I had a couple of 1/4" extensions that gripped the bits that way (with the clip-ring). Like you, I struggled to get the bits out. I ended up chucking them all and now I just use either magnetic or quick-release extensions.
Thank you for this review. Been debating whether or not to try this screwdriver. I love ball grips, and i like ratcheting. I like the secret stubby, but if it holds the bits that tight...... The only other similar tool is the anex 397. I bought that and like it alot. But now i can put the vessel debate to rest, i wont get it. Thanks
I absolutely love it when any of my videos help viewers make an informed buying decision. So this is music to my ears. I mean this week I've tried using the driver a hell of a lot and I like it more for it's basic features. But the dam bit retention on the stubby is annoying to me. I love the ergonomics of the handle and it's a pleasure to use but I had to mark it down. Cheers for the feedback and also it helps others, let me know how the Annex is in long term use. Hope you love it.
I am an electrician by trade. Last summer I bought the anex 397 screwdriver and used it quite a bit. It comes with a dual philips/slot which I replaced with a 6 inch impact bit holder. Then I just put whatever I needed in the end of it. Screwdriving, nut driving, sockets, very versatile. And could take out the shaft and us it in an impact or put a different shaft in. Vessel doesnt allow that with its fixed shaft design. It has held up very well and I still use it. I like the ergonomic one-hand use and the versatility. Thanks
I have the exact same Vessel. I can not reproduce the clicking sequences you have. Mine is just a single clean click every time. Now in the lock position mine works exactly the same. The Subby driver fits both double sided and single sided 6.5mm Vessel bits well. Of course the double sided bits do have a bit of wobble, the single sided are perfect. Wera 1/4" bits will not work at all. As most 1/4" bits with notch do not work well. And the new Wera 051492 838 RA S Bitholding Screwdriver, Ratchet and the Wera 051493 838 RA-R M Bitholding Screwdriver, Ratchet with the new collars are brilliant.
Great vid and a very interesting tool, I love the pop when you pull the stubby out. I have a Teng ratchet MDRQ908 it looks like your Hazet also has a chuck but it's a lot cheaper like twenty odd quid. I have been wanting to replace it for a few years but it just keeps on going strong. I even built a shed without power tools and used it to screw in 4" nails all day
BTW I am guessing the reason the stubby is so tight is because when it is 'usually' attached to the full length driver they don't want any slack. A little bit of slack would be magnified the longer the length of the driver?
The thing is I get annoyed at bits coming out so I like locking bit holders with power tools but this is really annoying. There has to be a happy medium where I don't need to stick some XS cobras in my pocket so I can get the bit out.
Thank you. Still using this now and have been using it this afternoon for about an hour on PC building. Getting more used to it and enjoying it more although not used the stubby feature today.
I can see why they wanted a retaining feature so that the shank would not pull out, but they should have put the retaining feature on the shank of the extension instead of the socket of the stubby. Good review.
Yes good point as the end falling off would be a nuisance. I have continued to use this driver through the week to make sure I'm being fair and i still like it but that stubby retention is annoying for me. I like these Vessel tools they feel well made and when I'm using them they feel quite natural to use. Shame on this one that stubby is annoying for me personally. I might see if i can get a few more Vessel items to test.
bike freehub(the thing under the cassette) or freewheel(it is all combined) have multiple pawls in them. for a quality product that will last long its ideal that 2 pawls opposite of each other in the mechanism engage at the same time to prevent bending of the axle cause of all the load going to 1 pawl. there is always a little bit of space between those 2 engagements. example there is a bike industry nine hydra hub with 690 points of engagement. they achieve this by alot of pawls made so only one is engaging at a time. and afther x amount of time the aluminum axle flexes to much and snaps cause of micro fractures. sorry for ton of info hope this helps understanding it.
I think that double click is probably some kind of anti-slack feature? To stop there being that dead zone between teeth? Only thing I can think of that would have that double click. Looks pretty good overall, love the strong magnet, the weak magnets drive me crazy and just lead to bits geting lost. I also love the stubby with extension approach, I think they have done it much better than others. What a shame you can't get the bits in/out easily, IMO that should drop it more than 1.5, thats a huge issue. Even if its just an issue with yours, thats a pretty basic thing to QA for such a premium brand.
If you disassemble the driver you will see there is 4 separate ratcheting pawls, 2 of which engage in each direction. They probably do not perfectly match the tooth count of the rotating shaft which leads to one of them getting less tooth engagement than the opposite side.
I have this screwdriver but don't like the ergonomics for most of the tasks I do. It feels like its designed to do a more precise work but then again its vtoo long for precise work.
It’s not just yours, though my Vessel doesn’t appear to be quite THAT tight, but my wife can’t pull the bit out. It stinks bc that’s why I got it, so my wife could use it to swap between PH1 and PH2.
![Japanese Tool Haul -- Vessel and Anex and Olfa, Oh My! [Tool Tuesday]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/68ck4zpndCk/mqdefault.jpg)
Couldnt agree more ."always good to check for a nice bottom"
😂😂😂😂😂 so true isn't it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I had a couple of 1/4" extensions that gripped the bits that way (with the clip-ring). Like you, I struggled to get the bits out. I ended up chucking them all and now I just use either magnetic or quick-release extensions.
Thank you for this review. Been debating whether or not to try this screwdriver. I love ball grips, and i like ratcheting. I like the secret stubby, but if it holds the bits that tight......
The only other similar tool is the anex 397. I bought that and like it alot. But now i can put the vessel debate to rest, i wont get it. Thanks
I absolutely love it when any of my videos help viewers make an informed buying decision. So this is music to my ears. I mean this week I've tried using the driver a hell of a lot and I like it more for it's basic features. But the dam bit retention on the stubby is annoying to me. I love the ergonomics of the handle and it's a pleasure to use but I had to mark it down. Cheers for the feedback and also it helps others, let me know how the Annex is in long term use. Hope you love it.
I am an electrician by trade. Last summer I bought the anex 397 screwdriver and used it quite a bit. It comes with a dual philips/slot which I replaced with a 6 inch impact bit holder. Then I just put whatever I needed in the end of it. Screwdriving, nut driving, sockets, very versatile. And could take out the shaft and us it in an impact or put a different shaft in. Vessel doesnt allow that with its fixed shaft design. It has held up very well and I still use it. I like the ergonomic one-hand use and the versatility.
Thanks
I have the exact same Vessel. I can not reproduce the clicking sequences you have. Mine is just a single clean click every time. Now in the lock position mine works exactly the same. The Subby driver fits both double sided and single sided 6.5mm Vessel bits well. Of course the double sided bits do have a bit of wobble, the single sided are perfect. Wera 1/4" bits will not work at all. As most 1/4" bits with notch do not work well. And the new Wera 051492 838 RA S Bitholding Screwdriver, Ratchet and the Wera 051493 838 RA-R M Bitholding Screwdriver, Ratchet with the new collars are brilliant.
Great vid and a very interesting tool, I love the pop when you pull the stubby out. I have a Teng ratchet MDRQ908 it looks like your Hazet also has a chuck but it's a lot cheaper like twenty odd quid. I have been wanting to replace it for a few years but it just keeps on going strong. I even built a shed without power tools and used it to screw in 4" nails all day
BTW I am guessing the reason the stubby is so tight is because when it is 'usually' attached to the full length driver they don't want any slack. A little bit of slack would be magnified the longer the length of the driver?
Your not alone I have trouble getting the bit out of the Vessel stubby, but any set of pliers will do to help remove the bit.
The thing is I get annoyed at bits coming out so I like locking bit holders with power tools but this is really annoying. There has to be a happy medium where I don't need to stick some XS cobras in my pocket so I can get the bit out.
Wonderful review
Thank you. Still using this now and have been using it this afternoon for about an hour on PC building. Getting more used to it and enjoying it more although not used the stubby feature today.
I can see why they wanted a retaining feature so that the shank would not pull out, but they should have put the retaining feature on the shank of the extension instead of the socket of the stubby. Good review.
Yes good point as the end falling off would be a nuisance. I have continued to use this driver through the week to make sure I'm being fair and i still like it but that stubby retention is annoying for me. I like these Vessel tools they feel well made and when I'm using them they feel quite natural to use. Shame on this one that stubby is annoying for me personally. I might see if i can get a few more Vessel items to test.
bike freehub(the thing under the cassette) or freewheel(it is all combined) have multiple pawls in them.
for a quality product that will last long its ideal that 2 pawls opposite of each other in the mechanism engage at the same time to prevent bending of the axle cause of all the load going to 1 pawl. there is always a little bit of space between those 2 engagements.
example there is a bike industry nine hydra hub with 690 points of engagement. they achieve this by alot of pawls made so only one is engaging at a time. and afther x amount of time the aluminum axle flexes to much and snaps cause of micro fractures.
sorry for ton of info hope this helps understanding it.
I think that double click is probably some kind of anti-slack feature? To stop there being that dead zone between teeth? Only thing I can think of that would have that double click.
Looks pretty good overall, love the strong magnet, the weak magnets drive me crazy and just lead to bits geting lost. I also love the stubby with extension approach, I think they have done it much better than others. What a shame you can't get the bits in/out easily, IMO that should drop it more than 1.5, thats a huge issue. Even if its just an issue with yours, thats a pretty basic thing to QA for such a premium brand.
If you disassemble the driver you will see there is 4 separate ratcheting pawls, 2 of which engage in each direction. They probably do not perfectly match the tooth count of the rotating shaft which leads to one of them getting less tooth engagement than the opposite side.
I have this screwdriver but don't like the ergonomics for most of the tasks I do. It feels like its designed to do a more precise work but then again its vtoo long for precise work.
It’s not just yours, though my Vessel doesn’t appear to be quite THAT tight, but my wife can’t pull the bit out. It stinks bc that’s why I got it, so my wife could use it to swap between PH1 and PH2.