The sad part is, that these tools are made in china….but you could produce them in the usa for the same price. Armstrong was in a similar price range and in germany, we produce the same quality than snap-on for a fraction of the snap-on price tag…and the production costs are higher here than in the us.
The gold is a gimmick, yet makes sense to me. One of my first Craftsman sets back in the 70s was an "anniversary edition" with gold plating (at least trim) on nearly everything. I still use some of the screwdrivers all the time.
@@andybub45 call it whatever you want, they have yet to do what was stated in the email that was sent out. I'm just weird about people standing behind what they say 🤷♂️
I was looking for a replacement 3/8 flex head ratchet because I lost mine at work but I wanted it to have a quick release button so I went with the tekton and I have no regrets it is a great ratchet only $38 and you can either order it through them or Amazon.
My local harbor freight sold out of the gold ratchet 3 times already. They are gone within 24 hrs, apparently. To be fair, one of the few ratchets that can make you feel like el chapo.
I’m thinking the other sizes will be changed on the run. The 3/8 gave too much trouble and they wanted to make them all better for anyone who bought one. Seems that way.
I know of people who never returned the 3/8” ratchets. If theirs was operating OK, they saw no reason to return it. I wonder what percentage of the original ratchets were returned.
Yeah people are buying those ratchets, it’s kinda funny and cool at the same time, LOL It’s so ridiculous that I kinda want one, not because Icon ratchets are so amazing, but because as a mechanic I’ve got a golden ratchet, I can fix anything! 😆 It’s “fun”, I don’t think you’re supposed to take those golden ratchets seriously. Buy one or don’t, it’s a golden ratchet, take it for what it is. 😎
Are oval faceplates a better design them the figure 8, in general? I'm wondering because Armstrong use to have the figure 8 then they changed to oval I'm guessing after Danaher bought them
Icon makes nice tools, the flex heads sucked but HF fixed them, I like icon, use them professionally on hydraulic equipment, impact sockets, ratchets, and ratchet wrenches
ICON doesn't manufacture tools. HF doesn't manufacture tools. HF didn't design ICON. These are generic tools, made in Taiwan by Infar Industries, Toptul, and Kabo. They're the same tools as NAPA Carlyle. Same as Milwaukee's hand tools. Same as a few others.
A few years ago I got two ratchets a gold icon and a gold Craftsman made in China 50$ each and now online the Craftsman double the original price in resale and the icon sell for 30$ on offer up limited means u only made a few icon still has on the shelf 10 years straight the best tool that icon has is the flex double box end ratcheting wrench set they always sell for half the original price on offer up 100$-120$
Hi there . I really like your tool videos.. I have three soft handled Icon ratchets.. from 2021.. how I know the difference in the one that’s correct.. I have 1/4, 3/8,1/2 non flexhead. Thanks
I would really like to hear you Compare the icon and the Pittsburg ratchet and see if there really is that big of a difference and if the price is justifiable.
Now those of us that bought and returned the 3/8" flex heads need to understand the process for getting out replacement ratchet. I still have my email from Eric that was sent out to return the original. Now when will I get the email to come get my replacement?
I tried getting my replacement from the store and the manager said you have to wait for the email voucher before you can go back to the store to get your free replacement. The manager was cool he said he is going to hold one for me until the emails get sent out.
I have heard that there is a God that came with the tool and if you worship it.....the God would grant you extra wives, girlfriends, mistresses, money, sport cars......whatever you want...
It’s always a balance between quality vs cheap and overpriced vs too inexpensive. I’d say try the cheaper ones, if they hold up for you great. If not upgrade. Most of us have 10-20 ratchets, but we use power tools mostly anyway. 😳🧐
Tekton has a similar design to Icon, but is slimmer and just as durable. For very hard to reach places for a non tool truck brand. That would be the go to. Capri's 72 tooth is solid. But has a really bad back drag ( the angle of reset after the first click of a turn. 5° arch swing which takes 3° or more to re-engage to the turn of the gear). But hands down has the best tension on the swivel of the tool. Most flex heads either have a retention snap ring, indexing non locking, or locking switch. It doesn't have any of the three. It on has a retention spring that sits about more that 2/3 of the base of the head. So can really tighten it down to where it won't move on you.
They would not be able to re-use the handles in any retail box that had been opened. Beyond the regulations that prohibit this kind of thing, it would have been uselessly expensive, which is why I doubt they re-worked any existing stock that was on the shelf. HF redesigned it and did the right thing.
They probably only recalled inside track member purchases because they already had them in their computer when I return some thing as an inside track club member all I need is the item that is defective and my phone number they’ll replace it on the spot without question
Pretty cool review, Catus. I have little faith in HF tools, only use them for disassembly. For assembly I only use SO, Old Craftsman, Proto, or K mart Automotive from the 80s.
Urhmm.... wouldn't assembly be easier on tools than disassembly? So you save the good tools for the easy work? HF icon tools far exceed their ANSI specs, modern fine tooth ratchets are much stronger than older coarse tooth designs. That's not even disputed these days.
@@aussiehardwood6196 Not that assembly is harder on tools, but more exacting. I need to feel the torque that my torque wrench may lie about. I work on aircraft.
@@upsidedowndog1256 my cousin works on helicopters in the navy, you would be surprised on the ragtag of tools they use including Pittsburg and Icon. The boys who work on the ambulances at my hospital use quite a few HF tool. But there are some things they have you just can't use. Until they upgrade, anyway.
@@PistonHonda87 Nice. Government contracts mean you can only use what they provide. Not necessarily the best tools, but usually sufficient. I use EX government contract air drills quite often, but have found better in the civilian market. I own probably 6 drills including 2 angle drills from military surplus. My favorites were from standard public companies. Most now conglomerated with bigger companies so no telling how to get those again. Probably gone to China. I hate Chinese tools.
@@upsidedowndog1256 there is a law that the military has to buy a certain percentage of US made tools. Icon, Matco, capri and some tekton are all Taiwanese which I consider good quality. Second tier to Japan, US, Germany and UK.
Just my personal tinkerer, hobbyist opinion. I personally chose the Craftsman flex head CMMT86322V with 3.75° arc swing. It has a recessed reversing switch. Quality, durable high gloss chrome plating. The ratchet's weight and quality metal make it feel very strong. The strong sealed head with no screws and no socket quick release. Yes, the precision drive gear clicks are audible and excellent without excessive movement before the next click is heard. Yes, the socket securely snaps onto the drive gear. Yes, the knurled handle is shape is unique or different. Not a reason to not keep or avoid it. No obvious way to open it at home for cleaning and lubrication purposes. Lifetime warranty. Should it ever fail to function properly. I will simply have it replaced as instructed on the package.
I used to live right behind a harbor Frieght and every couple days id see a couple employees wheel a big cart out and destroy tons of tools, cords just all kinds of stuff im guessing stuff that was returned. I highly doubt they shipped these ratchets back to taiwan to get remanned and then back.
whole ratchet is new, handle differs too slightly, reused some existing packaging but I expect that pretty pricey as packing is awful over done bling waste on these . I guess they switched manufacturer to same as the fixed head ratchets or got manufacturer rework it to use same design internals . I would imagine general internal bitching on the issue and time it takes deal with manufacture, do some tooling, have some samples then wait your turn in manufacture stages eats lot of time . If HF actually used it's brain rather than nuts in chasing some snapon design elements and ditched the toy like style copying and wasteful packaging they could actually source better innovation and ergonomics and better tools and bigger range for proper sensible fixed price . Worth looking at the chromed socket rail sets that now show as made of crmo rather than crv which bit unusual . wonder if that manufacturer change or just spec change to combat remarks on socket durability !?
@@chip7236 doubt it the section is so small to began with not much demand this is the first review in a long time on it it's been proven that the cheaper priced Pittsburgh is better
@@larryborkstrom3580 I could see it depending on location. My store seems to have a hard time keeping everything in stock and has pretty much all the tools currently in the lineup. I expect they'll be around for awhile yet. Pittsburgh are not better, in general, than Icon. Same as Icon is not as good as snap on. I have all three.
@@dstblj5222 I agree. 50 dollar range for entry level professional tools is about right. Although there is gearwrench/tekton for slightly cheaper but still in the same ball park. Harborb freight does have in store warranty convenience same day. Client graphics only did a test on the old flex head. Everyone only tested the old flex head. Curious to see how the stronger design translates in comparison
