Icon Locking Indexable Flex Head Ratchet Bit Set Review
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- Опубликовано: 10 июн 2023
- I think these is a nice little bit ratchet but there seem to be a design choice that makes me wonder if it will really last. I also think it is too expensive for what you are getting.
Harbor Freight #RXFT-35, 58074
I kinda wonder if your review would have this tone if you were reviewing the VIM or Facom kits that come from the same factory and are far more expensive vs. Harbor Freight. I also don't understand why people bother to compare non-locking-flex bit ratchets to the Icon. I have lots of bit-driving tools (roto head, etc.) and they've never been nearly as useful as this kit.
I have the Facom R1Pico, which is almost identical, and has to be made in the same factory as this. The price of the Facom in the U.K. makes the Harbor Freight version look really cheap in comparison.
I too am a little bit worried by the tiny bump of metal that keeps the bits in place, but so far it seem to be holding up well..time will tell!
This set is great just fixed a blend door actuator on my GMC ACADIA and Def needed this tool .
I wish all the Icon tools had cases that were this nice. The tool is well thought out and functional. It is the overall experience of the tool and case that make it so popular. Is it overpriced? Yes, but since there have been shortages of this tool that scarcity justifies it fetching more money.
They had a 20% off coupon a couple weeks ago. I bought two in store, one for home, one for work. Already used a few times at work, great flex head for swapping TPMS sensors without removing the whole tire.
Thanks for the review, especially the side by side comparison! I had looked at both the icon and the topeak ratchets and had decided on the Icon, but the size difference is really noticable side by side!
These are made by HI-FIVE in Taiwan.
Awesome set a gem for sure way above what you would expect from harbor
Most owners really love this set. I would like to keep one in my office for tinkering on electronics and photo gear, but I can't justify the price, even with a 25% off coupon every other week. If they sold it w/o the bits, I'd have already bought one.
I like the look of that power torque ratchet. I’m gonna go to O’reilly’s tonight and probably grab it since it’s only 20 bucks. Got a bunch of Wera bits I can swap out with the included ones.
I have had this kit for a while and I hve had no issues with it.
Hello again Catus Maximus and Tiny
Thank you for another Great Video 👍
This is one of the best tools I have ever bought.
The ratchet is from Toptul, part number CHEV0811. That particular kit is nearly identical to one of their sets (GADW3401).
This is an excellent mini ratchet I bought my second one for 33.71 after tax 3 months ago on sale.
I have one and I also have the big set from gearwrench.. With the two ratchets...I love them all
Seen that set at HD and had to grab it
That's a cool little set
Memorial Day sale made this worth the $33. I'd wait for another sale.
The VIM Tools flex head ratchet is pretty damn good, comparatively. Obviously more expensive, but functionally has a few more tricks.
I’m guessing it showed up at the pawn shop after the person who brought it got it with that 5 finger discount…
My guess as well LOL The manager at my HF told me that these kits are shoplifted constantly.
topeak also makes a super cool little 1/4" hex drive digital torque wrench.
I absolutely love mine, but yeah, I realized after acquiring that there are many similar kits from other brands. I think I noticed Facom and/or USAG have similar ratchets, but they're also available in varying lengths from VIM and many others. I think the ratchet mechanism is from an OEM in Taiwan, though I don't know who exactly.
Removing the spring clip to add some Super Lube to the ratchet teeth seems to have reduced the spring tension slightly, which I feel makes it less reliable for holding on to bits, but it's still useable. I agree, though, after seeing you mention it, that the little protruding backstop tab could be more robust, somehow. I think I'm gentle enough with my tools, but inevitably shit happens.
Overall, though, I love ICON's packaging the most, I think. I just ordered 8mm and 10mm Z-series sockets from Ko-ken to try stuffing inside the case for use with that square-drive adapter, though I also tend to carry this kit with a nut-driver set from Tekton.
Agree this maybe isn't the best you could do for around the house use, or shop use if you have your full toolbox near. But I keep this kit in a padded pouch, which I then keep in a backpack for EDC use at a previous job. My position was just as a machine setup operator, not a tradie, so I didn't need much. I found this kit fantastic for adjusting and tightening sensors and other miscellaneous panels or such.
I think I may have also replace the Phillips bits with JIS bits from Anex, for slightly more utility.
The “nub” you’re referring to is the same design as on the Wurth brand mini ratchet of the same style. The dot is on the Wurth as well. I have both. $40 imo isn’t that much for a mini set like this especially compared to some of the other brands that I have
Evening Cat, have you reviewed the Tekton and Craftsman versions of this bit set?
It's a good set...worth $45... others have it for double that....VIM has a much smaller set for ~ the same price
Greatvideo I almost bought one of these
Look like this one was made to compete with the Chapman brand of tools. Which I have several sets of. Be nice if this ratchet would work with Chapman bits, but on the other hand why? Just buy the complete Icon set. I think I will. Thanks for sharing! Ken
not a bad design tool, with a 20% coupon it low 30 bucks .
Toptul and KS Tools versions could be had under 30 bucks and had more bit selection .
Is a very useful set/functionality in my opinion, shop around and hold out for coupons/deals before buying one of the rebrand sets .
Best item I got with that coupon!
I don't have it but people seem to love these and they're always sold out at the Harbor Freight near me
They are awesome
Eventually it will get closer to you. I think I had to drive an hour to get my first set but it was a good day trip to do other things along the way. My second set, finally nearby but they didn't last long. I did take my time and waited until there was a 30% coupon use to make it worth my time.
@@anthonylau3065 Yeah there's a couple other Harbor freights less than a half hour drive for me I don't need this It would just be another tool that's cool to have so I'm not dying for it but you're right I'm not going to buy it till there's a 25 or 30% off coupon if then
It was originally a Mac $160 , and Facom $120
From what they say about mold seams, exact fit finish details, it may be the exact product from same mfg
It's the multifunction ratchet and box, the total kit....for real plenty of folks paid over $100 over the past 10 years with another brand printed on it.
Your comparison is no comparison, nothing else does these functions, snaps closed, and slips in your pocket.
None.
It's over 120 quid here in UK I wish I could get this here in England
They should have filled the case the rest of the way with more SAE hex sizes and maybe Robertson bits.
How many NM before break??
I couldn't resist the O'Reilly's tool, either. Watching your videos is expensive.
Looks like a Michael Pro ratchet
I love mine. Just wish it wasn't so much money. It's not worth it.
Chapman has knurling on their bits. Downside is they're proprietary bits.
Proprietary for sure. However, I don't lose bits much, and they're not that costly to buy on an individual basis. The Chapman ratchet is very coarse by today's standards, but I find it very maneuverable.
@@rachavya Have you tried that thumbwheel ratchet they have now? It has the same mechanism inside but it's a welcome addition as a way to turn a screw.
@@AToolWithTools Haven't; need to investigate it. FWIW, Jay Leno is a Chapman fan and has done a video promoting the company.
WTF! A Pawns shop, Where???
✌️
20$ is awesome deal
Well, I wonder if that set was hot and you just helped fench it. I would never go to pawn shop because stuff there is always questionable. Better to get stuff at an estate sale.
(1) Glad you mentioned the back drag. I picked this item up yesterday and the back drag is very high. The ratcheting function would really only be usable for moderately tight screws, so I wouldn't be able to use it for the first several rotations when placing screws, or for the last several when removing screws. If I'm using this thing it means that I'm accessing a very tight space, e.g. it would be difficult to get my finger into the space to manually apply friction, so the high back drag is an absolute showstopper for me-fails to be useful within the scope of its intended purpose. Planning to return it today.
(2) On a video style issue, recommend trying to avoid repeatedly picking up and putting down the item in front of the camera (did this 4x between 0:06 and 0:50). It's a form of talking with your hands, except with the camera zoomed in so all we can see is the item bouncing up and down into our faces.
If you can find that many faults you can always take it back.
In the first few seconds of the video he said he bought it from a pawn shop, so I doubt it.
Why don't they send you freebies
such a pessimistic view , haha love it thanks