Icon 1/4 ratchet issue, anyone else? (Updated/resolved)

[Billgluckman]

::edit:: I exchanged the original ratchet, the 2nd ratchet had the exact same problem. I exchanged that ratchet and it seems like 3rd times a charm. The selector is nice and firm.:::


I’ve had the 3/8 and 1/2 icon ratchets for a while and love them. Recently bought the 1/4 and after a few weeks the “reverse switch”(??) will move slightly and lock me between gears (tighten/loosen).

is this a common issue on these? The other icon tools i own have been great.

 

[KomatsuTech]

I’ve had the 3/8 and 1/2 icon ratchets for a while and love them. Recently bought the 1/4 and after a few weeks the “reverse switch”(??) will move slightly and lock me between gears (tighten/loosen).

is this a common issue on these? The other icon tools i own have been great.

I've had the 1/4" drive short ratchet for a year or so with rather frequent use each week. I haven't ever had any issues with it. It might need some lube or something else is going on with it. I never had to clean or lube mine yet. If you're close to a Harbor Freight I'd probably just swap it out for a new one, that's probably what I would do...

 

[Billgluckman]

I’m going to swap it this weekend. I feel like I’ve read of this problem happening to someone else, that’s why I asked. If it’s a common problem I was think maybe go ahead and exchange the ratchet but buy something else too. I use 1/4 a lot.

If you’ve had no problem, maybe I just got a bad ratchet. I really do love the other icon tools I’ve purchased.

 

[Mr_B]

was an issue on the 3/8 with it jamming up and got recalled, simply exchange and hope it better.
The icon ratchets are not particularly special ...

 

[KomatsuTech]

I’m going to swap it this weekend. I feel like I’ve read of this problem happening to someone else, that’s why I asked. If it’s a common problem I was think maybe go ahead and exchange the ratchet but buy something else too. I use 1/4 a lot.

If you’ve had no problem, maybe I just got a bad ratchet. I really do love the other icon tools I’ve purchased.

Yeah I haven't even had a hiccup with mine. It may just be a bad one. Heck I had a Snap-On ratchet do something similar 2 or 3 days after I got it off the truck. He just handed me a new one.

 

[KomatsuTech]

was an issue on the 3/8 with it jamming up and got recalled, simply exchange and hope it better.
The icon ratchets are not particularly special ...

They serve well for me. I have the short 1/4 at work and long flex 3/8 and 1/2 at home. They take a beating.

One main reason I got the Icon was the length was the shortest I could find at the time without getting a truck brand, and it helps there's a Harbor Freight a 5 minute drive from work.

 

[Billgluckman]

was an issue on the 3/8 with it jamming up and got recalled, simply exchange and hope it better.
The icon ratchets are not particularly special ...

Ive owned several “cheaper” ratchets and for the price im very happy with them. I’ve never found a ratchet that had special qualities lol.

like the guy above said I’ve gave my 3/8 and 1/2 a tough time and no issues yet, and these are all flex head.

 

[Mr_B]

^
try a new koken or high-five super-ten design ratchet.
The ICON good for price could get them at with 20% coupon. I don't like thickness of head and I don't like protruding selector.
Easy warranty and local retail stores is the big plus .

 

[Hammer1963]

Not as of yet. It seems that a lot of fine tooth ratchets surfer from this. I generally have found that by disassembling said ratchets, cleaning them thoroughly and then lubricating with a thin machine tool oil, Marvel Mystery oil air tool oil, that the problem goes away. Just my experience

 

[Billgluckman]

I exchanged the ratchet, haven’t used the new one yet. I gotta say hf was extremely easy to deal with on the warranty, just grab a new one and sign the receipt.

I’m in the market for flex head ratchet wrenches and while I’m sure icon probably isn’t the best for the price but the ease of exchange has me considering them.

 

[Zewnten]

Harbor Freight exchange policy is where it's at outside tool trucks. Tire shop near me bought the extended warranty on 5 x 1" extended anvil impacts and every year he swaps them out, pays for the new warranty and moves on with his life. Told me the IR's they previously used only lasted a bit longer and the HF's were much cheaper in the long run.

 

[Billgluckman]

Harbor Freight exchange policy is where it's at outside tool trucks. Tire shop near me bought the extended warranty on 5 x 1" extended anvil impacts and every year he swaps them out, pays for the new warranty and moves on with his life. Told me the IR's they previously used only lasted a bit longer and the HF's were much cheaper in the long run.

Yeah man I don’t understand the harbor freight hate. Hassle free warranty and their Pittsburgh Pro and Icon line are solid tools.

 

[Billgluckman]

Just updated the thread in case anyone is having similar issues. Harbor freight warranty is so easy to deal with. Yes it took 3 ratchet but I’ve had zero issues with the others I’ve purchased in the past.

if you’re having a problem with a HF ratchet just go swap it. They will give you no problems.

 

[Mr_B]

^
yeah they had some great value in pitts pro bremen doyle and icon .
ease of warranty for anyone from diy to trade use is as easy as it gets currently.
personally I would expect warranty will get harder as it simply no viable hand them out like candy for 2 or 3 decades lol, and history shows the trend of tough warranty and tool manufacture swap outs to shite you wouldn't want swap to anyhow .
My 1 rule in HF is QC items in shop and pick what seems best of the bunch and then check it fully in parking lot before you leave and any dislikes go straight back in for a swap or refund if lost the appeal .
Main issue currently is ICON fairly spendy as lot of it same as many other taiwan tool brand offering and the range in ICON is pretty minimal sloppy effort, I only bought a few select items such as the long pattern combo ratchet wrenches as they high-five and unique to icon currently plus professionally I will get more than my moneys worth out the warranty in next few years .
Don't see much appeal in the ICON socket ratchets, roto heads only ones I consider bit better over other similar offerings but current pricing means they not far off the price of some serious better options such as facom, koken, ktc and better taiwan ratchets such as super-ten based designs .

 

[Max]

Yeah man I don’t understand the harbor freight hate. Hassle free warranty and their Pittsburgh Pro and Icon line are solid tools.

I think that you answered your own question. The warranty is great, but it took you three tries to get a good one. Fine for a weekend kind of guy that doesn’t mind multiple trips. But not so good if a broken ratchet keeps you from making money…

 

[Billgluckman]

I think that you answered your own question. The warranty is great, but it took you three tries to get a good one. Fine for a weekend kind of guy that doesn’t mind multiple trips. But not so good if a broken ratchet keeps you from making money…

I’m full time in a collision shop, my ratchets get used all day every day. I keep a back up ratchet so it’s not a big deal. All ratchets fail at some point with daily use, gotta have a back up.

 

[Mr_B]

I think that you answered your own question. The warranty is great, but it took you three tries to get a good one. Fine for a weekend kind of guy that doesn’t mind multiple trips. But not so good if a broken ratchet keeps you from making money…

I been in the trade over 35 years and quite simply a basic hand tool like a ratchet, wrench, socket, screwdriver never makes a difference in making the money if it breaks, you got other options, you got friends and so forth .
Now move on to shop equipment like lift, diag kit, tyre bay equipment, air supply and even computer system and internet and that can pretty much halt you 100% yet we don't piss and moan about lifetime warranty on the tyre machine and diag kit that costs thousands yet a 40 buck ratchet MUST have lifetime warranty or we be out of business !!!
Biggest wasted day I had is down to no phone line and main internet. I wouldn'y loose a dime of work if 6 of my ratchets bust all on same day .

 

[Billgluckman]

I been in the trade over 35 years and quite simply a basic hand tool like a ratchet, wrench, socket, screwdriver never makes a difference in making the money if it breaks, you got other options, you got friends and so forth .
Now move on to shop equipment like lift, diag kit, tyre bay equipment, air supply and even computer system and internet and that can pretty much halt you 100% yet we don't piss and moan about lifetime warranty on the tyre machine and diag kit that costs thousands yet a 40 buck ratchet MUST have lifetime warranty or we be out of business !!!
Biggest wasted day I had is down to no phone line and main internet. I wouldn'y loose a dime of work if 6 of my ratchets bust all on same day .

100%. And if the tool truck brand ratchet breaks is it easier to warranty than harbor freight? I’d bet 90% of mechanics could swap their tool out at HF much faster.

But I get it, I plan to buy a big brand ratchet. I’m not knocking them.

 

[Mr_B]

100%. And if the tool truck brand ratchet breaks is it easier to warranty than harbor freight? I’d bet 90% of mechanics could swap their tool out at HF much faster.

But I get it, I plan to buy a big brand ratchet. I’m not knocking them.

Fastest for me is Napa, they bring me replacement as soon as delivery in my area or with my next parts order which generally means couple hours as long as they stock it, HF means special trip but it as fast as you want make it to store .
Tool trucks can be slow, my MAC guy good mainly as his address means he's past my shop morning and evening almost daily and he old school guy and happy give you good support.
Snapon could be couple weeks or as fast as online offers .
You don't get a stellar personal service with all tool trucks and debatable if worth paying the premium purely if basing it on 'service' IMO ...