Rabid Badger
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The guy that thinks coefficient of friction is the biggest factor in how well pliers grip doesn't think concentricity matters in a screwdriver test.
I'm shocked.
How do Vessel Screwdrivers compare to Snap-on ?
- Thread starter i4ni
- Start date
I'm shocked.
Nessism
Well-known member
Minor quibble. The torture test on the cross point tip, after driving all those screws, is a brilliant test. If you can't understand that, I can't help you.
4xdog
Well-known member
This is my experience too!
I think you might need help.
Yeah, @1foxracing definitely needs help, he doesn't even have any of the indispensable red Vessel 930 Megadoras!
What's the Armor grip set with the purple handles?If working on classic Japanese motorcycles Vessel is the only choice!
Gebirgekind
Well-known member
I like JDV at vesseltools.com, they’re great to work with.
EDIT: The megadora Pozidrivs are series 903, apparently not marketed in the USA but available on Zoro and elsewhere; they also make them in the Power Grip series 4600. Thanks @Dave455 for the global perspective!
For what it’s worth I use the wood handle Felos for my Pozis to separate them from my others and they are exceptional!
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Nessism
Well-known member
This thread is making my head spin, with all the great driver suggestions. I've got a PB Swiss in my cart on Amazon, but those wood handle Vessel's are just so COOL! How many #2's does a man need? Ha ha. The regular Megadoras are my daily drivers, and I love them.
Dave455
Well-known member
Vessel make Megadora Pozidriv.I like JDV at vesseltools.com, they’re great to work with. It looks though like Vessel only makes Pozidriv in the 4600 series and a few bits, that’s all I could find.
For what it’s worth I use the wood handle Felos for my Pozis to separate them from my others and they are exceptional!
These are all Pozidriv, except the chisel tip.
Dave455
Well-known member
I’m guessing they don’t bother to import them into the U.S.
Gebirgekind
Well-known member
That's really interesting @Dave455. They don't show up on the USA site or in any catalogs here. Sure enough I searched a little deeper and they're on the Vessel Europe Page: https://www.vessel-europe.com/pdf/The_Selection_oct-dec_2022.pdf
@BrianJ They show up on Zoro as series 903. I wouldn't be surprised if JDV Tools could special order them for you too if you wanted, Larry at JDV has priced stuff like that for me before.
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Madjik Man
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Bought a lot of line from JDV because I wanted the non Jaws fit on the 900 series.
Bought the rest off Amazon or Amazon.jp
Dave455
Well-known member
I must admit, when I’m buying tools from a foreign manufacturer, I always prefer to look directly at their main website. Very few importers ever seem to be bothered to offer the whole range available.
Once I know what I want I just search on the part number and go for the cheapest option, though for Japanese tools there are a couple of routes that are consistently the cheapest options.
Here’s what’s available from Vessel.co.jp
Note all the options available in Power Grip, which few of the importers seem to offer.
I like these nut runners, and the “Ultra Ball” drivers, but they seem to be poorly distributed.
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richfinn
Well-known member
I got two pozidrive's in my Megadora 330 set, maybe these sets are aimed at European markets??
1foxracing
Well-known member
I think I got that set from JDV Products but I don't see it listed any longer.
pancholasvegas
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I've got a full set of JAWSFIT Megadoras, full set of flathead Megadoras, a #2 Impacta, a couple of the 16" Long #2 & Flatheads, and the electric screwdriver, all from Vessel. VESSEL is my preferred screwdriver. I typically work on Japanese / Foreign equipment anymore, so the Vessel is my go-to.
That being said, I still keep a full set of ICON drivers in the drawer, as well. I typically gravitate towards the Icons when working on domestic/antique equipment - UNLESS it's a stuck phillips. In which case, I grab the MEGADORA IMPACTA.
That being said, I still keep a full set of ICON drivers in the drawer, as well. I typically gravitate towards the Icons when working on domestic/antique equipment - UNLESS it's a stuck phillips. In which case, I grab the MEGADORA IMPACTA.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
I love my Vessel 300/330 "Wood Compo" aka "Woody" screwdrivers that have the composite wood handles, as shown earlier in this thread. I haven't found a screwdriver that has better grip when you have oily greasy hands. Your hands can be completely drenched in oil, and you can still get purchase. They're also very comfortable in the hands. The phillips tips are great, and you can literally hold the screwdriver out horizontally by the screw, and the screw driver won't fall out. The flathead ones have also taken a ton of abuse as prybars without fail.
As far as PF's testing goes: That was probably one of his worst tool testing videos. His setup was absolutely terrible, half the screwdrivers weren't even held perpendicular to the screws. Once the tip starts to slide sideways out of a screw, it's going to shear/break.
As far as PF's testing goes: That was probably one of his worst tool testing videos. His setup was absolutely terrible, half the screwdrivers weren't even held perpendicular to the screws. Once the tip starts to slide sideways out of a screw, it's going to shear/break.
Josh the IH guy
Well-known member
I don't have any SO screwdrivers. I do have the blue handle and red handle vessels with the striking cap. Personally, I am not that impressed with them. I will use my green Wera screwdrivers first. I hate the way they look, but the have excellent tips. Much better than vessel, IMO. I also have icon screwdrivers, which I will also grab before the vessel drivers. I will even grab my tekton screwdrivers before the vessel. Wow, come to think of it, I rarely use the vessel drivers...
Send them my way. I'll even pay shipping!
CGarage
Well-known member
I’ll offer to buy them, and pay shipping!
so what should be include in the set?flat/philips/torx?
Ton ton
Well-known member
Napa auto parts sells vessel screwdrivers . I don’t know if they have the specific line of screwdrivers you are looking for.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Regarding Vessel Power Grip:
I've managed to get rid of 99% of my awful smelling acetate handled drivers.
Looking at the Vessel Magadore and PG (acetate handles, no?) and am wondering if these will also eventually smell like vomit.
I'd prefer the hard handle for ease of cleaning but don't want to deal with THAT SMELL.
My Snappys don't stink, perhaps that's the real value of them. Performance wise I like the Megadore just as much.
I've managed to get rid of 99% of my awful smelling acetate handled drivers.
Looking at the Vessel Magadore and PG (acetate handles, no?) and am wondering if these will also eventually smell like vomit.
I'd prefer the hard handle for ease of cleaning but don't want to deal with THAT SMELL.
My Snappys don't stink, perhaps that's the real value of them. Performance wise I like the Megadore just as much.
I think that Dave455 made one of the most important points.
It depends on what you are using them on. Vessel is metric and Snap-on is SAE. If you are working on electrical and plumbing hardware, you want to use Snap-on or Klein… or anything else SAE. The screw heads for infrastructure hardware is still SAE. Even if you walk into the most high tech facility… the electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling is still mostly SAE.
I have been an electrician for 30 years, and I only just recently started to carry metric Allen keys, 10mm and 13mm sockets, and a 13mm wrench.
It depends on what you are using them on. Vessel is metric and Snap-on is SAE. If you are working on electrical and plumbing hardware, you want to use Snap-on or Klein… or anything else SAE. The screw heads for infrastructure hardware is still SAE. Even if you walk into the most high tech facility… the electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling is still mostly SAE.
I have been an electrician for 30 years, and I only just recently started to carry metric Allen keys, 10mm and 13mm sockets, and a 13mm wrench.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I recently purchased a 4 piece Vessel Armor Grip Phillips screwdriver set off of Amazon, and I was very surprised to see the set was made in Thailand. I believe older Armor Grip sets were made in Taiwan. Has anyone else encountered this? is this a recent change?
I like the handle shape, that the tips are JISDRIVE without the teeth, and the price was right. I wish the handles were a brighter color though.
I like the handle shape, that the tips are JISDRIVE without the teeth, and the price was right. I wish the handles were a brighter color though.
WWheeler
Well-known member
The old black handle Snap-on's (currently sold under their Williams name) sure do stink though, MUCH more than any of my acetate Craftsmans ever did. If you ever feel so inclined they also will make your tongue go numb. Not even sure what they are made of to do that but it's a well known thing.
EDIT: Video is AvE so there's gonna be some **** language involved
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I know you said that you're an electrician, but what screwdrivers are automotive mechanics supposed to use? I'm not arguing with your logic, but it raises questions.
Are you saying fasteners requiring a screwdriver in automotive repair are SAE and that's why Snap On sells screwdrivers to mechanics?
Are you saying only screwdrivers with "metric tips" like Vessel should be used in automotive?
I've had no issues with fit or finish with my ~14 Snap On screwdrivers I had for several years and used daily working as a professional automotive (and equipment) mechanic. Not a comment for or against any other brand, simply an observation and sharing of actual real world experience.
*Speaking specifically towards phillips, not sure I've ever encountered a pozidrive fastener on a car and as others eluded to flat bits are typically not actually used on fasteners in automotive. I also think hex and torx drivers are a different conversation.*
I assume they're referring to metric flat blade screwdrivers. In the United States, most flat blade screws are better suited for inch flat blade screwdrivers.
I use foreign screwdrivers for Phillips, Pozidriv, and Torx, but I have little need for a set of metric flat blade screwdrivers.
It's the one use case where I will buy Snap-on, Milwaukee, Klein, Proto, Urrea, etc. Most of the electrical, plumbing, etc. I run into the best fitting screwdriver is an inch sized flat blade.
Dave455
Well-known member
The “old” black handle Snap On drivers shown in the footage are “Contour Grip” handles. They are made of Eastman Tenite and some (particularly the Canadian made ones) can degrade.
The black handle drivers currently sold under the Williams name are the classic “hard handle” that Snap On called the “Powergrip” on introduction.
That’s a totally different handle to the “contour grip”, and made from a totally different material. I believe it’s a type of nylon, probably a du Pont product.
I have owned examples of these since they were introduced, and have never encountered one that smelt, or had degraded.
rlitman
Well-known member
Terminal blocks and such where slotted screws are still king used to be SAE sized, but DIN rail terminal blocks have metric slots. The head widths are in sizes nominal to SAE, i.e. 3.5mm is really 1/8", but the slot widths are now sized in fractions of a mm, so older SAE screwdrivers like your trusty Vega or Jensen that used to work perfectly in older terminal blocks just don't fit quite right any more. Also, most of the cruciform screws in DIN rail blocks (and the ABB electrical control components I frequently encounter) are more often Pozi than Philips. Gladly the minimal torque needed in these applications keeps me from having much difficulty. But when I'm working on an antique (like rewiring an old Singer sewing machine), I find I need to pull out my Brownells gunsmithing slotted screwdriver set to keep from damaging stuff, because standards back in the day don't truly match anything current.
I am speaking, specifically, of the flat blade screwdrivers. In my trade, the SAE screwdrivers work better.
I have both SAE and metric at home, and I use what fits better.
Totally. The screwdriver I use the most in those applications is a Xeno from Wiha & a rebranded Wera from Phoenix Contact (3.5mm). You're right that is a example of where metric is king.
Got it.
As I mentioned, in my trade, "flat bits are typically not actually used on fasteners in automotive."
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I've had experiences with Snap-on screwdrivers where they fit the Phillips screw head dead nuts perfect with no movement whatsoever.
I question the screw sample in that video. Try the screwdriver on a Fillister Head Phillips!
Chrome Vanadium Cody
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I’ve never tried a new Snap On screwdriver but my Vessel Jawsfit ph3 with a pipe wrench on the shaft for more leverage was 3 for 3 on stuck Honda screws my Hercules hex impact couldn’t get out today. Love those things. The teeth do wear out faster than a normal screwdriver but it’s amazing what you can do with them.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
How well does JIS fit a regular Phillips?
scooby074
Well-known member
I recently purchased a 4 piece Vessel Armor Grip Phillips screwdriver set off of Amazon, and I was very surprised to see the set was made in Thailand. I believe older Armor Grip sets were made in Taiwan. Has anyone else encountered this? is this a recent change?
I like the handle shape, that the tips are JISDRIVE without the teeth, and the price was right. I wish the handles were a brighter color though.
I have armor grips from before they were called armor grips. Made in Taiwan (I think). Could be Vietnam? Definitely not japan however. Multi-coloured grips, probably from 10 years ago.
Not the grippiest handles. Just hard, slippery plastic. A little on the small side. Tips dont seem to fit JIS any better than my Macs. I got some new Jawsfit Phillips to compare with .
The new Megadora Jawsfit handles are considerably nicer than the "Armor grips" I have. Ill snap a couple pics when Im back in the shop.
Edit: Vessel pics
MegaDora 900 series Grips. Grippy rubber and plastic. Compared to SO Instinct Soft, they are noticeably smaller in diameter and less "Tri Lobed".
Old "Armour Grip" style. Hard plastic
Tip. Old vs Megadora 900 Jawsfit
Set
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