There is a difference!! Philips screwdrivers are the wrong tool for the job

[nastyjones]

All our bikes that were built in Japan come with JIS screws. That's why we tend to round the screw head when we use a Philips screwdriver. JIS, which stands for Japanese Industrial Standard is a standard rarely used outside the Pacific Rim & that's why most people I talked to including bike shops have never heard of it.
When I tried to find JIS screwdrivers I had a heck of a time but finally located a company in Texas that sells them.

http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-900-Megadora-3x150-JIS-3-Screwdriver_p_164.html

This is the one I bought. It's like a work of art. Top quality feel & the #3 size fits all the screws I've tried it on perfectly. The minute I fitted it in the first screw I knew it was different. I just dis-assembled an entire set of carbs using this screwdriver, miraculously not rounding one screw. Yeah, it's a bit expensive but you'll own it forever.

Paul

[Agemax]

i dont think that is too expensive for the correct tool, that will fit correctly and potentially save lots of heartache removing rounded off screws.

nice find.....

[Nessism]

Those Vessel screwdrivers are great. I've found the #2 is perfect for the smaller screws, like those on the carbs for example, and the #3 for larger screws, like engine side cover screws or the screws for the electrical grounds.

Bought mine here...http://www.rjrcooltools.com/vessel.cfm

[Badooka]

Very good info indeed! I use a gunsmith screwdriver set and these are in there, nice to know you can get that particular screwstick!

[eil]

I had good luck by of taking a good well-made phillips bit and skimming about a mm off the tip. The fit is not perfect, but it does fit well enough into a JIS screw to not strip it. (At least, I didn't strip any using it.)

I'll still probably get a couple of JIS drivers eventually.

[salty_monk]

Those Vessel screwdrivers are great. I've found the #2 is perfect for the smaller screws, like those on the carbs for example, and the #3 for larger screws, like engine side cover screws or the screws for the electrical grounds.

Bought mine here...http://www.rjrcooltools.com/vessel.cfm

#8771 3 Pc "Motorcycle" Driver Set, #3, #2 & #1 Drivers
#8771 3 Pc "Motorcycle" Driver Set, including 1 each of #1 x 75mm, #2 x 100mm and #3 x 150mm Megadora Drivers. (Not Pictured)
LIST PRICE: $45.00
YOUR PRICE: $42.00
ITEM #: #8771

Looks like the one to go for maybe... but cheaper to piece it together at the other place.

Like the idea of this one... http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-98...er-_p_173.html

[Steve]

A couple of months ago, I posted an article on THIS THREAD that was in Motorcycle Consumer News.

Scroll down to post #5 to see the article.

.

[chuck hahn]

Eil...Yes, thats the major difference from a Phillips to the JIS..the tip. Like you stated, the Phillips has a bit of an extended tip that the JIS doesnt have as much of. Just a little dressing off the tip makes a regular Phillips much more effective.

[FiremanBob]

I got a set of 5 JIS drivers on Amazon for about $40.

[salty_monk]

I just met the Japanese owner of Vessel at the National Hardware Show in Vegas... Nice man

Didn't get a free set of drivers though...