Zephyr bits and JIS

[toddmorr]

happened to pick up a Snap on ratcheting screwdriver at an estate sale last year for $5. A real pleasure to use. But now I need to refresh my bits. I work on a lot of Japanese cars and would prefer JIS standard "phillips" bits. Took a look at the Zephyr catalog and didn't see a single JIS bit, surprising considering they seem to have bits for everything under the sun, pretty impressive.

https://zephyrtoolgroup.com/content/17-zephyr-industrial

I see McMaster Carr has some JIS bit sets, anybody know the brand?

any other sources for JIS bits, preferably in smaller quantities, i don't need to buy a dozen at a time.

 

[rlitman]

This has been discussed in other threads, but unfortunately, the search function here does not work on three character words, so a search for JIS will fail you.

Basically, JIS both as a standard and a standards organisation no longer exist, and that is why you will not find a JIS listing on any drivers (read the fine print where Vessel advertises JIS). The Japanese standard has been absorbed into the international DIN 5260-PH/ISO 8763-1 standards, and so that is what you should be looking for instead.

On that note, I don't believe that Zephyr conforms to the international standard, and is instead using the proprietary ACR-Phillips standard instead. That is positively NOT "JIS" compatible.

 

[measuredtwice]

I see McMaster Carr has some JIS bit sets, anybody know the brand?

https://www.mcmaster.com/jis-(japanese-industrial-standard)-screwdrivers

The fixed blades are Vessel Japan. This 1" Phillips #2 looks like Vessel but there's no markings on the computer generated image and I can't say for sure --> https://www.mcmaster.com/2659N3

any other sources for JIS bits, preferably in smaller quantities, i don't need to buy a dozen at a time.

McMaster appears to sell them individually for $2.

Over a year ago I bought from this source because shipping was cheapest for me.
http://absolute-wits-end.com/3-piece-jis-insert-bits/

You can buy them from Amazon Japan. Also check Amazon USA. Be aware there are different models. The ones that I linked are pretty good. They are individually marked "Made in Japan". Vessel also sells some cheaper bits that are made in China.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004OCJIQC/