Ikon ratchets lack QR feature

[Tonymanx]

I can see that HF is trying to compete with higher end tools.
I find it ridiculous that there doesn't seem to be any Ikon ratchets with the Quick Release feature. This is important because my employer requires the wearing of cut proof gloves. My Snap-on ratchets hold sockets so well, that a screwdriver is sometimes needed to pop sockets off.
I ended up buying 3 different Tekton ratchets. Sold some of my Snap-on ratchets without QR, on Facebook Marketplace. Snap-on dealer wasn't interested in taking my non QR ratchets in trade. Was happy one of the Tekton was 51, Snap-on was 170.

 

[Tynee]

I prefer QR too, but a lot of guys on here hate it.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I used a QR ratchet for the first time in probably 20 years yesterday. I couldn't figure out why the damn extension wouldn't go on the ratchet. I examined it and found the button.

It was in a pinch, otherwise I use my Dual80s, which are all non-QR. I definitely prefer those.

 

[dnschmidt]

The quick release weakens the drive end due to the hole in the drive end required for the mechanism. I'm not a quick release type of guy and I think the tool companies that avoid these are likely due to avoiding warrantee issues.

 

[whateg01]

Well of course they don't have any qr ikon ratchets. They don't have any ikon anything!

 

[zendriver]

Not too hard to believe if there was actually a market for it, they would offer some.

Personally, I don’t never remember using one in my life, other than that craftsman quarter inch

 

[PWC Repair]

WHAT? I always use quick release. I will chuck a ratchet to the back 40 if it holds so tight I have to pry a socket off. I will also chuck one if the socket randomly falls off right as I get to that impossible to access bolt! Only ratchets with a release button here!

 

[cody1325]

When the ages of your sockets, ratchets, and related tools range from 1950 something to last-month-ish (whenever HFT had those Icon 3/8 General Service sets for like $100); some may not even have detents; and seems like some sockets like to get stock on some ratchets in particular. Quick release usually solves that problem immensely.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Given a choice, I almost always choose quick release; there was a time in my life on some ratchets without quick release. We're dropping my socket at exactly the wrong time and then I had to fish it out of wherever it fell.

That said, I don't remember dropping any sockets accidentally off any of my snap-on ratchets and alternatively, I've not had problems removing sockets from my snap-on ratchets.... And lately, lost any sockets on my other ratchets that are also not quick release, but I also use them much less often now and surely not in the weird places I used to use them.

 

[Kurt4440]

The answer is to have both quick release ratchets along with locking extensions and universals, but, also have standard ratchets.

 

[Kurt4440]

Given a choice, I almost always choose quick release; there was a time in my life on some ratchets without quick release. We're dropping my socket at exactly the wrong time and then I had to fish it out of wherever it fell.

I agree
Rusty nuts and bolt heads go well with locking extensions and quick release ratchets.

 

[T444e]

The only QR ratchet I have is a CDI torque wrench. The QR is one of two things that irritate me with it as I just try to pull the socket off, fail, and have to think about it for a few seconds and then remember to push the button. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have not had an issue with sockets coming off non-QR ratchets.

 

[bonneyman]

My S-K roundheads never had QR - I never missed it. Then I discovered the Craftsman/Easco RHFT - and got all three drive sizes! If I had a roll away tool box they'd both be in the ratchet drawer side-by-side. No complaints here!

 

[whateg01]

My S-K roundheads never had QR - I never missed it. Then I discovered the Craftsman/Easco RHFT - and got all three drive sizes! If I had a roll away tool box they'd both be in the ratchet drawer side-by-side. No complaints here!

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

 

[Ohio Andy]

The only QR ratchet I have is a CDI torque wrench. The QR is one of two things that irritate me with it as I just try to pull the socket off, fail, and have to think about it for a few seconds and then remember to push the button. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have not had an issue with sockets coming off non-QR ratchets.

I have the opposite problem, I might be trying to press a non existent release button it just depends on which ratchets I have been using lately.

I am always annoyed when I leave a socket behind; more likely to happen on a dirty, damaged, or rusted bolt. Happens much less than it used to.

Same problem when using bit drivers. Is the bit retained? I own things that can trap / retain a bit so it does not stick on the fastener, but most do not. Especially with higher torque and certain fasteners this is often an annoyance as well. I see this far more often with bits than sockets.

 

[T444e]

I am always annoyed when I leave a socket behind; more likely to happen on a dirty, damaged, or rusted bolt. Happens much less than it used to.

I've been known to hammer sockets onto rusted fasteners more than once. Usually fractional sockets onto metric fasteners. Sockets coming off the ratchet is not a typical problem for me. The typical problem is the fastener stuck in the socket. Unfortunately, threading the fastener into the hole is not sufficient in aiding the removal of the fastener from the socket. Thank goodness for punches and presses.

 

[KnurledNut]

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

The basic Craftsman pearheads were no comparison to the RHFT double pawl design that had action of 70, 82, and 90t.

 

[bonneyman]

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

 

[FigN⋅m]

The quick release weakens the drive end due to the hole in the drive end required for the mechanism. I'm not a quick release type of guy and I think the tool companies that avoid these are likely due to avoiding warrantee issues.

Eh.
If the QR was the weak point smashing on a stuck bolt, the wrong tool was used.

 

[KnurledNut]

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

I thought that was one of the better new releases Ideal brought to market.

 

[whateg01]

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

If I didn't have a couple of fine tooth Stanley ratchets with very small heads, I might try to see if there is a lot to swap the internals of those craftsman but I have tekton ratchets so I don't really need to.

 

[Wamsutta]

I remember having a round head Proto Chalanger ratchet with the quick release.

The button was more of a pin than a button. It used to hurt my thumb to press it.

Got rid of that ratchet eventually.

 

[Mr_B]

Who cares about ICON ratchets, the market full of ratchets, many that are better and cheaper.
QR ratchets are a useful feature for long extensions and working in situations dropping things is a not wanted scenario .
locking extensions compliment QR ratchets, Some of best sensible price nice design QR ratchets can be found in the superten ratchet design out of taiwan .

 

[i84x]

I prefer QR too, but a lot of guys on here hate it.

I really don’t get the hate. QR is better in just about every situation i have ever used a ratchet in.
I used someones none QR ratchet at work not long ago and hated it, the sockets constantly needed prying off with a driver except when i really didn't want them to come off and they would snare on bolts and fall off at a slight pull.

 

[lardy1]

I don't mind QR but I usually forget about it and try to remove the socket before I'm reminded it's a QR. I have many of each and don't really consider it until I'm frustrated by my own lack of memory.

 

[bonneyman]

I don't mind QR but I usually forget about it and try to remove the socket before I'm reminded it's a QR. I have many of each and don't really consider it until I'm frustrated by my own lack of memory.

Yeah, I have the same problem with my TV remote. I keep hitting the channel button only to figure out later the dang thing was set to the DVD player!
I miss the good ole days when kids were the TV remote. The dad would say, "Change the channel" and one of the kids got up and turned the knob on the TV. Things were simpler back then.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Yeah, I have the same problem with my TV remote. I keep hitting the channel button only to figure out later the dang thing was set to the DVD player!
I miss the good ole days when kids were the TV remote. The dad would say, "Change the channel" and one of the kids got up and turned the knob on the TV. Things were simpler back then.

it takes 9 months for me to create one, then a couple years to program it....

 

[AEAdam]

Wow wow wow. I’d be looking for better cut resistant gloves not downgrading my ratchets. I’d probably wrap my sockets with electrical tape to create a little ridge before I sold Snap on ratchets at a loss to buy Tekton.

I have one Icon ratchet and a drawer full of Snap On. The Icon I have is fine but nothing whatsoever to write home about. Dual80s are special ratchets, especially when they have some hours on them.

Another option might be the addition of a very short locking extension.

I’d think harder about this.

 

[Tonymanx]

Wow wow wow. I’d be looking for better cut resistant gloves not downgrading my ratchets. I’d probably wrap my sockets with electrical tape to create a little ridge before I sold Snap on ratchets at a loss to buy Tekton.

I have one Icon ratchet and a drawer full of Snap On. The Icon I have is fine but nothing whatsoever to write home about. Dual80s are special ratchets, especially when they have some hours on them.

Another option might be the addition of a very short locking extension.

I’d think harder about this.

I have no choice but to wear the gloves that the company provides. I believe it's a requirement of their Workers Comp carrier.
I sold 2 Dual 80s at a profit. The Tekton is 72 tooth with the comfort handle. Only negative with the Tekton is that the mechanism isn't sealed, like Snap-on is.

 

[whateg01]

Yeah, I have the same problem with my TV remote. I keep hitting the channel button only to figure out later the dang thing was set to the DVD player!
I miss the good ole days when kids were the TV remote. The dad would say, "Change the channel" and one of the kids got up and turned the knob on the TV. Things were simpler back then.

Yeah and if they didn't you could beat the snot out of them! With a remote, you're left with just throwing it across the room. Can't do that with - oh, hmmm...

(I am not advocating for abuse of children or remotes!)

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have no choice but to wear the gloves that the company provides. I believe it's a requirement of their Workers Comp carrier.
I sold 2 Dual 80s at a profit. The Tekton is 72 tooth with the comfort handle. Only negative with the Tekton is that the mechanism isn't sealed, like Snap-on is.

The two Tekton ratchets I have (1/4 and 3/8) have noticeably more back drag than my dual 80s.

 

[Tonymanx]

The two Tekton ratchets I have (1/4 and 3/8) have noticeably more back drag than my dual 80s.

Understandable. A product that costs 3 times as much is expected to be superior.
No tape allowed on tools. We make bottles for food and drugs. Can't risk contamination in the resin stream. First aid kits have bandages that contain metal particles. If it comes off your hand and ends up inside or part of a bottle, a metal detector kicks that out.
No wood handles either. But wood pallets are somehow ok.

 

[AEAdam]

Understandable. A product that costs 3 times as much is expected to be superior.
No tape allowed on tools. We make bottles for food and drugs. Can't risk contamination in the resin stream. First aid kits have bandages that contain metal particles. If it comes off your hand and ends up inside or part of a bottle, a metal detector kicks that out.
No wood handles either. But wood pallets are somehow ok.

Do you need sealed ratchet heads? How does that work? I’ve seen these little rubber finger tips that might help. Could maybe wear them over your cut resistant gloves?

My middle kid works as a printer. They have rules and cultures that are just plain stupid, but no one can do anything about it. Management doesn’t listen to the workers and he’s pretty frustrated by it. Hang in there. Thanks for doing what you’re doing.

 

[Tonymanx]

Do you need sealed ratchet heads? How does that work? I’ve seen these little rubber finger tips that might help. Could maybe wear them over your cut resistant gloves?

My middle kid works as a printer. They have rules and cultures that are just plain stupid, but no one can do anything about it. Management doesn’t listen to the workers and he’s pretty frustrated by it. Hang in there. Thanks for doing what you’re doing.

No, don't need a sealed ratchet. Just mentioned that to honestly compare
Tekton to Snap-on.
Probably can't use rubber finger tips. Nothing allowed in production area that could end up in product. A foreign object is grounds for a customer refusing the entire shipment. That's why our ear plugs are connected by a string. No shirts with pockets allowed. Rules are annoying, but I realize the reason behind them.

All in all, the QR ratchet is the best solution. And no worries about loosing a socket into the bowels of a machine.

 

[M635_Guy]

Generally not a fan of QR ratchets. I find them kinda fiddly, and while I don't tend to really crank my ratchets, my understanding is the QR mechanism makes the ratchets less-strong. If I'm in a situation where I need to switch sockets a lot, I generally just run multiple ratchets (I know that's sorta silly, but it keeps me moving)

The Icon line tends to focus on the sweet spots, and QR isn't really in that category.

 

[Wamsutta]

The FHR80 is $176.50.

One 16 ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese is $6.90.

You can buy 25 blocks of sharp cheddar cheese for the cost of one Snap-on quick release ratchet.

Which would you rather have?

 

[Kurt4440]

I generally just run multiple ratchets (I know that's sorta silly, but it keeps me moving)

It is certainly not silly, I do the same thing.
I use multiple: ratchets, cordless ratchets and impact guns.