First impression of ICON G2 ratchets
- Thread starter visionguru
- Start date
I'm not worried about testing the warranty, I know they'll do it. 1/4", not 3/8.
Wrench97
Well-known member
The dark spots are old damage, the lighter areas are what just broke with the 10mm socket.
LOL. there's a reason 30 years ago most 1/4 drive ratches were like 125mm
Definitely disappointing to see. Can’t say I’ve seen a failure like that on any ratchet from any brand, really. I’ll be charitable and chalk it up to a manufacturing defect. Thanks for sharing @Callelle
On an aside, if HF really wanted to compete, they should sell the individual repair kits like SO, Matco, etc. That way the user can keep a spare kit in their box to repair their ratchet in the field and keep working, and then just bring the broken repair kit to be exchanged. Would likely cut down on the cost of warranty exchanges for HF too.
On an aside, if HF really wanted to compete, they should sell the individual repair kits like SO, Matco, etc. That way the user can keep a spare kit in their box to repair their ratchet in the field and keep working, and then just bring the broken repair kit to be exchanged. Would likely cut down on the cost of warranty exchanges for HF too.
More parts to manage/stock/track - I'm sure they've done the math. For the price, you can keep a backup and still have another ratchets worth of money left over vs. SO.
But I doubt there are many working pros who don't have a ratchet they can work with until they can swing by HF to swap out for a new one.
1/4" drive isn't that strong. It's a very little gear, with tiny teeth, and a tiny square drive. Snap on's is probably the best you can make this and theirs is only good for 90ftlbs. With a 12" ratchet, all of us could probably shear that anvil. We could probably do it with a 9" ratchet.
This is just more supporting evidence for my theory that we should spend more for 1/4" drive (choose higher quality) than 1/2" drive.
If you can break a 1/4" drive with a 1' handle and 100lbs applied load, it would take a 7' handle to shear a 1/2" drive with the same applied 100lbs.
Cmon, we’re talking three whole parts to manage/stock/track! Im sure Harbor Freight—a store with thousands and thousands of different items—could handle adding three ratchet repair kits to stock.
Assuming they even considered selling repair kits, I’m guessing they didn’t want to open the whole can of worms that would be having people repair their own ratchets. Too much that could go wrong, especially in the hands of the inexperienced.
I got a chance to put some of my G2s to work doing timing chains, water pump, and an exhaust manifold on my wife's Equinox and they were a pleasure. Very light backdrag, the locking flex made working in awkward spots easier and they handled rusted exhaust fasteners with ease. The G1 ratchets are decent, way better than my late 90s Craftsman that I suffered through using for 20 years but the G2 is a huge step up.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I've got one G2... The long 1/4 drive. I've gotten to use it a few times, and I rather like it. Got it during the black Friday 40% off sale. Definitely helpful for tight access areas where you still need some oomph to crack things loose.
Also want to get the long 3/8 and 1/2. I've got no complaints about anything Icon I've picked up.
Also want to get the long 3/8 and 1/2. I've got no complaints about anything Icon I've picked up.
Last edited:
3baygarage
Well-known member
Snap-On'll put hair on your chest. Harbor Freight gives you hair in your shopping cart wheels.
It's not likely limited to the new G2 (e.g. the original Icon series, etc.) and it's over 1600 stores. These guys don't even have a real online store for singles/etc. - hell, they don't even offer their full product line on their website.
To be clear, I agree it is something they should offer - order online and ship them in the cheapest USPS padded mail - but they pretty clearly have a way they run things, and I have to think it's driven by efficiency/cost.
I have an older Snap On 1/4" ratchet.
It seems about as wimpy at the US and import Cmans I have. Not a lot of metal there to work with. If a 10mm was pulling hard with any small ratchet, I'd give up and find something more beefy to use, if at all possible (it usually is)
No interest in the 1/4 G2 for these reasons. 3/8 G2 pretty nice and going to get 1/2 locking flex head (next sale)
It seems about as wimpy at the US and import Cmans I have. Not a lot of metal there to work with. If a 10mm was pulling hard with any small ratchet, I'd give up and find something more beefy to use, if at all possible (it usually is)
No interest in the 1/4 G2 for these reasons. 3/8 G2 pretty nice and going to get 1/2 locking flex head (next sale)
Why would anyone want to rebuild a ratchet when they can get a brand new replacement for free?
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I use the Bremen “F” type for clamping my glued projects. Works greatNot directly related, but the HF Bremen spreader clamps are *perfect* for keeping the brake pedal depressed when needed... And at a bit of a better price point than an $80+ ratchet. The cheaper Pittsburg ones work as well, but the Bremen's are nicer.
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I bought a 1/4” one , I like it but I haven’t put it through much heavy duty use yet.
I got a 1/4" and 3/8" when they first came out:
Through a few jobs, including a full suspension replacement on the family Volvo, a couple oil changes, etc. I'm very happy with them, though I'd really like to see shorter versions of both.
Today or tomorrow is rear brakes on the family Mazda, and guessing one or both will see some action there.
Through a few jobs, including a full suspension replacement on the family Volvo, a couple oil changes, etc. I'm very happy with them, though I'd really like to see shorter versions of both.
Today or tomorrow is rear brakes on the family Mazda, and guessing one or both will see some action there.
Why would anyone want to rebuild a ratchet when they can get a brand new replacement for free?
I think it’s wasteful to junk an otherwise-functional tool when you can simply repair the failed component.
Beyond that you can have an extra repair kit in your toolbox and repair your ratchet right then and there and keep working, instead of having to return to the store to warranty the entire ratchet. The repair kit can be warrantied at the users convenience.
I got a 1/4" and 3/8" when they first came out:
Through a few jobs, including a full suspension replacement on the family Volvo, a couple oil changes, etc. I'm very happy with them, though I'd really like to see shorter versions of both.
Today or tomorrow is rear brakes on the family Mazda, and guessing one or both will see some action there.
I have the same G1 ratchets and like them a lot. The backdrag in the 3/8” is a little high but the mechanism is so smooth, it’s very nice to use. Very strong too, I put a massive pipe on it once out of desperation at the junkyard and the ratchet held up fine. The yoke spread a bit and it became floppy so I put a shim washer in there and it’s better than ever.
I’m sure the G2 ratchets are an improvement but I never thought the G1 models were lacking for much.
Fair point but tools seem like everything else now days - constantly changing.
Making and maintaining multiple designs stock for a $6 repair kit, costs the company money, maybe more than simply tossing out another complete unit, when needed. Now days the ratchets come with padded handles, that might be worn as well.
One would hope every professional (and amateur) tech in existence, could somehow make it through the day, without a particular ratchet, but now days, who knows?
I agree that it would likely be cost and logistically onerous to stock rebuild kits and single sockets and wrenches. Sadly, however, until that happens I don’t think they will be seriously considered as a competitor to the trucks.
Why would anyone want to rebuild a ratchet when they can get a brand new replacement for free?
I’d much rather have a kit sitting in my drawer ready to go that have to stop what I’m doing and waste two hours driving to Harbor Greight in hopes they have the ratchet on the shelf to exchange.
It’s much the same with sockets and wrenches. If I break or lose a socket, I’d greatly prefer walking into the store, picking up the single item I need, and paying for it when the alternative it having together up and being the whole set in or wait for a manager to break apart a perfectly good set to give me one piece.
I can walk into my local lumberyard or ACE or farm store and buy a single socket or wrench at anytime. Zero reason they can handle it and HF can’t.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Because the don't want to for shelf space and other various reasons. Eric seems to be doing well with his current business model. And, by the way, I've got three Harbor Freight stores within 20 minutes from me with one 5 minutes from me as it's in the same strip mall as L. A. Fitness where I work out everyday so exchanging things, which I've never done as I haven't broken any ICON tools, would not be a problem for me.
The nearest HF to me is 25 minutes away, but then again so is anything else other than a local parts store.
I’ve had to warranty two Icon purchases, both Torx sockets. It’s not a particularly horrible process, it’s just very inefficient. I’d much rather walk into, grab what I need, and walk out. As it is, a warranty exchange is a 2 hr process by the time I clean up, drive there, deal with the manager, and drive home.
Such, however, is life. I don’t hate HF, and I think they and ICON serve a purpose.
You only own one ratchet and nothing to use in it's place for one day?
No sure why that matters, but Ok.
Wonder how many of the singles get stolen?
Even though Ace hardware is literally an "apples to oranges" comparison, Maybe HF finds it easier to just open a set and sell what's left at a "discount". They seem to be making money, so I'm not really in any position to call them out on their business practices.
You can order any replacement socket or wrench from a set and HF will ship it to you for free.
I'm sure that's a piece of it, but I think even beyond the inventory/logistics piece they are also trying to keep floor-space tight.Wonder how many of the singles get stolen?
I'm inferring all of this, but I really think this has come from an analysis on their part and is all pretty intentional.
I still think there should be an "ITC Pro" program that offers Tekton-style warranty replacement, easy ordering for singles and other technician-aligned benefits. Wouldn't take much on their part to implement, and would answer the (very-valid) points @liliysdad and others have made. (and could offer rebuild kits for sale online-only too)
I don’t think that what HF is doing is wrong in any way, nor do I think they have made the decisions they have haphazardly. I am absolutely sure they make sense from a fiduciary standpoint, and it’s obviously working for them.
At the same time, I don’t think this negates the validity of the complaints made by me and others. Both things can be true.
At the same time, I don’t think this negates the validity of the complaints made by me and others. Both things can be true.
When the HF stores first opened, the one in my area did carry at least some single sockets. I can't remember if they had a full lineup, but they definitely had singles of 1/2 drive metric impact sockets as I bought several of them. I also agree that as a tool store they should have singles, but the few HFs that I've been in are relatively small and are in older strip malls. If they kept the single sockets, it'd cost them 5%? of their shelf space for low margin products that probably rarely sell.
I used the new 3/8 locking flex to set the perfect angle to easily remove the oil drain plug on the Highlander. (lying on the floor)
Went to remove the filter with the housing tool - rats!, it's half inch! Screw around to find adapters ratchet to fit up in there, looked a lot easier with a flex ratchet. Next big sale, I'm getting a 1/2 locking flex.
Eccentric on the cheap.
Went to remove the filter with the housing tool - rats!, it's half inch! Screw around to find adapters ratchet to fit up in there, looked a lot easier with a flex ratchet. Next big sale, I'm getting a 1/2 locking flex.
Eccentric on the cheap.
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,352
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,352
You cheap, son of a *****!
Seriously tho, the G2 flex heads are good and I’m a major tool snob:
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Which one is the bottom one in the pic?
1/2"
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Just looked online and didn't see a locking flex in 1/2", just a regular flex.
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,352
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Gotcha. For some reason, I thought it was a metal handle, not comfort grip (and realized I never mentioned that out loud). Guess it is just so long the grip was out of the picture.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
That's one thing I like about some of the tool truck stuff. Snap On will replace the shank in your screwdriver; I like that so all the handles in the set still match and there's not one brand new handle. Saw a video where they repaired a ball joint press cup by replacing the clip inside it. Another where they replaced a circuit board inside a 12v tester. I know they do it to save money but it's got a nice environmental factor as well.
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
Been using my new 3/8ths 20" for a bit now and decided to open it up to lube it a little. Found that it looks like the design has been updated perhaps from early G2 releases? Mine has a snap ring inside holding down the anvil and the ring is fitted into a groove inside the head. I've seen previous G2 tear down/review videos and I've not seen the snap ring configuration in any of those.
Other than the snap ring being in place, the rest of it looks the same. I was surprised to see it when I opened up the ratchet.
Pic of the inside. (apologies for all of the reflections, I just lubed it with a combo of militec and a little bit of superlube mixed together.)
Other than the snap ring being in place, the rest of it looks the same. I was surprised to see it when I opened up the ratchet.
Pic of the inside. (apologies for all of the reflections, I just lubed it with a combo of militec and a little bit of superlube mixed together.)
Last edited: