New Icon Bigger Meme Tool

[Etchase]

https://a.co/d/8D9jWkJ

Link for the Vega Ratchet above. There is also a selection that includes the extension for $32.

I have one of these in the stupidly expensive VIM flavor and never use it. The turning it into a T-handle feature made me buy it. I use the 12 inch long Gearwrench and find it useful sometimes, but my go to is some $4 Chinese 4 or 5 inch long bit ratchet. There is a Duratech similar version that seems the cheapest at $22 with the extension, but is not the same manufacturer. I use a square drive when using a socket.

 

[Andres26tnt]

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

It's just what it became due to its popularity and amount of people/shills reviewing it. Basically gods gift to whatever, even tho their was 4 to 5 similar kits available in the market when it came out.

 

[PowrKraftsman]

It's just what it became due to its popularity and amount of people/shills reviewing it. Basically gods gift to whatever, even tho their was 4 to 5 similar kits available in the market when it came out.

I get the feeling that a lot of the people who have overhyped the ICON kit didn’t even know that bit ratchets existed before this kit was released. Add in the fact that small tools and anything in little boxes are super popular now, partly due to the growing EDC tool movement, and you can see why these are popular. And they are in fact pretty handy for anyone that didn’t already have such tools. I think a lot of the hype is generated by younger folks who are just getting into tools. The hype and the “meme” term can be annoying but overall I think it’s good that people are excited about tools, whatever the reason.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I get the feeling that a lot of the people who have overhyped the ICON kit didn’t even know that bit ratchets existed before this kit was released. Add in the fact that small tools and anything in little boxes are super popular now, partly due to the growing EDC tool movement, and you can see why these are popular. And they are in fact pretty handy for anyone that didn’t already have such tools. I think a lot of the hype is generated by younger folks who are just getting into tools. The hype and the “meme” term can be annoying but overall I think it’s good that people are excited about tools, whatever the reason.

Personally idc about the nickname, it's not that important. We are in agreement, it's popular due to its small form factor and edc movement.

 

[Steel_Rain]

During next weeks Parking Lot sale, this set is 40% off, so $50(ish) bucks, the price it SHOULD have been all along:

 

[BWWgarage]

During next weeks Parking Lot sale, this set is 40% off, so $50(ish) bucks, the price it SHOULD have been all along:

Just grabbed one ... why not at $50. Might give it to my daughter for her dorm room?

It’s a nifty little tool but the value is sure off compared to the full 1/4 metric/SAE gearwrench $50 special I picked up from HD. It is compact

 

[Hammer1963]

I bought one because I wanted one. Overall, I think its a pretty good kit. Yes they could have used the ratchet as used in the bit set. But is it really that big of a deal, not to me. What would really be nice, is if they marketed a master set including bits and sockets, and both ratchets or at least 2 hex drive. I doubt there is much chance for that.

 

[BWWgarage]

I bought one because I wanted one. Overall, I think its a pretty good kit. Yes they could have used the ratchet as used in the bit set. But is it really that big of a deal, not to me. What would really be nice, is if they marketed a master set including bits and sockets, and both ratchets or at least 2 hex drive. I doubt there is much chance for that.

That becomes a $125 meme tool kit? It’ll be interesting to see how overall sales go on the bigger kit.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I bought one because I wanted one. Overall, I think its a pretty good kit. Yes they could have used the ratchet as used in the bit set. But is it really that big of a deal, not to me. What would really be nice, is if they marketed a master set including bits and sockets, and both ratchets or at least 2 hex drive. I doubt there is much chance for that.

What's the point of that. This are supposed to be small kits for on the go.

 

[AndreaW]

I added a USAG bit ratchet with extension that can convert into a T-handle as well as a 711L mini bit ratchet and some extra bits and adapters to my Meme 2.0 kit.

 

[BWWgarage]

I added a USAG bit ratchet with extension that can convert into a T-handle as well as a 711L mini bit ratchet and some extra bits and adapters to my Meme 2.0 kit.

I like it! It still closes?

 

[KnurledNut]

I added a USAG bit ratchet with extension that can convert into a T-handle as well as a 711L mini bit ratchet and some extra bits and adapters to my Meme 2.0 kit.

Nice fit on that mini bit ratchet!

 

[AndreaW]

I like it! It still closes?

It does!

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

It does!

Why are you storing tools in the fridge?

 

[four.cycle]

errr..... "cold steel"?

 

[mike93lx]

errr..... "cold steel"?

?

 

[BroncoAZ]

I have a bunch of these Sunex kits, works great and very compact. I especially like the spline sockets to avoid having both Metric and SAE.

 

[AndreaW]

Why are you storing tools in the fridge?

Hahahaha! It's next to the fridge:



But I do store tools on the side of the fridge:

 

[AndreaW]

I especially like the spline sockets to avoid having both Metric and SAE.

I love that (spline sockets to avoid having both Metric and SAE). Wish more mini kits were that way.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I bought the smaller kit 6 months ago and hadn't used it much until recently. In the last couple of weeks I've used it to hang a TV and to replace the cartridge in the mixing valve in our shower. I find the configurable ratchet/extension to be really functional and I'm impressed with the overall quality.

 

[BWWgarage]

I added a USAG bit ratchet with extension that can convert into a T-handle as well as a 711L mini bit ratchet and some extra bits and adapters to my Meme 2.0 kit.

Do you have a source for the 3 bit holder? It definitely needs square bits

 

[BWWgarage]

Delete

 

[General Geoff]

Looks like it’s official now, the Icon meme tool is getting a big brother

The true genius of the first one was just how compact it was. It is an absolutely perfect mobile tool kit to throw under the seat of just about any metric motorcycle.

 

[AndreaW]

Do you have a source for the 3 bit holder? It definitely needs square bits

I believe it came from Amazon.

3-13 Holes Hex Shank Screwdriver Bit Holder, Drill Bit and Driver Bit Plastic Screwdriver Head Storage Case, 9 pcs Poly Bag By MKMKYEE - Amazon.com

3-13 Holes Hex Shank Screwdriver Bit Holder, Drill Bit and Driver Bit Plastic Screwdriver Head Storage Case, 9 pcs Poly Bag By MKMKYEE - Amazon.com

a.co

Doesn't seem to be available anymore but there are alternatives suggested on that page that seem to be pretty much the same.

 

[AndreaW]

I was asked to post a picture and list of the extras that I added to my kit.

• 711L Mini Bit Ratchet
• Koken 1/4 Hex to 3/8 Square Adaptor
• Robertson Bits (SQ1, SQ2, SQ3)
• Coin Driver Bit
• Wing Nut Driver Bit
• Facom ECR.1 1/4 Hex To 1/4 Square Adaptor
• Facom R.254 1/4 Drive 1/4 Hex Bit Holder
• USAG R.180 Compact Ratchet and Extension for 1/4 Bits

 

[BWWgarage]

I was asked to post a picture and list of the extras that I added to my kit.

• 711L Mini Bit Ratchet
• Koken 1/4 Hex to 3/8 Square Adaptor
• Robertson Bits (SQ1, SQ2, SQ3)
• Coin Driver Bit
• Wing Nut Driver Bit
• Facom ECR.1 1/4 Hex To 1/4 Square Adaptor
• Facom R.254 1/4 Drive 1/4 Hex Bit Holder
• USAG R.180 Compact Ratchet and Extension for 1/4 Bits

You snuck the coin driver bit in there from previous set up.

 

[sk farmer]

thanks for the pics AndreaW!

does the icon hex extension work with the facom hex extension as a t handle?

how about with the 711L?

 

[AndreaW]

does the icon hex extension work with the facom hex extension as a t handle?

how about with the 711L?

No, the Icon extension doesn't pass thru any of the ratchets. However, the USAG extension passes thru the USAG ratchet (obviously) and the newer 711L mini bit ratchet. So I've just swapped out the older 711L ratchet for the newer one in my kit.

 

[AndreaW]

Also, this Vim extension passes thru the newer 711L ratchet and the USAG ratchet. I might just swap out the Icon extension for the Vim one so both extensions in the kit can be used as t-handles for both ratchets.

 

[four.cycle]

I was asked to post a picture and list of the extras that I added to my kit.

@AndreaW -
I just fired off a note to Adam at Tekton and told him that he and his "product development" guys need to put eyes on what you've done with that ICON kit: proof positive that women are smarter than men.

I just took delivery of their SKT07901 "Small Engine Kit" and I'm now going to have to figure out how to modify that foam insert so I can add a spinner handle and another widget, both of which should fit nicely into that soft case.

Nice work.

 

[sk farmer]

as an fyi.

i purchased the larger icon set. i can confirm that the ratchet mechanism will swap from the hex bit ratchet handle in the smaller set with the 1/4 square drive handle in the larger set.

if that is the case i can assume with a fair degree of certainty that one could purchase the "vim branded" me 14 hex extension (8.40), dd2-1 hex to square adapter (3.25) and the rfb400-rk hex ratchet repair kit ((9.57). swap the parts into the ratchet and larger kit and it should work just as the smaller kit with pass through t handle function. all for a shade over 20 bucks plus shipping

a word of caution though. the parts in there are absolutely tiny. i had to get out my hf lighted magnifier stand with alligator clip hands. the tweezers and small picks came out as well.

it may be just as easy to order the whole vim ratchet kit for about 10 or so bucks more and swap drive parts. i believe the vim ratchet itself is too long to fit into the icon case requiring the swap. it would also get you a longer handled 1/4 square drive locking flex head ratchet.

 

[M635_Guy]

I get the feeling that a lot of the people who have overhyped the ICON kit didn’t even know that bit ratchets existed before this kit was released. Add in the fact that small tools and anything in little boxes are super popular now, partly due to the growing EDC tool movement, and you can see why these are popular. And they are in fact pretty handy for anyone that didn’t already have such tools. I think a lot of the hype is generated by younger folks who are just getting into tools. The hype and the “meme” term can be annoying but overall I think it’s good that people are excited about tools, whatever the reason.

I'm neither a younger folk nor new to tools, but I'm a big fan of the original kit. I've had multiple bit drivers and ratchets, including a small roto-head bit ratchet (which was often too thick for tight spots), and none of them were never really that useful. The Icon kit's combination of the low-profile, t-handle mode, locking flex-head and indexable extension has been all kinds of helpful in a variety of tight spots (literally and figuratively).

I just loaned it to the guy who was removing my old furnace downstairs to install a new one and couldn't quite reach something with what he had. I tossed him the Icon kit and it helped him out.

 

[AndreaW]

I’ve updated my kit again.

Added one more 1/4" bit that can drive 4mm / micro / precision bits, so I swapped the bit holder from a 4-hole to a 5-hole to accommodate it. I also added six 4mm Torx bits in their own holder.

The bigger change was swapping the Icon spinner handle for a shorter Tekton spinner. The Tekton has a female square drive in the end of the handle, so you can stick a ratchet in it if you need more leverage.

Even though it's shorter, the Tekton has an aluminum handle and is noticeably heavier than the Icon, so the kit gained a little weight. But the extra functionality and space savings (albeit minimal) are worth it to me.

Yes, the case still closes with no issues.


Here is the new kit configuration.




Here is where the 4mm bits are hiding (under the ratchet).




Here is the Tekton spinner handle.




Here are all of the extras in my kit plus the handle swap.

 

[Steel_Rain]

The bigger change was swapping the Icon spinner handle for a shorter Tekton spinner. The Tekton has a female square drive in the end of the handle, so you can stick a ratchet in it if you need more leverage.

Looks great and a perfect fit, I’m thinking of ordering 2 of these. Any other thoughts on the spinner itself? Good quality?

 

[AndreaW]

Looks great and a perfect fit, I’m thinking of ordering 2 of these. Any other thoughts on the spinner itself? Good quality?

I watched a video on it from Doc at Last Best Tools before I bought it. He covers it pretty well. I like it. It's solid and feels like quality. And $15! If they make a 3/8" version, I won't hesitate to pick it up.

 

[four.cycle]

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