Thanks for the Facom link. Kinda makes me wonder if the Stahlwille ones come from the same factory in Taiwan: www.kctoolco.com/stahlwille-409m-432m-514m-3-set-adaptors-3-pieces/ The Laser Tools kit isn't the same think we're talking about though. I've seen that kit sold under different brands, like Deen Tools.
Stahlwille also has these German made adapters without a knurled ring. They got some large up-adatpers too! ....but the price! www.kctoolco.com/stahlwille-7789-4-1-4-1-2-square-drive-adaptor/
With tools brands being bought and sold monthly. I cannot keep track. With Apex buying all the brands, I wonder about the future of tools. Stanley owns/owned Facom Much better price www.misterworker.com/en/stahlwille/409m-adaptor-1-4-x-3-8-409m/8598.html?gmc_currency=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3InYBRCLARIsAG6bfMQE9cCilQgG8V-qAK2iOccykwpYLzlQq-OtLOnSweBJStt4L6Q8AeMaAn8hEALw_wcB
Cheaper in Germany, typically 20 euros plus tax www.tbs-aachen.de/Stahlwille/Torqe_tools/Options_Testers/Stahlwille_7789-4_1/4_-_1/2_Square_drive_adaptor_i3394_49074.htm
Williams sells a quick spinner. I bought it thinking it was made in the USA but when it arrived it was stamped Taiwan and didn’t have any Williams branding on it whatsoever. It seems okay but I have Nepros quick spinners so the Williams doesn’t see much use
WRIGHT tool still offers a thumb wheel as I call 'em. I don't know if you can still find 'em, but some companies used to offer a disk for your ratchet. They were essentially knurled washer with a square in the center, you could put it on any ratchet without adding any height in many cases because they usually fit in the gap between the socket and base of the ratchet anvil.
Yup, I know what you're talking about. The problem with those discs is that its thickness could potentially prevent a socket/extension to lock in place. The ones I've seen are quite thin as well, making them less comfortable to operate. Thanks, I found the Wright "ratchet spinner" in 3/8 drive (part # 3431). Similar to Snap-on, MAC/Proto, there's also adds a bit of length as well (1-1/4").
I'm interested in those low profile KTC up adapters. I have a Nepros straight and an Armstrong locking flex 1/4" I use a lot. I've thought about getting a little 3/8" in a 1/4" ratchet but don't necessarily want to spend the money and don't like having a ton of stuff around. Those up adapters seem like they'd do a good job essentially turning my 1/4" ratchets into 3/8" in a 1/4" bodies without actually requiring me to get another ratchet. I'd also have the advantage of a quick spinner. My question is how well are sockets retained on the adapters? If I'll have to deal with sockets falling off a bunch I'll probably just get another ratchet.
Very good question! Whether the retention from that single magnet is adequate or not depends on a couple things: The size of the socket, and whether it's a shallow, mid, deep. The smaller the better of course. Is the fastener you're working on clean or crusty. The crustier it is, the greater the chances for the socket to come off the adapter. I think the better alternative would be the Ko-ken Z-series adapters. Very secure fit, with the only downfall being the few mm's in increased height.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Awesome! Thanks for the detailed response! I'll take a look at those. In all reality I'll probably get both even though I just said I don't like having a bunch of stuff. Hey, at least they're different from each other.
Was just thinking about a tool like this today while I was removing some bolts. Do you have a recommendation for a online retailer that ships to Europe? Keep up the interesting videos, really love to see tools from America, Japan etc. Greetings from Germany.
Hi, ossilong. I unfortunately not aware of online vendors that carry a full range of Ko-ken tools. I have heard of a couple people mention Consolidated Tools in the UK offers anything in the Ko-ken catalogue. I just googled 'Ko-ken Germany' and it looks like the European headoffice is in Luxembourg. Maybe you can contact them to see if there are any distributors closer to you. If that fails, then try Frankstools.com. It's a small operation that's based in the US, but ships worldwide. He offers a nice selection of Japanese brands, including Ko-ken and KTC/Nepros. If you're interested in exclusively Nepros tools, go to nepros.net You're getting the tools directly from the source. Another popular option is the Rakuten Global Market (sort of like Amazon marketplace) which ships worldwide. Of course, there's also Amazon.co.jp Just change the language setting to English or German and you can shop conveniently and easily (if you're already used to shopping with Amazon.de Cheers!
Ive seen the finger ones by gearwrench but nothing that you can actually put a ratchet or spinner bar. I'll have to get some of those to match my TONE RH3VHW ratchet as for it has the perfect size head to accommodate one of those. What kinda material is on the koken ratchets? What do you recommend for a half inch ratchet?
In decided on a appropriate size quick spinner, I would keep in mind that the "fork" portion on your swivel ratchet (the section where the head swivels on) adds to the overall width. What length 1/2" drive ratchet? That'll probably help me direct you better.
Oh, type of material on the Ko-ken ratchet? I assume you mean the handle.....it's an elastomer grip that's injection molded through metal (to prevent any unwanted slip, and even ejection of the handle).
I been looking at half inch ratchets again now that I have a better idea to what I want in a half inch and it is a smaller 3/8 body and size but have a half inch anvil. The size ranges id like are probably closer to 180mm-250mm. I would also like a 1/4'' body with a 3/8 anvil in a max size of 150mm, and then the same thing but a 1/2 anvil with 1/4'' body. I think a good fall video would be exactly that: frankenratchets ... I would really like to see a tool box tour from you, it would be a good idea for your own personal insurance purposes. I had some tools stolen recently and reverted to my tool box tour for what was missing.
Does the tool with the red head and knurling (at 7:10) around it effectively have a built in spinner? I have a ratchet like it but with the knurled ring on the other side.
The knurled ring on that Carolus ratchet is the directional switch. I know the type of ratchet you're talking about. At around 13:40, I bring one up. 🙂 I'm not too fond of it because the ring is just too thin to spin comfortably with my fingers.
@Schwalbe262 Rotator/Rotary/Twist ratchet...I have a few of them myself. The utility of those and the quick spinner is quite different. I can think of many situations where such a ratchet would simply be cumbersome to deal with!
In the USA, I'd look into Ko-ken USA's website for dealers. They themselves have a e-store as well. For Nepros, go to the nepros.net site. Its run by KTC themselves. There's also a place in California called DRPD that carries some KTC/Nepros stuff.
Great video, funnily enough I’m waiting for that 1/4“ female to 3/8“ male quick spinner to arrive from Ko-Ken. Didn’t spot there was a 1/4“ to 1/2“, better get ordering again! Can’t see it in the 2018 English catalogue, do you know the number of it?
It's a relatively new product so it probably won't show up in the English catalogue until the next revision. I wrote the part#'s it in the video description, but here's the one in question: Ko-ken 1/4 to 1/2"sq. quick spinner adapter: Part# 2756z-1/2 Here's the latest Zeal pdf pamphlet (look for the "NEW" symbol for all the latest additions): www.koken-tool.co.jp/panflets/KOKEN201802_ZEAL5.pdf
You can actually use the low profile KTC ¼ - ⅜ adaptor inserted into the low profile KTC ⅜ - ½ adaptor and you have a low profile ¼ - ½ spinner adapter, Have to love the modular capability
Hrmm, that's a good question! Factory Gear store or WIT.... Let me ask you....how much time can you spare to travel to a tool shop? Do you know where you're staying? Do you have friends who can take you there or relying on public transportation. Knowing that, I can probably better point you to which store to go.
I've been to Tokyo a few times and only use public transport. Not sure where I'll stay, probably near Shibuya (or stations where the NEX stops at). I will factor in spending all day on this task ! :) Perhaps a video on this topic alone, while great for me (thinking selfishly) may benefit others too.
I'm not sure if you've seen this....it's the storefront of a tool store in Osaka: ua-cam.com/video/EzLfmjvbkJ4/v-deo.html When I re-visited the tool store in Osaka for the third time, I contemplated doing a video on how to get to the store from the station, but I decided to take photos instead: www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/sets/72157683218718135/ I think the next time I go to Japan, it's time to do an actual video. I'm shocked to have just learned that both WIT stores, after being in business for 25 years, had closed down for good as of Dec 2017!!! So sad to hear..... So, you're probably off to a Factory Gear store.
Yes you must do that video :) Closed ? Damn. I found these websites recently and wondered whether they might be good stores to visit: www.marutsu.co.jp/pc/static/shop/akihabara www.sanfrontier.jp/index.html
Akihabara is a good destination to shop for tools relating to the electronics field. You'll find small shops right around Akihabara. I would recommend this place: ua-cam.com/video/dGykJQFAlTk/v-deo.html Here's the address you can throw into google map search: 東京都千代田区外神田1-14-3 Although it's the smallest Factory Gear store, the Akihabara location it's called the Factory Gear Concept Studio. You can touch and even try out certain hand, cordless, and pneumatic power tools. Here's their address: 〒110-0016 東京都台東区 台東２−７−１安藤ビル or just google: "Factory Gear Concept Studio"
Nice video! I was going to get a KTC spinner, but ended up getting an (yeah I know, it's Chinese) Astro Products Spinner. I had a chance to feel them both at the Astro Products store, and I honestly liked it better, even though I went in with intentions to get the KTC. It was aluminum and steel construction, and the knurling on the end seemed to grip better. Just throwing that out there, even though I'm usually a "get what you pay for" type of guy when it comes to tools.
Here's a link to the playlist. There's not commentary...just annotations. Check the description/comments for some more info. ua-cam.com/play/PLo65s_DfP855ZeRnQUbYIH1GkPzINPohd.html
btw, I did a google image search for Astro Product's quick spinner and came across your blog post: www.exitevideomagazine.com/2015/10/tool-review-38-drive-ratchet-spinner.html
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado haha I had to go back and read it again. I still feel mostly the same way! I need to get back to writing stuff for the blog that isn't on the channel! I'd say I'm one of the few people reviewing Astro Products stuff in English... which I mean... it's mostly Harbor Freight stuff.
Hi Chris, another great tool review. I just purchased my first tools from Koken 3/8" Wobble extension 6pc set about a month ago from Frank's Tools. I'm a Snap-on snob but I couldn't be happier with these Koken extensions! I love using them. The quality is TOP-NOTCH!!! So question for you. I love spinners too. Which brand of them do you like better, Nepros or Koken?
I personally like both of them, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd fall for the Ko-ken for these reasons: -affordability -all metal construction -variations
Ok, I was going to ask you if you like the Ko-ken Zeal models. That's what Frank's has listed for sale. I know Ko-ken makes LOTS of different variations of their tools. By the way, where do you buy your Ko-ken stuff? I know you travel to Japan so maybe you buy over there...
Hi Ryan. All the Zeal stuff that I own is awesome. Although the total number of Zeal tools are still rather small, I'm sure Ko-ken will continue to add more to the Z-series. I started buying Ko-ken tools 10 years ago from an online vendor called i-Tools, and yeah, I'd either have them delivered to my relative's place when I visit Japan or have a family member bring them back to me in their travels. In recent years, the online marketplace called Global Rakuten has allowed foreigners to conveniently purchase from Japanese tool vendors like i-Tools. So, I find that there's been quite a spike in interest for Japanese tools just in the past couple years. Frankstools has been around for at least 5 years now, and I think he's one of the few, if not the only person in North America that's solely catering towards providing Japanese automotive-geared tools.
I did a vid on adapters check it out. You can Aldo use those spinners between two extensions to use for stabilization using both hands. Thanks for a great video.
Early in my career I joined a public speaking group. Occasionally we were challenged to give impromptu presentations. The audience would shake their rattles whenever I said umm or paused to long. Not easy. Maybe they should have twisted their ratchet spinners. 🤔
I'm a person who doesn't talk a lot to begin with, and I absolutely hated doing presenstations. I think I'd be terrified of doing one impromptu. Maybe I should challenge myself and attend a public speaking group. 😆
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado You have lots of great info to share. Maybe try it. Way back then it was called Toastmasters. I still watch your tool videos. Good luck. 😃
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado IF you are serious about improving, I can tell you it takes work. An idea that helped me was to ban any “ummm”s or other pause/thinking sounds. A big help is to go back and watch your own videos. In order to solve the problem, we must first understand the problem. Watch this video at least 5 times. FOGET what you are talking about. Only listen for where you were pausing, Ummm-ing, etc. Keep track on a piece of paper. At the end figure out how many overall. About 1 per minute? 5? 10 per minute for 14 minutes and 41 seconds? Now go back, listen to the information and figure out what you were trying to say and how you could get to the point faster next time. If I was directing you in a movie I would critique this performance as sounding like you: Don’t believe what you are saying (lying), Don’t fully understand what you are talking about, etc. Having watched many videos I do not believe either of those, but that is how it comes across. Great tools. Great presentation. Like many UA-camrs, too many excuses and apologies for things outside your control like traffic, the coffee machine turned on, a neighbor is mowing the lawn, etc. (You are actually not that bad but in general you hear this a lot across UA-cam, I don’t know why. It’s distracting, unnecessary and stupid in my opinion). Never apologize for lighting. We have no excuse there. Get some work lights and fix it. I use my work lights to video all the time. The knowledge and interest/passion seems genuine and deep. I enjoyed learning about the history of Koken (in another video), for example. That passion is the high-performance engine at the center of your channel. You must free yourself from the giant trailer of hesitation, clutter and whatever else that is dragging the momentum down to almost zero. Stay safe, Stay healthy, Stay Sharp Stay Up, Take care,
Hey Chris! I think I was looking at frankstools.com where I seen Koken has a locking flex head ratchet model available... I would like to see how koken's soft grip fits inside a anglo's hand, and I would also really like to see the knurling on the knurled version.. either way I have to own one! LoL, so there's this ratchet also that im wondering if the handle free spins like the snap on style of their version of the multi bend style ratchet. www.frankstools.com/ko3flhera3.html
Yup, Ko-ken has a really limited number of locking flex head models. It's not like some of the more modern locking flexes where you have several angles to choose from. The Ko-ken looks like you only do 2 or 3 angles between 0 to 90*. Their newer soft grips, with the two-component handle is quite nice. It's like a hard elastomer material overall. The size of the grip would be leaning toward the smaller end of the scale. The knurling is superb. One of the best, if not, the best knurling in the business from a handtool manufacturer. To answer your last quenstion, no, the handle is welded, so no free-spin action.
uk.rs-online.com/web/p/socket-accessories/4113100/
www.lasertools.co.uk/product/5433
Thanks for the Facom link. Kinda makes me wonder if the Stahlwille ones come from the same factory in Taiwan: www.kctoolco.com/stahlwille-409m-432m-514m-3-set-adaptors-3-pieces/
The Laser Tools kit isn't the same think we're talking about though. I've seen that kit sold under different brands, like Deen Tools.
Stahlwille also has these German made adapters without a knurled ring. They got some large up-adatpers too! ....but the price!
www.kctoolco.com/stahlwille-7789-4-1-4-1-2-square-drive-adaptor/
With tools brands being bought and sold monthly. I cannot keep track. With Apex buying all the brands, I wonder about the future of tools.
Stanley owns/owned Facom
Much better price
www.misterworker.com/en/stahlwille/409m-adaptor-1-4-x-3-8-409m/8598.html?gmc_currency=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3InYBRCLARIsAG6bfMQE9cCilQgG8V-qAK2iOccykwpYLzlQq-OtLOnSweBJStt4L6Q8AeMaAn8hEALw_wcB
Yeah, it seems like the tool industry has had a lot of changes in the last decade or so with all the mergers and closures.
Cheaper in Germany, typically 20 euros plus tax www.tbs-aachen.de/Stahlwille/Torqe_tools/Options_Testers/Stahlwille_7789-4_1/4_-_1/2_Square_drive_adaptor_i3394_49074.htm
Williams sells a quick spinner. I bought it thinking it was made in the USA but when it arrived it was stamped Taiwan and didn’t have any Williams branding on it whatsoever. It seems okay but I have Nepros quick spinners so the Williams doesn’t see much use
WRIGHT tool still offers a thumb wheel as I call 'em.
I don't know if you can still find 'em, but some companies used to offer a disk for your ratchet.
They were essentially knurled washer with a square in the center, you could put it on any ratchet without adding any height in many cases because they usually fit in the gap between the socket and base of the ratchet anvil.
Yup, I know what you're talking about. The problem with those discs is that its thickness could potentially prevent a socket/extension to lock in place. The ones I've seen are quite thin as well, making them less comfortable to operate.
Thanks, I found the Wright "ratchet spinner" in 3/8 drive (part # 3431). Similar to Snap-on, MAC/Proto, there's also adds a bit of length as well (1-1/4").
Very informative overview. I really appreciate my nepros 1/4 spinner. Got a koken 3/8 on the way. Amazing quality
Thanks for watching 👍
I'm interested in those low profile KTC up adapters. I have a Nepros straight and an Armstrong locking flex 1/4" I use a lot. I've thought about getting a little 3/8" in a 1/4" ratchet but don't necessarily want to spend the money and don't like having a ton of stuff around. Those up adapters seem like they'd do a good job essentially turning my 1/4" ratchets into 3/8" in a 1/4" bodies without actually requiring me to get another ratchet. I'd also have the advantage of a quick spinner. My question is how well are sockets retained on the adapters? If I'll have to deal with sockets falling off a bunch I'll probably just get another ratchet.
Very good question! Whether the retention from that single magnet is adequate or not depends on a couple things:
The size of the socket, and whether it's a shallow, mid, deep. The smaller the better of course.
Is the fastener you're working on clean or crusty. The crustier it is, the greater the chances for the socket to come off the adapter.
I think the better alternative would be the Ko-ken Z-series adapters. Very secure fit, with the only downfall being the few mm's in increased height.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Awesome! Thanks for the detailed response! I'll take a look at those. In all reality I'll probably get both even though I just said I don't like having a bunch of stuff. Hey, at least they're different from each other.
I really want one of the Koken Industrial Multi tool 3/8 rachet. There are so many ways to use it with the spinners and adapters. Great video!
Thanks Scubbarookie!
Williams makes them but I guess that falls under snap on
I've seen a bunch of the 3/8 - 1/2 type adaptor spinners I have some 3$ power tours from orileys
Sync of square is nice feature if u know u know
Was just thinking about a tool like this today while I was removing some bolts. Do you have a recommendation for a online retailer that ships to Europe? Keep up the interesting videos, really love to see tools from America, Japan etc. Greetings from Germany.
Hi, ossilong. I unfortunately not aware of online vendors that carry a full range of Ko-ken tools. I have heard of a couple people mention Consolidated Tools in the UK offers anything in the Ko-ken catalogue.
I just googled 'Ko-ken Germany' and it looks like the European headoffice is in Luxembourg. Maybe you can contact them to see if there are any distributors closer to you.
If that fails, then try Frankstools.com. It's a small operation that's based in the US, but ships worldwide. He offers a nice selection of Japanese brands, including Ko-ken and KTC/Nepros.
If you're interested in exclusively Nepros tools, go to nepros.net You're getting the tools directly from the source.
Another popular option is the Rakuten Global Market (sort of like Amazon marketplace) which ships worldwide.
Of course, there's also Amazon.co.jp Just change the language setting to English or German and you can shop conveniently and easily (if you're already used to shopping with Amazon.de
Cheers!
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado Now that is an answer haha. Thanks!
Proto also makes quick spinners.
Thanks for that. They call theirs ratchet spinners. For example: Part #4751 is for 1/4 drive
Ive seen the finger ones by gearwrench but nothing that you can actually put a ratchet or spinner bar. I'll have to get some of those to match my TONE RH3VHW ratchet as for it has the perfect size head to accommodate one of those. What kinda material is on the koken ratchets? What do you recommend for a half inch ratchet?
In decided on a appropriate size quick spinner, I would keep in mind that the "fork" portion on your swivel ratchet (the section where the head swivels on) adds to the overall width.
What length 1/2" drive ratchet? That'll probably help me direct you better.
Oh, type of material on the Ko-ken ratchet? I assume you mean the handle.....it's an elastomer grip that's injection molded through metal (to prevent any unwanted slip, and even ejection of the handle).
I been looking at half inch ratchets again now that I have a better idea to what I want in a half inch and it is a smaller 3/8 body and size but have a half inch anvil. The size ranges id like are probably closer to 180mm-250mm. I would also like a 1/4'' body with a 3/8 anvil in a max size of 150mm, and then the same thing but a 1/2 anvil with 1/4'' body. I think a good fall video would be exactly that: frankenratchets ... I would really like to see a tool box tour from you, it would be a good idea for your own personal insurance purposes. I had some tools stolen recently and reverted to my tool box tour for what was missing.
Does the tool with the red head and knurling (at 7:10) around it effectively have a built in spinner? I have a ratchet like it but with the knurled ring on the other side.
The knurled ring on that Carolus ratchet is the directional switch. I know the type of ratchet you're talking about. At around 13:40, I bring one up. 🙂 I'm not too fond of it because the ring is just too thin to spin comfortably with my fingers.
@Schwalbe262 Rotator/Rotary/Twist ratchet...I have a few of them myself. The utility of those and the quick spinner is quite different. I can think of many situations where such a ratchet would simply be cumbersome to deal with!
awesome!
In Europe Facom offer adapters like this KTC. GREETINGS
Thanks, Dla!
Good review & demonstration of tools :D
That's cool man
Where are the best places to buy Koken, Nepros, etc ..Japanese tools from the USA? Thanks
In the USA, I'd look into Ko-ken USA's website for dealers. They themselves have a e-store as well.
For Nepros, go to the nepros.net site. Its run by KTC themselves. There's also a place in California called DRPD that carries some KTC/Nepros stuff.
Great video, funnily enough I’m waiting for that 1/4“ female to 3/8“ male quick spinner to arrive from Ko-Ken. Didn’t spot there was a 1/4“ to 1/2“, better get ordering again! Can’t see it in the 2018 English catalogue, do you know the number of it?
It's a relatively new product so it probably won't show up in the English catalogue until the next revision.
I wrote the part#'s it in the video description, but here's the one in question: Ko-ken 1/4 to 1/2"sq. quick spinner adapter: Part# 2756z-1/2
Here's the latest Zeal pdf pamphlet (look for the "NEW" symbol for all the latest additions): www.koken-tool.co.jp/panflets/KOKEN201802_ZEAL5.pdf
Great, thanks, didn't spot the descriptions. I'll put this on my wishlist.
You can actually use the low profile KTC ¼ - ⅜ adaptor inserted into the low profile KTC ⅜ - ½ adaptor and you have a low profile ¼ - ½ spinner adapter, Have to love the modular capability
frogkic, hah! You are absolutely right!
Great video, Thanks
They are beautiful for display, aren't they??? Put them to work, or are they too fragile to work like show horses?
🤣 you're joking right!? Of course they are functional tools. 🤦♂️
They work great for under dash work or tight areas in the engine bay. Especially handy if your hands are greasy.
They are stronger than the ratchets lol
Good video Chris. I'm heading to Tokyo later this year. Which tool store has the best range of Koken and Nepros products? World Import Tools? Thanks.
Hrmm, that's a good question! Factory Gear store or WIT.... Let me ask you....how much time can you spare to travel to a tool shop? Do you know where you're staying? Do you have friends who can take you there or relying on public transportation. Knowing that, I can probably better point you to which store to go.
I've been to Tokyo a few times and only use public transport. Not sure where I'll stay, probably near Shibuya (or stations where the NEX stops at). I will factor in spending all day on this task ! :) Perhaps a video on this topic alone, while great for me (thinking selfishly) may benefit others too.
I'm not sure if you've seen this....it's the storefront of a tool store in Osaka: ua-cam.com/video/EzLfmjvbkJ4/v-deo.html When I re-visited the tool store in Osaka for the third time, I contemplated doing a video on how to get to the store from the station, but I decided to take photos instead: www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/sets/72157683218718135/
I think the next time I go to Japan, it's time to do an actual video.
I'm shocked to have just learned that both WIT stores, after being in business for 25 years, had closed down for good as of Dec 2017!!! So sad to hear.....
So, you're probably off to a Factory Gear store.
Yes you must do that video :) Closed ? Damn. I found these websites recently and wondered whether they might be good stores to visit: www.marutsu.co.jp/pc/static/shop/akihabara
www.sanfrontier.jp/index.html
Akihabara is a good destination to shop for tools relating to the electronics field. You'll find small shops right around Akihabara. I would recommend this place: ua-cam.com/video/dGykJQFAlTk/v-deo.html
Here's the address you can throw into google map search: 東京都千代田区外神田1-14-3
Although it's the smallest Factory Gear store, the Akihabara location it's called the Factory Gear Concept Studio. You can touch and even try out certain hand, cordless, and pneumatic power tools. Here's their address: 〒110-0016 東京都台東区 台東２−７−１安藤ビル
or just google: "Factory Gear Concept Studio"
Nice video! I was going to get a KTC spinner, but ended up getting an (yeah I know, it's Chinese) Astro Products Spinner. I had a chance to feel them both at the Astro Products store, and I honestly liked it better, even though I went in with intentions to get the KTC. It was aluminum and steel construction, and the knurling on the end seemed to grip better. Just throwing that out there, even though I'm usually a "get what you pay for" type of guy when it comes to tools.
BTW, Chris, I couldn't find that video for the JET rotation ratchet... care to share a link?
Here's a link to the playlist. There's not commentary...just annotations. Check the description/comments for some more info. ua-cam.com/play/PLo65s_DfP855ZeRnQUbYIH1GkPzINPohd.html
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado thanks a million!
btw, I did a google image search for Astro Product's quick spinner and came across your blog post: www.exitevideomagazine.com/2015/10/tool-review-38-drive-ratchet-spinner.html
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado haha I had to go back and read it again. I still feel mostly the same way! I need to get back to writing stuff for the blog that isn't on the channel!
I'd say I'm one of the few people reviewing Astro Products stuff in English... which I mean... it's mostly Harbor Freight stuff.
Hi Chris, another great tool review. I just purchased my first tools from Koken 3/8" Wobble extension 6pc set about a month ago from Frank's Tools. I'm a Snap-on snob but I couldn't be happier with these Koken extensions! I love using them. The quality is TOP-NOTCH!!! So question for you. I love spinners too. Which brand of them do you like better, Nepros or Koken?
I personally like both of them, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd fall for the Ko-ken for these reasons:
-affordability
-all metal construction
-variations
Thank you Sir! I'm gonna order the Koken's from Frank's!
Good choice.
I forgot to mention another reason:
-secure fitment (thanks to Ko-ken Zeal's patented detent profile)
Ok, I was going to ask you if you like the Ko-ken Zeal models. That's what Frank's has listed for sale. I know Ko-ken makes LOTS of different variations of their tools. By the way, where do you buy your Ko-ken stuff? I know you travel to Japan so maybe you buy over there...
Hi Ryan. All the Zeal stuff that I own is awesome. Although the total number of Zeal tools are still rather small, I'm sure Ko-ken will continue to add more to the Z-series.
I started buying Ko-ken tools 10 years ago from an online vendor called i-Tools, and yeah, I'd either have them delivered to my relative's place when I visit Japan or have a family member bring them back to me in their travels.
In recent years, the online marketplace called Global Rakuten has allowed foreigners to conveniently purchase from Japanese tool vendors like i-Tools. So, I find that there's been quite a spike in interest for Japanese tools just in the past couple years.
Frankstools has been around for at least 5 years now, and I think he's one of the few, if not the only person in North America that's solely catering towards providing Japanese automotive-geared tools.
Armstrong use to make ratchet spinners, you can still find the 1/2 ones on ebay and at cripe distributing.com
I did a vid on adapters check it out. You can Aldo use those spinners between two extensions to use for stabilization using both hands. Thanks for a great video.
Cool, I checked it out. For anyone else wondering, here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/RJyVkfN762w/v-deo.html
Have you put any of these "tools" to work, or are they just for show?
Do you not consider them as tools? Believe it or not, they certainly work as functional tools! Thanks for watching!
Early in my career I joined a public speaking group. Occasionally we were challenged to give impromptu presentations. The audience would shake their rattles whenever I said umm or paused to long. Not easy. Maybe they should have twisted their ratchet spinners. 🤔
I'm a person who doesn't talk a lot to begin with, and I absolutely hated doing presenstations. I think I'd be terrified of doing one impromptu. Maybe I should challenge myself and attend a public speaking group. 😆
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado You have lots of great info to share. Maybe try it. Way back then it was called Toastmasters. I still watch your tool videos. Good luck. 😃
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado IF you are serious about improving, I can tell you it takes work. An idea that helped me was to ban any “ummm”s or other pause/thinking sounds. A big help is to go back and watch your own videos.
In order to solve the problem, we must first understand the problem. Watch this video at least 5 times. FOGET what you are talking about. Only listen for where you were pausing, Ummm-ing, etc. Keep track on a piece of paper. At the end figure out how many overall. About 1 per minute? 5? 10 per minute for 14 minutes and 41 seconds?
Now go back, listen to the information and figure out what you were trying to say and how you could get to the point faster next time. If I was directing you in a movie I would critique this performance as sounding like you: Don’t believe what you are saying (lying), Don’t fully understand what you are talking about, etc. Having watched many videos I do not believe either of those, but that is how it comes across.
Great tools. Great presentation. Like many UA-camrs, too many excuses and apologies for things outside your control like traffic, the coffee machine turned on, a neighbor is mowing the lawn, etc. (You are actually not that bad but in general you hear this a lot across UA-cam, I don’t know why. It’s distracting, unnecessary and stupid in my opinion). Never apologize for lighting. We have no excuse there. Get some work lights and fix it. I use my work lights to video all the time. The knowledge and interest/passion seems genuine and deep. I enjoyed learning about the history of Koken (in another video), for example. That passion is the high-performance engine at the center of your channel. You must free yourself from the giant trailer of hesitation, clutter and whatever else that is dragging the momentum down to almost zero.
Stay safe, Stay healthy, Stay Sharp Stay Up,
Take care,
Hey Chris! I think I was looking at frankstools.com where I seen Koken has a locking flex head ratchet model available... I would like to see how koken's soft grip fits inside a anglo's hand, and I would also really like to see the knurling on the knurled version.. either way I have to own one! LoL, so there's this ratchet also that im wondering if the handle free spins like the snap on style of their version of the multi bend style ratchet. www.frankstools.com/ko3flhera3.html
Yup, Ko-ken has a really limited number of locking flex head models. It's not like some of the more modern locking flexes where you have several angles to choose from. The Ko-ken looks like you only do 2 or 3 angles between 0 to 90*.
Their newer soft grips, with the two-component handle is quite nice. It's like a hard elastomer material overall. The size of the grip would be leaning toward the smaller end of the scale.
The knurling is superb. One of the best, if not, the best knurling in the business from a handtool manufacturer.
To answer your last quenstion, no, the handle is welded, so no free-spin action.
I bet you would not win a game called " don't say Ummmmmm "
Ummm, yeah. I'm over qualified for that game.
Your videos may benefit from being scripted ahead of time.
this would have been a great 4 min video , talking for talking sake does not add anything to this , the more you talk the more it detracts.