JIS Mythbusting

[Dr.Al]

Nice article from Tekton dispelling the myth that JIS and Phillips are different:

https://www.tekton.com/blog/jis-vs-phillips-screwdriver-tip-geometry-and-fastener-compatibility

 

[Wozzaaah]

That link goes to a Bambu labs login page.

 

[Woody.v8]

Nice article from Tekton dispelling the myth that JIS and Phillips are different:

https://www.tekton.com/blog/jis-vs-phillips-screwdriver-tip-geometry-and-fastener-compatibility

I'm not saying that you are wrong, but ive never found a Philips screwdriver that fits a jis screw properly.

 

[Dr.Al]

That link goes to a Bambu labs login page.

Whoops; I've no idea how I did that. I've fixed it now.

 

[Nomad]

Working link (hopefully)

TEKTON Hand Tools | Shop Sockets, Ratchets, Pliers, and Wrenches

We're a family-owned hand tool company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our tools support professional and personal work at the highest levels of skill.

www.tekton.com

Question 4: Do dots on a screw head require a JIS tip while everything else uses Phillips?​

Answer: No, again, there is no such thing as a JIS tip that is different than a Phillips tip. The dot is actually an indicator of a JIS-standard screw thread pitch, which is not related to the screwdriver.

It's all as clear as mud

 

[Dr.Al]

I'm not saying that you are wrong, but ive never found a Philips screwdriver that fits a jis screw properly.

At the risk of trying to precis a well-written article, there's no standard for "Phillips" screwdrivers, there are three cross drive standards: ASME (US), JIS (Japan) & ISO (Europe & most of the rest of the world). All are pretty much compatible. "Phillips" screwdrivers not fitting "JIS" screws is just a sign that either the screw or the driver is a bit rubbish.

 

[tom2207]

Nice article from Tekton dispelling the myth that JIS and Phillips are different:

https://www.tekton.com/blog/jis-vs-phillips-screwdriver-tip-geometry-and-fastener-compatibility

thats not how I read it ,,,, theres a lot of , almost and insignificants , in that article.
that does not make them the same , and if youve ever owned a jap moped you will know that not all screwdivers are created equal.

 

[Nomad]

Just to add to the confusion, an article explaining why Phillips are different to JIS ("90% compatible - it's the remaining 10% that causes the problems")

So You're Telling Me that's Not a Phillips?

After all these years of mangling screws on Japanese bikes, people still don't know the difference between Japanese and Phillips screwdrivers.

www.motorcycle.com

 

[Misterg]

Nice article from Tekton dispelling the myth that JIS and Phillips are different:

I think they're selling screwdrivers...

JIS specific screwdrivers are undoubtedly a better fit in JIS screws than a 'Philips' screwdriver. There's a lot of hand waving going on in that article.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've found JIS drivers fit the crosshead fasteners in Jap bikes much better than trying to use a Phillips driver.

 

[roofman]

I've found JIS drivers fit the crosshead fasteners in Jap bikes much better than trying to use a Phillips driver.

100%...the two small screws on the front brake master cylinder cap being all the proof you need. if you know you know.

 

[Tangledfeet]

I've found JIS drivers fit the crosshead fasteners in Jap bikes much better than trying to use a Phillips driver.

I've had the same experience with Shimano (Japanese) bicycle components.

 

[Bdog507]

I think they're selling screwdrivers...

JIS specific screwdrivers are undoubtedly a better fit in JIS screws than a 'Philips' screwdriver. There's a lot of hand waving going on in that article.

I second that!

Having been fiddling with mainly Japanese motorbikes for about 50 years, and full time for nearly 33 years I've probably encountered more JIS screws than most people. The differences between Phillips and JIS are minimal, but there is a difference in the majority of cases. It's worth pointing out that most JIS screws on Jap bikes are either a number 2 or a number three. Good Phillips screwdrivers will fit reasonably well. This is not the case with smaller screws such as number 1 or number 0

One point I'd agree with in the article is that a crap screwdriver, or a crap screw ain't going to work. In the 70's Jap bikes got the reputation of having chocolate screws. It was more a case of crap screwdrivers methinks.

For many years I mainly used the ACR Phillips bits that Snap-On supply. These are serrated and grip very well. However, in the 90's I got hold of a set of Vessel JIS/Phillips screwdrivers. These undoubtedly fitted better than the ACR bits on Jap bike screws.
As the article says there is little difference between the standards. So a screwdriver that's precisely made and falls between the standards for JIS and Phillips will fit either head type very well, and Vessel screwdrivers do exactly that.
Vessel also do a large range of 1/4 hex bits which are well worth having. I bought a load of double ended bits and cut them in two in order to make a selection of long and short bits to suit most applications.

Vessel screwdrivers and bits are worth seeking out. A firm in Wales called Date Electronics used to sell them.


Cheers.


Stewart.

 

[premmington]

+1 for JIS is different and you need JIS screwdrivers.

These the tools of choice..

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver 2 Pc Set (9802SC)

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver Set 9802SC for professional-grade fastening. Shop now at JB Tools.

gb.jbtools.com

 

[Keithmac]

JIS screws are metric thread, the difference is in the head.

Having worked on Japanese motorcycles and carbs for nigh on 30 years there is definitely a difference.

A JIS screwdriver in a JIS screw head is a much tighter fit and less chance of camming out.

Last set of JIS screwdrivers I bought were Sealey at £20 and they have lasted surprisingly well.

You can always tell when someone has been in with a PH2 before hand, and rounded the screw heads off..

 

[Bdog507]

JIS screws are metric thread, the difference is in the head.

Having worked on Japanese motorcycles and carbs for nigh on 30 years there is definitely a difference.

A JIS screwdriver in a JIS screw head is a much tighter fit and less chance of camming out.

Last set of JIS screwdrivers I bought were Sealey at £20 and they have lasted surprisingly well.

You can always tell when someone has been in with a PH2 before hand, and rounded the screw heads off..

I do more work on Carburettors now than ever, as Carbs have become one of the dark arts it would appear. The screws can be a right sod to remove! Especially if they've never been apart before.

I recently had to sort out a set from a 1985 Suzuki 750 Katana. Unfortunately the owner had already had a bash at them.
Not only had his 'Sunday market' screwdrivers rounded off most of the float bowl screws, he'd also had a go at the mounting frame screws that hold the carbs together.
I managed to get most of them out using some excellent hefty pliers end on, but on a few of the screws I had to mill the heads off, & get the threaded part out once the carbs were apart.

It didn't half add to the bill somewhat!


Cheers.


Stewart.

 

[Bdog507]

+1 for JIS is different and you need JIS screwdrivers.

These the tools of choice..

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver 2 Pc Set (9802SC)

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver Set 9802SC for professional-grade fastening. Shop now at JB Tools.

gb.jbtools.com

I've seen these, & have wondered if they're worth having. I guess I'd better fork out for a set to find out.


Cheers.


Stewart.

 

[premmington]

I've seen these, & have wondered if they're worth having. I guess I'd better fork out for a set to find out.


Cheers.


Stewart.

I bought a set - but only have used the JIS2 size ever....

 

[Robotstar5]

I've seen these, & have wondered if they're worth having. I guess I'd better fork out for a set to find out.


Cheers.


Stewart.

I bought some JIS impact rated bits for my hammer powered impact driver I bought in the 70's when I first started tinkering with Jap bikes.

It still makes a guest appearance when nothing else will work.

 

[Robotstar5]

+1 for JIS is different and you need JIS screwdrivers.

These the tools of choice..

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver 2 Pc Set (9802SC)

Vessel Impacta JIS Screwdriver Set 9802SC for professional-grade fastening. Shop now at JB Tools.

gb.jbtools.com

Another tool you didn't know you needed is a Shake N Break which uses an air hammer to provide the percussive force while while you control the rotation with the side bar.