JIS vs Phillips

[M6erfan]

I came across this article and thought it very interesting. Testing and discussion about true JIS fasteners and drivers and how they differ if at all from Phillips heads...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tools/hozan-jis-screwdrivers-review/

 

[MrGiggles]

Snap On ACR has done fine for me.

 

[dnschmidt]

All of TOPTUL's "Phillips" screwdrivers are JIS compatible because they meet the current DIN standard which includes JIS in the specification. I believe this is true of Wiha and Wera and almost all of the European brands like PB Swiss. JIS compatible screwdrivers work perfectly in Phillips screws and JIS screws. Phillips screwdrivers are almost a sure fire way of chewing up JIS screws.

Oddly, I have friends that own many, many Jap bikes, like 20-30 each, and they never were aware of the JIS vs. Phillips story until I gave them TOPTUL screwdrivers. The JIS compatible screwdrivers grab the JIS screws sort of like how a Robertson square drive does whereas the good old Craftsman Phillips simply rounds them off. I am now a local hero at the Phoenix Honda Club.

Vessel has a great explanation of the difference between Phillips and JIS on their website that's well worth reading.

 

[PJNJ]

I have been riding on and off for over 40 years and have had problems with opening up brake and clutch master cylinders and generally all "Philips" fasteners on Japanese bikes and Japanese parts supplied bikes for years. I used to use a hand impact to try to get the screws out but I often had problems on older bikes. About 15 years ago, I bought a Triumph with Japanese brake and clutch parts along with Japanese Keihin carbs. The float bowl screw heads started to strip out about 5 years ago but around that time I found out about JIS screws and screw drivers from a Triumph forum. I bought a set of Vessels and now there are no problems with the float bowl screws - even the partially stripped ones come right out. I had dreaded trying to get the brake master and clutch master screws out as they always tried to strip in the past on all my bikes and they are notorious for getting stuck in. But I recently opened up both with no problems - they've been on for at least 15 years. I won't work anymore on the bikes without JIS screwdrivers - they are that useful.