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 😢
@@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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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
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.
@@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 😅
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.
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
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.
The question is now if you break your 10mm can you warranty it without having the 9mm because they just swap the whole set? If you can't then the whole advantage of the lifetime warranty is out the window.
Sometimes they give you a whole new set. Also I warrantied a $180 mechanics tool set at the depot, with much dismay, because of excessive rust. That set was missing several sockets, they didn't even care
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
I fully agree, but don't forget that you can pick up one of these wrenches in a different brand at Home Depot or lowe's, they have drawers with individual wrenches fitting this description, so you can buy them one at a time if you only lose one.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
Try some electrical tape on the flex head to keep it from flopping. It will still bend into place with enough resistance, but it acts like it is spring loaded and pops onto the fastener as I am rotating it into place.
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.
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 have quite a few Tekton tools & I'm quite happy with them (granted, I'm not a professional mechanic - tho I am a bkue collar professional who uses other tools every day). Anyway, if your order directly from Tekton they credit 10% towards your next order. Some of their stuff is made in the U.S., some in Taiwan, some in China. I don't know if I'd use these tools if I was a pro mechanic, but for a guy who likes to work on his own stuff, I've been happy with them.
I asked if I could purchase a replacement out of an already "open box" tagged set but the manager said more or less there was no protocol for it. The one I was looking to replace does have an individual part number and price but nothing to scan so no can do. Maybe I should've bought that open box set then sold the individuals on eBay like one of your comments suggested.
I bought a few bags of fiber washers in home depot, you can bring your ratchet bolt in with you if you want the perfect diameter, I've really tightened up a few ratchets like this, also adding some blue loctight on the washer isn't the worst idea. Easy fix.
It probably has a long shank on the screw. Could replace with an all thread or shorter shank screw. They've redone the ratcheting wrenches recently so they may have addressed the floppyness
Tekton just announced they are revamping the ratcheting wrenches and cleaning out inventory. I wonder if they addressed the flex head joint in the new design plans.
That Tekton wrench probably just has a pin that slides in there with threads on one end to keep it from easily coming back out. The tightening of the pin just keeps it in place, doesn't affect the pivot action. You would have to take that pin out and do something to it to make it fit tighter like bend it a little bit or raise a burr on it with a chisel or put a dab of paint on it, something like that. I would try the paint trick first because it doesn't have to be permanent, let the paint completely dry before reassembly so it doesn't glue the parts together.
But you didn't spend Snap-On prices for your HF Icon so how can you expect the same level of service? I'm still impressed HF offers lifetime no haggle warranty on their stuff.
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.
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
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 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.
I have a set of Pittsburg ratchet wrenches and a set if Quinn wrenches if I break one harbor freight will warrenty either, BUT if I lose one I have to go to Lowes to buy a replacement wrench
Can order Carlyle wrenches individually they are made by the same manufacturer as icon, they are the exact same wrenches other than the name printed in the middle
Why would you expect a hinge to get tighter by tightening the pin? You'd need to tighten it enough to bend it to create friction between the separate pieces in order to make it less "floppy". When you said "hold on" I wasn't expecting it to have a screwed in hinge pin. I was expecting it to be a pressed or swedged pin. I was thinking that it needed to be pressed tighter in a vise or actual press. Zygmunt The Cacao Kakistocrat has a good thought.
Hmm, some of icons sets have a pdf in the listing with part numbers that you're supposed to be able to order replacements with. (I think at least with some sockets) But yeah, set only is definitely a bummer
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'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.
I can't argue that snap on are good tools, however, at what price. You could probably buy the set of the harbor freight for the cost of the one wrench. Did you mention contacting tekton directly?
I used to work as a mechanic. I bought snap-on tools when I could. That was over 40 years ago. They still warranty my tools. They have parts for 40-year-old tools. They have parts for 40-year-old tool boxes. Pricey, but you're paying for the warranty. Good video though.
So you can order none ratcheting wrenches and the sockets as well but the do need to expand to all of the tools for sets and it would probably save them money to sell the sockets and wrenches in stores individually like lowes does for the craftsman sockets
I will say that in Tekton is currently discontinuing their ratcheting straight and flex head wrenches. They are working on manufacturing a whole new made in USA wrench. They are doing this with all their tools now. They are bringing back all their manufacturing to stateside as they can. They don’t have the infrastructure to do it all at once but at least they are taking the initiative.
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.
I just dont want to invest 5k in a toolchest size assortment for it to walk off, if I lose a size or something I can replace the whole set for the price of a single wrench at most. Same as you i'll just get another brand like tekton to fill the gap. Current wrenches are an assortment of older craftsman etc anyways.
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.
Evaporust alternative: 1 liter water, add 100g citric acid (canning department), slowly add 40g sodium carbonate (washing soda, laundry detergent department) while stiring and allowing time for reaction to take place. Use a container substantially bigger than the amount being made in case it bubbles up too much. Can replace sodium carbonate with 63g of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or 30g of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). I don't think the hydroxide produces the same bubbling reaction, but not sure. I've only tried washing soda. Seems to work great. According to the video that I watched from a guy that knows chemistry way better than myself, it should keep working much longer than evapo rust too.
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
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 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.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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...
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😅
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.
When Mr.Murphy finds out that you pushed past your ocd and bought a non-matching replacement you'll find your wrench!
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.
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.
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
They sell snap on in trucks because stores can't drive away when you need something warrantied.
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
They have plastic shims, thats what gives all those wrenches their firmness
Use a vise clamp to squeeze the Tekton to tighten it up some. Works fine. ;) ICON is a bit greedy
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.
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
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.
Gear wrench was a good move imo. I only have a few but they are in my rotation along with much more expensive ones.
The question is now if you break your 10mm can you warranty it without having the 9mm because they just swap the whole set? If you can't then the whole advantage of the lifetime warranty is out the window.
You can, they usually just crack a set open and give you one
Yeah those are the open sets on the clearance rack with missing pieces lol
Sometimes they give you a whole new set. Also I warrantied a $180 mechanics tool set at the depot, with much dismay, because of excessive rust. That set was missing several sockets, they didn't even care
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.
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
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.
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.
How do you keep all of these tools organized? Have you ever done a toolbox tour? I feel like your toolbox would be interesting.
Tekton is the site to buy individually. That’s where I do all of my purchase from Tekton. They just have a complete set with no skip.
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
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...
Too obvious.
Ain't nobody got time for that.
i think this is a new business venture for someone lol
That set is identical to the blue power (Cornwell) set. If it saves you any money that way. Probably not though.
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.
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.
Might sound funny, but i cant even tell u the last time i needed a 9mm anything.. Been wrenching for 40 years...
I have had the same issues eith the tekton flex head wrenches on being Floppy 5:56
snap on flex head ratchets do that as well but that was after hard use
@@Brenden-420 all flex Head Ratchets do it At some point no matter the Brand
I fully agree, but don't forget that you can pick up one of these wrenches in a different brand at Home Depot or lowe's, they have drawers with individual wrenches fitting this description, so you can buy them one at a time if you only lose one.
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.
This explans why Harbour Freight always has a bunch of sets missing 1 or 2 things. Always. Now it makes sense!
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
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?
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.
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.
Try some electrical tape on the flex head to keep it from flopping. It will still bend into place with enough resistance, but it acts like it is spring loaded and pops onto the fastener as I am rotating it into place.
I have been happy with Tekton and Neiko tools.
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.
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 have quite a few Tekton tools & I'm quite happy with them (granted, I'm not a professional mechanic - tho I am a bkue collar professional who uses other tools every day). Anyway, if your order directly from Tekton they credit 10% towards your next order. Some of their stuff is made in the U.S., some in Taiwan, some in China. I don't know if I'd use these tools if I was a pro mechanic, but for a guy who likes to work on his own stuff, I've been happy with them.
I asked if I could purchase a replacement out of an already "open box" tagged set but the manager said more or less there was no protocol for it. The one I was looking to replace does have an individual part number and price but nothing to scan so no can do. Maybe I should've bought that open box set then sold the individuals on eBay like one of your comments suggested.
I bought a few bags of fiber washers in home depot, you can bring your ratchet bolt in with you if you want the perfect diameter, I've really tightened up a few ratchets like this, also adding some blue loctight on the washer isn't the worst idea. Easy fix.
It probably has a long shank on the screw. Could replace with an all thread or shorter shank screw. They've redone the ratcheting wrenches recently so they may have addressed the floppyness
Nice info and thanks for sharing. Constructively, you could have told us the same thing in three minutes or less.
Tekton just announced they are revamping the ratcheting wrenches and cleaning out inventory. I wonder if they addressed the flex head joint in the new design plans.
That Tekton wrench probably just has a pin that slides in there with threads on one end to keep it from easily coming back out. The tightening of the pin just keeps it in place, doesn't affect the pivot action. You would have to take that pin out and do something to it to make it fit tighter like bend it a little bit or raise a burr on it with a chisel or put a dab of paint on it, something like that. I would try the paint trick first because it doesn't have to be permanent, let the paint completely dry before reassembly so it doesn't glue the parts together.
What I have done with flex head anything, add a tiny or shaved o ring, it helps a lot with the stiffness.
But you didn't spend Snap-On prices for your HF Icon so how can you expect the same level of service? I'm still impressed HF offers lifetime no haggle warranty on their stuff.
Remove bolt from Tekton. remove head.Put handle open end in vice and tighten. Takes the slop out.
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
Harbor Freight definitely needs to offer individual wrenches and sockets even if it's just an online thing.
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.
The best thing I like about snap on, is that it makes me feel good knowing I've put my snap on dealers kids through private school.
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 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.
I have a set of Pittsburg ratchet wrenches and a set if Quinn wrenches if I break one harbor freight will warrenty either, BUT if I lose one I have to go to Lowes to buy a replacement wrench
I bought a Tekton set of mini pry bars online from Home Depot; and they were shipped directly from Tekton too.
I really like my tekton screwdrivers i haven't had them long but they're great and USA made
Coincidentally just got a harbor freight ad before this video
shim stock might help, apply a small piece in between the hinge.
to stiffen i've used thread lock to give me that tighter feeling that you're looking for
Can order Carlyle wrenches individually they are made by the same manufacturer as icon, they are the exact same wrenches other than the name printed in the middle
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.
Yeah the snap on wrench is expensive but you can definitely feel the quality in it
“What’s going on Tekton? Why does the flex head flex?” 😂😅
Why would you expect a hinge to get tighter by tightening the pin? You'd need to tighten it enough to bend it to create friction between the separate pieces in order to make it less "floppy". When you said "hold on" I wasn't expecting it to have a screwed in hinge pin. I was expecting it to be a pressed or swedged pin. I was thinking that it needed to be pressed tighter in a vise or actual press.
Zygmunt The Cacao Kakistocrat has a good thought.
I left my tekton wrenches outside for a few days. They stiffend up just fine.
I love tekon
Hmm, some of icons sets have a pdf in the listing with part numbers that you're supposed to be able to order replacements with. (I think at least with some sockets) But yeah, set only is definitely a bummer
U can order just one wrench or socket , u have to download the pdf with individual part numbers then u call to order it
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'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.
I can't argue that snap on are good tools, however, at what price. You could probably buy the set of the harbor freight for the cost of the one wrench. Did you mention contacting tekton directly?
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!
I used to work as a mechanic. I bought snap-on tools when I could. That was over 40 years ago. They still warranty my tools. They have parts for 40-year-old tools. They have parts for 40-year-old tool boxes. Pricey, but you're paying for the warranty. Good video though.
So you can order none ratcheting wrenches and the sockets as well but the do need to expand to all of the tools for sets and it would probably save them money to sell the sockets and wrenches in stores individually like lowes does for the craftsman sockets
Harbor Freight: INDIVIDUAL WRENCHES NOW!!!! (I know they watch vids like this. Just trying to get their attention lol.).
I will say that in Tekton is currently discontinuing their ratcheting straight and flex head wrenches. They are working on manufacturing a whole new made in USA wrench. They are doing this with all their tools now. They are bringing back all their manufacturing to stateside as they can. They don’t have the infrastructure to do it all at once but at least they are taking the initiative.
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.
I've never had an experience similar to that for any icon product I've purchased at a harbor freight.
Try pinching it in the bench vise at the hinge. Give it just a bit of grab
If you’re sitting around your shop comparing saggy wrenches… You’re using them the wrong way 😂
I just dont want to invest 5k in a toolchest size assortment for it to walk off, if I lose a size or something I can replace the whole set for the price of a single wrench at most. Same as you i'll just get another brand like tekton to fill the gap. Current wrenches are an assortment of older craftsman etc anyways.
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.
My gear wrench set came without an 11.. and I found other brand names but they seem to be too expensive too..
Evaporust alternative: 1 liter water, add 100g citric acid (canning department), slowly add 40g sodium carbonate (washing soda, laundry detergent department) while stiring and allowing time for reaction to take place.
Use a container substantially bigger than the amount being made in case it bubbles up too much.
Can replace sodium carbonate with 63g of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or 30g of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). I don't think the hydroxide produces the same bubbling reaction, but not sure. I've only tried washing soda.
Seems to work great. According to the video that I watched from a guy that knows chemistry way better than myself, it should keep working much longer than evapo rust too.
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
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.
It might be the screw is bottoming out. So it tightens up suddenly.
Has ICON come out yet with individual wrenches yet
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.
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 :)