To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Looks like crescents copying vessel

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
M

Mallen

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
649
Thats probably a tool I would only buy if I needed it for something. Otherwise id use an extention on my conventional manual impact screwdriver. But maybe if the screw was down where only a regular scree driver could reach
 

JradM

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
1,821
Location
Alberta
... maybe if the screw was down where only a regular scree driver could reach
Even then, wouldn't you just insert a power bit - or maybe something longer - into a bit-socket and use the manual impact?

Not saying a dedicated driver wouldn't be nice. It's just that there are probably limited circumstances where it is needed over a manual impact driver with bits.
 

Kscardsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
1,656
Location
The Little Apple
Kinda neat, but I don’t see a lot of utility in it in 2021 with the power and availability of cordless tools we have at our disposal. Maybe some specialized applications that I’m not thinking of.
 

JradM

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
1,821
Location
Alberta
Kinda neat, but I don’t see a lot of utility in it in 2021 with the power and availability of cordless tools we have at our disposal. Maybe some specialized applications that I’m not thinking of.
Basically this is just a manual impact driver with a fixed bit. It seems to me it would have limited utility over a multi-bit manual driver (for lack of a better description), but I suppose if you only use one or two sizes often, it might serve a purpose.

However, a manual impact driver vs. a power impact driver is really comparing two different tools. With a manual impact driver, you are hammering the screwdriver into the bit at the same time you are making it turn. It's especially useful for Phillips-head fasteners which are designed to cam out under high torque. Basically it helps make sure the screwdriver doesn't slip, especially when trying to turn an already damaged fastener.

A power impact driver can be helpful for stuck screws too - certainly better than just trying to turn them with a regular screwdriver. However, it doesn't push the bit into the fastener and therefore isn't quite as good when dealing with stuck Phillips screws or fasteners with damaged heads (think of when you get the angle wrong and spin the tip in a deck screw, for example).

Also, with a manual impact driver, the hammer force works in concert with the twisting force. I.e. if you hit it hard, the screwdriver is driven into the screw-head hard AND applies more force to turn it. With a power impact tool you can squeeze the trigger to apply more twisting force without also applying more pressure to keep the tip in the screw head.

Manual impact driver is famously good for brake rotor and carburetor screws - plus screws that are rusted in place.
 
OP
M

Mallen

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
649
Even then, wouldn't you just insert a power bit - or maybe something longer - into a bit-socket and use the manual impact?

Not saying a dedicated driver wouldn't be nice. It's just that there are probably limited circumstances where it is needed over a manual impact driver with bits.
I really kind of agree with you there. That's what I would do. But maybe if you had a limited amount of things you wanted to carry. Your screw driver can double as a impact tool. Maybe you carry one of those ratchets that's made to also be a hammer. I guess I'm sort of grasping here.

Ultimately, I concerned it won't take long for the tip of that screw driver to get chewed up. So, you try to remove a screw,damage the head, and now your thinking you can try the impact tool to loosen it and get it out and replace it with a fresh screw. But your impact tool is the same one that buggered up the head to begin with. I wouldn't feel particularly optimistic about that.
 
OP
M

Mallen

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
649
Basically this is just a manual impact driver with a fixed bit. It seems to me it would have limited utility over a multi-bit manual driver (for lack of a better description), but I suppose if you only use one or two sizes often, it might serve a purpose.

However, a manual impact driver vs. a power impact driver is really comparing two different tools. With a manual impact driver, you are hammering the screwdriver into the bit at the same time you are making it turn. It's especially useful for Phillips-head fasteners which are designed to cam out under high torque. Basically it helps make sure the screwdriver doesn't slip, especially when trying to turn an already damaged fastener.

A power impact driver can be helpful for stuck screws too - certainly better than just trying to turn them with a regular screwdriver. However, it doesn't push the bit into the fastener and therefore isn't quite as good when dealing with stuck Phillips screws or fasteners with damaged heads (think of when you get the angle wrong and spin the tip in a deck screw, for example).

Also, with a manual impact driver, the hammer force works in concert with the twisting force. I.e. if you hit it hard, the screwdriver is driven into the screw-head hard AND applies more force to turn it. With a power impact tool you can squeeze the trigger to apply more twisting force without also applying more pressure to keep the tip in the screw head.

Manual impact driver is famously good for brake rotor and carburetor screws - plus screws that are rusted in place.
I completely agree. I have often wished they would make cordless impact drivers that have a function that would apply forward force to the tool at the same time it turns. That would be great for situations that you currently use a a manual impact driver for.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

mazdeuce

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2020
Messages
62
Location
Texas
I have the Vessel one (actually two of them) and they are my primary motorcycle screwdrivers both at the track and in the shop. Plenty of times when you're doing something like taking the cover off a brake master where a light tap is the difference between a screw coming out and stripping. I have a bunch of old Hondas and life is sooooo much better with a gentle tap to break things loose. Having the impact function already at hand is much handier than having to dig the impact driver out.
Vessel only makes their Impacta in #2 and the flat blade would save me in another very specific scenario, so I'll probably pick one up.
 

putergod

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
82
Location
At my house
Wouldn't this technically be a manual hammer driver? Impact drivers impact on the rotational axis, hammer drives impact on longitudinally.
 

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,681
Location
Long Island
I'm leery of drivers that only list #2 Phillips when using on JIS screws it just never seems to work out well.
The Vessel Impacta is JIS compatible. The Craftsman set was made by Vessel and was just a rebrand, with the handle molding being identical, though the color was specific to Craftsman. This Crescent and GW versions have different handles, but the descriptions of the mechanism are the same as Vessel's. I haven't seen either in person, so I couldn't say for certain if either is made by Vessel.
Wouldn't this technically be a manual hammer driver? Impact drivers impact on the rotational axis, hammer drives impact on longitudinally.
No. The shaft rotates 12 degrees counterclockwise when you strike it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GTO

Kscardsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
1,656
Location
The Little Apple
Basically this is just a manual impact driver with a fixed bit. It seems to me it would have limited utility over a multi-bit manual driver (for lack of a better description), but I suppose if you only use one or two sizes often, it might serve a purpose.

However, a manual impact driver vs. a power impact driver is really comparing two different tools. With a manual impact driver, you are hammering the screwdriver into the bit at the same time you are making it turn. It's especially useful for Phillips-head fasteners which are designed to cam out under high torque. Basically it helps make sure the screwdriver doesn't slip, especially when trying to turn an already damaged fastener.

A power impact driver can be helpful for stuck screws too - certainly better than just trying to turn them with a regular screwdriver. However, it doesn't push the bit into the fastener and therefore isn't quite as good when dealing with stuck Phillips screws or fasteners with damaged heads (think of when you get the angle wrong and spin the tip in a deck screw, for example).

Also, with a manual impact driver, the hammer force works in concert with the twisting force. I.e. if you hit it hard, the screwdriver is driven into the screw-head hard AND applies more force to turn it. With a power impact tool you can squeeze the trigger to apply more twisting force without also applying more pressure to keep the tip in the screw head.

Manual impact driver is famously good for brake rotor and carburetor screws - plus screws that are rusted in place.

I really kind of agree with you there. That's what I would do. But maybe if you had a limited amount of things you wanted to carry. Your screw driver can double as a impact tool. Maybe you carry one of those ratchets that's made to also be a hammer. I guess I'm sort of grasping here.

Ultimately, I concerned it won't take long for the tip of that screw driver to get chewed up. So, you try to remove a screw,damage the head, and now your thinking you can try the impact tool to loosen it and get it out and replace it with a fresh screw. But your impact tool is the same one that buggered up the head to begin with. I wouldn't feel particularly optimistic about that.
I think you guys hit the nail on the head. I have the old school black oxide manual impact driver and I use it once in a blue moon, but my power tools have largely replaced that and a majority of my air tools in the garage. I could see it being nice if you dealt with a lot of the same fasteners on a daily basis and wanted to trim down your kit some. But the driver tip is going to be destroyed with regular use I think.
 

Wrench97

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2018
Messages
12,166
Location
Southeastern Pa
I think you guys hit the nail on the head. I have the old school black oxide manual impact driver and I use it once in a blue moon, but my power tools have largely replaced that and a majority of my air tools in the garage. I could see it being nice if you dealt with a lot of the same fasteners on a daily basis and wanted to trim down your kit some. But the driver tip is going to be destroyed with regular use I think.
I use mine for Honda brake rotors and a few others, probably 4 or 5 times a week and it's 3 years old and going strong.
I wish they made a torx one for GM rotors I'd buy that in a heart beat.
 

Kscardsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
1,656
Location
The Little Apple
I use mine for Honda brake rotors and a few others, probably 4 or 5 times a week and it's 3 years old and going strong.
I wish they made a torx one for GM rotors I'd buy that in a heart beat.
Thought about dedicating a manual impact driver and Torx bit for that purpose?
 

superautobacs

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Messages
3,997
Location
Vancouver, BC
Not sure if the patent is still pending with Vessel's product, but when I saw the product advertisement video from Gearwrench, I saw something familiar. They both rotate 12 degrees, too. :unsure: Not patented so reversed engineered by Apex? ... or Vessel is selling the mechanism only ... or:dunno:
 

Attachments

  • Vessel Megadora Impacta Cut-out.jpg
    Vessel Megadora Impacta Cut-out.jpg
    179.8 KB · Views: 24
  • Gearwrench 86090 Bolt Biter Screw Extractor like Vessel.jpg
    Gearwrench 86090 Bolt Biter Screw Extractor like Vessel.jpg
    171.6 KB · Views: 24
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom