Harbor Freight Black Friday Tool Haul: Icon Ratchets and a Hercules Tool Tote Worth a Look

Introduction

Black Friday tool sales are where a lot of great-value hand tools get picked up, and this year’s Harbor Freight promotion is a good example: 40% off all Icon products. The haul this time covers four items worth considering, from a favorite ratchet line to a cheap tool tote, plus a quick look at how to smooth out a ratchet with fresh lubrication if you are inclined to tinker.

Icon G2 Ratchets: The Standout Buy

The Icon G2 line is the one worth prioritizing. Favorites include the quarter-inch flex head and the three-eighths-inch flex head, priced at $33 and $42 on sale respectively. These are locking flex head ratchets with an 80-tooth count, very smooth operation, and low back drag. In direct comparisons with ratchets from Snap-on, KoKen, and Matco, the G2 ratchets are competitive with all of them, which is remarkable at these prices.

If you want the half-inch size, be aware of the trade-off. The lockable flex head version is $72, while the non-flex head half-inch is $45. Since a half-inch ratchet is not something most people use frequently, the non-flex version is a reasonable way to save money. The non-flex head extra-long quarter-inch and three-eighths-inch versions are $27 and $36 on sale, available with or without a comfort grip at the same price.

How to Tell G2 and G1 Ratchets Apart

The two generations look similar, and the packaging does not always help. Generation one ratchets come in big square fully enclosed boxes, while generation two ratchets ship with the handles exposed and packaging covering only the upper portion. Some G1 ratchets also have comfort handles, which adds to the confusion. To be sure you are getting a G2, check that it says G2 on it or that the handle is exposed.

Icon G1 Ratchets: Fine, But Not Special

The G1 line is not bad, it is just unremarkable. The quarter-inch flex head and three-eighths-inch stubby come in at $21 and $18 on sale. The engraving, finish, balance, and most importantly the feel do not stand out, and the back drag is inconsistent, cycling light and heavy instead of staying even. The quarter-inch flex head also has a loose head that bottoms out when tightened, likely related to the wave washer inside, making it feel floppy. Larger sizes are presumably worse.

Pittsburgh Composite Ratchets: The Budget Pick

If budget is the primary concern, the Pittsburgh composite ratchets are excellent for the price at under $10. The head is mostly composite with metal underneath, but the action is very smooth with super low back drag. Other inexpensive options mentioned in the same breath include Astro and DieHard ratchets, which are also inexpensive and quite good. The G1s occupy a middle ground: different flavors for different people, but not favorites.

Hercules Tool Tote: Cheap and Useful

At $18, the Hercules tool tote is not on the same level as a Veto Pro bag, but for the price it works well for household projects. Grab an impact driver or drill, throw in some tools, and carry everything to the job in one trip. It also lends itself to dedicated setups: a plumbing bag, an electrical bag, or an in-car repair bag.

Relubing an Icon Ratchet: Optional but Effective

Out of the box, Icon ratchets are perfectly usable, and relubing is not required. Still, a fresh lube makes them noticeably smoother and quieter. For lubricant, a thin oil like Tri-Flow is too thin, standard Super Lube grease is too thick for most ratchets, and the best middle ground is Super Lube heavy oil (ISO 100), or a combination of that and a bit of grease.

The process: Icon ratchet screws are Torx, with T15 for the largest ratchets, T10 for medium and stubby sizes, and T8 for the smallest. Note there is a little Loctite on the screws. Hold the cover plate while removing the screws, then hold the anvil down and pull the cover plate off with a magnet. Add a few drops of lubricant, rotate the mechanism, reverse it, and repeat. Be careful not to pull the internal mechanism out; it is not catastrophic, but reassembly takes time. The cover plate is O-ring sealed, so do not dislodge the O-ring. Reinstall the plate, snug the first screw, tighten the second, then return to the first. No extra Loctite is needed for a couple of openings.

Conclusion

The 40% off Icon sale makes the G2 ratchets an easy recommendation, especially the quarter-inch and three-eighths-inch flex heads. Skip the G1s unless the price is the deciding factor, keep the Pittsburgh composites in mind for under $10 duties, and the Hercules tote is a low-risk $18 addition for hauling tools around the house.