Vessel 830-MG4 Ratcheting Screwdriver

[Dzmax77]

I purchased this older but new vessel screwdriver despite the not so great reviews and received it yesterday straight from Japan. The reviews were right, its not that good. Something with the ratcheting mechanism is off and doesn’t have the same pressure against the pawls after a few clicks. It says assemebled in Japan with some USA and ROC stampings on the shaft. I presume these are just patent numbers.

If anyone has experience with this driver, can you explain how to take it apart and possibly fix it? Please let me know if you have any other info on it.

Thanks!

 

[Qualitytools]

If it doesn't work right out of the box, why would you want to fix something that is brand new? Just my 2 cents worth.

I like Vessel screwdrivers and I have a few including a ball ratcheting one and they are great but to get something new that does not work and you have to fix it to make it usable is not my idea of a keeper.

 

[4xdog]

I’m a Vessel fan, but not of those ratcheting drivers. Every one I’ve tried or seen has been notchy and unsatisfying.

Good luck trying to improve it. I dunno what to tell ya to try, though.

 

[superautobacs]

Yeah, got one of them a dozen years ago. There were a couple threads on GJ that discussed this type of mechanism, as it was used on some other non-Japanese brands.

Ratcheting mechanism is probably purchased from China and Vessel assembles it with their handle.

 

[Dzmax77]

Well I got it off of Amazon for $22 and the cost to ship from Japan was ~2000 yen (~$18 usd) so I dont know how that seller made any $ on that. But anyway, they are selling for much more on ebay with shipping. I do like the size so if it’s fixable, Id keep it. However, I did find those other threads discussing the ratcheting mechanism and there weren’t great things said about it and basically confirmed that most of this is non-Japanese. I think Im just going to return it. I don’t need something that doesn’t work properly just because it’s cheaper than other sources.

I did order the vessel TD-6804MG. Package says made in Japan although that shaft and ratcheting mechanism looks like the Taiwanese ones used on Klein, Ideal and many others. We’ll see.

So far, nothing Ive used beats Snap On/Williams. Id like to buy the PB Swiss and try that out. Waiting to find a deal on that.

 

[superautobacs]

Well I got it off of Amazon for $22 and the cost to ship from Japan was ~2000 yen (~$18 usd) so I dont know how that seller made any $ on that. But anyway, they are selling for much more on ebay with shipping. I do like the size so if it’s fixable, Id keep it. However, I did find those other threads discussing the ratcheting mechanism and there weren’t great things said about it and basically confirmed that most of this is non-Japanese. I think Im just going to return it. I don’t need something that doesn’t work properly just because it’s cheaper than other sources.

I did order the vessel TD-6804MG. Package says made in Japan although that shaft and ratcheting mechanism looks like the Taiwanese ones used on Klein, Ideal and many others. We’ll see.

So far, nothing Ive used beats Snap On/Williams. Id like to buy the PB Swiss and try that out. Waiting to find a deal on that.

Had a look at the Klein and Ideal ones since I've never seen them. They are the exact same ones that KTC has been outsourcing from Lancer Tools in Taiwan for a decade or so (and so have many others). I fiddled around with one, but wasn't to my liking. Comparing the the Vessel TD-6804MG, it definitely isn't the same unit.

I've played around with a couple PB Swiss models. Nicely built and looks great, but I don't own one. What do you think of Megapro's ratcheting screwdriver? I like its ratcheting mechanism, bit storage, ergonomics, and price point. Made in Canada.

 

[Dzmax77]

Had a look at the Klein and Ideal ones since I've never seen them. They are the exact same ones that KTC has been outsourcing from Lancer Tools in Taiwan for a decade or so (and so have many others). I fiddled around with one, but wasn't to my liking. Comparing the the Vessel TD-6804MG, it definitely isn't the same unit.

I've played around with a couple PB Swiss models. Nicely built and looks great, but I don't own one. What do you think of Megapro's ratcheting screwdriver? I like its ratcheting mechanism, bit storage, ergonomics, and price point. Made in Canada.

It’s on my shopping list, however, I noticed that they’re sold out in MegaPro’s website and Amazon is selling whatever stock is left at a premium compared to what they were selling a few months ago.

 

[pizza]

So far, nothing Ive used beats Snap On/Williams. Id like to buy the PB Swiss and try that out. Waiting to find a deal on that.

i think those are the two best ones. i have both and usually use the PB.

SO: lower backdrag mechanism. knurled shaft (on the SO at least).
PB (insider 3): far superior bit storage.

both have nice but different handles. i could see someone liking one over the other.

 

[Retroman]

I have and like the PB Swiss have not tried the SO. I have a couple Milwaukee's that aren't to bad.
I don't really like the Phillip's bits in the PB Swiss driver they don't seem to fit most screws very well not sure why that is.

 

[pizza]

I don't really like the Phillip's bits in the PB Swiss driver they don't seem to fit most screws very well not sure why that is.

interesting. haven't noticed this myself.

 

[DAustin]

Could they be Pozidriv (PZ) and not Phillips (PH) ?

 

[superautobacs]

I was just browsing through a Japanese blog and came across this finding....
When I posted my initial response in this thread, I wasn't aware that Vessel has an updated version. What the OP and I have is the older, all-black directional switch.

Picture from internet:


mine from 2009:


The newer version (apparently came out as early as 2013) has a revised/different ratcheting mechanism. They both have the same part # 820W-23

The interesting thing is, the 830-MG4 (standard length model) that the OP is discussing doesn't have a the newer updated ratcheting mechanism.

Just thought I'd point that out.

 

[Ton ton]

Vessel is the brand of ratcheting screwdriver I use.