Dropped $85 on a JIS screwdriver set and it saved a Nikon FM2 from the trash

A guy brought in a Nikon FM2 a couple weeks ago that someone else had already worked on. The screws on the bottom plate were chewed up bad, looked like they'd been hit with a Phillips that didn't fit. I used to just push through that kind of thing until I stripped one and had to drill it out, which is a nightmare on a camera this old. Back in January I finally bought a proper JIS set from a tool shop in Portland, cost me $85 with shipping, and I kept second guessing myself about it for a month. Turns out those cross head screws on old Japanese cameras are not Phillips at all, and the JIS tips grab them like they were made for it. Got all four bottom screws out clean, no drilling, no damage to the plate. Customer picked it up Friday and said the last place quoted him $200 just to open it up. So yeah, 85 bucks felt steep at the time but it paid for itself on one job. Anyone else here switch to JIS and notice a difference, or do you just grind down your old drivers?

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gracelane14d ago

Did you ever try grinding down a regular driver first? My buddy did that for years on his old Pentax and swore it worked fine until he finally cracked and bought a JIS set, now he won't shut up about it.

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