Cross-screw size on Pentax bodies

scorpioh · 04-12-2015, 08:25 AM

Hi, I couldn't find any information on this anywhere - probably it was never discussed but I am trying to find out what kind of screw driver can I use to remove the tiny cross screws found on Pentax bodies and grips. I have a few of them rusting and hoping to clean or replace them. Incidentally, I tried removing one with a #0 micro screwdriver but it seems too big for the screw. And I also wonder if by any chance, the screws are actually lock-tited? Kind advise me. Thank you!

**jatrax** · 04-12-2015, 08:32 AM

The heads are JIS not Philips. So you need a JIS driver. I don't remember the size but also I do not think they are all the same. And at least on older bodies the screws were 'locked' with varnish or some similar material.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-12-2015, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

The heads are JIS not Philips

You beat me to it, but just as well as I couldn't remember what they were called, but knew they weren't Philips.

**jatrax** · 04-12-2015, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

You beat me to it, but just as well as I couldn't remember what they were called, but knew they weren't Philips.

JIS is the source of much frustration since it looks quite like a Philips or cross head but it is not. And using a Philips driver on them is a sure way to strip the heads.

I don't remember what size they use, and when I was doing lens repair I believe several different sizes were used. So to the OP if you intend to work on such gear, best you get a good set of JIS in various sizes. A good lens spanner and a collection of tweezers, forceps, pliers and dental probes are also useful.

Not a Number · 04-12-2015, 10:30 AM

Yes, get a set of JIS drivers. The most common size drivers I end up using on camera bodies and lenses are #00 and #000. The most obvious difference is that Philips screws are slightly rounded in the center of the slots whereas JIS are straight with sharp corners in the center area. There are other differences in the angle of the cut but these aren't as obvious visually.

Philips drivers can easily strip the slots on JIS screws - I guess Philips are designed to cam out to prevent over torquing the screws. Works both was and they'll cam out on tight or locked screws too.

JIS drivers are compatible with Philips screws though.

Racer X 69 · 04-12-2015, 10:56 AM

This link has a perfect explanation of the differences between the standard Phillips screw heads and the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screw heads. They also sell the correct screwdrivers for both (I am not endorsing them, simply found them on the interwebs).

Phillips And JIS Screw Heads Explained

tvdtvdtvd · 04-12-2015, 11:55 AM

I have a set of those Moody drivers and they are well worth the money. I got my set from Amazon, and I think
I paid a little more than the link above. Highly recommended.

**marcusBMG** · 04-12-2015, 12:12 PM

You can also get JIS screw tips to fit Starrett jewellers screwdrivers.I got mine from micro-tools europe.

**pacerr** · 04-12-2015, 03:16 PM

Cross-head screws - a caution:

There's a lot of useful info in the Articles section of PF.

**pentaxus** · 04-12-2015, 06:59 PM

Micro-tools doesn't seem to have crosspoint drivers anymore. The Society of Photo-Technologists (SPT) sells blades that are compatible to the "traditional" Niwa screw driver handles.

**boriscleto** · 04-12-2015, 07:21 PM

Micro-tools is out of stock on the 5-piece set with the nice plastic handle. But they have stock of the steel handle set.

Screwdriver, JIS Type S Set, 5Pc Steel

But this doesn't help the OP because they are in Singapore...

scorpioh · 04-13-2015, 02:25 AM

Thanks so much to everyone all the very helpful and friendly advice! I have certainly learnt a lot. The SPT drivers seem promising. Any idea where to find the replacement screws? Else, I can probably order it through my local distributor.

04-12-2015, 08:25 AM	#1
scorpioh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	Cross-screw size on Pentax bodies Hi, I couldn't find any information on this anywhere - probably it was never discussed but I am trying to find out what kind of screw driver can I use to remove the tiny cross screws found on Pentax bodies and grips. I have a few of them rusting and hoping to clean or replace them. Incidentally, I tried removing one with a #0 micro screwdriver but it seems too big for the screw. And I also wonder if by any chance, the screws are actually lock-tited? Kind advise me. Thank you!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax screw mount lens on Digital cameras?	skipbleecker	Welcomes and Introductions	15	12-11-2015 09:27 AM
Autofocus of DSLR Lenses on Pentax Film Bodies	UlrichSchiegg	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	24	04-28-2014 01:25 PM
Lenses mountable on Pentax APS-C bodies?	tripodquest	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	32	12-10-2013 11:42 AM
Monopod: 3/8" adapter screw stuck on the 1/4" screw !!	jpzk	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	29	04-22-2012 08:00 PM
standard screw size on some mounts?	ripit	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	03-14-2012 09:23 PM

04-12-2015, 08:32 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	The heads are JIS not Philips. So you need a JIS driver. I don't remember the size but also I do not think they are all the same. And at least on older bodies the screws were 'locked' with varnish or some similar material.

04-12-2015, 09:28 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by jatrax The heads are JIS not Philips You beat me to it, but just as well as I couldn't remember what they were called, but knew they weren't Philips.

04-12-2015, 09:33 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Kerrowdown You beat me to it, but just as well as I couldn't remember what they were called, but knew they weren't Philips. JIS is the source of much frustration since it looks quite like a Philips or cross head but it is not. And using a Philips driver on them is a sure way to strip the heads. I don't remember what size they use, and when I was doing lens repair I believe several different sizes were used. So to the OP if you intend to work on such gear, best you get a good set of JIS in various sizes. A good lens spanner and a collection of tweezers, forceps, pliers and dental probes are also useful.

04-12-2015, 10:30 AM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Yes, get a set of JIS drivers. The most common size drivers I end up using on camera bodies and lenses are #00 and #000. The most obvious difference is that Philips screws are slightly rounded in the center of the slots whereas JIS are straight with sharp corners in the center area. There are other differences in the angle of the cut but these aren't as obvious visually. Philips drivers can easily strip the slots on JIS screws - I guess Philips are designed to cam out to prevent over torquing the screws. Works both was and they'll cam out on tight or locked screws too. JIS drivers are compatible with Philips screws though.

04-12-2015, 10:56 AM	#6
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,067	This link has a perfect explanation of the differences between the standard Phillips screw heads and the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screw heads. They also sell the correct screwdrivers for both (I am not endorsing them, simply found them on the interwebs). Phillips And JIS Screw Heads Explained

04-12-2015, 11:55 AM	#7
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	I have a set of those Moody drivers and they are well worth the money. I got my set from Amazon, and I think I paid a little more than the link above. Highly recommended.

04-12-2015, 12:12 PM	#8
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	You can also get JIS screw tips to fit Starrett jewellers screwdrivers.I got mine from micro-tools europe.

04-12-2015, 03:16 PM	#9
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Cross-head screws - a caution: There's a lot of useful info in the Articles section of PF.

04-12-2015, 06:59 PM	#10
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Micro-tools doesn't seem to have crosspoint drivers anymore. The Society of Photo-Technologists (SPT) sells blades that are compatible to the "traditional" Niwa screw driver handles.

04-12-2015, 07:21 PM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Micro-tools is out of stock on the 5-piece set with the nice plastic handle. But they have stock of the steel handle set. Screwdriver, JIS Type S Set, 5Pc Steel But this doesn't help the OP because they are in Singapore...

04-13-2015, 02:25 AM	#12
scorpioh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 182 Original Poster	Thanks so much to everyone all the very helpful and friendly advice! I have certainly learnt a lot. The SPT drivers seem promising. Any idea where to find the replacement screws? Else, I can probably order it through my local distributor.