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Hozan, Vessel or Someone Else for JIS Screwdrivers.

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Biomed

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I love my Vessel Megadoras!! Had them for several years and use them for JIS screws AND regular phillips.

Someone posted a link to Katun (a copier supply company) who sells Snap-on screwdrivers that they claim are JIS. I ordered some... they AREN'T JIS.

The North American distributor for Vessel is http://www.vesseltools.com otherwise Level Chrome also sells Vessel.
 

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4xdog

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My Vessel screwdrivers have become my go-to's. The magnetic tips are even useful, and I normally hate that feature.
 

Biomed

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Go to Katun.com and they have JIS screwdrivers made by Snap on. The Katun brand screwdrivers also used to be made by Snap on.

I ordered some. Yes, the screwdrivers are Snap-on, even says Snap-on on the screwdrivers but they sure aren't JIS.

Katun even sells the Snap-on hard handle ratcheting screwdriver (SSDMR4B) with bits and claims the bits are JIS but they aren't. The bits are stamped with Snap-on P/N's SDM221IRB, SDM222IRB and SDM223IRB which are standard phillips bits. They ARE ACR bits but NOT JIS bits.
 

Biomed

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I know many folks do not know about JIS screwdrivers. Guys I have worked with look at me funny when I tell them about JIS. There is a difference. I have attached some photos from the Vessel web site to show the difference.
 

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7echo

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coastal Georgia
I got some long bits from Mcmaster, I think they are Vessel. I would like some normal length bits and will check out some of the recommendations above.

In the RC world Tamiya makes some nice cars. They have always had a bad rep for the crappy 'phillips' head screws. Guys would go on and on about them being so terrible. Of course, they were simply JIS and most of the guys whining didn't know better.
 

Dust Devil

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Right next door to hell
Vessel makes a bitchen impact screwdriver.

Funny to hear Katun mentioned been buying stuff form them for nearly 20 years. I agree that the Snap-on JIS is no bueno. Wiha standard #2 phillips work great on JIS screws. So do the Vessels.
 

4xdog

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I know many folks do not know about JIS screwdrivers. Guys I have worked with look at me funny when I tell them about JIS. There is a difference. I have attached some photos from the Vessel web site to show the difference.

Biomed's post is important enough to put the images here:
http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/jis-japanese-industrial-standard/view-all-products.html
i-pnGcdWB-L.jpg
i-Wh4JBsX-L.jpg


As almost every knows, a JIS crosshead screw will be normally identified with a little dot on the head. Here's the JIS screw holding the air flow sensor on my Tacoma:
i-gPcHCgq-L.jpg
 

bwringer

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Do you get Vessels when you order JIS screwdrivers from McMaster-Carr?

The stupid drawing sure looks like a Vessel (handle design, knurling on shank), but they don't actually tell you the brand, COO, or anything. :mad:

One of those strange things about McMaster-Carr... you never know exactly what you're gonna get.
 

Biomed

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As almost every knows, a JIS crosshead screw will be normally identified with a little dot on the head. Here's the JIS screw holding the air flow sensor on my Tacoma:
i-gPcHCgq-L.jpg

This is what truly amazes me. Toyota, Honda - motorcycles and autos/trucks just to name a few, all have JIS screws. Why then do the major auto tool manufacturers NOT sell JIS compliant screwdrivers? Snap-on... hint, hint.
 
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Biomed

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Do you get Vessels when you order JIS screwdrivers from McMaster-Carr?

As I recall the McMaster JIS screwdriver (with the photo that looks like a Vessel screwdriver) is a Vessel. Think I ordered one or two from them when I needed them quickly. Unfortunately if you call they will not tell you the manufacturer but they will tell you the COO. If the COO is Japan and it looks like the Vessel photos you can be pretty sure. McMaster is good about returns if you are not satisfied.
 

dsp1

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Aug 16, 2013
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OH
Vessel makes the nicest JIS screwdrivers I have used, but if you are looking for a good quality set that is a bit cheaper, Hozan is fine. The handles are hard plastic and not as comfortable, but the tips are good quality and fit great. I used a Hozan set for years without complaint on my motorcycles before I bought the Vessel set. If you want the best, get Vessel; if you want good quality and value pick up a Hozan set.
 

popit

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This is what truly amazes me. Toyota, Honda - motorcycles and autos/trucks just to name a few, all have JIS screws. Why then do the major auto tool manufacturers NOT sell JIS compliant screwdrivers? Snap-on... hint, hint.
The same applies to many local and european gear makers. For example, wera and wiha don't have JIS #000 which is essential for many electronic repairs. You have to go with Moody Tools for example. Hell, even Vessel doesn't make it.
 

rlitman

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The same applies to many local and european gear makers. For example, wera and wiha don't have JIS #000 which is essential for many electronic repairs. You have to go with Moody Tools for example. Hell, even Vessel doesn't make it.

That is incorrect. I pointed this out in a different thread. The actual name JIS is defunct. The correct standard is DIN-5260-PH.
Even Vessel states that while their screwdrivers are JIS compatible, they are not truly JIS (because the JIS consortium is no longer licensing the use of that name). They are made to DIN-5260-PH, which is compatible with JIS (and Philips as it just so happens).

Wera does indeed make some screwdrivers to this ISO spec. I cannot speak to other manufacturers.
 

bochnak

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SantaAna12

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Amazon has the megadora too, although the prices just went up a couple bucks.
Princess auto if you have one near u.
Vessel 930.
 

popit

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That is incorrect. I pointed this out in a different thread. The actual name JIS is defunct. The correct standard is DIN-5260-PH.
Even Vessel states that while their screwdrivers are JIS compatible, they are not truly JIS (because the JIS consortium is no longer licensing the use of that name). They are made to DIN-5260-PH, which is compatible with JIS (and Philips as it just so happens).

Wera does indeed make some screwdrivers to this ISO spec. I cannot speak to other manufacturers.

So if the DIN-5260-PH standard is superior I may use the Vessel 930 for either Philips or Jis screws, without worrying about damaging either them or the screwdriver, isn't it?
 
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rlitman

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Yes. I have a Vessel 930 +2x100 screwdriver (this one has a red handle, fits #2 Philips and has a 100mm long exposed shaft), and it fits standard Philips screws perfectly as well as JIS. However, I use it exclusively on JIS as I'd rather wear out my SnapOn screwdrivers on standard Philips screws.

Note that the 930 has a full length shaft that meets the striking cap on the back of the handle, so it is surprisingly heavy when you pick it up. It has the same balance as the old wood inlaid "perfect handle" screwdrivers, if you're familiar with them.

I also have a Vessel 900 +1x75 (teal handle). This one is much more lightweight (with no striking cap), and has knurling on the shaft (instead of the hex bolster that the 930 has). I prefer the lighter weight 900 style for the #1 size.

Note that these fit posi-drive screws about as badly as a Philips driver. For those, you need a posi driver.
 

popit

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Yes. I have a Vessel 930 +2x100 screwdriver (this one has a red handle, fits #2 Philips and has a 100mm long exposed shaft), and it fits standard Philips screws perfectly as well as JIS. However, I use it exclusively on JIS as I'd rather wear out my SnapOn screwdrivers on standard Philips screws.

Note that the 930 has a full length shaft that meets the striking cap on the back of the handle, so it is surprisingly heavy when you pick it up. It has the same balance as the old wood inlaid "perfect handle" screwdrivers, if you're familiar with them.

I also have a Vessel 900 +1x75 (teal handle). This one is much more lightweight (with no striking cap), and has knurling on the shaft (instead of the hex bolster that the 930 has). I prefer the lighter weight 900 style for the #1 size.

Note that these fit posi-drive screws about as badly as a Philips driver. For those, you need a posi driver.

I guess with the Vessel 930 you can hit with the hammer in the handle while you twist the the other hand, to loosen locked screws. The difference with the Vessel 980 Impacta would be that is lighter, cheaper and doesn't turn automatically of course. My set of three from onlyqualitytools arrived the other day but couldn't put my hands on them yet.
 
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SASORacing

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Jun 10, 2014
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Location
Utah
i like the way the Vessel rubber feels on my blue handle 2 150. The rubber handle is very streamlined and has a great grippy feel without being too soft like other brands.

Vessel screwdrivers are really good, but on all screwdrivers, Vessel incl. I use a dremel and grind a fraction of a mm off the point of the screwdriver.

This makes a difference, it allows the driver to go down fully. Its highly reccvomend to do this if you dont want to strip screws or your phillips drivers.

I would use a dremel grinding stone not sandpaper like this photo, but you get the idea.
The last thing you want to happen is the tip of your screwdriver hitting and not allowing it to go in fully!
F8XJ5VMH4AGIAVX.MEDIUM.jpg

F0EKS5LH4AGJ7AA.MEDIUM.jpg
FCTVVXLH4AGDBX9.MEDIUM.jpg
FLAKOWCH4AGIB0H.MEDIUM.jpg
 
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popit

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Spain
Yes it looks like even for the same screwdriver size there can be any length (deepness) of the tip, making it a compete mess to completely and equally fit around all the profile. Probably there is no specification or regulation in that matter. I've experienced also the issue when the screwdriver is the proper size, however the tip is either too large or too short, and the core has too much or too little diameter for the lobe size.
 

jamesr242

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Oct 31, 2013
Messages
32
+1 on the Vessel Megadora's. I picked up the "motorcycle repair kit" set which has all the common sizes. I would also highly recommend the magnetic holder that they sell. Very nice piece and it holds the set nice and secure.

BTW, I'm pretty sure that the Hozan's are just rebranded Vessel Sepadora's. They look decent though just not quite as nice of a handle. The knurling on the shaft is a nice thing to have though.
 
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nanofrog

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That is incorrect. I pointed this out in a different thread. The actual name JIS is defunct. The correct standard is DIN-5260-PH.

Wera does indeed make some screwdrivers to this ISO spec. I cannot speak to other manufacturers.
FWIW, PB Swiss & CK Tools both conform to the DIN 5260-PH & DIN ISO 8764-1 standards as well.
 
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