Draftpick1
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Icon bit ratchet/socket set
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Fedwrench
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The original Icon bit ratchet set wasn't really a pass through design unless, you count being able to make a Tee handle by lining up the white dot on the bit ratchet with the rounded edge of the bit extension 
the hole in the bit ratchet was only 1/4 hex so, not much would pass through it.
There are other pics of the updated set on you tube. I saw one where they had a price of $79 and change which seems pricey to me when Kobalt has a similar set that's on sale for slightly less the $20 currently and Dewalt has one that's not as compact for $49.09.
the hole in the bit ratchet was only 1/4 hex so, not much would pass through it.There are other pics of the updated set on you tube. I saw one where they had a price of $79 and change which seems pricey to me when Kobalt has a similar set that's on sale for slightly less the $20 currently and Dewalt has one that's not as compact for $49.09.
KnurledNut
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They should make a G2 bit ratchet with the locking flex head and a short handle to fit the case.
bwringer
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Hell, they should make regular size 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" ratchets with locking flex heads. But that's off the topic somewhat.
KnurledNut
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They are. A whole new line was just showcased at SEMA. Thats what I was referring to. A matching bit ratchet would be great, like this but with the locking flex on the new 1/4 drive:
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mike93lx
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I've used a small bit ratchet a couple times, but only when there was no room for a better tool. I struggle to think of the application for something so relatively bulky when I wouldn't grab either my M12 ratchet or an impact driver. What use case am I missing?
KnurledNut
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You answered your own question in the first sentence...
Andres26tnt
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The original Icon bit ratchet set wasn't really a pass through design unless, you count being able to make a Tee handle by lining up the white dot on the bit ratchet with the rounded edge of the bit extension
There are other pics of the updated set on you tube. I saw one where they had a price of $79 and change which seems pricey to me when Kobalt has a similar set that's on sale for slightly less the $20 currently and Dewalt has one that's not as compact for $49.09.
Woe woe there that's Icon you talking about, innovative release of tools no one else has.
Fedwrench
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Given that they're coming out with like 29 new Gen 2 ratchets, there might be something that fits
Andres26tnt
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None, this bit ratchet cases are overrated. Mine sits and collects dust most of the time.
Beerhippie
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As does mine--until I need it, and then I really need it.
It's like a screw starter in that way. Useless until it's essential.
bwringer
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Ach, I didn't catch that they were, in fact, releasing locking flexies. Nice!They are. A whole new line was just showcased at SEMA. Thats what I was referring to. A matching bit ratchet would be great, like this but with the locking flex on the new 1/4 drive:
I had to scrub around in three or four videos before I found the right moment.
mike93lx
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Thanks. I'll buy one in the next sale
fishwatcher
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If I break a bit (T10) in this Icon set, is that considered a warranty issue? Or is it a wear item?
mike93lx
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They say life time warranty for defects and workmanship, "limitations apply".
Personally, I would not warranty a bit
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PowrKraftsman
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I basically agree, but these are generally younger folks who are often just getting into tools and may not have even been aware of the existence of bit ratchets before this was released by HF. Over exuberant and cringy with the “meme” talk, but it’s good to see young people excited about tools.Thank you for not calling it the meme tool like everyone on reddit. So stupid & annoying IMO.
fishwatcher
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This is why I asked. It’s a life time warranty, but I could see bits being consumable. In this case, this was the first time I used it, and the kit is just a few months old.
Maybe I’m not used to using t10 bits and they are more delicate than I expected. I didn’t feel like I cranked on it.
Fedwrench
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The worst Harbor Freight can do is say no. The individual bits in that set aren't labeled Icon not that should make a difference but, the question is how convenient is it for you to bebop over to Harbor Freight to attempt a warranty replacement? Smaller sized security Torx bits seem fail just by me looking at them so, I would probably pick a bag of them from a different source to have on hand if I used a T10 often. I watched a You Tube video the other day of someone disassembling an Icon Gen 2 locking flex head ratchet with an impact driver using security torx bits. The bits lost every timeThis is why I asked. It’s a life time warranty, but I could see bits being consumable. In this case, this was the first time I used it, and the kit is just a few months old.
Maybe I’m not used to using t10 bits and they are more delicate than I expected. I didn’t feel like I cranked on it.
I have the original one with the T-handle/pass-thru extension, and won't be buying the new one. Firstly, the sockets need to be much lower-profile like the PowerTorque set I got at O'Reilly's, and the T-handle/pass-thru extension was part of what made the set so versatile. For example, I'd tried a couple other things for the family Volvo's PCV that were either too short, too long or were fouling on a fastener on the firewall. The extension gave me a bit of clearance that proved useful. (a 1/4" wobble extension might have worked, but I don't have one that short)
(I actually moved it down a bit from there)
It has been very handy in some tricky spots.
I think it's a warranty issue if you choose to make it one. I also broke one of the smaller bits on a small torx screw that had loctite on it. I was surprised it wasn't turning easily, and tried to force it - probably not the brightest idea for a security bit.
That was a while back and I've just never made the effort to get it replaced under warranty. I really don't want security bits anyway, so I'm tempted to buy a good PB Swiss set (or whatever).
Because with the combination of the flex head, the indexable/pass-thru extension and the ability to extend from the handle itself, it works in spots where a 1/4" ratchet doesn't, especially when you factor in how very-shallow the package can be.
I had a fair number of bits and several different bit ratchets (including a roto-head one I though would finally make it useful) and they never really offered much until I had the Icon. The ability to use it as a T-handle bit driver has come in pretty handy also.
I was riding in a buddy's car to/from a classic BMW show. I am in the habit of traveling with tools, and brought mine just because I'd feel odd not having them for a round-trip of over 1000 miles. About a hundred miles from home, his alternator/water pump belt shredded. I had all kinds of tools but the tensioner for his car was a bit different than mine, and we couldn't get a tool on it - we didn't have great access and the space we needed to get inside of for the tensioner bolt was really tight. Then I remembered I had the little Icon kit. With the extension on the end and one of the low-profile sockets on it, we could just-barely get it set.
I only use it occasionally, but it seems like it's always saving my *** when I do...
fishwatcher
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Thanks for your reply and thanks for everybody else’s reply as well.
A T10 is a tiny bit and in this kit, it’s not a socket. It’s a regular 1/4” bit but the tool side is really small. Good point that it’s a security bit, which is even weaker than a normal bit. I realize now it must not be used with much force, or it’ll break like mine did.
The Icon bit ratchet has plenty of strength and wasn’t the part that broke.
I’ve since read elsewhere, that a typical HF response will be to get me a replacement out of another Icon set. And then they will sell the incomplete set at a discount in an open stock area. HF isn’t far away, and if I can get a free replacement bit, I will. I think it broke more easily than it should have, and I also think I need to be more careful in the future.
Lesson learned.
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it’s hard for me to tell, but that looks like a manufacturing defect. I would expect that guy to twist pretty severely before a brittle failure like that.
Since some bad experiences on Porsches and VWs 30 yrs ago, I’ve been tuned into bit quality. As a weekend carpenter, I’ve been running T15s-T40s regularly, and brutally. I’ve NEVER seen a bit fail like that.
My only hesitation about warrantying it is that you may get the same poor quality bit back again. This is why I think these sorts of sets are suspect.
I'm still not sure why they chose to put security torx in there vs. regular.
mike93lx
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Because they can cover both types with one bit
mike93lx
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I've never broken a bit that small at all, but it does seem like an odd failure. I would replace it with a higher quality one
Useless for most, and makes for weaker bits.
The only time I've ever needed security torx was when I was helping tear down some commercial A/V racks.
mike93lx
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How strong does a little torx bit need to be? These aren't meant for driving decking screws all day
Stronger than the OP's need?
I also broke a very-small one from my kit trying to get the belt clip bolt off of a knife that had a lot more loctite than needed. I did essentially the exact same thing he did - tried it without success, tried harder and broke it. That's (probably) user error as much as anything, but I'm guessing a non-security bit would not have failed, at least as easily.
KnurledNut
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Torx breaks. Its the nature of the beast. Pretty common failure rate. Better quality tooling sometimes helps, but certainly isn’t a failsafe.
fishwatcher
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I was tightening a bike’s hydraulic brake bleed port screw. Too much force and it snapped.Stronger than the OP's need?
I also broke a very-small one from my kit trying to get the belt clip bolt off of a knife that had a lot more loctite than needed. I did essentially the exact same thing he did - tried it without success, tried harder and broke it. That's (probably) user error as much as anything, but I'm guessing a non-security bit would not have failed, at least as easily.
fishwatcher
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Replacing with non-security version would be an upgraded. good suggestion.
All here:
I just realized this entire thread is about a different Icon bit ratchet / socket set. My bad for going off topic. There’s been more than enuff’ said about my little problem here. Thx.
Bits have to be hard enough not to deform, but soft enough not to be brittle and snap. Obviously impact rated bits are designed to be tougher, at the cost of some hardness.
In this case, it looks like the bit was soft enough to deform, but also brittle enough to snap. I agree it is a strange failure. Makes me think there could have been a defect. But of course I have no proof and I'm just a guy speculating on the internet.
In this case, it looks like the bit was soft enough to deform, but also brittle enough to snap. I agree it is a strange failure. Makes me think there could have been a defect. But of course I have no proof and I'm just a guy speculating on the internet.
