Vessel Screwdrivers at Princess Auto

[flippin]

While running through PA in Ottawa I noticed an end cap featuring Vessel screwdrivers from Japan. Kinda surprised given the low-end tool market which Princess Auto normally targets. They are being advertised as a "new product" and aren't mixed in with the surplus stock like the yellow acetate Proto screwdrivers.

The inventory included 3 larger sets and 3 smaller sets. I opened one of the Super Cushion sets and was impressed with the quality. However the handle shape wasn't for me. Though the squishy handle material was nice to the touch the shape didn't fit my hand. I'm funny that way in that I also don't care for the Wera handles either. It'll be interesting to see how this test works out for PA.

 

[lbgradwell]

That's interesting. I wouldn't mind a set of JIS "Phillips" if they had them.

I can't make out the prices in the photos. Do you recall?

 

[flippin]

That's interesting. I wouldn't mind a set of JIS "Phillips" if they had them.

I can't make out the prices in the photos. Do you recall?

Agreed, I purchased a set of JIS drivers a few years ago to tear down all of my fishing reels each winter. On the small fasteners it's amazing how big a difference there is between Phillips and JIS.

Prices;

Dual Tone 6pc $40
Crystaline 7pc $50
Mega "striking" 6pc $70

Dual Tone 12pc $80
Crystaline 14pc $80
Super Cushion 10pc $90

 

[lbgradwell]

Thanks.

Did they have open stock?

 

[flippin]

Nope, no open stock. I probably would've purchased an 8" P2.

 

[MikeF2316]

Haha, not even on the website yet. I know where I'm going tomorrow...

 

[ADSR]

wow! That's awesome!

 

[SantaAna12]

Sounds good!

Closest Princess auto: 1024 miles.

Road trip!

 

[MikeF2316]

Sounds good!

Closest Princess auto: 1024 miles.

Road trip!

1.4 km from my work. We just moved a bit further away, used to be .9 km!
With luck I will not need to pack a lunch!

 

[SantaAna12]

1.4 km from my work. We just moved a bit further away, used to be .9 km!
With luck I will not need to pack a lunch!

I think u will beat me there.

 

[abvw]

I saw those last week at the Woodbine/7 location, so close to buying a set of the impacts.

Maybe next week, was hoping its not a one-off special buy stock.

 

[Strouty]

That is awesome for you locals, I just bought my first vessel screwdriver the other day, it was the stubby ratcheting driver. I was impressed, I wish I had a local place to go and check them out.

 

[DHCrocks]

man you guys are lucky you have local source. A couple of months ago I ordered 5 JIS and they are great. They had the teal/gray handles.

 

[ADSR]

was hoping its not a one-off special buy stock.

I hope not either! Those sales ****! Would be nice to see these as a regular item.

Anyone know the warranty on Vessel?

 

[ADSR]

didn't have them at my store.

 

[MikeF2316]

didn't have them at my store.

The Mississauga store had them. They're not JIS though.

 

[rlitman]

The Mississauga store had them. They're not JIS though.

AFAIK, all Vessel screwdrivers that look like they fit a Philips are JIS compatible. Nobody makes a JIS labeled screwdriver anymore though, because of legal issues with the JIS trademark.

 

[heytrid]

looked at them @ Calgary South, I may get a set anyway but they did not excite me very much, Wera's look and feel better to me in that price range.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Not to get off topic but do any other companies make JIS screwdrivers like Snap on, Klein, ect... or is Vessel the best type to go with? If so I might pick up some princess auto.

Bob

 

[DirtyWeRX]

I love my vessel JIS screwdrivers. The only one I don't like is one of the impact Phillips. It's a P3 tip and you REALLY gotta smack it with a hammer for it to do anything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alexbn921]

Not to get off topic but do any other companies make JIS screwdrivers like Snap on, Klein, ect... or is Vessel the best type to go with? If so I might pick up some princess auto.

Bob

Vessel is the one to go with. I don't believe Snap on, Klein, ect.. make them. Its like using an SAE on metric yes it will kind of work but its not the right tool.

 

[rlitman]

Vessel is the one to go with. I don't believe Snap on, Klein, ect.. make them. Its like using an SAE on metric yes it will kind of work but its not the right tool.

JIS is JIS. Philips is Philips. Though JIS drivers will fit Philips screws, while the reverse is not a good idea.
If a company makes a JIS compatible screwdriver, then it is.

Aside from Vessel, people here discuss Hozan for JIS use.
In the smaller sizes, I have screwdrivers made in the USA from Moody tools that are JIS compatible.

If you look, you can find other stuff. JIS is a defunct standard, and what you really want is DIN/ISO 5260. DIN/ISO 8764 describes the common Philips connection. Doing some googling, I have found that Wiha and Wera make tools listed for ISO 5260, cross listed for 8764, so I would expect those drivers to fit JIS screws as well.

 

[superautobacs]

Vessel at PA!?

That's a surprise...a pleasant surprise. I initially thought they are selling fake Vessel screwdrivers, but judging by the photo posted and the price, they appear to be genuine.

I have seen PA selling a knock-off product that looked identical to another screw-driving manufacturer in Japan called Anex. I contacted Anex and they thanked me for flagging counterfeit products.

AFAIK, all Vessel screwdrivers that look like they fit a Philips are JIS compatible. Nobody makes a JIS labeled screwdriver anymore though, because of legal issues with the JIS trademark.

If you're looking to buy brand new JIS-standard conforming screwdrivers, make sure the screwdriver manufacturer is STILL producing that particular screwdriver model to the old JIS standards. JIS is just like ANSI or DIN--a minimum standard. Most Japanese manufacturers have been producing screwdrivers/tools that exceed JIS standards. Companies have rather been producing tools to meet/exceed any global standard. Put in other words, if a company wants international recognition, they ought to produce tools that meet/exceed standards that are recognized by that particular country's industrial buyers.

The angles/geometry/profile, whatever you want to call it, from Vessel today is not very different from the average screwdriver you can buy today from any reputable brand, US, Taiwanese, or European.

This thread is long, but there's a lot of information posted for anyone wanting to learn more about the JIS standard:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28491&showall=1

 

[MikeF2316]

AFAIK, all Vessel screwdrivers that look like they fit a Philips are JIS compatible. Nobody makes a JIS labeled screwdriver anymore though, because of legal issues with the JIS trademark.

In that case, I'll grab a set. I've not had any problems with using my current Phillips screwdrivers on anything on my Yamaha, but I hate being caught without a tool...

 

[Craptain]

I have a set of Vessel JIS screwdrivers and also bits for hex drive. Totally the way to go for older Japanese motorcycles and cars. Nobody else I have found makes a good match.

Sorry to hear they don't have JIS at PA but they are still available online.

 

[MikeF2316]

In that case, I'll grab a set. I've not had any problems with using my current Phillips screwdrivers on anything on my Yamaha, but I hate being caught without a tool...

I just copied this from vesseltools.com:



Why VESSEL's screwdrivers are not labeled “JIS”?

As you might know, VESSEL is the oldest screwdriver manufacturer in Japan, and made a contribution to set a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) standard.

We do follow JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) standard for cross point screwdrivers. Because the technology to manufacture screwdrivers in Japan had already become above a certain level, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) recognition system for screwdrivers became extinct in 2008.

So there is no authorized JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) manufacturer now, and we therefore cannot print "JIS" mark on our screwdrivers.

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ funny I was going to post that

Even though not labelled JIS, they screwdrivers are compatible with JIS fasteners

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/view-all-products.html

 

[bob_the_builder]

I was just at the PA in Kitchener and they did not have any Vessel screwdrivers.

Bob

 

[rmsg0040]

Had many sets @ the Mississauga location, ranging in price from $40 to $90

Saw a few people looking at it but walking away.

Could be a limited run supply to test the market......

 

[eurovw]

Did not find them in London, and I asked as well.

 

[MikeF2316]

Grabbed a couple of sets today. Only went in for the Crystaline set, but couldn't resist the Megadora set. Only the P2 and P3 are impact.

 

[ADSR]

Very nice!!! ^^^^

 

[SantaAna12]

Yep. I was thinking the same Diesel.
I think I am going to get a.#2 to test drive.

 

[Bunit98]

Eurovw was just at the london store and they had them on display

 

[jvitez]

I posted this in the "show your new tools" thread but thought I'd post it here too. Thank you PA for selling some excellent quality tools. The Megadora was very tempting, but I have a set of impact screwdrivers already and liked the selection of small sizes this set had.

 

[Docman]

Just picked up a set of the Impacta's on a recent trip to Vancouver, BC. The price was $60, $10 less than when this was first posted ~6 months ago.

Here's a link to the listing on PA's website: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/6-pc-impact-screwdriver-set/A-p8606592e

The Langley location had only the crystal and a few super cushion left (up by the registers). Coquitlam had crystals and 2 sets of the impacta left after my purchase.

 

[Sine Swept]

The set shown in post #35 are actually made in Thailand (check the handle).

The handles look just like the Hozan set I have ^


The Impacta set do actually claim to be made in Japan.

 

[BK13]

Sounds good!

Closest Princess auto: 1024 miles.

Road trip!

In my younger days, maybe. But my truck gets 13 MPG and I'm too lazy to even order stuff off Amazon any more...

 

[knobby]

The vessel screwdrivers are currently on clearance at PA with a modest discount.

 

[SantaAna12]

In my younger days, maybe. But my truck gets 13 MPG and I'm too lazy to even order stuff off Amazon any more...

I hear you. My Triton gets the same. Time was we could have a case of beer on the front seat too.....but those days are gone.
I ended up ordering this from Amazon based on the raves from the Vessel yahoos on GJ:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W9KWF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have used it now since right after my original post.

A damn good screwdriver. Recommended.