JIS screwdrivers

As 650Ed has so often pointed out, a Phillips screwdriver will too often wreck the head of a JIS screw. Here is a refresher.

www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdriv...ew-all-products.html

Here is a source for the correct screwdrivers . (Links shamelessly taken from the ZRXOA)

www.themechanicstoolbox.com/hozan-4-piec...ips-screwdriver-set/

Here are some more. Notice the group on the right hand side of page includes #1; #2; and #3 sizes. Ed

www.mcmaster.com/#jis-%28japanese-indust...screwdrivers/=x206ws

If you could only have one, for working on the engine, which size would be best?

#2...unless I had converted to allen heads for the bulk of the motor screws

A #3 is what you need for the starter clutch and engine covers ........ I saw a JIS Vessel on Amazon that is a impact and screwdriver combo ...... on Ebay too but a little higher.... gotta admit I cheated for now though and used my sears impact and a reg #3 bit that fitted better than the couple of reg #3 drivers I have.

Converted to mostly all allen heads a long time ago so I'm being cheap and worked with what I have.

I have ground down the tips of DeWalt #2 and DeWalt #3 Phillips to make them fit JIS screws. The large crosshead screws on the cases take modified #3 bits (or genuine #3 JIS bits). To modify the DeWalt bits you need to grind the very tip a little, then test fit, then grind a little more and test fit, etc. until the bit no longer "rocks" back and forth in the screwhead. Picture 1 below shows how a DeWalt #3 bit fits the case screws of my KZ650 after being ground properly. The #2 DeWalt bits can be modified the same way to fit smaller JIS screws. Pictures 2 and 3 below shows DeWalt #2 and #3 modified bits.

I did find a place that sells authentic JIS bits. They don't list the #3 bit, but if you contact them they can provide the #3 JIS bits even though they are not listed on the website. These folks were very easy to work with, and the authentic bits do work great. Here's their site:

www.rjrcooltools.com/shop_item_detail.cfm?subcat_ID=89

Pictures 4 & 5 below show a comparison between my home made modified bits with the authentic JIS bits.

PICTURE 1

PICTURE 2

PICTURE 3

PICTURE 4

PICTURE 5

I have done just what 650Ed shows, and it works wel.

I just got one of these off fleabag, 17$, #3 jis tip. They are available in #1 & #2 also, build quality is awesome.

Yes indeed - Vessel makes quality screwdrivers. Ed

Much simpler and nicer looking to just change out to SHCS's
The heads of stock screws also strip out due to the inferior quality of steel used back in the 70's regardless of screwdriver tip used.... :ohmy: .
To each their own

ezrider714 wrote: The heads of stock screws also strip out due to the inferior quality of steel used back in the 70's regardless of screwdriver tip used.... :ohmy: .
To each their own

Since learning about JIS drivers I have never had any damage to the stock screws. Some of them had never been removed in more than 30 years and were stubborn, but unlike Phillips screws they simply don't deform if the correct tip is used along with a little Kroil when necessary. Personally, I'm no fan of the allen type screws, but that is mainly because they were on the BSA I had and the previous owner had stripped out many of the threads in the engine I'm sure if they had not been over-torqued they would have been fine. As you say - to each his own. Ed

RJR is probably a small potatoes operation, so before ordering anything, ask if the desired tools are in stock. Otherwise, the guy will send a partial order, but the invoice will not reflect the missing tools & you will not receive an email indicating that the order is incomplete --- then hope he sends the missing stuff. Good luck getting timely replies to emails. Needless to say, I wouldn't buy anything from RJR again.