Where in Melbourne??

[Tolmie]

Hi All


Is there anywhere in Melbourne that you can touch smell + taste various japanese hand tools??? With the veiw to buy>>

[thumbsucker]

Carbatec is the only store that sells Japanese tools in Melbourne, however most of their stuff is the bottom of the barrel for top dollar.

There is Austets he is a Japanese antique dealer who brings in Japanese tools. You can go down to see him at Ocean Grove.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/austets?_trk...88.m1543.l2754

Honestly you are better buying from Tool from Japan and Japan Tools online.

This is were most guys get allot of their Japanese tools.

Tools from Japan is run by Stuart an Australian who lives in Japan.

Japan tools is run by So who is Japanese but lives in Sydney.

[scuzyboy]

Tools from Japan is the way to go Stu is great to deal with hands down.

[Tolmie]

Hi

Thanks a million for your feed back, you blokes know your stuff.

I found an excuse to head down to Springvale + visit Carbatec......Standing infront of the cabinet with the Japanese chisels I inquired about Japanese chisels, I was shown the cheaper western PLASTIC handled bevell edge chisels made in Japan. Not able to touch smell or taste I left. Sad

Now I am just going to start buy tools as I need them. but I still need your advice. I will start a japanese work bench, what tools can I getWorkbench.jpg

I am thinking 16mm mortice chisel??? (please advise)
Saw which one?
Plane??
Marking? Mortice Gauge? do they make one
Hammer which one how heavy

I plan the next project to be a Japanese Tool Box, this is where it all started, I have the timber already from my grandfather's trunk that he put all the families possesson in when migrating to Australia 65 years ago
Toolbox.jpg
What can I buy or need for this project?

Thanks for all your help I Just don't want to waste time and money But I would like to buy tools above the line that will last, + make the whole job easier


I am a builder + it is the end of the Finacial Year


Thanks again

[thumbsucker]

Mortise chisels only go up to 12mm, most of the time. You are better doing two 9mm mortices side by side it will be stronger then a single 12 plus mm mortise. You would be better getting a 6mm, 9mm, & 12mm oire-nomi. These sizes will do 90% of your furniture size work. A Larger 42mm chisel is great for cleaning up tenon shoulder or paring down faces. Avoid buying whole sets unless you want to waste money.

BASIC TOOL LIST

Ryuma large mortise gauge. (2 blades)
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=2039

Ryuma large screw lock marking/cutting gauge.
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=2062

Marking gauges are a good first project. You can make them yourself. Ryuma tools If you want some items higher priced then I can point you in the right direction.

Shinwa Layout Square
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=2067

Shinwa Mighty try-square, 250mm blade.
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=1251

Shinwa is great stuff, accurate and very cheap, but you can never tell.

Kurobara brand camelia oil, 240cc spray. (Keeps Your Tools Rust Free)
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=1115

Mitsukawa 'Akagane' ryoba, hard tooth, 240mm. (Breaking Down Stock)
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=1278

Mitsukawa 'Hat Trick' cross/rip cut kataba. 210mm. (All Purpose for cutting joinery)
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=1158

Mitsukawa is one of the few quality saw makers left making everything from production saws to full custom saws.

A Genno (hammer) at about 350 grams will do for most work. Stu got me a good Daruma Genno.
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...44_369_470_471

Ouchi Mentori oire-nomi at 6mm, 9mm, & 12mm

http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...12_552_574_577

OR

Koyamaichi oire-nomi at 6mm, 9mm, & 12mm
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...12_489_490_491

Both Ouchi & Koyamaichi are both very good, Ouchi cost a little more but are well worth it. I own Ouchi and am very happy with them.

Sigma Power ceramic 1000-6000-13000 special set (Great bundle to start you of sharpening comes with diamond plate to flatten your stones)
http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...oducts_id=1667

As for a kanna, I have just taking the plunge myself on my first kanna. However Stuart has recommended Tsunesaburo "Doshyoppone" -#1 Blue steel at 60mm as a good first kanna. Avoid a very wide kanna as they are harder to learn on.

I live in Coburg you are welcome to come and look at some of the tools listed above as I have many of them.

Also remember ebay here are a bunch of searches I run to find Japanese tools, I scored a good 42mm nomi and a sweet kanna on ebay both for bargains:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Planes-/1387...panese&_sop=10

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Chisels-/138...panese&_sop=10

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Saws-/13875/...panese&_sop=10

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Hammers-/397...panese&_sop=10

However you will need to learn allot to know what is worth getting.

[thumbsucker]

If we get enough guys in Melbourne into Japanese tools we could setup a study group.

[Tolmie]

Thank you

Great to have some direction, I would appreciate any comment. Just trusting 2 shops makes life a lot easier. Especially when I found how to convert the currency on the Tools From Japan site.

Thanks a Million

[NeilS]

Avoid buying whole sets unless you want to waste money.

+ 1 to that

[thumbsucker]

Especially when I found how to convert the currency on the Tools From Japan site.

A good rule of thumb is to drop the last two numbers in the Japanese currency say 8500 Yen become 85 then round up a little to 90 and you will have a quick mental idea of what the price is in Dollars.

The two shops listed are good because between them they can supply you items from most major Japanese blacksmiths. There are others mostly out of the usa. However shipping is costly.

http://www.japantool-iida.com/
http://www.hidatool.com/
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/categ...ing-Tools.aspx
http://suzukitool.com/

However the holy grail is to purchase directly from Japanese sellers in Japan. Which is not as hard as it sounds.