KTC Tools Guide: Ratchets, Socket Sets, Wrenches and Torque Wrenches from Kyoto Tool

BR390L and BR390FL: 90 teeth, 4° swing arc

In the BR390 series KTC brought the 90-tooth gear from its NEPROS line into the standard range, and lists a 4° swing arc. The BR390L is 275 mm long with a 33 mm wide, 13.7 mm thick head (350 g). The BR390FL is the same tool with a flex head (370 g). For a head that rotates fully, the BRSW3L swivel ratchet has 72 teeth, a 5° swing arc and a 300 mm handle.

In 1/2" drive, the BR4E is KTC's standard 36-tooth ratchet. Our 3/8" ratchet comparison and 1/2" ratchet comparison put the KTC and Ko-ken models side by side.

TB310: ten 3/8" sockets, 7–22 mm

KTC's TB socket sets come in a plastic holder rather than a case, so they slot into a drawer. The TB310 has ten six-point 3/8" sockets: 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 22 mm (0.5 kg). For small fasteners, the 1/4" TB210E covers 5 to 14 mm in ten sockets (0.43 kg).

TB410XE: 1/2" set with six- and twelve-point sockets

The TB410XE is a ten-piece 1/2" set: six-point sockets in 8, 10 and 12 mm and twelve-point sockets in 13, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 24 mm (1 kg). Twelve-point sockets fit onto a bolt at more angles; six-point sockets have more contact on the flats. KTC uses six-point for the smaller sizes here.

TMS210 (metric) and TMS208B (inch)

KTC's MS2 combination wrenches use KTC's Power Fit shape in the box end. A KTC retailer describes it as changing the contact with the bolt from a line to a surface, so corners are less likely to round. The open end has a slim "spear-shaped" head, the offset is 15°, and the handle has an I-section for stiffness and low weight (MISUMI).

• TMS210: 5.5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 mm in a resin tray; 1.1 kg
• TMS208B: 1/4" to 3/4" in eight inch sizes; 1.0 kg

Snap-on user? See Japanese alternatives to Snap-on.

GW050-03: 10–50 N·m, ±3%, with a lock

KTC's GW torque wrenches are preset click types: you set the torque, and the handle gives a light shock and a click when you reach it. KTC's flyer lists ±3% accuracy (clockwise) for the models from 2 to 300 N·m and ±4% for the 600 to 1000 N·m models, plus a lock that stops the setting from changing by accident. The GW050-03 is the 3/8" model for 10–50 N·m, with a 0.25 N·m scale, 374.9 mm long (0.6 kg). The GW050-03T covers the same range in a shorter 289.2 mm body (500 g). Both are made in Taiwan.

Not sure which range you need? Read our torque wrench buying guide.

HLD2509: nine long ball-end hex keys

The HLD2509 is KTC's high-grade long hex key set: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm ball-end keys in a holder (445 g, made in Japan). See all Japanese hex and Torx keys.

UD4-10: one-pound rubber hammer

KTC's UD hammers have oak handles. The UD4-10 is a 1-pound rubber hammer, 330 mm long with a 60 mm head (450 g). We also stock KTC plastic, combination and inspection hammers in the hammers collection.

TBP4903: wheel nut sockets for an impact wrench

The TBP4903 has three 1/2" impact sockets in the common wheel nut sizes, 17, 19 and 21 mm, 100 mm long (560 g). KTC also makes thin-wall impact sockets (BP series) in 3/4" and 1" drive; see all sockets.

SD6A and BSR354: for seized screws and broken studs

The SD6A is a hand impact driver set: you strike it with a hammer and it turns the bit while pressing it into the screw. It comes with Phillips 1, 2 and 3, slotted 1.6, two short bits and a case (909 g). The BSR354 is a set of four 1/2" stud bolt removers for M6, M8, M10 and M12 studs in a metal case (1.1 kg).