Icon vs. Icon, Straight vs. Flex Head 1/4" Ratchets Review & Disassembly
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- čas přidán 24. 10. 2019
- Here's a review and comparison/Teardown of the Harbor Freight straight handle icon ratchet versus the flex hat they are two totally different ratchets with the straight handle being much higher quality I am not so happy with the flex heads after this evaluation
Straight 56188, R1QR
Flex 64696, R1F . .
Comprehensive, non-sponsored, honest review. Appreciate the thoroughness of your reviews, this review is very telling. Hate to say it but HF was possibly banking on the fact that most people weren't going to tell the difference in the quality between the flex head and the standard ratchet when grabbing one off the shelf at their stores. If you value/appreciate unbiased comprehensive tool reviews this is the channel you want to subscribe to.
It seems like 95% of videos about Icon are sponsored.
I went with the straight handle before seeing your video, sure am glad I did!
Best icon video on CZcams so far! A similar comparison vid of the 1/2 inch drive would be very interesting.
I was debating on which of these two to get, I know now. Thank you for this detailed comparison.
In January of 2022 I needed a flex head ratchet for the first time in my DiY work. SInce I'd been making do with tri-lobe thumbwheel Craftsman ratchets from the 1990s, I decided to upgrade to a couple nicer ratchets. HF is close so I went there and saw the ICON line for the first time. I bought both their 3/8 flex heads-- standard and long. They are still some of my favorite ratchets because they are so enjoyable to use. I think they switched the flex heads over the to the same supplier as the standards because my flex heads look (and perform) exactly like the non-flex shown here.
IN use, I find them to be as capable and functional as my 90T Gearwrench ratchets and I believe the 90ts to be the best all around ratchets on the market today. The lower backdrag of the GWs is not relevant in most work, although the impossibly thin head of the GWs is something you notice every time you use them. The 1/2" GW is nearly as thin as 3/8 Icon.
For me, since the ICONs are close in price to the 90t GWs, it really comes down to wanting local warranty coverage vs the thinner head. I tend to be gentler on my tools, so the GWs are my path forward, but I do live my ICONs and they are a joy to use.
Thank you sir. I would have bought the flex head today if I hadn't seen this.
Which lever is easier to toggle ,between ON and OFF? The flex or straight handle?
Thorough review, thanks. Sticking with my GearWrenches.
Thank you for the thorough review!
Specific detailed content, thank you, so much better than many other "reviews"
Thank You for an honest depth review, I was looking at the flex but now I'll give the strait & maybe the roto head
Great video I have not picked up any Icon yet but want one or two just for the collection pretty sure I know which way to go now thank you Cat
I'm not sure if I've simply been lucky or if quality improved since you did this video, but the only Icon ratchet I've ever had problems with with was my long handle 3/8. Everything else is near Snap On quality.
Wow! I guess you can't judge a tool by its case! Thanks for the informative video!!!
best icon/tool review on the internet!!! thank you
Phenomenal review, Catus. Can't say I need any more ratchets, and my Tekton flex heads are doing fine, but good to know the Icon straights are well made as of current date. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it almost looks like the Icon flex heads were made in China.
what i find interesting is all the other flex heads have the same face plate and head as the fixed heads besides the 1/4, must have been a space issue but still not okay
I've got the swivel head and straight head...glad I picked the good ones lol. My duralast flex seems to be ok
Wish I had found your videos before I picked up my 1/4 icon flex ratchet. Great breakdown, wish this had more views and votes.
You and me both
Great review
I’ve used the 1/4 Icon fixed head for a year and still happy with it. Fixed the back drag by slightly compressing the spring inside and applying a light coat of Super Lube. If you use too much it will lock up. Ratchet is super smooth now w minimal back drag.
I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts on icon
Great video!
I bought a 1/4" icon flex head and has worked great for a few months now. Havent been easy on it either. Good ratchet
Why would you pay that much then? Just buy a Pittsburg.
Since I looked at the icons I didn't like them much, I was at walmart the other day and found the locking flex head stanley which is also extendable. I have two videos on it and I think you will like it. good info on this video though.
Did your Lenox bit driver include the T5 bit needed to open the 1/4" flexhead? I had to purchase the Kobalt mini bit driver at Lowes as well to get the included T5 Torx bit to open mine up.
Somehow this does not surprise me much. I bought a round "rotohead" years ago off an independent tool truck that looks identical to yours. Looks like the same mfgr. and it holds up good. Mine was $15.
The switch will not just spin around because of the cap that's positioning it.
Just bought the flex head and was really excited, still am, I hope it's good. If not, its lifetime warranty and when I go to get another one I'll just grab a straight one.
Why pay more for subpar quality?
Ah geezless, T5 screws; I just got done drilling and extracting a stripped out screw from a Husky folding knife (the one with the wooden handle). Bloody soft, cheap as hell thing. Anyway, wow I was almost considering the Icon flex head ratchets outside the recalled models for a gift; maybe something else. That straight handled one-do I need another ratchet? Oh boy question of the century...
great review. it's a pity that the flex head isn't so good, I really would like to get a longer handle 1/4 inch flex head.
the flex head guts look a lot like Tekton guts
Does The Flex Head Ratchet Bartle Doo With Use? You Know Get Floppy. Better Than Capri Or Crap Mul Stank Capri?
Inside of the flex head looks the same as the inside of the Pittsburgh pro flex head, same switch, tiny, strippable torx and tiny little springs
That shift lever sure does look like a poor design.
That's pretty bad when you have so many quality inconsistencies withing your product like. It's really points out Icon all around is not a "professional" line.
I heard cat that the same manufacturer makes the fixed head icon that also made you’re fav duralast fixed ratchet. Great vid btw sir best icon vid period. I’ve been wanting to see this forever. That flex is garbage period. No way that compares to snap on.
Why wont they build a long handle NON flexible head I will never know.
Yea tht kills me they make a long wobbly ass flex head why cant they make a straight long ratchet
Thanks for the reveiw. Ive recently picked up a “composite” 1/4” black ratchet. With the 5 dollar off any pittsburgh pro coupon it costs just over three buck. It has lots of great reveiws. It however feels like a plastic toy. I’d love to know whats in it
Joe D The composite ratchets have a steel core. They are the best ratchets to use in the dead of winter in a freezing garage.
Joe D they’re also especially good in a body shop. My buddy uses one in his and you don’t have to worry about scratching fresh paint.
For straight ratchets go for icon or Pittsburgh pro flex head ratchet Pittsburgh pro all the way icon flex head ratchets suck
Not a fan of these new Icon ratchets. I'll stick with my Tekton 90ts.
Wow. That's shocking. Every single part on the non-flexhead is superior. You would assume it would be more cost effective for ICON to make the heads identical. After all the videos coming out lately on ICON Tools I haven't seen anyone point out the dramatic difference the 2 styles. Ill be sticking to Pittsburgh PRO.
Switch Could Be Recessed. Looks Stupid Raised Up And Could Hinder Certain Jobs.
Great video. As a result of your video, purchase the 1/4 Icon fixed head and it’s quite a sturdy ratchet. It feels great in the hand and is very smooth. It’s like a small step up from GearWrench, which is already a very good ratchet.
I've always hated flex head ratchets. Just one more reason not to like them.
pretty much shows engineering evaluation put in by HF, big fat zero.
They just went to what ever factories gave acceptaple cost and production volumes.
those ratchets are 2 different factories .
Anyone making good effort on a true pro grade ratchet would be using same internals across same ratchet platform .
This basically a pick and mix from taiwan and so far not much of it great, ratchet wrenches decent and from high-five, sockets and both ratchets I wouldn't bother with as way better options, papri ratchets wipe the floor with icon.
ICON roto not bad buy I suppose but you can get 72 or100tooth Rotos for less or same cost .
Really a piss poor product offering considering the marketing details .
HF taking the piss out the consumer on this line as way way better tools come out of taiwan but they making little effort get the quality they marketing it at .