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A Philips screw by any other name

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Yep, I bought a JIS driver years ago when I bought my Honda 750. Because they're different from Philips screws. Right? Sort of. Well, maybe. They are, but not much. Heck, it doesn't matter, you can't have too many tools :)
 
Phillips is like Torx, patented and therefore those in the far-east wanted to sell the same thing without paying. I've spec'ed many fasteners, things like pos-drive and triple-square, etc. etc. litter the landscape with slight modifications to Phillips or Torx, and their own name (and no royalties to those lowly Anglo-types).

In the end, the only reason to buy a driver that might have the exact angles to fit a particular screw-head is because you're expecting it to strip (like on my old Suzuki where every fastener needed heat and/or impact just to start), and it will anyway. I prefer pos-drive on my Phillips screws, and if it really matters I'll have spares around without marks from removal.
 
I use the Vessel brand JIS tipped screwdrivers. Very high quality, and they simply do not cam out of the slots the way Phillips tips do. Very tight grip on the screw. Knurled shaft for easy spinning. Hardened tips for long life. Highly recommended.

Hozan makes a set of JIS screwdrivers that are OK quality, but if they are all you have tried then you may not have been impressed or wondered why having a JIS tip is so important. And the set is more expensive then buying just the two sizes needed in the Vessel screwdrivers.

I have a JIS tip for my powered screwdriver. Before getting the JIS tip I would not use a powered screwdriver. But the JIS tip does not cam out like a Phillips, and it is so nice for bottom cover screws.

The Vessel screwdrivers are not expensive. Two sizes are needed for vintage Marantz. They are available from that really big online retailer.

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Randy,
I use those same two Vessel tools as in your picture. I wear out the #2 in less than a year so I have to replace it, the #1 is used much less.

Tom
 
My Wera #2 fits Japanese screws perfectly. I've had it for years now and the tip barely shows any wear.
 
Another vote for Vessel, I use their bits in a Snap-On ratcheting bit holder. The JIS bits actually grab harder on a Phillips screw than the proper Phillips bit too, so if you only have one set of bits or screwdrivers, I'd vote make it JIS not Phillips.
 
tarior said:
My Wera #2 fits Japanese screws perfectly. I've had it for years now and the tip barely shows any wear.
Click to expand...
I agree, I've used this bit to turn small screws to #14 screws without issue...

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I've used my Vessel #1 and #2 on everything for years now and haven't worn out any yet. Anyone whose worked on SAE equipment know they use LOTS of screws.

Craig
 
There were two thread recently about JIS bits. I ended up buying the Vessel drivers and a bunch of bits. I've tossed all my old Philips drivers. JIS works so much better than Philips.

AudioKarma: The Joy of a Japanese Screwdriver
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-joy-of-a-japanese-screwdriver.848453/

AudioKarma: Did you guys see LBPete's thread: "The Joy of a Japanese Screwdriver"
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/did-you-guys-see-lbpetes-thread-the-joy-of-a-japanese-screwdriver.848654
 
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