TY for introducing me to the nepros ones, those are so much better than the ones fron kobalt that I've struggles with! I guess $30 isn't not too bad for their universal joint but I'd be more interested in universal sockets like theses - www.nepros.net/?cat=1&grp=3&sub=16, however that price is a bit outrageous!

@@dummkompf Glad you like the Nepros universal! Yeah, the swivel sockets are pricey!!

😂 👍 who would've thought universal talk would be entertaining.

Thank you 👍

Cheers! 🍻

Thanks for the comment. Sure, I may consider doing one in the future.

batmanacw, great! It's a purchase decision you won't regret!

Toolbox tour full off Japanese tools that is what everybody wont to see

Tools are tools.

I'd love to see that, if it took him 3 days to show it all I'd still watch LOL

Yes, I forgot all about the pinless swivel socket design that Apex tools offers. Thanks for mentioning about them! Also, thank you for the kind words!

If it's the Nepros design, I would order straight from the company, via their Nepros online store: (link is to their 3/8 drive universal joint): www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=9&sub=37 For Ko-ken stuff, I would recommend Rakuten Global Market. Two stores that sell on Rakuten are: iTools and Mutsuura. Here's a link to their search engine using the key words "Ko-ken universal joint": global.rakuten.com/en/search/?k=ko-ken+universal+joint&l-id=gs_product_search Alternately, if you're located in the US, I would also inquire at Frankstools (link to Ko-ken Zeal 3/8 drive universal): www.frankstools.com/koze3unjo37.html

Look up PN# 2771 or 2771Z. The "Z" indicating it's a Z-EAL version. Asides from the aesthetic differences, the 2771Z is 29.9mm long in overall length, while the 2771 is 31mm long. You got the PN# right on the PB Swiss. It's a PH3 driver, but I modified it to make it into a 1/4 drive square and then I added a locking extension adapter (like this: shop.snapon.com/product/Extensions-Locking-(Set-Screw)%2C-Chrome-(Blue-Point)/3-8%22-Drive-Locking-Set-Screw-Extension-(Blue-Point)/YA525A

Got another one coming soon!

In 1/4 drive Snap-on's compactness is hard to beat, but price is hard to swallow. I really wish Nepros or Zeal would come out with 1/4 drive swivel sockets!

Although only offered in 3/8 drive, DEEN has these low-profile ones that I don't think I've seen anywhere else: flic.kr/p/2jgV96M flic.kr/p/2jgV96g

I take it that you are concerned about the Snap-on ones not being serviceable, nor does it have any means to mechanically re-tighten a loosened joint. I find the Snap-on ones quite durable compared to many of the conventional types of universal joints. Last time I checked, Snap-on had a two versions of chrome universal joints: standard height and shallow height. Having said this, as the main point of my video explains, the ball-joint style Ko-ken universal and Nepros mechanisms have unique features that most others don't. They, particularly the Ko-ken ones, are in my opinion superior as far as durability and ease of use.

99% of the time I use my universal joints at the end of an extension. On some rare ocassions, I have put the universal on the ratchet, then an extension (and even use another universal at the end of that extension, before putting a socket on).

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado thank you. I will try

I can't think of anything that I'm willing to let go of at this time. Was there anything in particular that you're interested?

I'm located in Canada. If it's the Nepros design, I would order straight from the company, via their Nepros online store: (link is to their 3/8 drive universal joint): www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=9&sub=37 For Ko-ken stuff, I would recommend Rakuten Global Market. Two stores that sell on Rakuten are: iTools and Mutsuura. Here's a link to their search engine using the key words "Ko-ken universal joint": global.rakuten.com/en/search/?k=ko-ken+universal+joint&l-id=gs_product_search Amazon.com pricing is often absurd when it comes to certain Japanese tools/brands. Many aren't available, but when they are, as in the case of this Ko-ken Z-eal universal joint, the price is outrageous: www.amazon.com/KO-KEN-Z-EAL-8SQ-Universal-Joint/dp/B0771M215K/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1510593470&sr=1-2&keywords=ko-ken+3771Z Of course, Ebay.com is another source and the price is a lot better than the Amazon.com link above, for the same product: www.ebay.com/itm/KOKEN-3-8-INCH-Z-EAL-UNIVERSAL-JOINT-3771Z-MADE-IN-JAPAN-Japan-new/172852338972?hash=item283ecd611c:g:WFoAAOSwzoRZgAFf But since you're located in the US, I would inquire at Frankstools since he's the premier seller of Japanese hand tools in the US (link to Ko-ken Zeal 3/8 drive universal): www.frankstools.com/koze3unjo37.html

ChrisCas aka Superautobacs thank you, and great review, looking forward to more and a tool box tour, also which brand is your favorite for sockets, ratchets and wrenches?

sockets: I like Ko-ken and Nepros. Ko-ken for variety ; Nepros for chrome durability. ratchets: I like Nepros 90-tooth ratchets. Ko-ken's Zeal ratchets are great too. wrenches: I like KTC/Nepros, Asahi, Snap-on, and many others.

Yes, it does.

Thank-you

Using an impact wrench on chrome swivel sockets/universal joints isn't a good choice, especially in larger drive sizes. It'll stress the joints/pins and accelerate wear, and in the worse case, potentially harm you should it break off and fling a socket or pieces of the joint toward you. I suggest using impact-grade swivel sockets/universal joints that are meant for impacting tools.

I looked for that exact thing and only found one sold by VIM Tools; however it's not really compact because it's a conventional universal design. I bought one, but wasn't impressed with the quality. This was many years ago, but I'm not aware of any others in the market. It would be nice if Ko-ken came up with one. 👍

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado yes, it would be very nice. I saw the same one and wasn't interested, that's exactly what I meant by compact - one that actually works. Like the koken or nepros style. TY for the reply, I will stay on the lookout.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado do you know how long Koken has until their patent runs out on the pinless design? Knowing my luck, now that I bought some of the Koken ones, every tool brand will have a more affordable version out next week. and does nepros have a patent on their better u-joint design? I'm pretty sure that design is the standard for things like steering linkages in cars, and anything that traditionally uses a u-joint, so idk why all the common tool manufacturers decided to use the crappy design that gets locked up.

@@dummkompf I believe patents run out in 15 or 20 years? Going by that, Ko-ken's patent won't run out for another 5 or 10 years or so. That's not to say that cheap copies can't fload the market, coming from Taiwan or China. Some companies have little regard for patents. The question is, would the product quality be up to par 🤔? If price was a determining factor, go with the Ko-ken ones. If you need a mirror chrome finish, Nepros. If you want durability, go with Ko-ken...and they are more affordable as well. 👍

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado yeah, koken aren't THAT unaffordable but it still felt crazy paying over $100 for a few adapters lol. I'm sure some day they will be available out of taiwan with decent enough quality for just a few bucks a piece. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be happy with them. I'm really tempted to buy the nepros ones too now even though I don't need both, just can't justify that though

Yes, Ko-ken, TOP, and Mitoloy definitely make them. I can't remember if they did, but you can also check out FPC (Flash Tools).

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado i checked koken it is not in their catalog. All they have is universal joint. But i am looking for swivel sockets from 10 to 19 mm pls advise. Any link will be helpful. I can import directly from Japan

@@sivucit look up Ko-ken base part # 14440M. They don't have below 12mm in 1/2" drive (not surprisingly) 1/2" Drive range is 12mm- 24mm They don't offer sets, as far as i can see. So you'd have to buy individually.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado thanks so much unfortunately the letters are not colored in socket. Thats why i want to move away from snap on. Do u know any japanese swivel soxket that has size colored other than black

@@sivucit unfortunately not. Only brand I've noticed has been Gearwrench and I think Astro Pneumatics, but that's chrome (hand) sockets and isn't made in Japan either.

Once you use a Ko-ken or Nepros universal joint the traditional universal joint will just stay inside you toolbox.

ChrisCas aka Superautobacs does Ko-ken make this type of Universal Joints in a Socket type? What Brand is that Quick Release you've added to the T-Handle?

They offer chrome swivel sockets, but only in the traditional joint style. A made a point near the end of the video on the cost effectiveness of using this new ball-joint type universal and mating it with a socket. The length is short to begin with, and when you mate it with a Zeal socket (which is very shallow), the overall length is not that tall.

I realized I didn't answer your second question... I can't remember the manufacturers name of the locking adaptor. They are/were sold by tool truck brands, SK, and even Stahlwille. Made in USA.

Koken is the BEST hands down! Own many of their tools and these universal joints!

The red one was originally a PH3 T-handle, but I modified it to make it into a 1/4 drive square and then I added a locking extension adapter. The 3/8 drive one was a Ko-ken 3715SLK, also with a locking adaptor attached to it like this: public.snapon.com/R_RRD/Objects_lg/images/YA525A.jpg Also have a video of it here with a better view: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q5tmnK6qstWoe30.html

Had one a few years ago. Broke it last year and now on my second one. 👍

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Through Misuse? or just poor quality?

@@LabiaLicker misuse/abuse on my part. I use it with a cordless ratchet. When pulling a fastener out, the head of the cordless ratchet backed itself into objects, causing the universal joint to flex and bind. I did that a few times before one of the balljoints separated. Kind of hard to explain.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Yeah that would do it. Do you recommend the double joint? Or is its usefulness limited.

@@LabiaLicker I got a lot of use out of my 1/4 drive one, working on cramped engine bays and for some interior work. I've yet to buy the 3/8 one.

That's the way to go. Try one first and if you're like me, you'll may end up adding one, two or three more to mate it with your most commonly used sockets. It's definitely a tool that ranks very high in my list of "recommended tools from Japan".

You've got a point. Pretty handy when you have a driver coming in on a regular basis. I still prefer the Ko-ken pinless universal joints as you can set an angle and will never flop (as long as the spring doesn't break or the socket isn't too large/heavy).

The GG.... I haven't been there in a long long time.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado it's a lot smaller than the GJ ( even smaller now since it crashed and was started over a couple months ago ) but that's what I like about it over the GJ.

haha, you're not the only person who commented about the engine sound. Having the windows opened and living beside a busy intersection will do that.

Not bad right!? One 3/8 drive Snap-on or a MAC universal would cost you $60!

Over the past 9 years I've read less than stellar reviews, but also just as many good reviews. Sorry that you had a poor experience. If timely delivery is critical, always inquire if the item you're interested in is in stock. If not, it may take a while. I listed Frankstools as an option for those in the US wanting to support a super small business, a veteran in particular ... and not a e-commerce giant like Amazon or Rakuten.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that the delay in shipping was due to international delivery times, but when I emailed him over the span of a few months without reply I had to get my bank to issue a refund. If you try to call him to ask about his service he'll curse and yell at you. I'd rather spend my money on a brick and mortar Japanese store or Amazon. At least when you buy something from them you're guaranteed to at least hear why its months late.

@@legomastera Yikes!! That's not good by any means. ...sorry to hear about that.

@@chriscas-ToolAficionado Its all good. Itools is going to be getting my money instead

@@legomastera Nice. They are one of my favourite stores ... reliable for 12 years and counting