Which Icon wrenches set to get?

[natas2000]

I guess in June the Icon wrenches will go on sale for 35% off.
In my field we don't use sockets or wrenches much but also most are SAE. I don't have very many at all left most were stolen.
I have been needing them in my garage lately.
So I'm just going to get a set of SAE & Metric Icon's as a start,
But which is best for light work, mostly non automotive? Is anti slip needed or ratcheting worth it while they are on sale?

 

[ecotec]

As far as wrenches, in general, go… I would say that your most basic wrenches are combination wrenches and ratcheting combination wrenches. After that, stubbies and extra long wrenches.

Start with a nice basic set of wrenches, though. After that, add sets that would make the things that you do easier (thin wrenches, line wrenches, offset wrenches, some tiny ignition wrenches…).

 

[cgrutt]

I like the ratcheting set that has the on-off lever but if I was starting from scratch I'd buy the standard (non-ratcheting) combination set first, possibly in a long format.

 

[M635_Guy]

This isn't intended to sound snarky, but it does anyway: If you needed anti-slip, you'd now.

The basic Icon combo wrenches are very nice. For reasons I can't really explain, I rarely use ratcheting wrenches unless they're the long flex-head (which you likely don't need for non-automotive and don't come in SAE from Icon anyway).

 

[natas2000]

Ok I will get the regular sets, even though I think a buffer I got needs a 20mm wrench and they only go to 19.

 

[cgrutt]

Ok I will get the regular sets, even though I think a buffer I got needs a 20mm wrench and they only go to 19.

They have a set from 20-24 if you need those sizes.

 

[Wamsutta]

Did Harbor Freight ever put some of those wrenches out in the open, or are they all still sealed in a boxes?

 

[Machinehead]

Did Harbor Freight ever put some of those wrenches out in the open, or are they all still sealed in a boxes?

All sealed that I've seen.

 

[nicks78camaro]

What do you do? And you say most what you do is SAE you sure the buffer 20mm isn't 13/16"? 20mm isn't super common.

 

[Ohio Andy]

This isn't intended to sound snarky, but it does anyway: If you needed anti-slip, you'd now.

I was thinking the same....

Have you ever rounded a bolt? If not, you are probably fine... If yes, well.... Maybe you want something that can handle that

Then you can try to figure out of you want something long or short... And how they feel in your hands.

My favorite are probably Wright tools. Phone that they are really good with rounded bolts, I like how they feel in my hands. One person specifically posted that he did not like how they felt in his hands.

I like the Craftsman overdrive.

Probably more important than any of that though is making certain that you have things like the right length and size. I was trying to use a ratchet to remove a license plate and the handle was too long and I needed something smaller than what I had with me. If you're going to be in small cramped areas, maybe you need stubby wrenches.

Just things to think about. I have never used the icon wrenches, but I think that they are generally held in high regard

 

[Roert42]

For automotive use, I find that standard length combination wrenches are the most useful. Most of the work is done with ratchets and sockets.
Then you get miscellaneous ratcheting wrenches, or long/short/angled wrenches for specific tasks.


For industrial use, I find most of the work is done with ratcheting wrenches because there is generally better clearance.

 

[gahrajmahal]

When changing the timing belt in my Honda Ridgeline I watched many videos about how to do it. One persons video showed the extra long ratcheting wrenches. So I bought them. I don’t think I would have been able to complete the job without them. The cheapest shop estimate for the job was over $2500. The parts, sold as a kit through Rockauto was around $350, so with the wrenches and a few other tools I still did it for around $600. I have used the wrench set for other auto stuff.

 

[Wamsutta]

All sealed that I've seen.

So if I want to feel the wrench, I'd have to buy the whole set and if I didn't like the way they feel, I'd have to pay a restocking fee.

 

[FigN⋅m]

So if I want to feel the wrench, I'd have to buy the whole set and if I didn't like the way they feel, I'd have to pay a restocking fee.

Whatever dude.

 

[Wamsutta]

"Compare to "Snap-on XFRRM705 at $835."

What Harbor Freight should do is put an actual example of a Snap-on product next to their Icon version so people can compare apples to apples instead of just posting the price of the competitor's product. What Harbor Freight is trying to do is make people believe that their Icon version is the EXACT same tool as their competitor's at a fraction of the price. That's cheesy marketing in my opinion. If they want to do a fair comparison, they would put the actual Snap-on product in the Harbor Freight store so people could do a real comparison. My guess is Harbor Freight is too chicken chit to do that because they know their product is inferior.

 

[natas2000]

What do you do? And you say most what you do is SAE you sure the buffer 20mm isn't 13/16"? 20mm isn't super common.

Im a Locksmith and it might be. I will check the size.

 

[cgrutt]

"Compare to "Snap-on XFRRM705 at $835."

What Harbor Freight should do is put an actual example of a Snap-on product next to their Icon version so people can compare apples to apples instead of just posting the price of the competitor's product. What Harbor Freight is trying to do is make people believe that their Icon version is the EXACT same tool as their competitor's at fraction of the price. That's cheesy marketing in my opinion. If they want to do a fair comparison, they would put the actual Snap-on product in the Harbor Freight store so people could do a real comparison. My guess is Harbor Freight is too chicken chit to do that because they know their product is inferior.

Not getting into if one is better than the other but problem with putting them side by side is they often LOOK the same as Harbor Freight apparently copies Snap-on products. Personally I'd prefer the Snap-on if money wasn't an issue not so much due to performance but rather given the choice I'd prefer MiUSA over China everytime. I do have some ICON they work but it bothers me that they're not Snap-on as some are replacements for Snap-on that I sold for financial reasons.

 

[Wamsutta]

Not getting into if one is better than the other but problem with putting them side by side is they often LOOK the same as Harbor Freight apparently copies Snap-on products. Personally I'd prefer the Snap-on if money wasn't an issue not so much due to performance but rather given the choice I'd prefer MiUSA over China everytime. I do have some ICON they work but it bothers me that they're not Snap-on as some are replacements for Snap-on that I sold for financial reasons.

Sure they look the same, but wait until you get them in your hands to test out the way they feel of and the way they function. Without trying out either one, I can guess with a high degree of certainty that the Snap-on version feels way better in my hands and functions way better with a far more precise mechanism that also makes a very pleasing sound.

 

[Callelle]

Sure they look the same, but wait until you get them in your hands to test out the way they feel of and the way they function. Without trying out either one, I can guess with a high degree of certainty that the Snap-on version feels way better in my hands and functions way better with a far more precise mechanism that also makes a very pleasing sound.

Dude always makes it sound like whatever is being worked on is going to catch on fire the moment anything from Harbor Freight touches it

 

[Notgrownup]

I am buying only Icon now. Ratchets, sockets, wrenches. On pliers, I like the Doyle’s, Quinn and Icon Ones. I get them on coupon days. I have a $500 gift card I won and I’m waiting for the discounts on Hercules power tools then I’m converting all my Porter Cable stuff over. I already bought the chargers and batteries while they were 35% off.

 

[Kurt4440]

When changing the timing belt in my Honda Ridgeline I watched many videos about how to do it. One persons video showed the extra long ratcheting wrenches. So I bought them. I don’t think I would have been able to accomplete the job without them. The cheapest shop estimate for the job was over $2500. The parts, sold as a kit through Rockauto was around $350, so with the wrenches and a few other tools I still did it for around $600. I have used the wrench set for other auto stuff.

Good for you, not only for tackling the timing belt, but, for buying tools that will allow you to complete more jobs and save even more money.

This is the exact way I purchased tools when I was younger and raising 4 children. When the kids started driving and were in college, I made plenty of repairs using the tools I had acquired over the years. If you actually use your tools they are worth the cost.

 

[rust in the eye]

Dude always makes it sound like whatever is being worked on is going to catch on fire the moment anything from Harbor Freight touches it

"Compare to "Snap-on XFRRM705 at $835."

What Harbor Freight should do is put an actual example of a Snap-on product next to their Icon version so people can compare apples to apples instead of just posting the price of the competitor's product. What Harbor Freight is trying to do is make people believe that their Icon version is the EXACT same tool as their competitor's at fraction of the price. That's cheesy marketing in my opinion. If they want to do a fair comparison, they would put the actual Snap-on product in the Harbor Freight store so people could do a real comparison. My guess is Harbor Freight is too chicken chit to do that because they know their product is inferior.

Give it a rest, will ya?
How about you just ASK to touch one?
They are asking you to compare, not convince anyone they are same. MOST people do this by putting the tool into service rather than just fondling them. Plenty of on-line reviewers and anecdotal comparisons by those here.

 

[rust in the eye]

Not getting into if one is better than the other but problem with putting them side by side is they often LOOK the same as Harbor Freight apparently copies Snap-on products. Personally I'd prefer the Snap-on if money wasn't an issue not so much due to performance but rather given the choice I'd prefer MiUSA over China everytime. I do have some ICON they work but it bothers me that they're not Snap-on as some are replacements for Snap-on that I sold for financial reasons.

Pretty sure Icon are made in Taiwan. Splitting hairs? Perhaps.
Seems your Icon replacements are serving you well enough. For Wamsutta's sake perhaps you will expound on their feel in hand.

 

[cgrutt]

Pretty sure Icon are made in Taiwan. Splitting hairs? Perhaps.
Seems your Icon replacements are serving you well enough. For Wamsutta's sake perhaps you will expound on their feel in hand.

Im not going to contribute to a Snap-on v Harbor Freight debate, esp here but suspect you may be disappointed with my opinion if I did.

 

[rust in the eye]

Im not going to contribute to a Snap-on v Harbor Freight debate, esp here but suspect you may be disappointed with my opinion if I did.

Nah, not me.
Maybe share your thoughts with the fellow concerned so he can come to his foregone conclusion.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Give it a rest, will ya?
How about you just ASK to touch one?

When I asked, they told me I needed to buy it.

I'm not really up on their return policy... Only returned two items.

 

[shoggoth80]

My experience with Icon wrenches is limited. I can say that so far, everything I've got that's Icon has been good for the money. Very good. Ratchets (gen2), some pliers, a light, some sockets mostly on a personal level.

At the work level, I've bought wrenches, pliers, picks, sockets, wire crimper/strippers, ball joint press, several torque wrenches. Nobody has complained. The extra long ratcheting wrenches are pretty universally liked. Nobody has busted the wobble impacts (though we've mostly moved to Tekton pinless as standard for new box builds), the one tech that I bought the anti slip wrenches and larger metric add on set for is really happy with them.

Icon to me is a sweet spot of value, function, and ease of warranty. High value. Higher when bought on sale.

If you don't use an open end often, I would consider the anti slip... Just because it's a nice feature if you need it. That said, I rarely use the open end of a wrench... And nice feature or not, haven't rounded over many fasteners with what I've got. Could be useful as a backer that you're going to apply a lot of force to. I also like longer pattern wrenches, so that colors my input.

All that said, there's nothing wrong with a good, plain Jane get it done set of combos... Which the regular Icons would be. Pair them with the larger add on set and get to it

 

[FTG-05]

Im not going to contribute to a Snap-on v Harbor Freight debate, esp here but suspect you may be disappointed with my opinion if I did.

I'd like to hear your opinion. I've been very impressed with most of the HF stuff I've bought (Hardy gloves, USG 5drawer cart, wrenches, Icon ratchet, metric sockets etc.). The only complaint is their battery powered pump crapped out after only using twice.

However, I'm not a pro, just a weekend warrior - at best.

Thanks,

 

[FTG-05]

I am buying only Icon now. Ratchets, sockets, wrenches. On pliers, I like the Doyle’s, Quinn and Icon Ones. I get them on coupon days. I have a $500 gift card I won and I’m waiting for the discounts on Hercules power tools then I’m converting all my Porter Cable stuff over. I already bought the chargers and batteries while they were 35% off.

I bought my first Hercules power tool a couple weeks ago, the 20v grease gun. I've only used it a couple times, mostly on my tractor. Very impressed with it. Greasing used to be a big PITA; now it's not.

 

[KnurledNut]

I guess in June the Icon wrenches will go on sale for 35% off.
In my field we don't use sockets or wrenches much but also most are SAE. I don't have very many at all left most were stolen.
I have been needing them in my garage lately.
So I'm just going to get a set of SAE & Metric Icon's as a start,
But which is best for light work, mostly non automotive? Is anti slip needed or ratcheting worth it while they are on sale?

The 60° offset box end wrenches are priced well and good quality. These can be pricey from other high quality brands.
Here's a picture from when I picked them up new a couple years ago.


Ratcheting wrenches have more of a consumable lifespan and HF is a good option to consider largely due to easy in-store warranty.
That being said, the ICON ratcheting mechanisms are made by reputable Taiwan manufacturers and are durable.

Some of their offerings are hard to find elsewhere with the combination of a reasonable price on sale + local stock + hassle-free warranty. The extra long reversible flex box end and extra long reversible combination patterns are standouts in this regard.
The flex head combination versions are also excellent. They make a short pattern that they call "stubby" which I find really handy in the mid range sizes and is an option that kind of flies under the radar. These are higher priced though and probably why they aren't more popular.



The endless ICON vs. Snap-on debate always cracks me up, because I am certain some of the most advocating quibblers have used neither.
But on that note, here's one that lost the battle:

 

[Ohio Andy]

The 60° offset box end wrenches are priced well and good quality. These can be pricey from other high quality brands.
Here's a picture from when I picked them up new a couple years ago.

Those sure look nice. Every now and then I wish I had a set...

Ratcheting wrenches have more of a consumable lifespan and HF is a good option to consider largely due to easy in-store warranty.
That being said, the ICON ratcheting mechanisms are made by reputable Taiwan manufacturers and are durable.

Love my proto... I have some Craftsman V-series... I have stubby flex head ratcheting olsa and snap on.... Long ratcheting flex head Tekton.

Do I have favorites? Sure. You might dislike my favorites.

 

[cgrutt]

I'd like to hear your opinion. I've been very impressed with most of the HF stuff I've bought (Hardy gloves, USG 5drawer cart, wrenches, Icon ratchet, metric sockets etc.). The only complaint is their battery powered pump crapped out after only using twice.

However, I'm not a pro, just a weekend warrior - at best.

Thanks,

I'm probably more of an outlier than representative of the norm. I'm also not a pro. I have a very strong preference for Snap-on hand tools. I just like them simple as that. Not saying they're better than any other brands and frankly I believe people should buy and use whatever brand that makes them happy within their budget, whatever that may be. Ive sold some of my Snap-on tools over the last ten years or so for financial reasons. I've replaced some of them with ICON. The ICON tools work fine IMO and are generally very affordable, although they seem to be getting less affordable than they once were. I'd prefer they were Snap-on. Thats just me and my opinion take it for what it is. I have bent an ICON 12mm ratcheting wrench although it was more of a necessity than failure of the tool. (I got a non-reversible wrench stuck and had to use alot of force to get it unstuck.) Was surprised the handle bent before ratcheting mechanism broke. Don't recall ever bending a Snap-on wrench before but never got one stuck either. I also bought about half-dozen or so ICON ratchets and sold all of them. Replaced them with you guessed it... Snap-on. I bought the ICON pliers that is a direct copy of the Snap-on and was getting alot of attention last year. Ive used it on several projects and am not really that impressed with it. I don't have the Snap-on to compare to though. Most of the tools I've purchased from Harbor Freight have been the automotive specialty tools (Maddox). No issues with most of them they work fine. I did break a few though. Not sure if this helps or not buy whatever makes you happy.

 

[M635_Guy]

I was thinking the same....

Have you ever rounded a bolt? If not, you are probably fine... If yes, well.... Maybe you want something that can handle that

Then you can try to figure out of you want something long or short... And how they feel in your hands.

My favorite are probably Wright tools. Phone that they are really good with rounded bolts, I like how they feel in my hands. One person specifically posted that he did not like how they felt in his hands.

I like the Craftsman overdrive.

Probably more important than any of that though is making certain that you have things like the right length and size. I was trying to use a ratchet to remove a license plate and the handle was too long and I needed something smaller than what I had with me. If you're going to be in small cramped areas, maybe you need stubby wrenches.

Just things to think about. I have never used the icon wrenches, but I think that they are generally held in high regard

I have the regular and the A/S, but got the A/S set as an 'in-case' kind of thing. The regular set is my core for all my DIY stuff, and they're very good. I had a Tekton set before, and while they never failed me in any way, they had a bit of slop that bugged me a little since it's a tiny flash of "is-this-rounding-of-course-not" kind of thing. The Icon are tighter on a fastener. I will say that had a reverse impact on me last weekend. I was bleeding brakes and thought for a second that the ******* were a weird size until I realized I wasn't taking the angle perfectly enough . I'm my own worst enemy sometimes