Welcome Chris,
I live in Toyota-shi (Aichi-ken) almost next door to you. I have been on the Izu honto many times. Been in Japan for almost 23 years. But will be heading back to the States in just over a couple of years. If you are still here then, I might dump some of my pen turning or woodworking tools on you. :biggrin:
Where did you get your pen turning tools? I have been in the tool district of Osaka and many fine tool places (including industrial) in Aichi but I rarely see anything related to turning of any kind. Every other kind of too is available though.
Glad to have another pen turner here. There was one fellow for Tokyo that came on a couple of years ago for a few months and then stopped.
One last question: Where / What city/town do you live in? I do get back into the Shizuoka area once or twice a year for a day trip - often on the way back from a Tokyo meeting.
Hello Hank,
Pleasure to meet you, sir. Yes, you are just "down the way". I hope you didn't get caught up in all that flooding down there last week. We get down to Nagoya once or twice a year for the Camping and RV show and to visit friends.
I'm living in Ito and have a house right on the beach in Usami. We've been here for 7 years now but this is year 14 for me in Japan.
Ya, I'll take dem tools off your hands when you ship out but honestly I'm not sure how long we're going to be here either. I can't foresee leaving in the next few years but after that who knows..
I get most of my tools from OFF CORPORATION which carries a good range of quality tools at fair prices and they are located right here in Shizuoka. The re-labeled Carba-Tec mini lathes are pretty darned good. I am looking to upgrade my table saw and it seems to be the only large tool I can't find here in Japan other than the big (read expensive) heavy Japanese brands. Ideally, a Delta contractors sized saw is what I'm looking for. If you have any sources please let me know.
By all means if you are passing through we should get together. My wife and 5 year old daughter love having guests and after all that's what beach houses are for.