The Truth About Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Screwdrivers

[SpudRider]

The following article at WebBikeWorld shatters the myths regarding JIS screws and screwdrivers. ;)

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

[jbfla]

Interesting article, Spud.

Should I throw out my 2 sets of JIS screwdrivers and set of JIS bits? :lol:

I have lost track of all the stripped screws I've replaced on TW200s and their carbs.

The common practice on TWs is to replace any you come across with socket head or hex head bolts. I don't think there is a phillips or JIS screw anywhere to be found on my TW.

Correction...the 2 screws on the front brake reservoir are still jis screws....:doh: ...don't think I could find a replacement at the time.

jb

[SpudRider]

...Should I throw out my 2 sets of JIS screwdrivers and set of JIS bits? :lol: ...

jb

Of course not. ;) However, if you compare a modern Phillips screwdriver to your JIS screwdrivers, I doubt you will see much difference. ;) I own five metric motorcycles, and I have never stripped a screw with my modern Phillips screwdrivers. :tup:

In fact, since 2008, most screwdrivers being sold as JIS screwdrivers are probably modern Phillips screwdrivers. You might enjoy reading the following statement from Vessel Tools. ;)

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/view-all-products.html

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 screwdrivers. Because the technology to manufacture screwdrivers in Japan had already become above a certain level, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) recognition system for screwdrivers became extinct in 2008.

So there is no authorized JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) manufacturer now, and we therefore cannot print "JIS" mark on our screwdrivers.

[SpudRider]

Here is a photograph from the WebBikeWork article, showing a Wiha Phillips screwdriver juxtaposed with a Hozan JIS screwdriver. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/100K%20Kilometers%20on%20Zong/number-1-phillips-vs-number-1-jis-screwdriver-tip_zpsdqriaini.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/100K%20Kilometers%20on%20Zong/number-1-phillips-vs-number-1-jis-screwdriver-tip_zpsdqriaini.jpg.html)

[BlackBike]

Solution: get rid of them

Thanks for the post/article, read it. Stripped mine with driver, always in a hurry. May change to Allen's have lots of spare hardware.

[Tranberg]

The Placebo effect of using JIS screwdrivers vs Phillips scredrivers on my Suzuki is so strong that I will keep on using JIS exclusively.

[Tranberg]

Reading the Webbikeworld article to the end, it is clear that tjhere is a clear difference between a run-off-the-mill Phillips screwdriver and a Japanese screwdriver or other quality scredriver meeting the latest DIN standard which is much closer to JIS than the old DIN standard.

The debunking is not a debunking.

[Rich+PRCBike]

This was really good, and I have two conclusions:
1. You do not need to search for "JIS" to buy a screwdriver
2. There is a huge quality difference - and Vessel produces some awesome screwdrivers

I bought a Vessel #2 driver marked JIS last year and use it for everything, thinking it's magic was the JIS spec. However now I think I just have a precision tool which was well worth the price.

Next I need to buy some driver bits for the drill. I was going to switch to square bits for my carpentry, but I think a quality Phillips bit will be a better answer. I cannot find Vessel on Amazon so perhaps Dewalt or Makita.

[SpudRider]

The Placebo effect of using JIS screwdrivers vs Phillips scredrivers on my Suzuki is so strong that I will keep on using JIS exclusively.

Reading the Webbikeworld article to the end, it is clear that tjhere is a clear difference between a run-off-the-mill Phillips screwdriver and a Japanese screwdriver or other quality scredriver meeting the latest DIN standard which is much closer to JIS than the old DIN standard.

The debunking is not a debunking.

I never said it was a debunking. :shrug: Indeed, it is always good to read until the end of the article. ;)