VESSEL Electric Ratchet 400ER3: Specs, What's in the 400ER3-1M Set, and Who It's For
Quick answer: the VESSEL 400ER3 is a slim, USB-C rechargeable ratchet from Japan that spins fasteners in or out at 400 rpm and then stops at 1 N·m, so you finish tightening by hand (up to 60 N·m). It takes 1/4" hex bits directly and 3/8" square sockets through the included adapter. It is a speed tool for running nuts and screws in tight places, not a tool for breaking stuck bolts loose.
VESSEL 400ER3 specifications
| Item | VESSEL 400ER3 |
|---|---|
| Drive | 6.35 mm (1/4") hex bit insert; included adapter for 3/8" square sockets |
| No-load speed | 400 rpm |
| Motor torque | Stops at 1 N·m in electric mode |
| Manual torque | Up to 60 N·m (tightening and loosening by hand) |
| Ratchet gear | 60 teeth, 6° feed angle |
| Charging | USB Type-C (indicator red while charging, green when full) |
| Weight | 447 g (tool); 1,563 g (400ER3-1M set with case) |
| Reverse | Flip the tool over to change direction |
| Battery type, capacity, charge time, runtime | Not confirmed (not stated by VESSEL) |
| Head thickness | Not confirmed (not stated by VESSEL) |
Source: VESSEL 400ER3 product leaflet (VESSEL Co., Inc., Japan).
How the electric ratchet actually works
The motor does the slow, repetitive part: it spins a nut or screw down at 400 rpm until it meets resistance, and stops at 1 N·m. From there you use the 400ER3 as an ordinary 60-tooth ratchet and tighten by hand, up to 60 N·m. Loosening works the same way in reverse: break the fastener free by hand, then let the motor spin it out.
That 1 N·m limit is the most important thing to understand before you buy. Three of our eBay buyers of the 400ER3-1M told us the motor felt too weak. That is how the tool is designed: the motor is for speed, your hand is for torque. If you want a tool that drives bolts to final torque or breaks rusted fasteners loose on its own, a larger cordless ratchet is a better fit. If you want to stop turning a ratchet back and forth in a cramped engine bay or machine panel, the 400ER3 is built for that.
400ER3 vs 400ER3-1M: tool only or the set?
In Japan VESSEL sells the 400ER3 on its own and as the 400ER3-1M set. We stock the VESSEL 400ER3-1M set, which adds sockets, bits and a case:
| Included in 400ER3-1M | Qty | Details (as listed by VESSEL) |
|---|---|---|
| 400ER3 electric slim ratchet | 1 | USB-C rechargeable |
| Sockets | 9 | 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm; color-coded by size |
| Bits | 18 | Sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10H, 15H, 20H, 25H, 27H, 30H, 40H, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 (bit types: Not confirmed) |
| Extension bars | 2 | Lengths: Not confirmed |
| Universal joint | 1 | |
| Socket adapter | 1 | For 3/8" square sockets |
| USB charging cable | 1 | A USB power adapter (wall plug) is not listed |
| Carrying case | 1 |
For 1/4" square-drive sockets, VESSEL sells a separate adapter (400ERSA14).
Who the 400ER3 is for
Good fit:
- Running many or long nuts and screws down quickly (engine bays, machine covers, panels, brackets, equipment assembly)
- Tight spots where a cordless drill or impact driver is too long
- Jobs where you want to feel the final tightening by hand instead of guessing with a power tool
- Anyone who wants a light tool (447 g) that charges from a USB-C cable
Not a fit:
- Breaking loose rusted or high-torque fasteners with the motor, or driving bolts to final torque with the motor. Finish and break loose by hand (up to 60 N·m), or use a torque wrench where a torque value matters.
- Jobs that need powered torque on bolts. A cordless impact driver or a powered ratchet with a higher torque rating is the better tool.
Charging outside Japan
The 400ER3 charges over USB Type-C, so you do not need a Japanese 100 V charger. The set includes a USB cable; use a USB power adapter you already own. VESSEL does not state the battery capacity or charge time, so we do not list them.
FAQ
Is the VESSEL electric ratchet 1/4" or 3/8"?
It takes 1/4" (6.35 mm) hex bits directly. The included adapter lets you use 3/8" square sockets; a separate VESSEL adapter (400ERSA14) is for 1/4" square sockets.
How much torque does it have?
The motor stops at 1 N·m. By hand you can tighten or loosen up to 60 N·m.
Can it remove lug nuts?
Not with the motor. Its 9 sockets go up to 19 mm, but lug nuts need far more torque than 1 N·m; break them loose with a breaker bar or impact wrench first.
How long does the battery last?
Not confirmed. VESSEL does not publish runtime or battery capacity for the 400ER3.
