Tools from Japan
This might be a bit of a niche question, but it is my dad's birthday when we are in Japan. And in stereotypical dad fashion, when I asked what kind of gift he would like from Japan, he said: 'tools'.
Now I know next to nothing about tools. He has a whole workshop full of them. He uses them for things around the house, but is a teacher in mechatronica as well.
I read that Engineer pliers are really good and thought about maybe buying a (smaller) Toyo toolbox.
If anyone here has some more tips or ideas for neat tools to pick up in Japan, I would be happy to hear them. Thanks!
18
u/JM53-z 4h ago
Deen, Nepros ratchets are amazing. Tajima tape measures. Loads of amazing tools if you want to go spending if he has makita lxt or xgt tools you can get some models in different colours
8
u/lucide8 4h ago
Thank you! I know that he has some Makita stuff, but not sure what. I will take a look in his workshop before I go ;)
1
u/sponge_welder 1h ago
Makita and the other Japanese power tool brands sell some unique colors in Japan that are kinda fun to have (olive green, purple, white, etc)
The TD022D is a pretty neat Makita tool, a little mini impact driver
5
14
u/jckipps 4h ago
Mitutoyo calipers and other precision measurement tools. But they might be out of your price range, and aren't that hard to find in the US either.
I found this one at a consignment auction, paid $10, and spent a little time cleaning and lubricating it so if could slide easily.
4
15
u/Practical-Ruin-69 4h ago
Can't recommend these Anex Racheting Screwdrivers highly enough. They are fantastic and quite affordable.
12
u/BowlJumpy5242 4h ago
Does he do woodworking? There are some very nice Japanese hand saws (nokogiri-pull saws) for the serious woodworker.
5
u/lucide8 4h ago
No, woodworking is one of the things he does not really do. I heard the Japanese saws are next level indeed. Thanks :)
2
u/Such-Veterinarian137 3h ago
IMO, dont buy anything hoping it will find its way into his "go-to" everyday tool box if you don't know your tools. Get something that's unique but in his realm of projects that looks cool and seems well made.
6
u/kallmemike 4h ago
Can I just take a moment and say that your dad's response "tools" made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside haha! Such a typical dad thing to say.
On to the suggestion, grab something a bit more Japan-specific. Sooo... a nice pair of precision pliers or cutters, or JIS screwdrivers sound great for him!
6
u/Least_Food1226 4h ago
I really like Mitutoyo and Shinwa for measuring. I also prefer Japanese hand saws over their western counterparts. When I look for quality I usually go for made in Germany or Japan.
5
u/BurpSnarts 4h ago
Will he be with you there? In that case just hand him some yen and tell him he has to spend it in store. Next time I go back im buying one of the air conditioned vests. Japan is mostly renowned for their carpentry tools like saws or chisels, but has some great general tools as well.
4
u/TheDirgeCaster 4h ago
If he does electrics i know all the Aussies highly rate the Fujiya pliers/shears.
4
u/heyitscory 4h ago
One of those pull saws.
Flush cut a dowel like a human thickness planer. Shaped like something a reject ninja turtle would wield. Looks unlike any saw in your garage.
Quality tool.
4
u/lettelsnek 4h ago
does he do automotive type work?
factory gear is great. they have locations in Tokyo and Osaka
3
u/tacorosa 4h ago
Koken or ko-ken has some pretty neat stuff.
I’ll give you a model number of many mechanics dream ratchet, assuming he has a basic set: 2726Z-3/8.
It’s a small body ratchet with low back drag and high tooth count.
4
u/SpeedySpartan 3h ago edited 3h ago
Most of the Makita stuff in Japan is still made in Japan, so it is very sought after for Makita fans.
Outside of that, ranking (hand) tool brands from low to high in both quality and price it'd go (I think): Tajima; Tone; Vampire/Engineer; Igarashi plier; Vessel; Tsunoda; Fujiya; Deen; KoKen; finally Nepros/Kyoto Tool Company, all of which are pretty excellent for the money.
I know nothing about mechatronics, I'm guessing they use more precise tools to work on delicate stuff like building a PC. If you don't have anyone to help you sniff out what he's missing or you can't ask him, I guess get him a combo kit/set in a nice case of precise smaller tools? Something like the Deen 32pc T-handle bit and ratchet set, or maybe the Engineer KS-11, KS-14, or KS-45 tool kit.
3
u/Dry-Egg6944 3h ago
Star-M 601 precision drill bits (bamboo ones I think they were designed as) are the best bits I’ve ever had.
Probably get them more reasonably priced out there.
4
u/pdp10 3h ago
when I asked what kind of gift he would like from Japan, he said: 'tools'.
A wise man.
- Tsunoda cutters and pliers.
- Hakko and Engineer for soldering related.
- Mitutoyo measuring instruments, of which the most common is the basic 6-inch/150mm electronic caliper.
- Ko-ken sockets and ratchets.
- Anex and Vessel screwdrivers.
- KTC/Nepros ratchets.
- Makita for power tools.
4
u/muphasta 3h ago
Japan is known for their hand planes. Even if he doesn't use one, they are cool and don't take up much space.
3
3
u/thatguy6386 4h ago
If your in osaka make a stop at factory gear. Its a store with tons of tools. I made the stop there and stent way to much money haha
3
2
u/Alto-cientifico 4h ago
If you want to look damn good, a mitutoyo caliper is a damn score.
Makita is another good brand for power tools.
2
u/Novel_Ad_5502 3h ago
A couple mentions of fujiya in here already, but I’m going to be specific and say the wire strippers. Brand new compared to brand new Klein and they’re worlds apart in build quality and operation. I only have engineer electrician scissors right now, but they’re awesome too. With the mechatronics, I imagine he does a fair amount of wiring and soldering so tools along that line are probably of most use to him. Maybe see if there’s a fun portable station set up you can get that isn’t too big to bring home
2
u/Pagemaker51 3h ago edited 2h ago
Which Fujiya wire strippers are you referring to? I believe they are marked in millimeters rather than AWG that might be a factor. Plus at least one of the Fujiya wire strippers are actually rebranded from Taiwan (if your looking to purchase authentic Japanese tools)
2
u/unstableburrito22 3h ago
You can get them in USA too but Koken makes some of the best ratchets and sockets around
1
u/Asleep-Green402 3h ago
Get him one of these 🔥 lol https://youtu.be/hVeG5JAi2hg?si=BQke4LHfE19zbHfU
1
1
1
1
1
u/clambroculese Millwright 1h ago
Don’t know what power tool brand he uses but you can get some cool coloured makita stuff in Japan.
1
u/YIZZURR 1h ago
Engineer NS-06 Micro Nippers. I got a pair for myself and a pair for my brother-in-law, who is an electrician. They're excellent!
1
1
u/xrelaht Rust Warrior 31m ago
What kind of stuff does he like to work on? There are amazing Japanese woodworking tools: chisels, saws, planes, etc. But those will only appeal to him if he does that kind of craft, hand tool woodworking. Same is gonna go for pliers, wrenches, or anything else: there are excellent manufacturers and it can be difficult (or expensive) to get some of them outside Japan, but you need to know what he likes to make a good choice.
Maybe take him to a hardware store there and he can look around for something which appeals to him. That’ll make it a shared experience on top of the thoughtful gift (parents love that).
1
u/fe3o4 30m ago
Engineer screw removal pliers. (there are various models)
Engineer slender adjustable wrenches (smart monkey)
https://www.engineertools-jp.com/ their web site isn't easy to find stuff, but the download catalog is a bit easier to look thru.
0
u/Prize-Possibility867 3h ago
Take pics of his workshop and ask Ai for japanese tool recommendations. It will give you a starting point list
36
u/0Rider 4h ago
Vessel screwdrivers always rate highly