Borrowed A Screwdriver From A Mate And Learnt A Lesson

[YosemiteZed]

Well for many years I always cursed the Phillips screws on the Zed (Back in 1972 we used to say cheap Japanese S##t )

But I now stand to apologise on this issue

I was around a a mates place and went to work on the zeds carby and borrowed his screwdriver

it was tight and I said this was the first time it came out easily and unlike many times before I did not burr the head

 

I mentioned this to him and was informed that the japanese had there own Philips head screwdriver standard.he also said that the screws of this type were not just on the carbys but throughout the car

What a revelation but he also commented that most Bike mechanics and car mechanics that work on imported cars should know this

 

I was in the electrical trades for 30+ years and I have never seen a tool stockist carry them

He advised me to get the JIS #2 screwdriver but a quick look on Ebay most sellers are from the USA

 

So now I have to get another couple to join my 20+ other screwdrivers but I believe they will be worth it as this issue has given me grief many times

To view the difference check out the link

 

 

Cheers

Phil

Edited April 24, 2016 by YosemiteZed

[gav240z]

Great tip, I had no idea either! That's why I always try and avoid undoing screws and if possible use a socket or ratchet (not always available).

 

I almost feel like this should be a pinned topic, perhaps there is other small tips and tricks like this that would help newbies - but also more experienced folks who just didn't know these things! 

[PB260Z]

Thanks for posting this.

 

I have one phillips No.2 size screwdriver that has always felt much better to use than any of the others in my kit.

I have no how it came to be in my toolbox, maybe it is a JIS spec one ?

 

I will now be getting myself a set of JIS spec ones, Can't have too many tools

 

Cheers

 

PB

Edited April 25, 2016 by PB260Z

[Retro Z]

Also try the screwdrivers with the metal cap on the end of the handle which allow you to give it a whack with a hammer. Helps loosen the screw/bolt real easy.

 

And in places with decent access i always get a pair of good vicegrips on the outside of the screw first to get it moving before i get onto using the screwdriver.

[gav240z]

On topic.

 

http://revlimiter.net/store/jis-screwdrivers.php

[nizm0zed]

many years under my belt in the trade and i had never heard of this. a good excuse to buy more tools!!!
(as if i need and excuse haha)

 

edit, nice link gav, those transformers would be worth a bit now, used to have soundwave and all his cassette bots when i was a kid...

Edited April 25, 2016 by nizm0zed

[gav240z]

many years under my belt in the trade and i had never heard of this. a good excuse to buy more tools!!!

(as if i need and excuse haha)

 

edit, nice link gav, those transformers would be worth a bit now, used to have soundwave and all his cassette bots when i was a kid...

 

I've actually been looking at that guy's blog / website because he does a lot of custom gauge work. That's for another project though .

[EJ101]

blow me down, you learn something new every day.

A perfect excuse to add more tools to my collection

[1600dave]

Likewise, never heard of this. Lashed out and bought a set, have been using them to remove and replace the dash, and they are great ! A few stubborn screws, they came out easy with the new screwdrivers where they would previously have been a pain.

 

Thanks for the tip !

 

I got this set, bit exxy to basically get three JIS screwdrivers, but if it saves stress and damaged screw I reckon its worth it. Two of them are impact drivers, so doubly useful.

 

https://rhinotools.com.au/product/jis-vessel-screwdriver-set/

Edited April 30, 2016 by 1600dave

[GongZ]

Thanks for the tip YosemiteZed (pun intended)

 

Here is a cheaper option, without the impact function;

Hozan JIS-4 JIS Screwdriver Set From Japan

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hozan-JIS-4-JIS-Screwdriver-Set-From-Japan-/301817605680?hash=item4645bb2e30:g:w2gAAOSwnipWZCoL

 

 

About AU$35 including postage.

Edited April 30, 2016 by GongZ

[George]

Thanks Ian. Just bought a set. Will report back.

[GongZ]

I ordered a set too George, or can I call you u***h (250))?

 

Cheers

s***9( 409)

Edited April 30, 2016 by GongZ

[PeterH]

Rhino tools must wonder what has happened...Mine arrived on Thursday.... 45 years in the fitting and machining trade and the only JIS I had heard of was hydraulic fittings.

Now that we know how to remove and refit fit them without hurting them...does any one know where you can get the original carbie float bowl screws..... Phillips head are easy to find but not the " cross head " type. I've tried my Nissan dealer but no go.

[1600dave]

Another nice feature of the Rhino ones (vessell brand) is that the top 40mm of the screwdriver shaft, just below the handle, is knurled to make it easy to get the loosened screw out by spinning the shaft rather than the handle. I just love nice tools ! Or perhaps I'm just used to having cheap and nasty ones........

Edited May 1, 2016 by 1600dave

[neRok]

Very interesting. Do they still use this standard?

[YosemiteZed]

My son has a 370Z and he had trouble undoing some screws on the valance (again head blurring and difficult to remove) and he is no butcher

When I talked to him he had a look at what he did and said that the JIS would have been a better fit and was also now going to purchase a set

I also know that the Miatas (Mazda) promote using these drivers

Also my mate that advised me of this uses these on his bike which is only 6 years old

This is a Japanese Standard and therefore is relevant to their manufacturing in Japan only

 

 

Cheers

PHIL

Edited May 2, 2016 by YosemiteZed

[1600dave]

Out of curiosity, I tried one out on a few screws on my 2001 MX5, they seemed to like the JIS ones better as well.

[YosemiteZed]

Apparently the smaller the screw it becomes more evident the difference between the normal Philips head as it will definitely cam out the head

That's why it was quite good to use and evidently better using the Jis when I used the driver on the carby

On large screws the normal Philips will suffice unless really rusted up and then you can get into trouble again (rusted screws on a zed who on earth has those)

Cheers

Phil

Edited May 2, 2016 by YosemiteZed

[GongZ]

Out of curiosity, I tried one out on a few screws on my 2001 MX5, they seemed to like the JIS ones better as well.

 

It seems to me that the information in this thread suggests a 'rule of thumb' that could be applied when working on old Datsuns. i.e.;

Unless you are sure what type of screw you are dealing with** - try a JIS screwdriver first.

(** - I have read that only some JIS screws have the punch mark)

 

I say this because, as originally described by YoseMiteZed, a Phillips driver should not be used for a JIS screw - but a JIS driver fits a Phillips screw quite well.

 

I created this drawing showing incorrect driver/screw combinations. Note that it is not based on any particular screw or driver size and may exaggerate the difference marginally.

Also notice that the Phillips screwdriver shown is smaller (and would wiggle = backlash?) than the JIS driver to allow it to cope with the 'squarer' internal corners of the JIS screw.

 

Edited May 2, 2016 by GongZ

[YosemiteZed]

Thanks Gongz for extra input and balance to this thread

Not all screws have the dimple On the head

For instance the wire hose clamps that are rampant throughout the zed have the dimple stamped on the flat screw tension plate as I never took any notice before but after being enlightened this would have been unnoticed and therefore the Philips head would have been thought to be sufficient.

 

My approach now is try the Jis first as it fits all especially around the carbies and instruments which generally have the #1 and #0 as the profile allows it to go deeper into the screw head also

Also another option for a new starter with this kit

https://rhinotools.com.au/product/jis-screwdriver-kit/

CHeers

Phil

.

Edited May 2, 2016 by YosemiteZed

[YosemiteZed]

Well I would like to put my last input into this topic

These drivers are great and fit correctly

 

Because I have a donor car with the door cards off and total access I decide to run my new JIS screwdrivers across all parts of the car

Total use of the driver sizes on the screws were:

 

#3 almost 60% on doors / panel screws / motor areas

#2 about 40% of the above

#1 and #0 electrical and instruments

 

Therefore for a suite of JIS drivers to suit the Datsun I would ensure the package has

#3 ; #2 ; #1 ; # 0

As there has been a lot of interest in this small topic I think Gavin your suggestion to pin this topic is worthwhile

Cheers

PHIL

[PB260Z]

Therefore for a suite of JIS drivers to suit the Datsun I would ensure the package has

#3 ; #2 ; #1 ; # 0

Cheers

PHIL

Thanks for this post - reinforces my decision.

The set I ordered contains all of these. Hopefully they will be sitting on my desk when I next get into the office.

Just love getting new tools.

Edited May 5, 2016 by PB260Z

[Enzo]

Another thank you to Phil. I also purchased the Rhino tools 12 piece JIS screwdriver set. $48.00 plus $10.00 postage. Excellent product.

Regards David.

[GTI-Z]

And more thanks to Phil.  I also purchased the 12 piece Rhino Tools set, but I saved the $10 on postage and picked them up in person.  Apparently they had sold about half a dozen sets in the week after the first posting in this thread.

 

Nice to be able to pick up a screwdriver and not have to worry about stuffing up the screw heads.

 

Brad

[gav240z]

I capitulated and bought a set too! Sick of rounding out screws.