Japanese tools - How useful are they?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

Hello, Japanese seems to make some really unique and useful tools. By the same token, they make some rather weird and maybe not so useful tools.

I came across something called a Pen System Easy Welder for welding plastic https://www.hlj.com/product/twdhp-1000/Sup

Not sure what this could be used for. Seems like glue would do everything you need, but then again, I’m not very creative.

Has anyone used any of the Japanese tools and found them useful? If you found a useful Japanese tool, list it here

2

Check out Micro Mark website. They have tons of hobby related tools. Probably cheaper than that website.

Here’s the link to Micro Mark:

http://www.micromark.com/

3

I’m mainly into sailing ship models, so I cross over frequently between wood and plastic. Japanese woodworking tools are widely regarded as some of the world’s best. They have a different heritage than western tools, so they’ve evolved a bit differently.

A Japanese hand saw cuts on the pull stroke. (A typical western saw cuts when you push it.) So a Japanese saw can be thinner (since it’s under tension while cutting). The Japanese method of making saw teeth is also different. I don’t use western saws (except the terrific Zona saws) for modeling any more.

Here’s a link to some good, small Japanese saws: http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=58686&cat=1,42884 .

I cherish my Japanese hammer, which has just the right heft and balance for most of the work I do: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/140568/4-oz-hammer.aspx . I particularly like the slightly domed head.

Japanese planes are a lot different than western ones. I’ve never gotten really enthusiastic about them (because so many good western ones are on the market), but they do come in quite a few small, modeler’s sizes. Example: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=41221&cat=1,230,41182,41187 .

Japanese chisels and carving tools are also different from ours. They generally have shorter blades. That makes them cheaper. Take a look at this little set: http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=45386&cat=1,130,43332,43334&ap=1 .

Maybe the most popular Japanese woodworking tools of all are the sharpening stones. They’re called water stones, because they use water as a lubricant. There are all sorts of sharpening tools on the market these days; lots of people swear by their Japanese waterstones. Here’s the set I’ve got: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/140326/king-4000-grit-set.aspx .

And the famous, incredibly versatile Japanese nailset: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=40379&cat=1,43456,43400 .

I get most of my tools from two sources, Woodcraft (www.woodcraft.com) and Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com). Both give excellent service, and both publish paper catalogs that are real wish books.