VESSEL Screwdrivers Explained: Ball Grip Insulated, TD Precision, Electric Ball Grip and Impact Drivers
VESSEL Co., Inc. is a Japanese tool maker based in Higashinari-ku, Osaka, founded in 1916. If you search for "VESSEL screwdriver", you will find many series and model numbers, and it is not always clear which one solves your problem. This guide maps the VESSEL screwdriver lines we carry, series by series: what each one is for, the key design facts, and which model to pick. Where we could not confirm a figure from VESSEL, a distributor or our product data, we say Not confirmed or leave it out.
For electrical panels and terminal work, start with a Ball-Grip insulated set (202PS-1 or 202PS-2). For very small screws in electronics and small devices, pick a TD precision set (TD-55, TD-56 or TD-56S) by the screw sizes you need. To drive many screws without wrist fatigue, choose the 220USBC electric Ball-Grip driver, and to free a rusted or stuck screw, use a hammer-struck manual impact driver (240001 or 250001).
The VESSEL screwdriver lineup at a glance
This table only lists series we currently stock. Tap a model to see its full specifications.
VESSEL 202PS-1 Ball-grip insulated screwdriver set (2 pieces)
VESSEL 202PS-2 Ball-grip insulated screwdriver set (2 pieces)
| Series | Key design feature | Best for (problem it solves) | Models in our store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball-Grip Insulated (No.200 family) | Insulated grip and red shank cover; VESSEL says it passed the IEC 60900 tests required for VDE certification | Working near live parts and on terminal blocks, where a bare metal shank could cause a short circuit | 202PS-1 (100 mm shanks), 202PS-2 (150 mm shanks) |
| TD precision sets (TD-55, TD-56, TD-56S) | Stainless steel body, resin end cap, clear carry case | Very small screws in electronics and other small devices | TD-55, TD-56, TD-56S |
| Precision interchangeable set | One handle, 36 precision bits in a case | Devices with many different small screw types | 9836 |
| Electric Ball-Grip (220USBC series) | Electric and manual in one; USB Type-C charging; LED light | Driving many screws by hand causes wrist fatigue; you still want hand control for the final turn | 220USBC (body only), 220USBC-1, 220USBC-5 |
| Electric Ball-Grip PLUS | Three speed and torque settings | Mixed jobs where you want a lower torque setting for small screws | 220USB-P1 |
| Manual impact drivers | Hammer blow turns the bit; 8 mm hex bits; 12.7 mm (1/2") socket use with the bit adapter removed | Rusted, stuck or very tight screws that a normal screwdriver cams out of | 240001 (6 bits), 250001 (4 bits) |
VESSEL also makes other screwdriver lines, such as MEGADORA IMPACTA. We do not currently carry them, so they are not in this table. Browse everything we stock in the VESSEL collection.
Ball-Grip insulated screwdrivers: for electrical work
The problem: a metal shank near live parts
On a terminal block or in a panel, a bare metal shank can touch a nearby terminal and cause a short circuit. VESSEL's Ball-Grip Insulated drivers (No.200) have a shank cover for this reason, and VESSEL says the slim design is convenient for terminal block work.
Design facts from VESSEL and MISUMI:
- VESSEL says the No.200 drivers passed the 7 tests (IEC 60900) required for VDE certification. MISUMI lists the same for the 202PS sets.
- VESSEL says the No.200 grip end has a Phillips or slotted dent, so you can recognize the tip type by touch.
- Only the grip and the red shank cover are insulated, according to MISUMI. MISUMI also says to use them only where the voltage is AC 1000 V or DC 1500 V or less.
Which set?
Both sets contain one cross-point +2 driver and one slotted 6 mm driver, with a 6 mm shank diameter and a 41 mm handle diameter. The 202PS-1 has 100 mm shanks (200 mm overall). The 202PS-2 has 150 mm shanks (250 mm overall) for more reach. Our product pages list both as made in Japan.
View 202PS-1 View 202PS-2Insulated tools are not a replacement for switching off and isolating the circuit. Follow your local electrical safety rules. For more electrician use cases, see 5 everyday electrician problems solved by VESSEL.
TD precision screwdriver sets: for very small screws
The problem: tiny screws strip easily with the wrong size
Small electronics and devices often use screws that are too small for normal drivers. VESSEL describes the TD sets as "for ultra precision and small screws". Each set has a stainless steel body with a resin end cap and comes in a clear case.
The main difference between the three sets is the tips inside. Pick by the screws you work on:
| Set | Contents (6 pcs) | Pick it if... |
|---|---|---|
| TD-55 | Slotted 0.9, 1.2, 1.8, 2.3, 3.0, 3.5 mm | You only need slotted tips, from 0.9 to 3.5 mm |
| TD-56 | Slotted 0.9, 1.2, 1.8, 2.3 mm; cross-point No.00, No.0 | You want a mixed general set for small devices |
| TD-56S | Slotted 0.7, 0.9 mm; cross-point No.0, No.00, No.000, No.0000 | You need cross-point tips down to No.0000 |
Our product pages list an 80 mm handle and Japan as the country of origin for all three sets.
View TD-56 TD-55 TD-56SNeed many tip types? The 9836 interchangeable set
If you open devices with many different small screws, the 9836 gives you one handle (94 mm × Φ10 mm) and 36 precision bits made of S2 steel in a case. Our product page lists it as for small screws only, and its country of origin as Taiwan.
View 9836See all our Japanese precision screwdrivers.
Electric Ball-Grip screwdrivers: for driving many screws
The problem: wrist fatigue, but a drill is too much
Assembling furniture or fitting many cover screws by hand tires your wrist. A cordless drill can be too heavy and too strong for small screws. VESSEL's electric Ball-Grip drivers spin the screw with a motor, then let you finish by hand like a normal screwdriver. VESSEL's English site lists a version of this model (220USBC-1EB) as the "Rechargeable Ball-Grip Screwdriver II".
220USBC, 220USBC-1 or 220USBC-5?
According to VESSEL's leaflet, all three have the same body: 280 rpm no-load speed, 3.0 N·m maximum electric torque, 12 N·m maximum manual torque, a 3.7 V 800 mAh Li-ion battery, about 60 minutes charging time, 170 g, and an LED that stays on for 5 seconds after use. It takes 6.35 mm (1/4") hex bits. Only the contents differ:
- 220USBC: body only. Choose it if you already have bits and a USB cable.
- 220USBC-1: body, one +2 bit (100 mm) and a USB charging cable (Type A to C), according to our listing and VESSEL's leaflet.
- 220USBC-5: body, +1, +2 (×2), +3 and slotted 6 bits (100 mm), a USB cable (Type A to C) and a dedicated AC adapter.
Our product pages list Japan as the country of origin for all three.
View 220USBC-1 220USBC 220USBC-5
220USB-P1 (PLUS): three torque settings
The PLUS model lets you switch between three settings: low (280 rpm, 1.2 N·m), medium (340 rpm, 1.6 N·m) and high (400 rpm, 2.0 N·m). Manual tightening is allowed up to 12 N·m. VESSEL lists it for screws up to M6, and says it should not be used on Phillips No.3 (M8) or larger, hex H6 or larger, or Torx T40 or larger. Pick it over the 220USBC if you often drive small screws and want a lower torque setting. Pick the 220USBC if you want the higher 3.0 N·m electric torque.
Charging note: VESSEL says to charge the PLUS with a Type A to Type C cable from a 5 V 1 A adapter. A Type C to Type C cable will not charge it. Our product page lists one +2 bit (100 mm) and a charging cable in the box, and Japan as the country of origin.
View 220USB-P1Looking for a powered ratchet rather than a screwdriver? The VESSEL 400ER3-1M electric slim ratchet set is covered in our 400ER3 guide.
Manual impact drivers: for stuck and rusted screws
The problem: the screw will not turn, and the tip keeps slipping
A rusted or over-tightened screw often strips before it turns. A manual impact driver solves this differently: as MISUMI describes it, when you strike the handle with a hammer, the tip turns. VESSEL says these drivers are for removing rusted or stuck screws, and lists automobile maintenance and machinery assembly and disassembly as uses for the 250001.
Both models take 8 mm hex bits. With the bit adapter removed, you can fit a 12.7 mm (1/2") socket.
- 240001: 6 bits (slotted 10 × 36 mm; cross-point No.2, No.3, No.4 × 36 mm; No.2, No.3 × 80 mm). VESSEL lists one-touch switching of the rotation direction and a soft resin handle.
- 250001: 4 bits (slotted 10; cross-point No.2, No.3, No.4, all 36 mm).
Pick the 240001 if you want the two longer 80 mm bits. Both are listed as made in Japan on our product pages. For a full explanation of how this tool works, see VESSEL No. 240001 explained.
View 240001 View 250001See all Japanese manual impact drivers.
Useful VESSEL add-ons for 1/4" hex drivers
These take or use 6.35 mm (1/4") hex shanks, according to our product pages:
VESSEL TBH5S Torque Bit Holder
VESSEL TBH-M4 Torque Bit Holder
- TBH5S torque bit holder set: five torque bit holders for M3, M3.5, M4, M5 and M6 screws, in a storage case. Single sizes are also available, such as the TBH-M4 (listed at 1.4 N·m).
- NEJ-123 stripped screw extractor bits: three bits covering M3 to M8 screws with damaged heads.
See all Japanese bits and bit holders.
A note on tip types (Phillips vs JIS-style cross-point)
Some Japanese cars, motorcycles and machines use JIS cross-point screws, which look like Phillips but are not identical (see our JIS guide linked below). On the VESSEL English pages we checked, cross-point tips are listed as "Ph No.2" and so on, and the pages do not say whether the tips follow the Phillips or the JIS standard. Before you buy for JIS screws, check each product page or message us with the model number. To understand the difference, read JIS vs Phillips explained.
How to choose a VESSEL screwdriver
VESSEL TD-55 Precision Screwdriver Set, 6 pcs
VESSEL TD-56 Precision Screwdriver Set, 6 pcs
- Working near live electrical parts? Start with the insulated 202PS-1, or the 202PS-2 for deeper reach.
- Tiny screws? Choose a TD set by tip: TD-55 (slotted only), TD-56 (mixed), TD-56S (cross-point down to No.0000).
- Many different small screw types? The 9836 covers them with one handle.
- Lots of screws to drive? An electric Ball-Grip: 220USBC-1 for one bit and a cable, 220USBC-5 if you want more bits and an adapter in the box.
- Want a low torque setting for small screws? The 220USB-P1 PLUS.
- Stuck or rusted screw? A hammer-struck 240001 or 250001.
FAQ
Are VESSEL screwdrivers made in Japan?
It depends on the product. Our product pages list Japan as the country of origin for the 202PS-1 and 202PS-2 insulated sets, the TD-55, TD-56 and TD-56S precision sets, the 220USBC, 220USBC-1, 220USBC-5 and 220USB-P1 electric drivers, and the 240001 and 250001 impact drivers. The 9836 precision interchangeable set is listed as made in Taiwan. Check the country of origin on each product page.
What is the difference between Ball Grip and MEGADORA?
They are different VESSEL screwdriver lines. The Ball-Grip models we carry are the insulated 202PS sets and the electric 220USBC and 220USB-P1 drivers. VESSEL describes MEGADORA IMPACTA as having a "Tang-Thru" nut with a cam mechanism that turns the tip 12 degrees counter-clockwise when the handle is hit with a hammer. We do not currently stock MEGADORA, so we have not compared them model by model.
Can I hammer on a VESSEL screwdriver?
Only on models designed for it. Of the models we carry, the 240001 and 250001 manual impact drivers are made to be struck with a hammer. The VESSEL and distributor pages we checked for the insulated, precision and electric models do not say they can be struck, so do not hammer on them.
Which electric VESSEL driver should I buy, 220USBC or 220USB-P1?
The 220USBC series has one setting with up to 3.0 N·m electric torque. The 220USB-P1 has three settings from 1.2 to 2.0 N·m, which helps on small screws. Both allow up to 12 N·m by hand, according to VESSEL.
Related guides
- VESSEL vs ANEX: which Japanese screwdriver brand should you buy?
- Japanese screwdrivers by job: VESSEL, ANEX and ENGINEER picks
- Japanese alternatives to Wera and Wiha
- 5 everyday electrician problems solved by VESSEL
- VESSEL No. 240001 impact driver explained
- VESSEL electric ratchet 400ER3: specs and set contents
- JIS vs Phillips: stop stripping screws
Shipped directly from Japan
We ship genuine VESSEL tools from Japan with tracking. Not sure which model fits your screws? Message us with the screw size and what you are working on, and we will help you choose.
Browse VESSEL tools Browse Japanese screwdriversSources
- VESSEL: company profile (founding year, Osaka address)
- VESSEL: Ball-Grip Insulated Screwdriver No.200, Ph No.2 × 100, Ph No.2 × 150, Ph No.3 × 150 (IEC 60900 tests, shank cover, grip-end mark)
- MISUMI: VESSEL Ball-Grip insulated screwdriver 2-piece set 202PS (IEC 60900, insulated parts, AC 1000 V / DC 1500 V use limit, lengths)
- VESSEL: precision screwdriver sets TD-55, TD-56, TD-56S (contents, body material, case)
- VESSEL leaflet: 220USBC series (speed, torque, battery, charge time, weight, contents)
- VESSEL: Rechargeable Ball-Grip Screwdriver II 220USBC-1EB (name, H6.35 bits, USB Type-C, set contents)
- VESSEL: Rechargeable Ball-Grip Screwdriver PLUS 220USB-P1EB and 220USB PLUS special page (3 settings, M6 capacity, charging cable)
- VESSEL: Impact Driver No.240001 and No.250001 (uses, 8 mm bits, 12.7 mm socket, contents)
- MISUMI: VESSEL impact drivers (hammer-struck operation)
- VESSEL: MEGADORA IMPACTA No.980 and MEGADORA leaflet (Tang-Thru nut, 12° cam rotation)
- Country of origin, handle sizes, set contents for 9836, 220USBC-1, 220USB-P1 and add-ons: our product listings.
Specifications may change. Always confirm current specifications with the manufacturer for safety-critical work. All brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. Last reviewed: October 2026.
