Ton ton
Well-known member
Are Icon Ratchets decent quality?
Icon Ratchets?
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
The 90 tooth count is nice. The mechanisms work really well if properly lubed. The soft grip handles scuff very easily. Still waiting on a 3/8 flex head.
woody 73
Well-known member
ton ton I found the following link but it is a year old hope it helps you out some:
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
They’re not bad if you get a coupon or open box price deal on them. Pop them open first to make sure they’re lubed up properly. I have a few of them in my box and use them pretty regularly.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I got a Icon 1/2 flex head at the pawn shop new for $5 it goes for $62 regularly they took it as part of a payment for a gun. I use it at work all the guys I work with like it and I do too. Just Harbor Freight at least mine is bad about warranty so I try to have the more important tools like ratchets in something different like Capri and Snap-on and Matco which are my preferred ratchets or the new Craftsman ones. Their ratchets I do feel are worth the money. Any other Icon products? Not really besides the pick set.
Yeah, they had some issues with their flex heads, not sure if it ever got worked out.
I've fondled them in the store. Are they decent quality? Seemed like it to me. Some here really like the swivel ratchets in particular.
I've fondled them in the store. Are they decent quality? Seemed like it to me. Some here really like the swivel ratchets in particular.
They're fine. My 3/8" pear head feels beefier than my Tekton ratchets and has a feel and handle not far off my F80/F80L. It's funny how much of a "different strokes" thing goes on with ratchets - I find my Carlyle ratchets fine-but-not-great, and have a similar opinion about GearWrench.
I really like my 1/4" and 3/8" Icon roto/swivel ratchets.
As noted above, they've had some issues with their flex heads, so I'd skip those (I like roto/swivel better anyway).
I really like my 1/4" and 3/8" Icon roto/swivel ratchets.
As noted above, they've had some issues with their flex heads, so I'd skip those (I like roto/swivel better anyway).
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
.As long as you don't want a 3/8 drive flex head ratchet, they're fine.
merkyworks
Well-known member
I picked up a 1/4 flex on a whim and its really good - and that's comparing to over 2 dozen Dual 80s in my box. The flex joint is a little bulky but otherwise I'd buy more. Best thing is the selector works the "right" way, unlike a lot of the other inexpensive ratchets (yes, that bugs me and I won't buy "wrong" way ratchets any more).
The soft grips do seem to scratch easily but no more so than SO comfort grips. The shanks are a funky "D" shape so I'm not sure how well a SO comfort or hard handle would retrofit.
I'd skip the rotos, though. I have a 1/4 Icon roto that's just OK but I much prefer SO rotos with slimmer heads and less backdrag. I bought a 3/8 roto and took it back - way to much backdrag. My Carlyle rotos aren't much better. SO rules in rotos.
Each Icon I've had has been bone dry, and needed lube.
The soft grips do seem to scratch easily but no more so than SO comfort grips. The shanks are a funky "D" shape so I'm not sure how well a SO comfort or hard handle would retrofit.
I'd skip the rotos, though. I have a 1/4 Icon roto that's just OK but I much prefer SO rotos with slimmer heads and less backdrag. I bought a 3/8 roto and took it back - way to much backdrag. My Carlyle rotos aren't much better. SO rules in rotos.
Each Icon I've had has been bone dry, and needed lube.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
From what I can tell, they seem to be decent, but a bit pricey. I can't imagine they are much different than the other Taiwan-made ratchets from various brands (Tekton, Carlyle, etc.)
While mechanism on the fixed heads pretty good they ruined rest of it by copying snapon too much, that lead to chunky head and awful protruding selector switch .
Roto head is about best of lower priced ones as 90 tooth and about 1" longer than most and can easily strip it to lightly lube and adjust pawl heart spring .
cresent and old gearwrench did best cheap roto head as was a budget copy of snapon mechanism .
Massive ratchet choice these days so something for everyone's taste/budget, hard buy complete useless but HF did manage it with the flex ones lol .
Sad really as lot of potential out of Taiwan for really decent ratchets if putting in bit of selective effort and design thought .
Roto head is about best of lower priced ones as 90 tooth and about 1" longer than most and can easily strip it to lightly lube and adjust pawl heart spring .
cresent and old gearwrench did best cheap roto head as was a budget copy of snapon mechanism .
Massive ratchet choice these days so something for everyone's taste/budget, hard buy complete useless but HF did manage it with the flex ones lol .
Sad really as lot of potential out of Taiwan for really decent ratchets if putting in bit of selective effort and design thought .
milwaukeephil
Well-known member
I bought the 3/8" non-flex and the mechanism feels almost the same as my Snap On Dual 80. Super smooth, almost muted sound. No hollow clackety sound like a Tekton. If I wasn't already set for ratchets I'd probably buy more.
I broke down and picked up a 1/2" non-flex soft grip a while back just to try it. I don't have any complaints per-say, I've not really used it, but I don't get what the hype is/was all about. It's definitely over rated, that's for sure.
I don't have a direct comparison to Snap On in terms of the model/size, but I don't feel like I'm holding a Snap On in my hand either. The weight and definitely the soft grip are different. I could be blind folded in pitch black and tell you which ratchet is what.
Bad ratchet for $40? Eh, time will tell. If I did it again, I'd probably go with Gearwrench.
I don't see myself buying any more Icon ratchets. But I don't own any of their other hand tools yet.
I don't have a direct comparison to Snap On in terms of the model/size, but I don't feel like I'm holding a Snap On in my hand either. The weight and definitely the soft grip are different. I could be blind folded in pitch black and tell you which ratchet is what.
Bad ratchet for $40? Eh, time will tell. If I did it again, I'd probably go with Gearwrench.
I don't see myself buying any more Icon ratchets. But I don't own any of their other hand tools yet.
If this helps - it's not 1:1 for size, but general heft feels similar, head sizes/thickness is pretty similar, etc. between the Icon and SO. I kinda like the additional length of the grip are on the Icon, but something about the end bugs me a little. It's a dark science... (the SO is still my overall favorite handle. Sunex is #2, but the ratchet itself is garbage. Icon is #3 for me on the handle, #2 behind SO overall)
Wrench97
Well-known member
Snap On is the strongest and most costly, Matco is my second choice very nice thinner head design, Tekton is my 3rd choice I bought one for a road service tool bag/home use ratchet and it works very well it too has a thinner head and the flex head has a spring and ball detent doesn't lock like the Matco but also doesn't flop around like the non-locking Snap On.
javyLSU
Well-known member
My experience has been similar to that of other posts in this thread - fixed heads are nice and a good buy for the money. Until HF redesigns the Icon flex head ratchets, the Pittsburgh Pro flex heads are a better buy, even with the bass-ackwards selector switch.
The icon 3/8 fixed head is rock solid, not much different than my f80. While I am a big Tekton guy, the two 3/8 ratchets I have from them are meh. They’re decent, but the actual ratcheting mechanism feels a bit more clunky in the Tekton. Maybe it’s in my head, but it just doesn’t feel nearly as smooth. Does this effect performance? Not really.
As for the 1/4 Icon ratchets, the backdrag on the fixed head one is terrible. I’ve tried lubing it, but it’s just too tense. The same goes for their swivel head ratchet. The Pittsburg pro 1/4 has a much smoother mechanism, and is a better value IMO. For a higher quality 1/4 ratchet, I prefer my Matco 88, or GearWrench 120.
EDIT:
Milwaukeephil wrote:
As for the 1/4 Icon ratchets, the backdrag on the fixed head one is terrible. I’ve tried lubing it, but it’s just too tense. The same goes for their swivel head ratchet. The Pittsburg pro 1/4 has a much smoother mechanism, and is a better value IMO. For a higher quality 1/4 ratchet, I prefer my Matco 88, or GearWrench 120.
EDIT:
Milwaukeephil wrote:
This perfectly sums up what I was trying to say regarding the Tekton ratchet.
Last edited:
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Wasn't the problem with the 3/8" flex head discovered over a year ago. By now I'm sure that problem has been rectified. They issued a recall and replaced the defective ones with something didn't they? Besides they have a lifetime warrantee. This discussion might be of only an historical and not a present situation.
they gave you a refund or choice of any other icon ratchet that non flex as at the time all flex heads were open to return .
Currently they still don't offer a 3/8 flex in ICON brand as far as i'm aware,
only do very poor options on 1/2 and 1/4 drive .
Ridiculous really but it is what it is, poor choice of manufacturer and only real input from HF was on visual design similarities with snapon such as selector switch, roll stamp font and part number format and a fancy rag in the wasteful packaging so you could wipe you buyers remorse tears lol .
There hasn’t been any word on a new Icon 3/8 flex.
I don’t know if it’s a permanent change, but I’ve been seeing Icon ratchets hanging up now without the silly box/cleaning cloth. My tool truck ratchets don’t come with a fancy case, so my harbor freight one certainly doesn’t need it.
I don’t know if it’s a permanent change, but I’ve been seeing Icon ratchets hanging up now without the silly box/cleaning cloth. My tool truck ratchets don’t come with a fancy case, so my harbor freight one certainly doesn’t need it.
I don't have their ratchets, I really dislike that selector lever, and I prefer a quick release if I have a choice. I do have both of the 250 ft lb torque wrenches, and I have been happy with them so far. Used on some suspension/axle work earlier in the year and some lugnuts. So far no complaints.
The flex torque wrench was an open box though, but it was a good enough deal that I couldn't pass it up when they let me use the 10% no restrictions coupon on it.
The flex torque wrench was an open box though, but it was a good enough deal that I couldn't pass it up when they let me use the 10% no restrictions coupon on it.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
I own two and they are fine. Good as any in their price point.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I keep them around to wipe off safety glasses.
Al Borland
Well-known member
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Get the Gold one...
You KNOW you want it!
You KNOW you want it!
jgromada
Well-known member
i have only 1 Icon ratchet, a non-flex 1/4. It is really nice. Has a quality feel and a sweet sound for the gears. I did check out mine and it is properly lubed.
With a 20% off coupon I think they're a pretty good deal. Seems just as nice as my Carlyle ratchets. The comfort handles are different though.
Capri is another option, they're usually a bit cheaper, but no comfort handle option, the head is slightly thicker and they're 75t. Kind of an apples and oranges comparison, but figured it was worth a mention.
capritools.com
capritools.com
Capri is another option, they're usually a bit cheaper, but no comfort handle option, the head is slightly thicker and they're 75t. Kind of an apples and oranges comparison, but figured it was worth a mention.
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The Capri Tools flex-head ratchet has a 180 swivel head, this ratchet is able to reach all those odd angles and tight corners you encounter while working.
capritools.com
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capritools.com
What help are you asking for? That thread identifies a scam site. Seems pretty simple.I have some inquiries if it’s not too much trouble, guide me about this. These inquiries are displayed underneath here
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/pip-hardware.483738/
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