why the screws strip

[novaraptor]

I've been following a thread on another forum about JIS (japanese industry standard) screws. I was thinking, "hey, does everyone but me know about this?" Well, turns out not so. Using search on this forum, I find a lot of references to them, mostly of the "get rid of 'em" kind, but not much on why they strip out so often. This is a link to a fairly good read on the cause. Seems that JIS screwdrivers are rarer than Santa wearing his suit in July. (just had to work something in there for the red and white riders...)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tools/jis-screwdrivers/

[Bminder]

Great info.
I was just wondering yesterday if a guy could grind the tip on a regular Phillips down, but now I see that wouldn't work.
Probably worth investing in these JIS screwdrivers.

[Pat Conlon]

Yeppers, for our FJ's RPM Randy's carb kit is highly recommended, even with the carbs addressed you still you have to deal with the fine thread JIS screws on your bar switch/throttle assemblies..

I have a Miata and those pesky JIS buggers are all over that car....here's what I use: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=553679

[Bminder]

Randy went through my carbs and put the allen heads on and it makes removing the bowls soooooo easy.

[JoBrCo]

I've been following a thread on another forum about JIS (japanese industry standard) screws. I was thinking, "hey, does everyone but me know about this?" Well, turns out not so. Using search on this forum, I find a lot of references to them, mostly of the "get rid of 'em" kind, but not much on why they strip out so often. This is a link to a fairly good read on the cause. Seems that JIS screwdrivers are rarer than Santa wearing his suit in July. (just had to work something in there for the red and white riders...)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tools/jis-screwdrivers/

Actually I bought a set before starting on my bike, "this time around."  The US phillips stripped the heads, "last time around," the JIS actually allow me to remove most of the ones that were damaged.  It was a good purchase, as I have many metric phillips originating in Japan.

FJ Forever!   

JoBrCo

[the fan]

I have a complete set of these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-(japanese-industrial-standard)-screwdrivers/=u1y0p5

Worth every penny.

[JoBrCo]

Yes, I guess I should have left a link huh?   

I picked up #8770

Here you go.


FJ Forever!   

JoBrCo

[novaraptor]

JoBrCo and Pat, thanks for the links. One forum I was reading says that someone found a set of three for as much as $145.00!
Apparently, on the larger screws, one can grind down a regular phillips driver and get a good seat, but the smaller screws virtually require the proper bit, due to the much more demanding tolerances. I agree that the best thing is probably to replace them whenever possible, but in order to replace them, ya gotta get 'em out first..

[ribbert]

PH screw drivers do not conform to a standard shape. I have several out of a dozen or so that are a great fit. They are not specifically JIS but just happen to fit perfectly so you might just find one that does the job at your local hardware store.

Noel

[jscgdunn]

I have the vessel set...they are very good tools.

Jeff

[JoBrCo]

I have the vessel set...they are very good tools.

Jeff

Yes, I agree, the Vessels are sweet tools, magnetic tips, and the knurled area allows for speed extraction once loose.  And the fit is oh so perfect, "like a virgin, unscrewed for the very first time." Feels good in the hand too.    


FJ Forever!  


JoBrCo

[anson45]

I bought a set of three from Vessel shortly after seeing them in Motorcycle Consumer News. Expensive but worth it.
Anson

[mikedastonfj1100]

JoBrCo and Pat, thanks for the links. One forum I was reading says that someone found a set of three for as much as $145.00!
Apparently, on the larger screws, one can grind down a regular phillips driver and get a good seat, but the smaller screws virtually require the proper bit, due to the much more demanding tolerances. I agree that the best thing is probably to replace them whenever possible, but in order to replace them, ya gotta get 'em out first..

its easy to get the stripped ones out... Just use a dremmel.... Or a drill bit for aluminum... Just big enough to cut the head off... Once u have the bowl off the shaft of the screw will back out with ur fingers...

[JoBrCo]

JoBrCo and Pat, thanks for the links. One forum I was reading says that someone found a set of three for as much as $145.00!
Apparently, on the larger screws, one can grind down a regular phillips driver and get a good seat, but the smaller screws virtually require the proper bit, due to the much more demanding tolerances. I agree that the best thing is probably to replace them whenever possible, but in order to replace them, ya gotta get 'em out first..

its easy to get the stripped ones out... Just use a dremmel.... Or a drill bit for aluminum... Just big enough to cut the head off... Once u have the bowl off the shaft of the screw will back out with ur fingers...

Actually, while they were still pretty good, not stripped, I used a brand new pair of visegrips with really sharp teeth, together with my US Philips screwdriver, before I got the Vessels of course, it left teeth marks in the head of the screws, but it worked like a charm at preserving what was left of the JIS screw slots for future use.  They are on the bike as we speak.

The trick was to use them in unison.

FJ Forever!  

JoBrCo

[~JM~]

The Japanese Industrial Screw or JIS does require JIS screwdrivers. The Phillips is an American design that was first used in the production of Cadillacs.
http://caddy500.com/index.php?topic=1537.0
The main difference between the two designs is that the Phillips is designed to prevent the operator from over tightening the screw by allowing the screwdriver to cam out of the "hex". The JIS "hex" is designed with the intent that the skilled operator will know when to stop tightening.

JIS screwdrivers can drive Phillips headed screws without problem, but not the other way around.

I picked up a JIS screwdriver set, along with some impact tips off of eBay for not a lot of money. You can feel the difference the first time that you use a JIS screwdriver. It really grips the screw "hex" very well & allows you to apply a large amount of torque without stripping out. If you own a Japanese bike that you plan to work on, you should purchase two things. An accurate Service Manual & a set of JIS drivers.

Good luck