JIS screwdrivers, snake oil?

Having watched the clip on here I learnt about JIS screwdrivers.
Never heard of them in years of faffing about with gears.
Have they genuinely made anybodies life easier?
Only I have a bit of a “tool for the job” fetish and about to press the button on a set.

I have never rounded off any screws on a bike. I’m a proper tool-whore so any excuse for a new toy, but even to me these are a stretch.

I thought about this after seeing the thread last week. I think the better solution is to take the three JIS screws out of the mech when it’s clean, and replace with standard M5 screws with hex key ends. Then you always have the right tool, even on the multitool out on the trail.

Or do what I did and order a set of three Vessel JIS screwdrivers 😆

i wanted to open up my Lumix TZ10 to swap the cracked screen – a youtube video that had great pics of how to do it used a flat blade to undo the JIS fixings “because ordinary philips screw drivers won’t work” – looked to buy a JIS set but only from US and added to cost of screen made repair a waste of money – tried the flat blade no go – tried the smallest phillips style in my $10 (Aus dollars) interchangeable head set from local big DIY store fitted perfectly and job done in 2 minutes

well that’s my experience of must have JIS

Here’s my Hozan #2 supporting itself on the B-Tension screw in an XTR mech, is it magic?….nah, just the correct tool for the job 😉

midlifecrashes – Member
I thought about this after seeing the thread last week. I think the better solution is to take the three JIS screws out of the mech when it’s clean, and replace with standard M5 screws with hex key ends. Then you always have the right tool, even on the multitool out on the trail.

This. Lots of this.

Can’t say I’ve ever had a problem just using Philips head drivers, but there’s nothing wrong with buying more tools, go for it.

Here’s my Hozan #2 supporting itself on the B-Tension screw

I don’t believe you, I think it’s propped up on something out of shot to the left. Go on, go out to the shed again and take the picture properly. Tsk.

Ooooh. That Hozan does look nice……. 😉

I spoke to my brother in law about these today, he works on a lot of honda mower engines and has heard of thrm but hasn’t found a decent philips that works in the screws.. he’s ordered some to try

Many years ago I heard about filing the tip of a PZ2 down and I have not mangled any mech screws since.

I have one of those horzans, it is quite satisfying to use the right tool after years.

Yes I bought a set because it’s impossible not to damage the screw heads on an r1 carb clamp unless you use one. Not expensive. You don’t lean on the mech screws so not really needed and you can use a small flat bladed screwdriver as well can’t you?

In fact my filed down driver is a PH2 not a PZ2

Snap on now do these under the blue point label. Continued use of normal screw drivers in JIS fasteners causes premature wear to the tool and rounding out of the fastener head.

Tell you in a few days to a week, Amazon Delivery times for the Hozan to arrive.

I wish I’d known about them years ago, they;re the reason everyone has a bastard of a time removing float bowls on mikuni carbs, I had no idea 😳

But yeah, everywhere I find them I just remove them. It seems to be a better standard tbh but it’s still not helpful. It’s the way phillips kinda works that makes it a bollocks.

subtle difference, but the devil is in the detail 😉

replace with standard M5 screws with hex key

This, but M4 fit better 😉

Interestingly (or not), some screwdrivers are laid out for both ISO/DIN and JIS. PB swiss tools’ phillips are one example.

I have been using them for a few years as I have a grey import Japanese motorbike. There are subtle differences and when your trying to undo a fiddly screw at the end of an 18 inch screwdriver having the proper tool helps no end in making sure you don’t round out the screw.

You all seem to know what it is.
I’d never heard of it.
So are you saying that all Shimano cross-headed screws are JIS?

That would explain the trouble I used to have with cleat plates on spd pedals.

Never heard of it

I then just googled JIS screws to see what they were

I am now off to explain my reasons to the head of IT

Aren’t you the head of iT?

OH! You’re off to “have a word with yourself”….

I can but dream of fulfilling the full spectrum of STW niches.

I really should have a word with myself more often though….fair point,

That would explain the trouble I used to have with cleat plates on spd pedals.

Had exactly the same thought myself.

For once in my life i’ve been ahead of the curve – JIS screwdriver [/url]

New one on me I have to say.
Can think of quite a few instances where this could have been a factor in sudden screw chewage.