Below are some current online prices for this #2 Phillips Vessel driver.
Disclaimer: I may earn a commission on Amazon sales made from links in this post.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Vessel 220 JIS Ball-Grip Screwdriver: price comparison
Anyone working on Japanese electronics could probably use a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Phillips screwdriver. If you need one with a long shaft -- useful for copier repair or auto work -- the Vessel 220 Ball-Grip Screwdriver is a good one, with a long steel shaft, magnetic tip, and a knurled ball grip.
Below are some current online prices for this #2 Phillips Vessel driver.
Below are some current online prices for this #2 Phillips Vessel driver.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Tool review: SOG Micro ToolClip
Key Features:
+ Good tension on pliers
+ Fits well in palm
- Tool tends to pop open in your pocket
- Awkward positioning of Phillips driver
Even before you try it out, the Micro ToolClip looks cool. It's a compact pair of thick-jawed pliers, a combination of black plastic and gray metal that fits very comfortably into your palm.
The tool is well-made. The pliers are strong, with good tension. The Phillips driver is finely machined; much more precisely than a typical multi tool Phillips driver. The knife is sharp, both on the blade and the tip. The Micro ToolClip measures 3.9" closed, and weighs a solid 3.3 ounces.
In addition to the knife and pliers (which are not needle-nosed, despite what the SOG website says) this tool includes both a small and large slotted driver, a double-sided file, and a bottle opener. It has a removable belt clip and removable key chain loop. The base of the pliers jaw can be used as wire cutters or strippers.
The SOG website also claims that the knife and other tools lock. The tools don't actually lock -- there's no unlocking mechanism -- but the internal tension does hold them in place very well while they are in use.
Two issues keep this tool from being a good everyday carry tool. Because of its design, the Phillips driver (which doubles as one of the pliers handles) can pop out fairly easily when you keep the tool in your pocket. Since the driver has a good point on it, you may find yourself with small holes in your pocket (or leg). You can remedy this problem by stuffing a piece of foam or rubber above the pliers lock, to prevent the tool from opening without a significant amount of pressure on the lock.
The second issue is the positioning of the Phillips driver. The idea of doubling one pliers handle as a screwdriver is a creative way to save space, but it makes the Phillips driver close to useless for turning screws. There's no good way to grip the tool to use it effectively as a Phillips driver. This tool resembles Thorsen's multi pliers in appearance, but Thorsen avoided the Phillips issue by using a pop-out driver, rather than attaching it to the pliers handle. Including a cross driver instead of one of the two slotted drivers would also have been preferable, and more functional.
The SOG Micro ToolClip is a decent pocket tool, once you fix the self-unlocking issue. SOG lists the Micro ToolClip for $27.00, which is extremely over-priced. Amazon sells it for $19.94 -- also far too much money, but they do sell it as part of a set with a SOG pocket knife for $14.99.
+ Good tension on pliers
+ Fits well in palm
- Tool tends to pop open in your pocket
- Awkward positioning of Phillips driver
I've tested many small multi tools. Most of them have been underwhelming. But right off the bat, the SOG Micro ToolClip (model #TC1001-CP) began to impress.
Even before you try it out, the Micro ToolClip looks cool. It's a compact pair of thick-jawed pliers, a combination of black plastic and gray metal that fits very comfortably into your palm.
The tool is well-made. The pliers are strong, with good tension. The Phillips driver is finely machined; much more precisely than a typical multi tool Phillips driver. The knife is sharp, both on the blade and the tip. The Micro ToolClip measures 3.9" closed, and weighs a solid 3.3 ounces.
In addition to the knife and pliers (which are not needle-nosed, despite what the SOG website says) this tool includes both a small and large slotted driver, a double-sided file, and a bottle opener. It has a removable belt clip and removable key chain loop. The base of the pliers jaw can be used as wire cutters or strippers.
The SOG website also claims that the knife and other tools lock. The tools don't actually lock -- there's no unlocking mechanism -- but the internal tension does hold them in place very well while they are in use.
Two issues keep this tool from being a good everyday carry tool. Because of its design, the Phillips driver (which doubles as one of the pliers handles) can pop out fairly easily when you keep the tool in your pocket. Since the driver has a good point on it, you may find yourself with small holes in your pocket (or leg). You can remedy this problem by stuffing a piece of foam or rubber above the pliers lock, to prevent the tool from opening without a significant amount of pressure on the lock.
The second issue is the positioning of the Phillips driver. The idea of doubling one pliers handle as a screwdriver is a creative way to save space, but it makes the Phillips driver close to useless for turning screws. There's no good way to grip the tool to use it effectively as a Phillips driver. This tool resembles Thorsen's multi pliers in appearance, but Thorsen avoided the Phillips issue by using a pop-out driver, rather than attaching it to the pliers handle. Including a cross driver instead of one of the two slotted drivers would also have been preferable, and more functional.
The SOG Micro ToolClip is a decent pocket tool, once you fix the self-unlocking issue. SOG lists the Micro ToolClip for $27.00, which is extremely over-priced. Amazon sells it for $19.94 -- also far too much money, but they do sell it as part of a set with a SOG pocket knife for $14.99.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Holiday gift guide: Tool and tool storage deals
Tools make a great gift for many different types of people: mechanics, weekend DIYers, new homeowners, hobbyists, etc. With the holidays fast approaching, online retailers are throwing up new deals every day. Below are some current online deals that can net you a good tool (or tool storage) present for a great price.
- Milwaukee 48-32-4502 Magnetic Bit Holder (Home Depot, $3.97)
Magnetic bit holders tend to be generic and unremarkable; they either work or they don't. This Milwaukee bit holder stands out, however. It has a slightly smaller footprint than many other bit holders (2.36" rather than 2.5") and the magnet is very strong. For a more detailed description, see my full review of this bit holder.
- Cat Premium Plastic Portable Tool Box with Lid Organization and Removable Tote (Amazon, $25.71)
This tough plastic toolbox measures 9.25" x 20" x 9" and includes everything you'd expect to find: removable plastic tote, removable small parts organizers in the lid, metal padlock eyes, and reinforced side walls. There's even a ruler imprinted onto the lid. This tool box gets a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Amazon.
For a less expensive option, check out the Stanley 016011R Series 2000 16-Inch Tool Box. It's smaller (7.8" x 16" x 7") and not quite as tough, but it currently sells for $18.76 and it may drop lower. (It has been as low as $10.35 recently.)
- Ryobi 130-Piece Drill and Drive Bit Set (Home Depot, $9.88)
Probably too large for a stocking stuffer, this 130-piece bit set would make a great gift for anyone running low on drill or driver bits. The set includes Phillips, slotted, Torx, square, and hex bits. It also comes with a magnetic bit holder and a durable plastic case.
- Anvil 5-Piece Pliers Set (Home Depot, $4.88)
Anvil seems to be one of Home Depot's newer brands. The pliers in this set probably won't be the highest quality pliers ever seen, but at less than $1 per pair, it's hard to beat that price. This set would make a good gift for someone who needs some extra pliers to stow in the car or in a kitchen drawer for emergencies.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Leatherman Brewzer for $7.18
If you've been considering buying a Leatherman Brewzer keychain multi tool, but don't want to pay the $9 or $10 it usually costs on Amazon, you can grab one -- brand new -- on eBay right now for $7.18 (with free shipping).There are only three Brewzers available according to the seller, so if you want one, buy it now.
If you're not sure about the Brewzer, read a full review of it before buying, or see how it stacks up against the Gerber Shard.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
First impressions: SOG Micro ToolClip and MacV Tool
I got my first two SOG tools in the mail: the SOG Micro ToolClip and the SOG MacV Tool. They came as a set -- the City Survival Kit (model #) for $14.99 on Amazon (up to $17.99 as of today).Already, the SOG Micro ToolClip is one of the more impressive multi tools I've used. It's small -- easily a pocket tool -- but it's strong. The tool is well-designed. I look forward to testing it out.
The MacV seems kind of cool so far -- a decent keychain tool. Its Phillips driver is next to worthless, but otherwise it has a lot of useful functions.
I'll post a full review once I've tested them both out. As of right now, I'd say the City Survival Kit for about $15 is a decent deal.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Tool Review: Gerber Vise
Key Features:+ Textured, open frame
+ Good cross driver
- Bad bottle opener
Gerber makes many different multi tools, including a wide range of small, pocket multi tools. The Gerber Vise (model #31-000021) falls into this category, and is one of the better multi tools I've used -- though it's not without its faults.
The Vise is not very heavy for a multi tool (only 2 ounces) and sits much more comfortably in your pocket than Gerber's Mini Suspension-P. It has a good range of tools built in: spring-loaded pliers, cross and slotted drivers, straight-edge and serrated knives, bottle opener, and files.The pliers are decent for occasional or light-weight work, but the handles start to give under a lot of pressure, and the right-angle corners dig into your palm and fingers. The pliers have good spring tension but are clunky to open and close.
The cross driver on the Vise works very well -- better than any other multi tool cross driver I've seen, and better than some multi tools with full Phillips drivers. The slotted drivers are average to above-average.
The straight-edge knife and serrated knife are both good. They compare well to knives on other multi tools. Neither locks in place but that's typical for the price range that the Vise falls in.All of the external tools are easy to access. The Vise has a very open frame that allows you to see which tools sit where, and they all flip out fairly smoothly from the nail nicks. The Vise's textured frame makes it easy to hold and use.
The biggest drawback of this tool is the bottle opener. It is dual-pronged, which is a smart idea and should give a better grip on the bottle cap, but on this tool there is hardly any lip on either prong, so the bottle opener slides right off the cap. The bottle opener looks impressive but fails to function.
Overall, the Vise is above average as a pocket multi tool, and better than many tools in the low-end price range. It's on a comparable level as the Leatherman Squirt -- a tool that often costs more than twice as much. The Vise is a better everyday tool than the Mini Suspension-P, mainly because the cross driver comes out much easier and is machined more precisely.Gerber lists the Vise at $20.00 online. Amazon previously sold it for $14.95, but has it right now for $9.90. Under $10 is a fair price for this pocket tool.
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