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What size JIS [Japanese Industrial Standard] screwdriver
- Thread starter ol mike
- Start date
m in sc
Well-known member
you want a #2 and a #3. covers 99% of your needs.
BaldRider
Well-known member
Yeah. Added a set to my screwdriver drawer. Worth it.
You do not specifically need a "JIS" one. The Phillips 2 in the tool kit fits the cross point screws you are most likely to encounter on the bike, such as for replacing the air filter.
Vessel put out a statement some years ago saying they had stopped stamping "JIS" on their driver's because there are no registered manufacturers of the Japanese Industrial Standard screwdrivers since the standard has been discontinued. Vessel make great tools though, I especially like their Megadora Impacta drivers and use a set often for breaking screws loose. The newer standards, ISO 8764 and DIN 5260, are influenced by JIS and backwards compatible for use on actual JIS screws.
Vessel put out a statement some years ago saying they had stopped stamping "JIS" on their driver's because there are no registered manufacturers of the Japanese Industrial Standard screwdrivers since the standard has been discontinued. Vessel make great tools though, I especially like their Megadora Impacta drivers and use a set often for breaking screws loose. The newer standards, ISO 8764 and DIN 5260, are influenced by JIS and backwards compatible for use on actual JIS screws.
BaldRider
Well-known member
I'll have to go look to see if mine are actually stamped JIS. I thought they were. Doesn't matter, really. You can never have too many screwdrivers. The Vessel ones I have are as good or better quality than all of my other ones. Might need to clean that drawer out and re-assess.
Here's a web snapshot I found containing the statement.
web.archive.org
I wouldn't be surprised if there is still old inventory being sold a decade later with the marking.
And a lengthy article on the subject:
smallworkshop.co.uk
Screwdrivers | Hand Tools | VESSEL TOOLS
- Why VESSEL's screwdrivers are not labeled “JIS”? - - As you might know, VESSEL is the oldest screwdriver manufacturer in Japan, and made a contribution to set a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) standard. - - We do follow JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) standard for cross point...
I wouldn't be surprised if there is still old inventory being sold a decade later with the marking.
And a lengthy article on the subject:
JIS screwdrivers, screws and fasteners from Japan
If you've ever worked on a vintage Japanese motorcycle you've almost certainly struggled with countless buggered-up cross head screws. The usual recommendation to avoid further screw mangling is to put aside your old Phillips screwdrivers and get some "JIS" ones instead. There is a lot of...
smallworkshop.co.uk
Ordered the 8 piece set, thanks for the help folks.
I have a 1980 Kawasaki KDX-250 w/758 original miles on it. It needs new crankcase seals. So some good fitting screwdrivers are needed.
BaldRider
Well-known member
Sounds like a good time.
I'd be interested in JIS hammers. I tend to use those more than anything.
I'd be interested in JIS hammers. I tend to use those more than anything.
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m in sc
Well-known member
the ones in the factory tool kits kit are JIS. just look at the tip, easy to spot the difference. If you want in impromptu JIS bit from a phillips set... belt sand about 1-2mm off the tip end, flattening it a bit. wont cam out any more. 
More than likely that it's ISO 8764, but as mentioned above, that's backwards compatible with JIS so doesn't matter much. The odd bit is that Honda call it "Phillips".
Another deep dive article for anyone with too much time on their hands: https://www.webbikeworld.com/hozan-jis-screwdrivers-review/
Another deep dive article for anyone with too much time on their hands: https://www.webbikeworld.com/hozan-jis-screwdrivers-review/
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m in sc
Well-known member
Except.. it's not phillips. probably has to do more with calling it by the iso call out because of non japanese mfg facilities and suppliers these days, which is fine. But its in effect jis and not phillips. Also, the manual is not always error proof in descriptions, or at least, awkward tranaslations. jis and Phillips are backwards compatible as well, ie: jis bits work very well on actual phillips. every actual phillips screwdriver I have has had the tip flattened for this very reason. .02
Absolutely. It's not great of them to call it a Phillips when people are then going to reach for some household screwdriver they know to be Phillips with an old design prone to camming out. Certainly safer to just use JIS (or it's replacement) when in doubt, but the one in the tool kit works fine. For me it was light and useful enough to be a keeper, carried it over to the more comprehensive tool kit I pieced together for the bike.