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Ikon ratchets lack QR feature

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dnschmidt

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Joined
Oct 3, 2014
Messages
7,284
Location
Phoenix, AZ
My reason for not liking quick release ratchets is rather unique. Eclatorq makes a digital angle gauge that must be placed on the back of a ratchet's head. Here's an example: https://steelmantools.com/products/...bHnSnQ7R48I6EtBCTIiEAO60yWH_d1iXzJh8UMxiJBvGZ Now, I pay a third of what this cost from Steelman and a fifth of what Proto and SBD's brands charge for this tool as I'm an Eclatorq distributor. But the point is that the button on the back of QR ratchets prevents this tools magnet from sticking to the back of the head so it can't be used with QR ratchets.
 

dnschmidt

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Joined
Oct 3, 2014
Messages
7,284
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Snap-on should sell coffins !!
I'm sure they would if you were willing to pay the 5X Snap-On rate over the normal coffin rate. Someone should bring this up at the next shareholder meeting. For a nominal surcharge they might be willing to have a Snap-On truck deliver it to the burial site.
 

JradM

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Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
1,819
Location
Alberta
Until I read these comments, I didn't know QR/non-QR was something I was supposed to feel so strongly about.

I'm simply not that biased towards either. I have both styles and honestly never gave it much thought.
  • I might grab a non-QR ratchet if it's extra-long and I'm going to reef on it, or if I need the thinnest possible head.
  • I've also used enough QR ratchets that I don't find myself confused about why a socket won't come off.
  • I suppose there have been times when I went to pull a socket off with oily glove-wearing hands and wished a non-QR ratchet had a button so it was easier.
None of those make enough difference that I would switch to one style exclusively.
 

mikey03

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Joined
May 17, 2024
Messages
2,136
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. 😁
if I’m eating that much cheese you better save some money for a few rolls of toilet paper

to the topic of the day, I don’t like quick release because I think I’m more likely to disengage and drop a socket than save a bit of time taking sockets off.

if I was doing alot of quick socket changes to use in open access places I won’t risk getting stuck I might buy some QR ratchets but I think non QR are better.
 

milky2k

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Joined
Mar 25, 2022
Messages
208
Location
Los Angeles CA
I've been searching for a good flex head ratchet with QR and I wish HF would offer one but I doubt they ever will. I have a SO flex head and get frustrated trying to remove sockets especially with greasy hands so I just leave the socket on there and grab another ratchet. I picked up a Tekton flex head and it's okay but I wish it was a smooth flex instead of having detents. I also picked up a Husky flex head with the intention of removing the locking/detent feature and making it a smooth flex but I doubt I need a way to fit some shims or spring to create some friction. Not many choices for a smooth flex with QR. Koken and Snap On are about the only ones from what I can find but I was hoping for something around Husky price instead.
 

whateg01

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Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
11,389
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
I'm sure they would if you were willing to pay the 5X Snap-On rate over the normal coffin rate. Someone should bring this up at the next shareholder meeting. For a nominal surcharge they might be willing to have a Snap-On truck deliver it to the burial site.
Man! Can't take it with you, huh? You thought! Imagine having to cough up your weekly payment while being dead!
 
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Twisted Sid

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Joined
May 23, 2013
Messages
770
Location
CA
I've been searching for a good flex head ratchet with QR and I wish HF would offer one but I doubt they ever will. I have a SO flex head and get frustrated trying to remove sockets especially with greasy hands so I just leave the socket on there and grab another ratchet. I picked up a Tekton flex head and it's okay but I wish it was a smooth flex instead of having detents. I also picked up a Husky flex head with the intention of removing the locking/detent feature and making it a smooth flex but I doubt I need a way to fit some shims or spring to create some friction. Not many choices for a smooth flex with QR. Koken and Snap On are about the only ones from what I can find but I was hoping for something around Husky price instead.
Why not remove the detent from the Tekton?
 

milky2k

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Joined
Mar 25, 2022
Messages
208
Location
Los Angeles CA
Why not remove the detent from the Tekton?

If you remove the detent on the Tekton or the Husky then there is nothing to hold the head in place, it will be completely loose and flop around. The SO has a recess for a split ring that provides friction to keep the head in place. I would need to find a way to do the same on the other two (make a recess on the head and fit a split ring) or find some shims to keep the head in place but still allow movement. I don't think I have enough material on the Husky to drill out some material but maybe the Tekton does. I need to test if I can even drill out a hole and fit a split ring. I don't really want to ruin a working ratchet. I've put this on the back burner for now. If anyone has suggestions I am open. Thanks
IMG_20260630_171846509_HDR.jpgIMG_20260630_171941718_HDR.jpg
 
OP
T

Tonymanx

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Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Messages
51
Location
Naugatuck
If you remove the detent on the Tekton or the Husky then there is nothing to hold the head in place, it will be completely loose and flop around. The SO has a recess for a split ring that provides friction to keep the head in place. I would need to find a way to do the same on the other two (make a recess on the head and fit a split ring) or find some shims
Thanks for the pictures.
Maybe wave washers from Ace or True Value ? I've solved all sorts of problems at the local hardware store
 

AEAdam

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Joined
May 27, 2023
Messages
2,781
Location
SE PA
Until I read these comments, I didn't know QR/non-QR was something I was supposed to feel so strongly about.

I'm simply not that biased towards either. I have both styles and honestly never gave it much thought.
  • I might grab a non-QR ratchet if it's extra-long and I'm going to reef on it, or if I need the thinnest possible head.
  • I've also used enough QR ratchets that I don't find myself confused about why a socket won't come off.
  • I suppose there have been times when I went to pull a socket off with oily glove-wearing hands and wished a non-QR ratchet had a button so it was easier.
None of those make enough difference that I would switch to one style exclusively.
I think not discussed is the fact that a lot of us hold our ratchets backwards, head in our palms, fingers rotating the handle back and forth. It’s a technique you may use and not even think about.

And I think some guys do it, and find the reverse lever or QR button interferes so they say “I hate that ratchet”. We don’t ever discuss specifically why, but I think this is a factor.

Just getting a ratchet into position, I often am touching the head, right behind the socket, right where the QR button would be.

Some of this is also effected by if the ratchet is a flex head or not.

I agree with the OP: what I love about Snap on is that the joints are tight. But especially for 1/4” drive, that can mean it’s a bit tricky to get sockets off the ratchets in some circumstances. I get it. I get why he needs QR. Also get why there are strong opinions against QR.
 

liliysdad

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Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,420
I keep seeing references to having to pry sockets off of Snap On ratchets. I have never experienced this...not once, from 1/4 to 1/2 drive. Sockets go on and off without issue, but never come off unless I want them to. My sockets are comprised of Snap On, Williams USA, GearWrench, and a few Icon...they all fit just fine.

Maybe I'm just not greasy enough.
 

Twisted Sid

Well-known member
Joined
May 23, 2013
Messages
770
Location
CA
If you remove the detent on the Tekton or the Husky then there is nothing to hold the head in place, it will be completely loose and flop around. The SO has a recess for a split ring that provides friction to keep the head in place. I would need to find a way to do the same on the other two (make a recess on the head and fit a split ring) or find some shims to keep the head in place but still allow movement. I don't think I have enough material on the Husky to drill out some material but maybe the Tekton does. I need to test if I can even drill out a hole and fit a split ring. I don't really want to ruin a working ratchet. I've put this on the back burner for now. If anyone has suggestions I am open. Thanks
IMG_20260630_171846509_HDR.jpgIMG_20260630_171941718_HDR.jpg
Use some cheap feeler gauges as shims?
 

tak1313

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 4, 2018
Messages
658
I have ratchets (and extensions) with and without QR. When I grab one, it's usually just based on size - long handle for leverage, short for space, etc.

The only time I specifically grab one with QR (ratchet and/or extension) is in a situation where I want to make sure the extension or socket doesn't randomly pull off.

As far as strength, I don't PERSONALLY think the bore for the QR mechanism would affect the ability of the ratchet to meet ASTM standards for it's size. That being said, if I know I'm going to be attempting MORE torque than one might under ASTM standards, I would reach for one without QR.
 
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