JIS screws

[Ivan]

FWIW,

I fly RC helis and know from them that the "phillips" head screws on stuff originated in Asia is rarely a true phillips screw. They are called JIS, or Japanese Industrial Standard screws. Having the right tool for the job really does make a difference. The fit of the JIS drivers in the heads is much better, allowing more torque without slippage and resultant destruction of the screw.

Here is where I got the set for my helis, and they are finding their way to the bike more and more:

JIS drivers clicky

All that being said, I think any type of crosshead screw is pretty well worthless, and I am replacing everything I can with socket head screws.

[prometheus578]

Take a "tip" from me.

I know there's differences in Phillips screws and the drivers to match them.
It's too late... and I'm too tired to to provide more details, but... as much as I love Craftsman tools.... a Mac Tool's #2 phillips screwstick will take out a screw on these bikes better than a Craftsman's #2 will.
Different points... and that's the "tip" of the day.

[Geezer]

I've found that a dry wall screw driver bit in a magnetic screwdriver will take out some of the smaller JIS Phillips head screws just fine.

I have have some long #2 bits I bought years ago that work great on them but I'm not sure where I got them. I've found that if I pound them into a stuck screw with a couple hammer blows, the screw comes right out.

Geezer

[prometheus578]

'course, there's always the old valve lapping compound trick.
Put a little lapping compound on the screw head... the grit bites in and the screwdriver is less apt to slip and strip the screwhead.
The screws holding down master cylinder covers are notorious for "freezing' in place and stripping.

[Ivan]

Yes, the valve grinding compound. Had to use it along with the hammer and finally a cutoff wheel to make the screw slotted, just to get the #4 carbonmaker off the rack for cleaning and kitting.

I suppose a #4 JIS would have done the trick well, but I only have a #3.

I am going to replace them with some nice sockethead cap screws. and some blue loctite to keep the corrosion out. At least with the socket heads, I can get a 1/4 impact on it.