New Icon Bigger Meme Tool

[DAWrench]

The original set was not a bad deal for a bit driver set if you caught it on sale. I don't see the value in this one. Including the bit extension from the original set in this set seems odd being how the ratchet has a fixed anvil and requires the use of the adapter. I like the spinner handle but takes up a lot of space. With that said I am sure they will sell a bunch of them. I just don't see it on my must have list

 

[nicks78camaro]

But would it be shallow or deep broaching on the sockets?

Deep

 

[Andres26tnt]

The original set was not a bad deal for a bit driver set if you caught it on sale. I don't see the value in this one. Including the bit extension from the original set in this set seems odd being how the ratchet has a fixed anvil and requires the use of the adapter. I like the spinner handle but takes up a lot of space. With that said I am sure they will sell a bunch of them. I just don't see it on my must have list

I swore I remember the ratchet having a removable anvil, must of been the prototype. Not gonna lie the tools look cheaper , I'm assuming they had to reduce the quality to meet the price.

 

[Steel_Rain]

 

[Daytonaer]

If this kit does well I suspect its the power of marketing and not merit. I don't understand dropping the bit ratchet and dropping the "T" setup. The 1/4 driver handle is large for a compact kit. Why flex head AND 1/4 universal drive adaptor? Why 3" ish 1/4 extension, 3" ish 1/4 bit extension and 1.5" ish 1/4 extension: the more clever kits combine these separate tools. This market is getting crowded which is great for people like me who like to put something in all vehicle's glove boxes, and I definitely benefit from the advancements. The older gearwrench kits look great, but the case looks fragile.

I really like the original ICON bit set as it is so small.

I bought a wera tool check and have an advent tool check in one vehicle glove box. I don't use these tools frequently but sometimes they are all that are on hand.

For my least reliable car I went with a Tone kit over the icon 35 piece rat/bit set as the Yen/USD ratio had them priced very closely. I got a Tone MIX21620MBK for about $40 USD during a Yen low point. I contemplated getting the ICON kit and adding a couple 1/4 sockets with the possible coupon savings but didn't think it would be as elegant.



It has a metal case, it is slightly larger than the ICON bit/rat set:

Interestingly,

you can buy the Tone kit with a plastic box of amazon US for about $44

amazon US link






With the Tone kit you can put extra 1/4 bit tips in the "socket well," and you can fit a micro pair of pliers and still close the lid. I almost had the Tone kit save the day on a roadside repair, but had to call for backup for a specialty tool.

If the ICON bit set 2.0 was smaller, more true to the original with a couple sockets I would be excited to get one. I'm probably going to get a Kobalt bit check knock off for one of my kids to loose the bits, but the Kobalt quality might be different.



For the $80-100 and not worrying about stuffing in a crowded glove box: I would recommend a vessel HRW2001M-W, I think I got one for around $60 of amazon.jp, but the Yen was really low then, I can find it on amazon US for about $70 now.



Good luck harbor freight

 

[Steel_Rain]

My local store has them.

I did have to ask them to look it up by SKU, but they were able to find it within a few minutes:





I'll compare it to the smaller kit when I get home later this evening.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Out of the box this evening:









Compared to it's little brother:




Yes, you can still fit the pass though ratchet from the smaller set in the bigger case with no issue:



Overall, I think it's a good set, albeit overpriced. This set would be perfect @ $49.95 with a 20% coupon. I love the spinner handle, feels good and has a nice balance to it. The socket quality seems good. Not sure if these are the same sockets found in the 1/4" Icon "Modular General Service Socket Set" or not. The case feels just as good as the smaller version and appears durable. This MUST be made by SBD, right?

 

[Steel_Rain]

Size comparison with some of my other common sets in this class:










My Wera Tool Check Plus and Tool Check Modular are in my car at work, or I would have photo'd them, but I think this gets the size in perspective for some of us.

 

[Fedwrench]

Nice Collection!! I think you need to add some yellow in the form of Dewalt and/or Felo compact kits.
Size is one thing, but cost is another issue. The Kobalt kit was $20 around Christmas and the Craftsman V series was running $40 at the same time. I keep trying to figure out when the Icon set is $80 I do like the Gen2 look of the Icon spinner handle though.
I've found you need a pair of mini pliers or at least a pocket screwdriver to remove the Kobalt kit pieces. The Craftsman V series set makes me long for the Blackhawk version of that set if for no other reason than the Blackhawk kit had a Facom comfort grip pear head ratchet rebadged as Blackhawk. The Craftsman V series 1/4 drive ratchet is built like a tank and makes a great paperweight but, it's high back drag makes it a bit unpleasant to use. Milwaukee has a nice compact kit as well. Wiha has a nice-looking kit in a zippered pouch but, it's not available in the USA.

 

[KnurledNut]

The Craftsman V series set makes me long for the Blackhawk version of that set if for no other reason than the Blackhawk kit had a Facom comfort grip pear head ratchet rebadged as Blackhawk.

Both of these sets are currently available on the bay:



(Pics borrowed from actual listings.)

 

[Andres26tnt]

Nice Collection!! I think you need to add some yellow in the form of Dewalt and/or Felo compact kits.
Size is one thing, but cost is another issue. The Kobalt kit was $20 around Christmas and the Craftsman V series was running $40 at the same time. I keep trying to figure out when the Icon set is $80 I do like the Gen2 look of the Icon spinner handle though.
I've found you need a pair of mini pliers or at least a pocket screwdriver to remove the Kobalt kit pieces. The Craftsman V series set makes me long for the Blackhawk version of that set if for no other reason than the Blackhawk kit had a Facom comfort grip pear head ratchet rebadged as Blackhawk. The Craftsman V series 1/4 drive ratchet is built like a tank and makes a great paperweight but, it's high back drag makes it a bit unpleasant to use. Milwaukee has a nice compact kit as well. Wiha has a nice-looking kit in a zippered pouch but, it's not available in the USA.

You know you can just buy the ratchet if you want right? I already had the comfort QR 3/8 from facom. Went right in the V series kit as it's actually made for that ratchet. I understand tho, more money .

 

[Etchase]

In the 3/8th version, the backdrag of the craftsman ratchet is what I consider pleasant, but not low. I put a Facom in my craftsman set. The lower tooth count of the Facom was fine with me.

 

[Andres26tnt]

In the 3/8th version, the backdrag of the craftsman ratchet is what I consider pleasant, but not low. I put a Facom in my craftsman set. The lower tooth count of the Facom was fine with me.

I mean both are technically low tooth count, well 72t isn't low , the V just has dual stack palws.

 

[Etchase]

I believe the Craftsman are single pawl with 96 actual teeth in the 3/8 and 1/2 versions.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I believe the Craftsman are single pawl with 96 actual teeth in the 3/8 and 1/2 versions.

Actually I retract my statement , I think you right. Only seen 1 cut open. But that one had a two pawl design switch, I could only see one pawl weird .

Why Craftsman(Stanley) decided to do this is such a weird choice. Their facom/USAG line is also sealed, but much better designed. They had everything figured to succeed

 

[AJHD]

I actually like the Kobalt kit. I'd probably grab that over the Icon unless there is a good sale/coupon for the Icon.

 

[mike93lx]

This MUST be made by SBD, right?

I feel like there is no chance they'd be making a set for a competitor when they have so many of their own brands they could sell it under

 

[Andres26tnt]

I feel like there is no chance they'd be making a set for a competitor when they have so many of their own brands they could sell it under

Of I remember correctly Rotar(toptul) makes them for Stanley. It's definitely not Stanley in it's own factories. Not 100% on what Taiwan company, but I'm 100% sure it's not Stanley.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I'm surprised no other companies have looked at the vast option Asia has to offer on this segment. I have a about 4 different kits not available in the USA.

Utoku rebranded this one but with their bit ratchet. The price signet is asking for is hard to beat at $22. Utoku wants $27 for their version missing the sockets.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I actually like the Kobalt kit.

That was a good deal last year for $20. I like the ratchet after dunking it in ATF for a week, but as was already mentioned, you need something to pull the sockets out of the cheap plastic holder and it's a bulky case.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Looks like it hit the website today:

https://www.harborfreight.com/collections/new-tools/14-in-drive-compact-socket-and-bit-set-52-piece-70695.html

For those interested in everything it comes with in detail:

 

[merkyworks]

I found this guy making 3D printed box that uses the meme bit kit and then your own metric or sae sockets, a swivel and 2 knipex pliers. Ordered one and will let yall know how it turns out when it comes in.

 

[AJHD]

I found this guy making 3D printed box that uses the meme bit kit and then your own metric or sae sockets, a swivel and 2 knipex pliers. Ordered one and will let yall know how it turns out when it comes in.

Have a link? I like the idea of a similarly organized box, but substitute my choice of tools over what the Icon set comes with.

 

[mike93lx]

I found this guy making 3D printed box that uses the meme bit kit and then your own metric or sae sockets, a swivel and 2 knipex pliers. Ordered one and will let yall know how it turns out when it comes in.

Its the complete meme kit!

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I found this guy making 3D printed box that uses the meme bit kit and then your own metric or sae sockets, a swivel and 2 knipex pliers.

May well be popular, but the combination is mismatched IMO. A 1/4" socket set is a small but pretty capable tool, despite the bit ratchet - the XS pliers are less so.

With a case that big, there's no reason not to make it slightly bigger again to accommodate slightly bigger and way more capable pliers. I would include the 125mm variants of the pliers.

 

[whateg01]

May well be popular, but the combination is mismatched IMO. A 1/4" socket set is a small but pretty capable tool, despite the bit ratchet - the XS pliers are less so.

With a case that big, there's no reason not to make it slightly bigger again to accommodate slightly bigger and way more capable pliers. I would include the 125mm variants of the pliers.

Well, except that if you make the case bigger to take bigger pliers, you'll have a little room left over so you might as well add in another doodad. And if you add another doodad, you might as well add the matching doohickey. And that needs to be just a smidge bigger case, so make it just a smidge bigger but now there's a little more room in this corner for a whatchamacallit, so add that. Next thing ya know it's a full sized tool cabinet. Where do you stop?

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Well, except that if you make the case bigger to take bigger pliers, you'll have a little room left over so you might as well add in another doodad. And if you add another doodad

I appreciate your point, however it's an example of a logical fallacy known as "reduction to absurdity" - https://www.logical-fallacy.com/articles/reduction-to-absurdity/

Regardless of that, I think my original point about the mismatch stands.

 

[whateg01]

Aside

I appreciate your point, however it's an example of a logical fallacy known as "reduction to absurdity" - https://www.logical-fallacy.com/articles/reduction-to-absurdity/

Regardless of that, I think my original point about the mismatch stands.

From stopping at the full sized tool cabinet, it's hardly logical to think that making the kit a little bigger would lead to adding another tool in the extra space and continuing that loop. I would say it's closer to feature creep. Or "just one one thing". Or "while I'm in here".

I do agree that small pliers are pretty awful to use. Big enough to be useful but not long enough to get enough leverage on the jaws to grip anything tightly. I made that mistake in the tool kit I travel with. I've been contemplating swapping to an adjustable wrench. I have a multi tool in the kit also so the pliers are redundant anyway.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I found this guy making 3D printed box that uses the meme bit kit and then your own metric or sae sockets, a swivel and 2 knipex pliers. Ordered one and will let yall know how it turns out when it comes in.

I looked at printing that one, didn't like the hinges as they aren't sturdy enough for the weight you gonna put in. I know because that's a common rugged box file everyone uses.

I much prefer these one from Jaahwn on makerworld. More in line with the icon/craftsman/facom/USAG boxes.

 

[merkyworks]

Have a link? I like the idea of a similarly organized box, but substitute my choice of tools over what the Icon set comes with.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/180102...-ratchet-set-edc?ref=user_profile&bes=1&frs=1

I looked at printing that one, didn't like the hinges as they aren't sturdy enough for the weight you gonna put in. I know because that's a common rugged box file everyone uses.

I much prefer these one from Jaahwn on makerworld. More in line with the icon/craftsman/facom/USAG boxes.

Well hell, I like the layout of those more. Man I need to just bit the bullet and buy and 3D printer.

 

[Andres26tnt]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/180102...-ratchet-set-edc?ref=user_profile&bes=1&frs=1



Well hell, I like the layout of those more. Man I need to just bit the bullet and buy and 3D printer.

Yeah it's pretty handy, now I can just make what I want. Don't have to get stuck with whatever tools come in a kit.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Does anyone have source for this bit ratchet from the 1.0v of this kit?



Does Infar or Hi-Five make it for them? I'd like to get another one or two of these, but HF won't sell you the ratchet as a spare part.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Does anyone have source for this bit ratchet from the 1.0v of this kit?



Does Infar or Hi-Five make it for them? I'd like to get another one or two of these, but HF won't sell you the ratchet a a spare part.

Judging from the switch it's a hi-five mechanism. I'm not seeing any flex head from them tho.



Or it could be Rotar(toptul), but I'm not sure if they manufacturer that or they are rebranding.




You can buy it from Amazon JP from a very good brand called signet. Vim also sell one not sure on price.

Amazon.co.jp: SIGNET(シグネット) ミニラチェ 60ギア フレックスヘッドタイプ フレックスミニラチェットセット グリーン 22073 : DIY・工具・ガーデン

オンライン通販のAmazon公式サイトなら、SIGNET(シグネット) ミニラチェ 60ギア フレックスヘッドタイプ フレックスミニラチェットセット グリーン 22073を DIY・工具・ガーデンストアで、いつでもお安く。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常送料無料。

amzn.asia

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Does anyone have source for this bit ratchet from the 1.0v of this kit?



Does Infar or Hi-Five make it for them? I'd like to get another one or two of these, but HF won't sell you the ratchet as a spare part.

VIM
KS Tools
Toptul
Facom / USAG
Signet

Only differences I believe are the end of the handle (ergonomically), and a few mm in length.

 

[Steel_Rain]

VIM
KS Tools
Toptul
Facom / USAG
Signet

Any model numbers for the above? Or links?

 

[Buckgnarly]

I know it was asked, but what the hell is the "meme" reference?.....I don't get it?

 

[Fedwrench]

Does anyone have source for this bit ratchet from the 1.0v of this kit?



Does Infar or Hi-Five make it for them? I'd like to get another one or two of these, but HF won't sell you the ratchet as a spare part.

Search :

Vega Professional Grade 1/4 Bit Ratchet - Magnetic 6" Hex Bit Ratchet, Compact and Versatile for Tight Spaces, Ideal for DIY, Automotive, and Mechanical Projects​

on Amazon. $24.99 though.

 

[GeoBruin]

I know it was asked, but what the hell is the "meme" reference?.....I don't get it?

We don't know what you don't know. Do you not know what meme is, or you don't know why this tool became a meme?

 

[Buckgnarly]

We don't know what you don't know. Do you not know what meme is, or you don't know why this tool became a meme?

I know what a meme is, just no clue what the meme is?....

 

[mike93lx]

I know what a meme is, just no clue what the meme is?....

The $40 icon kit