A Snap On guy in a Harbor Freight world: Lessons Learned with ICON TEKTON Snap On Gearwrench Amazon
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- Опубліковано 7 тра 2023
- Just a Snap On guy in a Harbor Freight world. These are some lessons I learned when dealing with ICON wrenches when used to a Snap On experience.
I’ve been begging for this for years! A lot of the icon stuff is identical to the Matco but I looked up the 9 mm and it’s $30 so that’s not much help 😢
No home owner buying $200 set in first place
Icon for the professional
PROFESSIONAL-MECHANICS
MAKE BREAD
both made by sunex likely -- matco makes no tools
@@TheGameBoy56 craftsman from 50 yrs ago, great tools. husky is nice for homeowners. matco snap on was being sold for mechanics, i bought some specialty tools. built many engines using Alltrade sockets. used and abused, still going strong. i buy tools from harbor freight sockets from pawn shops and swap meets. someone gifted me that horrendous 8 socket-in-one monstrosity
@@TheGameBoy56 not all mechanics make a lot of money.
@@mikethetoolman8776 sunex doesn't make all their tools either they just have them made from a factory in Thaiwan like everyone else
So far Icon has been very good at changing when they hear customer feedback. Mark my words: they will be offering individual wrenches soon.
They have been doing thisnfornseveral years now and will not offer single units. That insires more sales of large kits/sets.
@@jmackinjersey1 I think they will eventually. Of course time will tell.
@@jmackinjersey1 my thought is that is the hidden loophole in the lifetime warranty
Yep! They need open stock, not just sets!
They don’t want to sell individuals. they would have been on the shelves years ago if they thought they’d make money with that plan. Sets only drives more sales. Otherwise lots of guys would buy only what they need.
You can get the flex joint to tighten up if you put a drop of blue loctite on it, work it back and forth, then let it sit for a few minutes. Time will vary but ideally, you'll want to let it set up almost all the way and then work it back and forth again. Works like a dream every time I've used it.
Thank you for this tip
Tekton's good stuff. I had most of my Snap On stuff stolen a few years back, so I've been replacing it all with stuff like Tekton and it's... just fine. And most of it's next-day with Amazon Prime. Even the Snap On truck only comes once a week or so
I know how it feels. Had a top chest stolen filled with Snap On, Mac, Proto and a few SK. Ive been buying used Snap On on eBay. Looking at trying Tekton now.
@@Mountainrock70 you won’t regret it. I love all my tekton stuff. Their warranty is awesome too. Takes less than a minute to snap a pic, enter your shipment info then two days later your parts or a replacement tool shows up in the mail.
dang this is exactly what I was afraid of. Collect nice tools/toolbox, accidentally leave the garage up too long and there goes your nice tools.
If you like the ICON wrenches that much, why not just get a whole new set, and then E Bay each one of the individual ICON wrenches from tyour original set. You might make out on it...
In all fairness to Tekton it's not the long end of the wrench you need to keep from drooping, it's the short end and it looked like it was tight enough to keep that from happening. I own several sets of Tekton tools and I've been very happy with them.
On small wrenches like this 9mm, the short end nearly always is firm enough to support its weight. But the moment it touches a fastener it moves. That’s why I use the weight of the long end. Larger wrenches are a different story.
I own none except an sae tap and die set, very cheap was my initial impressions, used it 1 time and I hate it. I would rather spend some coin on the Capri line of tools, since I own a vice made by them amd it's built like a tank.. oh and lifetime warranty, supposedly...
I have a box full of Snap On and Mac tools. I've purchased a lot of Tekton tools for myself and my kids in the last 3 years or so. I'm very happy with their tools so far. It has mostly been socket sets, ratchets, screwdrivers and pry bars.
For the money, Tekton is probably my favorite brand.
I'm not an auto mechanic by trade but I do all of my own maintenance and repairs. I recently replaced the engine in my truck almost exclusively with Tekton tools other than my M18 impacts. No failures or issues while removing a 30 year old engine. I have to say I'm impressed.
@@lastbesttool I've also had no issues with my flex heads being floppy, they seem to stay pretty much where I put them unless I purposely push on something to get a bit more angle...kinda weird about the not being able to tighten it thing....you might message Tekton about it....could be a issue with the screw internally....like maybe it has a burr at the end that's bottoming it out prematurely. Or maybe even just remove the screw and check it yourself since you said it had no issue coming loose.
@ Johnny Lightning, thats pretty much exactly what she said there too bud...
Very helpful. I am a professional researcher who is compulsive in researching prior to purchasing almost anything. I spent hours, for weeks when looking at new wrench sets. So glad I went with Gearwrench. I had a warranty issue and they replaced it with no problem.
Like you, I discovered that you can't stiffen the joint on flex-head wrenches by tightening the bolt - the shoulders of the joint are just too beefy to be drawn inwards by a little bolt. You'd do better to put a shim washer in, or cinch the shoulders slightly inwards with a bench vice.
Take the bolt and head off and rap it with a hammer. Then put it back together. Fixed.
my thoughts exactly the vice can easily do a controlled squeeze--even an extension to limit the squeeze
@@martyvanord984 Well, whether you tighten the joint with a vice or a hammer, you ain't going to do it by tightening the bolt down, that just doesn't work.
@@martyvanord984 yes a vice would work also. Anything strong enough to reform the metal. The bolt itself isn't.
Easy gix😅
Tekton support is usually really good about helping you get the tool working the way you want and if it is simply they dont design them to be that tight then you would know for sure.
As for wondering around trying to figure out how that works... it's like us non-tool truck guys wondering how folks find the trucks or go to those spots on the vendor schedule and what about weeks they change routes... I guess it is all what you are used to.
And I agree - I wish I bought a lot more craftsman back in the day. I have doubles of a lot but not enough, and should have had 5 sets of everything LOL
Great review. While i do wish tektons flex heads were a little stiffer on all the flex head style tools you also have to remember your not holding the wrench by the ratcheting end so as long as your holding the wrench by the correct end and the head doesnt just flop around they work just fine. I have a gearwrench set that just flops around with 0 resistance. But i do understand wanting them to be a little stiffer.
On a small wrench, it is hard to show how lose the flex is since the ratchet side weighs so little. But when attempting to center on a fastener, the sag really comes into play. I’d hope up to a 13 or 14mm wrench that there is no sag when holding the short side.
@lastbesttool ya that's completely understandable. Nothing worse then trying to get the flex head on a fastener in an awkward location and the thing just constantly moves around. I have also tried snugging that fastener up on a few brands in the past with no luck. If you try one of those other methods mentioned in the comments that would be awesome to see. Keep up the amazing work!
I find the floppy head is so annoying that I rarely use my gear wrenches.
On the gear wrench, they use a wavey washer. Take the head off and bend the washer more then reassemble. That got mine to be stiff enough to be useful.
@@m2aic433 will do. Thanks
Moral of the story is don't lose your Icon wrench. As popular as the Icon tools are getting I'm willing to bet they will eventually offer individual wrenches.
I started buying all Tekton tools. They make great tools and have a great warranty.
Take the T9 screw out, take the head out of the hinge, put the hinge on an anvil, hold a strip of brass on the end of the hinge, & give the end of the hinge a sharp rap with a hammer. Reassemble, with some thick grease. That often works. "Fettling" tools used to be a thing; sometimes even things like (US, Canadian, Australian) Stanley bench planes needed their frogs stoned flat to make them sit square in the plane.
I wish your explanation was a video, sounds interesting.
@@SuperMIKevin Its not that hard.
Fettling is a great word, I guess it's a good thing fettling isn't usually something people have to do these days, but when fettling is needed, fettling is how you accomplish it. In fact, I think I'm going to fettle up a sandwich.
@@GlennC789 Fettling used to be done during "rehabbing" old tools like hand planes, etc. As you alluded to, it's not something thought of today, primarily because it's a lost/untaught art. Not saying one should expect to have to fettle a Tekton, Gearwrench or Icon tool, especially when these tool makers/brokers are trying to compete with S-O/etc at a much lower price, much easier availability/etc.
@@thooks1234 I like your comment. As a Gen-X parent of adult twin millennials, I have to be serious for a moment to say that fettling is as alive as it's ever been, and thereby contradict myself. One of my twins fettles with 3-D printers. He fettles up a lot of stuff, some of it better than a sandwich, or even a plane. My other twin fettles with biology, and if by chance you don't think that type of fettling is important, try not to need any medical care in your life. My serious point is just that fettling can take any angle, it's how humans make things better, and thanks to all the previous fettling that's happened you and I probably have pretty comfortable lives. Fettling. Damn it really is a great word, I didn't even realize until you and that other guy mentioned it.
Check the returns/discount shelf, if they have a set that is already missing pieces the store manager will usually let you buy individual pieces at a prorated price each. IE 10 piece wrench set that normally retails for $120, they will sell each wrench for $12.
Two thoughts: 1) Disassembly the Tekton and see if there is a friction point that may be overlubed (you could try threading the "hinge" bolt a bit more if it is partially threaded, or adding very thin nylon shims), and 2) Find the parts guys at the flea markets until you find another IKON 9mm.
I like that snap on uses o-rings in their hinge for flex ratchets. Ive had a couple go saggy and when you want to stiffen them up you replace the o-ring. The higher the durometer, the stiffer the flex.
They actually use a small spring now days
@@brettwalkom948 like a split lock washer? Because now you have me thinking mine originally had those and I've replaced them all with O-rings over the years. Either way, they work 😅
@@bradbeck2601 yeah it's kinda like a spring washer made out of a bit of wire
Seems to me the obvious solution is to buy an Icon set, take the wrench you need, and sell the rest at $30 a piece for a huge profit.
There may be a friction ring inside that flex joint that can be pulled out and manually spread to make it fit toghter. That is how Snap-On flex ratchets work
this is very reasonable critique. I do leather work, but before i started i had already been in the world of tools and hobby-level mechanic work, so when looking for an industrial sewing machine i was fixated on a serviceable machine that i can locate parts for. when i found the brand i ultimately went with, i knew theyd be the one because the website has most parts, and if not there is a number to call to reach parts department, which in my experience is manned by a very knowledgeable team who have not delivered wrongly the 3 times ive had to order parts. serviceability, replaceability, and responsiveness are the most important things for these kinds of investments. if the company lacks them, the product is worth so much less
Great video Doc, i lost a mid length 17mm 1/2 inch impact socket, that i was able to buy the socket alone of my snap-on truck, imagine if i had to replace my my whole mid length 1/2 socket set. The tool trucks may not be the cheapest but still the easiest and most convinient way to buy, replace, and maintain your tools.
Only if the tool truck stops by, otherwise good luck finding one!
You can literally buy 3 icon sets for the price of 1 Snapon explain to me the convenience again not to mention every time they warranty a set the rest get clearanced out I think the real lesson here is to keep track of your tools better it's literally why we have tool carts and rolling cabinet tool boxes
Excellent points. The reason you can't get individual pieces is because the retailer or distributor doesn't keep what's called "open stock," meaning individual pieces of sets aren't available. This is one reason their prices are typically lower than other retailers who do keep open stock. It's also why many stores won't open a set to give you one individual piece since they can't then replace that one piece and would be left with an incomplete set that they can't sell.
It's more than your average consumer should need to know, but if you do, it can inform your purchasing decision and shows one reason why some retailers are so much less expensive than others.
that's exactly why i choose tekton...got 1/4, 3/8 socket sets and 1/2 inch drive impact set and standard and metric regular wrenches, no skips are the seller for me,love em..hope they fix the swivel wrench,their warranty is 2nd to none in my opinion...snap a picture of tool and you'll receive a new tool in 3 or 4 days...just a diy guy but i don't want some engineer teeling me i'll probly never need a 23mm socket...have had a craftsman cube tool set i bought 10yrs ago that still serves me well ...but for tools on my p/u i'll stick with tekton no skips...thanks for your vids.
There is a pretty good chance that that torx screw is threaded on the head end, not the far end. That makes for a stronger pin. If you take the screw out and look you will quickly see if that is the case. It basically means the threads just hold the screw in, they have nothing to do with supporting the joint. So basically, tight enough is good, if you want the flex tighter you will have to do it a different way.
A whack with a hammer peins the end of the pin, also works great for cutters that become loose. Snap On only warranty when broken unfortunately.
An alternative to EvapoRust is Rust 911. It is a concentrate designed to work in a 16 to one ration using water. That makes the gallon worth purchasing vs Evapo Rust. They both work the same.
Icon has come along way. Totally agree you should be able to buy an individual wrench, if you have the set. That's something they could improve on.
in respect to over torquing fasteners - it's not everyday we need proper torque specs. However this is in fact a perfect example of when we do. The thing which i always wanted to find are some good and reliable tables to look up the torque specs for fasteners, and in different finishes / head types. For example stainless steel, vs BZP or a proper hardened steel (these black finish with a hardness rating like 8, 10, 12). And then each for M3, M4, M5, and with different screw heads, be they cap head screw, or phillips, or torx or whatever. Then I could have some extra confidence to know when a bolt was not moving (like you say). That something else was wrong.
The other thing to consider however is impacts. So you cannot undo some bolts that have been driven in with an impact. However they can be undone with an impact. This is also quite important matter too I feel. Since you can also try an impact tool on a bolt that isn't moving. Or otherwise get a hammer out. Or something like an air hammer etc. also nice if you have one.
Of course if the head of the spanner is hardened steel (which it is) then it probably? Won't deform plastically. And then try to return back to it's original dimensions. So in this case maybe the thing to try is grip the spanner head in a vise. And try to squeeze deform the head. Then (still in the vise, in that squeezed shape), see if you can somehow turn the screw a little bit more. So when you release the pressure from the vise it will stay in place. And be a bit tighter. Makes sense?
I saw a few new Icon tools at harbor frieght. And impressed. Truth is you can't beat Icon! Cost vs quality vs return policy. And they're not bad tools, one has to be honest
To tighten try putting it in a vise to close the fork and then tighten it. The pressure from the sides of the fork is what allows it to stay in place, not the screw
This.
When Mr.Murphy finds out that you pushed past your ocd and bought a non-matching replacement you'll find your wrench!
I have a 1/4” tekton socket set, an I had a ratchet an love them both.
Great video!
Not being able to purchase Icon separately, is a huge reason I'm not buying them as I start to rebuild my tool collection. And lea ing to Tekton myself.
Any flex head ratchet or wrench can be "tighted" up with shims (yes, they come that thin) or a different clam washer (if installed). The screw is only a pivot point for the tool and not a adjustment for less movement.
SOURCE ???
@@martyvanord984 machinist supply, or make your own out of feeler gauges
Nice review
It's odd because some of the icon wrenches you can order/replace individually. It's right on the website for p/n. 17337 is for the 10mm combination with anti-slip.
I agree completely with you, way to make a video out of a complaint I've had for a long time lol I love my Snap-On swivel ratchet :)
This might explain why so many Icon kits are missing parts... I see the sets in the discount bin all the time. Thanks for the video.
I agree even craftsmen sold separt wrenches and I have those same sears sriver Western forge made them for sears !
In addition to the other good suggestions, one could take the screw out put lock tite on the hole and reassemble. when you then break the bond the lock tite works like a clutch and lasts for ever.
I have the set of double end ratcheting wrenches, some of them were loose. I removed the bolt pulled the head and shimmed each side, Andes some blue loc tite and have been using them everyday for 2 years.
Good piont sir!
I agree wholeheartedly. I can walk into a Lowes get a single Kobalt wrench, socket, or adapter a single Craftsman wrench, socket, or adapter walk into Home Depot get a single Husky wrench, socket , or adapter But walk into a Harbor Freight and for common sized wrenches, sockets, or even adapters be it Pittsburgh, Quinn, or Icon you can only buy a complete set. So realistically HF isn’t even on same playing field of the other brick and mortar stores except perhaps Walmart.
Now I do like Icon tools especially since they do have no skip sizing however I won’t buy the wrenches especially ratcheting wrenches for the exact reason. The Milwaukee wrenches have my attention but not sure if I can get them individually (Milwaukee does have great customer service and I’m sure getting on phone they’ll do it) but that is a PITA so I still use my Kobalt USA but now they’re Taiwan so I can’t get them replaced with equal tool
I have a Capri Tools 3/8 socket set with blow mold case that I keep in the trunk of my car. I lost the ratchet and measured the slot and it was a specialty ratchet that was a little smaller than the average 3/8 ratchets that even Carpri Tools sells. The set was discontinued a few years ago and I could not find a ratchet that I could buy to fit in that space in the blow mold case. I called Carpri Tools and they were able to sell me that ratchet as a single unit. They said they keep a stock of discontinued tools for just that purpose, for either warranty, or missing parts replacements. I bought the ratchet and then found my missing one a couple weeks later haha. But I was happy to know that I could call them and order tools that have been discontinued and even buy them a single tool that came only in a specialty set too.
Doesn't always work. I have a Capri breaker, broke it, easy warranty. But, they didn't have it anymore, so they gave me the closest model, which was actually quite different other than the 1/2 drive size.
I really like my tekton screwdrivers i haven't had them long but they're great and USA made
Good talk Doc!
Gives a perspective about what actually buy when you purchase a product from a given company. I think the Snap-on policy should be standard, but again at what cost?
I do not know how the Tekton wrench joints are made, but you may be able to fix that sag with a screw with a slightly tighter thread pitch.
That way you may get the a tighter joining, although the threads themselves may be thinner but it should hold.
Question is whether such T9 screws are available.
Cheers.
Edit: On second thought that may be problematic because the threads within the hole remain at the same pitch, so trying to thread a different
pitched T9 screw may cause problems.
This may not be doable, for your attention.
so i have a lot of icon tools im newly into the industry as a mechanic. so i started out when icon was coming out. Since icons are basically snap on clones. I just buy the single from the snap on truck. and they will look literally the same. I have basically all the icon metric wrenches and bought a snap on sockets and that same ratchet as a replacement. fits right in
This explans why Harbour Freight always has a bunch of sets missing 1 or 2 things. Always. Now it makes sense!
Fair assessment, appreciate it. I’m a Tekton guy, but their not perfect.
Nice video. Just subscribed
I do like that snap on, is rebuildable and or can get parts even for some ancient tools, even my fast charger can out source parts for.
Tekton, more please
My buddy had the same problem. He lost a 1/2, so he broke his 7/16 and took the whole set in, and they still warrantied it with a missing wrench. Idk if all stores are like this, though.
That Tekton is fine, I doubt you'll be using everyday. This is some next level expectations that someday I will have.
You’re right, that is a massive issue for professionals. Also, Icon has yet to offer true master sets of wrenches and socketry, or even the ability to buy them individually. For example: can I get a 24mm or 27mm or 30mm or 32mm icon combo wrench? Nope. But Channelock has them from the same manufacturer, Infar… huh… oh and I can buy them individually through vendors such as Sunpro… interesting.
Icon has a large ratcheting wrench set in those sizes I have it and it has worked really well
Put a little bit of lock tight in between the flex joint then let it harden for a day. I do this to all my old flex head ratchets that will no longer tighten up it seems to work well and last quite a while.
How do you keep all of these tools organized? Have you ever done a toolbox tour? I feel like your toolbox would be interesting.
I’ve got Channel Locks brand torque drivers for messing around with my pocket knives; they’re pretty good and they’re made in the USA.
Yeah from what ininderstand you cant stiffen the flex heads with the bolt on the shoulders. There is usually a washer or oring or some sort of tension device inside the head.
I've never had an experience similar to that for any icon product I've purchased at a harbor freight.
Putting a drop of Fluid Film on the floppy joint would probably make it a bit stiffer,at least long enough to do a job (after the Fluid Film has a few minutes to thicken)
some of those things have a small lockwasher or split washer hidden inside the joint to provide friction
FWIW, I've adjusted the tension of flex head wrenches and ratchets from several brands. None of them can be tightened much by torquing that screw. If you think about it, it makes sense. To increase that friction you would have to bend a substantial amount of steel in the yoke.. The idea that it would work without stripping either the threads or the head of that little screw is kinda' nuts. (That's not an attack on you. I tried it too.) The tension mechanism varies between brands, but most brands have a groove inside the yoke with a split washer to provide the tension. I adjust them by removing the head and introducing some additional twist into the split washer. It can be a bit fiddly. Too little twist and it stays floppy. Too much and it can be impossible to reassemble. I did this to two sets of Tekton double box end flex head wrenches where every one of them was too floppy for my taste. It took about 90 minutes to adjust all 20 flex heads, but I think it was worth it.
It's been a few years now, but one exception to the split washer design was my Pittsburg Pro 1/2" flex head ratchet. If I recall correctly, they used a rubber O-ring. It felt good when new, but once it got a little oily the head got floppy. I was lucky and found a split washer that fit into the O-ring groove and now my Pittsburgh ratchet works the same as other brands.
Broken sets to do a warranty are available in the back of the store. Sets missing one or two items are marked down as manager specials.
It might be the T9 is a shoulder bolt and it’s bottomed out. The only way to tighten it then is to add a shim/spring between the head and handle.
I left my tekton wrenches outside for a few days. They stiffend up just fine.
As others have mentioned, I think the fix is either a shim, an o-ring, or take the head off and give the fork a little hit with a deadblow hammer.
Doc, what in the world do you do with all of your tools? A cool video would be to see your full display overview. I'm guessing you have about 10 tool boxes with every drawer packed full of tools! Anyway, love the videos!
That bolt would be stronger than the Icon wrench.
You don't hold the wrench by the fastener end. If you hold it by the proper end (the reason for buying a ratcheting wrench) it will not "sag"
I must admit i love my tekton tools
“What’s going on Tekton? Why does the flex head flex?” 😂😅
shim stock might help, apply a small piece in between the hinge.
I wouldn't think the tightening of such a small screw would stress the metal for a quality wrench. Is it made to where you could take it apart and maybe fit a nylon bushing in both or one of the sides to give more friction fitment? That or ugga-dugga the wrench when it's taken apart and hammer the prongs closer together on an anvil or such.
It's crazy. I've been working on vehicles for 25 years and have never needed a 9 mm socket or wrench.
Me either iI dont think....unless maybe a BMW had a 9mm...I know they had some like...13mm and external hex and some other weird stuff....36mm 12 point axle nut...
@@xXCigarXx I've had 2 BMWs and i've never had to go below 10mm
Bmw has a lot of 8mm.. no 9mm tho @@Zhcwu
There's only a few things that use a 9mm wrenche or socket, some 1/4 windows and back glass, don't remember using it on anything else. There usually not really thigh anyway, so you could actually use other tools to do the job.
I don't have this Icon wrench set, but I may have a workable solution to your problem. If you can remove the screw and the head, might I suggest the insertion of a micro thin clear plastic washer or cello-tape placed between the head and the bar. Re-insert the screw and tighten away.
Same here i lost my 14mm stubby ratcheting wrench, I've been to tempted to buy Tekton again i had a ratchet before
One idea you could try is undo the pin in the tekton and sneak it out and see if you can get a little longer one and a little rubber gasket or something like that to add friction
I was looking for some tools for my sons. One is a diesel mech and the other is a Stryker Maintainer in the Army. Good tools are expensive and I wanted my sons to have some quality gear. Much if my tool chest is handed down from generations and nearly indestructable but I am not ready to kick the bucket just to give then my tools. I was Looking for off set box end wrenches. I refuse to buy craftsman, was not going to chase down a matco or snap on dealer, and looking at the Icon, I noticed that they had duplicated a size. I don't remember specificly but for example one end would be 9/16 and the other would be 1/2, the next wrench in the set would be 1/2 and 7/16. I asked the HF manager and he said it was a common mistake. I went online to search a decent brand and ran across the Tekton brand. Great rating, kind of high priced but I called them to talk about the warranty. I liked everything I read and heard and ordered them. One son told me that he put a cheater bar on one of the wrenches and it did not even bend it.
On the tekton wrench, if you want to stiffen the flex wrist, unscrew the pin and pull the head out of the knuckle. Check for an o-ring or shim recessed between the mating surfaces. Adding a piece of .001 shim or a slightly fatter o-ring will stiffen the wrist. That said, you almost never hold the wrench by the head, so it's probably stiff enough for most work, but this is why I HATE using these no-lock no-detent flex head wrenches. I would rather heat and bend a wrench than fight the flop.
Harbor Freight lost me before bringing out Icon.
I don't think I will be bothering with Icon for many reasons, and you've just added another.
I have a lot of Tekton tools, and so far I'm not thrilled with them, but they're affordable and U.S.-made (the ones I've got, anyway), and they supposedly have a guarantee.
Yeah the snap on wrench is expensive but you can definitely feel the quality in it
I went through the same thing with my Craftsman V Series wrenches. You almost have to have a set in reserve in case you lose something!
Yeah, that is one of the few faults I have with ICON, luckily I haven't lost any yet. Maybe they'll change this soon.
The pin screw on the TEKTON I think bottoms in the handle so it retains but doesn't adjust the tension? It would require some serious force to tweak that tool steal I suppose also?
the way to fix that tekton is take the t9 bolt out, remove the ratchet head. there's a small thin washer between the head and the bracket that can be slightly bent to increase the tension and force needed to swivel the head back and forth. nearly every set of ratcheting swivel wrenches I've bought from AutoZone, harbor freight, or O'Reilly's have had at least one that was not tighten enough. one of my 10mm that I got from harbor freight could be used as a makeshift clapper with how free it swivelled.
Couple things, first the reason Snap on, Mac and Matco are so expensive is you are not just buying tools you're paying for the service, which is the dealer coming to you once a week and giving you one on one customer service. Second you answered your own question, Tekton is cheaper because its a lesser quality tool. If they make the head more precise it would cost more to manufacturer (like Icon and Snap on) meaning it would be more expensive
Half way through I was yelling at the screen... “just tighten it!” Lol. Then you said “hold on”. Lol
Weird that it won’t tighten. Maybe try to find the right size hex in a sacrificial tool and give ‘er!
Thx for the vid. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉
I've ordered wrenches and sockets from HF. Just use the part number from their parts catalog. I'm still waiting on a 15mm long socket because it is on back order.
to stiffen i've used thread lock to give me that tighter feeling that you're looking for
You can buy a individual matco wrench to match that set. Same exact wrenches made by Kabo and sold under both names.
Thanks for the lead.
Two ideas...remove the ratchet end from the wrench and nip the fork in a vise, that might tighten it up. Otherwise, try removing the Torx screw and putting a tiny washer under the head, then replace it.
Yes, that is a big problem with Harbor Freight. Just full kits or nothing.
That is why I like Tekton. You can order just what you need to replace anything I have lost.
They have plastic shims, thats what gives all those wrenches their firmness
Remove bolt from Tekton. remove head.Put handle open end in vice and tighten. Takes the slop out.
Try pinching it in the bench vise at the hinge. Give it just a bit of grab
Commenting on the video for the algorithm
The FIX for your tekton wrench is to remove the bolt of the 9mm wrench fill the hole with too much blue lock tight reinstall the bolt wipe off the squeeze out and let it sit unused over night. Also what the heck do you use a 9mm on. I'm sure something has one out there but 30 years turning wrenches do think I've seen one yet. Thanks for sharing
Brand loyalty is weird to me. I go with the best thing available at my desired price point when the need arises. That said, most of my wrenches are Tekton.
Have you tried disassembling and applying a small amount of low-strength Loctite in the joint? adds a bit of friction w/o seizing.
Snap On is pricey but not gonna be beat by Icon. For me, Tekton has become what Craftsman used to be.
I have had the same issues eith the tekton flex head wrenches on being Floppy 5:56
TEKTON doesnt have any ratcheting wrenches in thier current lineup. They had many issues and are hoping to have them available again soon. What you bought is NOS and once its gone, thats it. You'll still be able to warranty it. Hopefully thier newer lineup will be better than thier previous lineup.