Japanese Tools Showcase 27: Asahi Lightool Midget Wrenches
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Hi everybody. This video is a quick introduction to Asahi Metal Industry Co., Ltd. They are primarily a tool manufacturer supplying the construction and various heavy industries, but they've devoted some effort to inject some unique tools into the market. One such line of unique tools is their "Lightool" which is a series of wrenches and ratchets that are light(er) in weight. Their Lightool series is particularly appealing for motorcyclists, cyclists, trackday enthusiasts, and racers alike, looking for ways to reduce the overall weight of their portable tool sets. Maybe even a new addition to your EDC?
Part #'s for these midget combination wrenches (last numbers denotes size in mm):
LCWU006
LCWU007
LCWU008
LCWU010
LCWU012
LCWU013
LCWU014
LCWU017
For full specs, check here: www.asahi-tool...
Link to Asahi Tools homepage:
Japanese version (full feature): www.asahi-tool...
English version: www.asahi-tool...
*I'm not affiliated in any shape of form with Asahi Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
JDM as it gets. Got to get me a set
These have been in my ebay cart in sizes 8 10 12 for under $30 for the small set, i bet they come in handy when you need a small tight tool!
This is exactly the video I’d always hoped you’d make. Thank you
Oh man now i want that tiny midget 🔧.
Thank you for the informative video.
Since you are a tool aficianado, like me, I thought to point out the process of "Galvanization" that can take place between tools of dissimilar metals kept together touching and transffering electrons. Over time this process causes corrosion on the surface and is the reason manufacturers use wood, plastic or paper to separate tools in cases. Machinists, especially, should store their cutting bits, files, drills individualy in a non conductor like paper, wood, plastic.
Thanks for the tip, Mohabat! That reminds of galvanic corrosion which can happen in the plumbing trade.
They look great . I have some sears branded wrenches made in Japan not craftsman and I never broken any of them
Hi Dan. Yeah, I got a small set of them as well. They were made by KTC over a span of close to two decades, if I remember correctly.
I figured I'd toss these in the basket after watching some of your videos and OMG are they so cute! Thanks for making these videos. I also picked up the LEWS6 and LOFS601. Awesome sets of wrenches. Wish they didn't have so many skips and doubles (e.g. 8-10, 10-12), but they're cool for a basics kit.
Nice! If you work on Japanese vehicles, it might meet almost all your needs. Having an extra 10mm (one a bit longer than the other) is always a good thing.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Fair, and to that end, I'm surprised someone hasn't made a cheater bar set like the Wise series.
@@KittySN perhaps it says a thing or two about how confident WISE is about the durability of their hex keys. Or perhaps they expect their core users know when to stop, when using their extensions...to prevent breakage 🤷♂️ But then it's not like they have a lifetime warranty. 😁
They do the etching to extend the forge die life
Thanks for the input. The "lightool", "asahi" and wrench size on my older wrenches were stamped rather than being forged.
On Asahi's other Lightool wrenches (their double-box wrenches) and Revowave series wrenches, the branding and sizing is applied at the hot-forging station. On these wrenches, your point about extending the useable lifespan of the forging dies would be a valid point.
I presume the high-wear spots on a forging die is going to be the areas where finer detail is ground by the die-maker, like the areas where the lettering/numbering exists?
I suppose that might be a source for potential issues, requiring extra attention by the forge operator to ensure there's minimal material inclusion in those areas? Again, I would assume unwanted inclusions would affect the appearance of such details.
If they eliminate that potential source of problem, not only can they increase the number of wrench forgings per given time, they can extend the useable life cycle of the dies themselves. I once read that the set-up/set-down of the forging dies is a very time-consuming operation
Getting back to these newer Lightool wrenches...perhaps they made the switch from stamping to laser etching to eliminate tooling costs associated with the stamping machines.
They already had a laser etching machine (used in the production of their hex keys, for example), so there was probably only a small investment required to tool up for laser etching these Lightool wrenches.
Thats a cool set. Thanks for the info
Thanks for stopping by! 👍
I can see the benefit and utility of lightening & strengthening the longer wrenches and ratchets; the midget wrenches however, there is probably not too much weight difference in the smaller 6 to 12 sizes. (That's to say with normal Midget wrenches & the Asahi). I'm planning a trip to Japan next year (if the world goes back to some sense of normality by then) and my wallet is already protesting at the number of times it expects to be opened and closed with my intended tool acquisitions!
You and I need to travel together. If both of us shop together it won't feel as bad!
Oh, and, agreed on the weight savings..it's practically for the sake of expanding their 'Lightool' series, but also presenting something to the world what no one else has made.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionadoHumble company tools open please.
Nice video! I don’t have these wrenches, but I do have Asahi’s spanners. D-Max coilovers ship with HORRIBLE spanners. So I upgraded to Asahi... best decision ever!
Also have a Lobster adjustable in a lightened version that looks like this. Wish I could pick up a lot more before I go home!!
Hey Dustin! Been a while. Funny you mentioned about adjustable wrenches...the lightened variety. There's at least one other Japanese adjustable manufacturers that does that too, like TOP.
Going back home, eh! I take it that wasn't an easy decision to make.
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado yes! Top and Lobster both.
I’ve been studying for IT and US pay is much better. And my decision was made for me August is my last month after 7.5 years because we lost too many students due to Covid.
@@eXiteVideoMagazine Unprecedented times makes for big decisions!
The rain down in Kyushu has been pretty intense, too!
ChrisCas - Tool Aficionado yes it has! One prefecture over from me. Raining now and got evacuation notices for the elderly!
@@eXiteVideoMagazine Damn....stay safe out there!
Would be nice if they had a 15mm, I would toss that in my cycling tool bag.
I have a full set of ASAHi wrenches 😍
good TOOL ,and i only have 3 of this SPANA
Nice
Very cool but I doubt you could even get a bolt to budge with this short of a handle on anything over the 10mm
Right, unless you're working with plastic fasteners/tapered fittings, or other low-torque applications.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado I guess that’s my point. These are cool looking tools but for wrenches they have very limited practical use scenarios. I mean incredibly limited. Vs a regular length that could be used in almost all scenarios
@@Flockingtheherdyes, very limited, and makes these a non-essential tool.
I would buy big set of these in an instant if it had all the sizes from 8 to 19
Yeah, unfortunately they are missing some sizes....typically 11, 15, 16, 18mm...the typical non-JIS standard stuff.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado 15 is one I need the most, because bicycles.
Hopefully they'll add more sizes in their midget series. 15mm is available in standard length: www.asahi-tool.co.jp/product/spanner-wrench/tool-lcw-combination-wrench.html
Thanks for making these videos. Do you have any opinion on, TOP brand’s adjustable wrenches, specifically the hyper zero models? Thanks again for sharing!
I don't have the Hpyer Zero model, but I consider TOP adjustables to be world-class. They are famous in Japan...like the Crescent of Japan (but better, if I may say so).
I have a TOP adjustable that I've had since I was a teen: flic.kr/p/6gCrWo
Back in 2009, I got one of their modern ones, the Thin Exact Wrench: flic.kr/p/VrwQL5
It features their patented, near zero-play worm drive mechanism, which is very smooth. The phosphate finish is first-rate as well. I imagine the Hyper Zero's are equally good, if not better, boasting more quality features.
Would be good for EDC and anyone that has to carry a toolbag.
Hello ! Nice video as always ! Do you know where to find ktc or any other Japanese tool brand in Europe ? Thank you
Thanks! That's a good question! For woodworking related tools I'd say Dictum. For automotive/industrial type tools, I'm not sure. Where in Europe are you from?
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado I’m from Western Europe in Belgium but I’m not far from France, Deutschland, England and Germany
@@neoxenom2538 although I'm not a huge fan of Amazon, I'm sure Amazon.uk and Amazon.de would have some. Otherwise, I'm afraid I don't know of any.
For Vessel, you can try Vessel Europe's e-store.
For Ko-ken, the European distributor is in Luxembourg (www.ko-ken-europe.com)
For KTC/Nepros, go to nepros.net. you're dealing with KTC themselves, and they ship worldwide.
@@chriscas-ToolAficionado I’m not very fond of Amazon since I had a trouble with their warranty and a leatherman tool... anyway.
Thank you for your answer I will try to contact these resellers though !
@@neoxenom2538 😎 I hope you find something interesting.
Soy tu nuevo suscriptor te toca #101