Japanese Tool Guides
Buying guides, comparisons and how-tos for Japanese tools. Specs come from maker data and our product pages.
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Best Lineman's Pliers by Job: Cutting Capacity, Leverage, Crimpers and 15 Japanese Picks
How to choose lineman's pliers by what you cut, leverage, crimper and steel, with 15 KEIBA, TTC (Tsunoda) and FUJIYA models compared...
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Best Allen Wrench Set (Hex Keys): Metric or Inch, Ball End, T-Handle and 14 Japanese Picks
How to choose an Allen wrench (hex key) set: metric or inch, L-key, T-handle or bit, ball end and arm length, with...
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Best Multimeter by Job: CAT Rating, True RMS, Counts and 15 HIOKI and KYORITSU Picks
How to choose a multimeter: measurement category (CAT), True RMS, display count and current ranges, with 15 HIOKI and KYORITSU multimeters compared...
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Best Adjustable Wrench by Job: Pocket, Thin Jaw, Wide Opening and Long Workshop Wrenches
How to choose an adjustable wrench by job: maximum jaw opening, length, jaw tip thickness and extras, with 16 FUJIYA, ENGINEER and...
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Best Needle Nose Pliers by Job: Electronics, Smooth Jaw, Bent Nose, Long Reach and Heavy-Duty
How to choose needle nose (long nose) pliers by job: length, serrated vs smooth vs resin jaws, straight or bent tips and...
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Best Torque Screwdriver for Small Screws: Slip, Non-Slip or Fixed? 12 Japanese Picks
How to choose a torque screwdriver: pick the torque range by screw size, then choose slip-type, non-slip or a fixed-torque bit holder....
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Best Wire Strippers for Your Wire: AWG Sizes, Automatic vs Manual and 25 Japanese Picks
How to choose a wire stripper by wire size and type: manual notched vs automatic, AWG and mm² ranges, solid vs stranded,...
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How to Choose a Jewelry Scale: Carat Mode, Repeatability and Legal-for-Trade Rules
What to check before you buy a scale for jewelry work: bench vs legal-for-trade (NTEP) use, carat units, readability vs repeatability, capacity...
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How to Use Snap Ring Pliers: Internal vs External, Installing and Removing Circlips
How to use snap ring (circlip) pliers step by step: tell internal from external, install and remove rings safely, choose tip size...
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Which Mitutoyo Caliper for the Job? Blade, Point, Tube, Centerline, Inside and Long-Jaw Calipers
Pick a Mitutoyo caliper by the job: narrow grooves, pipe walls, hole spacing, inside dimensions, deep reach and large parts. Specs from...
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Best Manual Impact Driver for Stuck Screws: Drive Size, Bits and 17 Japanese Picks
How to choose a manual (hand) impact driver for stuck and stripped screws: 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" drive, bit shank and bit...
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Best Precision Screwdriver Set for Your Screws: Eyeglasses, Electronics and Special Tips
How to choose a precision screwdriver set by the screws you open: Phillips #0000 to #1, slotted 0.7 to 4.0 mm and...
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How to Read a Micrometer: Metric, Inch, Vernier and Digital
A step-by-step guide to reading metric (0.01 mm), inch (0.001 in), vernier (0.001 mm) and digital micrometers, based on Mitutoyo and Starrett...
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Best Cable Cutter for Your Cable Size: Copper Power Cable, Wire Rope and Hard Wire
How to choose a cable cutter by material and size: copper cable up to 22, 38 or 60 mm² (with AWG equivalents),...
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VESSEL Screwdrivers Explained: Ball Grip Insulated, TD Precision, Electric Ball Grip and Impact Drivers
A series-by-series map of the VESSEL screwdrivers we carry: Ball-Grip insulated sets, TD precision sets, USB-C electric Ball-Grip drivers and hammer-struck impact...
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ENGINEER Tools from Japan: Neji-Saurus, Screw Extractors, Smart Monkey Wrenches and More Explained
Who ENGINEER Inc. of Osaka is, what its main product lines do, and which Neji-Saurus pliers, screw extractor bits, Smart Monkey wrenches...
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Best Crimping Tool for Your Terminals: Insulated, Bare, Open Barrel and Closed-End
Which crimping tool fits which terminal: insulated, non-insulated, open barrel and closed-end, with mm² vs AWG explained and eight TTC and ENGINEER...
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Dust Keeps Coming Back After You Blow It Off? How an Anti-Static Ionizing Air Gun Helps
Why dust jumps back onto plastic and painted parts after you blow it off, how an ionizing (anti-static) air gun fixes it,...
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Will a Japanese-Market Tool Work for You? Manuals, 100 V Power, Scale Units and Import Charges
The four worries buyers actually raise before ordering a Japanese-market tool, and how to check each one: the printed manual, 100 V...
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Best Flush Cutters by Job: Electronics, Plastic Models, 3D Prints and Zip Ties
How to choose a flush cutter by job: semi-flush vs flush vs full flush explained, and eight cutters from Japanese brands (KEIBA,...
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FUJIYA Pliers Buyer's Guide: Power Pliers, Nippers, Water Pump Pliers and Adjustable Wrenches
Compare FUJIYA power pliers (3000N, 3020N), electrician's nippers (770, 7700N, 77A, 700N), diagonal nippers, water pump pliers and adjustable wrenches by length,...
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