]

Wheres a decent place online to get their sockets?

 

[Adam.C]

Why don't they replace a regular socket?

I think Koken surface drive are like metrinch. They are internally lobed, with deep corner reliefs. I suspect they are larger in diameter than their counterparts and probably touch further in from the corner than regular sockets. Wouldn't be my first choice.

To be fair, the Koken normal socket is a surface drive or flank drive design. They are designed not to bear on the fastener corners.

I prefer Snap On tools because they are US made. But if I were to buy non US or Canadian, I would not hesitate to buy Koken. Like Snap On they have dedicated significant resources into research and development. Japanese steel is, if not the best in the world, very close to it. And I trust Japanese quality control.

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

Wheres a decent place online to get their sockets?

LevelChrome, FranksTools (many here dislike his customer service but also many here have said it's been fine for them), Ebay

For LevelChrome and FranksTools, email them if they don't list what you want. Neither one lists anywhere near the full inventory. I don't know if they will help you if you email them without part numbers, but I did provide part numbers to LevelChrome for my custom order I just placed last week because I went on a Japanese site (fortunately I understand a bit of Japanese, might not be so easy for many of you).

Another option would be to use a deputy service that you contract with to buy the parts for you within Japan and then have them ship to you. I actually do use one such service but I still went with LevelChrome for my order because their fee was a bit more reasonable.

 

[Bran Diezel]

Frank is great to deal with, very good communication back and forth with my recent order!